Too far

OK, here is some post-holiday cheer.

First let's start with something relatively friendly and fun. The Story of Stuff with Annie Leonard. Annie traces the line of the production of goods and describes the impact along each step of the way. She loses some credibility when she starts talking about computers, but, in general, I found the presentation engaging.

Next, we have a more visceral account of what happens in the disposal process. I was contacted by a film maker who wished to use some Archetribe in this work. It is about Cambodian children who sift through toxic trash looking for something they can turn into money.



Here we have Benjamin Barber talking about his book 'Consumed' with Bill Moyers. While I dislike the bottled water example, it is still a good view. Be sure to watch parts two and three.



Next we have The Corporation. The basic premise of this film is to compare a corporation, which is a legal entity that holds similar rights as an individual (EG: the right to buy and own land) and applies the DSM IV criteria to that entity. The conclusion is a corporation is psychotic. This is especially problematic because corporations are one of the most dominant forces in the world today.

Finally, we have Iraq for Sale, which details the wasteful practices of corporations operating in Iraq. For example, when a $75,000 truck gets a flat tire, instead of fixing the flat tire, the truck is destroyed and abandoned.

Something to think about before you make any resolutions for the new year. And if you think Ron Paul is going to save us, you're delusional. Neither will Hillary. No single person is going to fix this. It will take all of us.

Omodaka Kokirikobushi

Music and video are both brilliant. I really like the shaving cream section the best. I would so like to have a high resolution version of this video.



Note the similarity to Stevie Wonder's 'Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing'



I'm inspired to make some chip music because every time I hear some, I really like it. YMCK, for example.



I broke down and bought the downloadable Omodaka album from amazon's MP3 store because it wasn't available as a CD. I preferred Amazon's non-DRM'd MP3s to iTunes DRM'd version. This marks the first time I've purchased a music download for myself, simply because it wasn't available in any other form.

Then I find myself at samadhi sound where I discover Harold Budd has a new release. Download only. Sigh. Click. Buy. This is it, I guess.

Pan Flute Hero

On the way to lunch, we passed by the required pan flute band shivering in the cold outside Harvard Square. Someone uttered the phrase "Pan Flute Hero" and after that, you know, auto pilot...



Come on. You know you want it.

The part that took the most time was the logo, and finding a suitable typeface. I chose to go with Ironwood and then covert to paths and modify the characters to achieve the effect I'm looking for. Not perfect, but I didn't spent a lot of time on this.

Because, shut up

There are three things I've learned never to discuss online: the value of music, copy protection, and the great pumpkin.

I don't publicly flaunt who I work for. I quickly learned people judged me not by what I say, but by the name of my employer. Switching email addresses magically made people more receptive.

But I'm a user still. I read blogs, I'm excited by music technology, I buy stuff. When I comment on a blog, in the heat of the moment, I sometimes forget there are circumstances where I should post a full disclosure. I'm not trying to be dishonest, I'm just trying to be me. The opinions are my own and not my employers.

There is also a problem if I do post a full disclosure someone may construe my comments as the official word of my employer and believe me, this couldn't be further from the truth.