Friday

I'm Impressed and Just a Little Scared -- China's City of 42 Million


I don't know whether I should be impressed, saddened, or just stay very very still and look away.  The Chinese have decided to create a beast.  By incorporating the 9 (quite large) cities of the Pearl River Delta, they will be making a megalopolis of 16,000 square miles -- 26 times bigger than the London metro area, and far and away the worlds largest city.   From Reuters:
"The idea is to merge all nine cities around the Pearl River Delta (under the aptly-named plan, “Turn The Pearl River Delta Into One”) and connect them via power and water, telecommunications networks and 29 new rail lines."
Now, while the 26 new high-speed rail lines are cool, and emblematic of China's commitment to come out on top of the race to modern transport, and the idea of dense urban living being modular (city centers linked by rail forming a network of urban cores) is on-track with most futurist visions for megalopolis living, the sheer SIZE of this project is terrifying.  If you ask me.

Palin is a self-promoting ignoramus and shameless media troll - VIDEO

How did I miss this DEAD-ON classic Colbert?  Wonderful.

Thursday

Ugandan Update -- David Kato

Don't worry, the activist David Kato -- whose face made the cover of the local newspaper's anti-gay issue -- has been beaten to death in his home.  So you don't have to worry about him anymore.  All thanks and praise to Jesus Christ's disciples from here in the US who have made Africa in general and -- Uganda in particular -- the battleground for their war on modern values.  Unbelievably sad.  From the NYT:
"Uganda seems to be on the front lines of this battle. Conservative Christian groups that espouse antigay beliefs have made great headway in the country and wield a lot of influence. Uganda’s first lady is a born-again Christian and has proposed a virginity census. At the same time, American organizations that defend gay rights have also poured money into Uganda to help the small and besieged gay community."

From CNN:

Monday

New Construction Makes Modern Rocky Ruins in Veitnam

This amazing office (by this architectural firm) in Ho Chi Minh City has stolen my heart this morning.  It's like a modernist batcave and a secret jungle hidey-hole all wrapped into one.  Thick found-stone walls and carefully placed windows keep it cool, and the playful curves keep you guessing in a soothing way.  From Inhabitat.com.

Wednesday

Me, Tony Kushner and Belarus

I lend my big mouth to the movement
Stopped in at today's demonstration in solidarity with the artists, activists, and actors of Belarus.

Following arrests last month of many outspoken artists in the ex-Soviet republic, The Public Theater and Amnesty International held a peaceful protest and Tony Kushner and I decided to go. . . . more after the jump  . . .

Rita speaks truth to power on behalf of America and Sarah Palin

Rita from Memphis breaks down the real system for us through insanely patient radio host Michelangelo Signorile, and really opens a window on the oft baffling mind of the Right.  As you watch, try and not blame our education system somehow . . . she just doesn't have the right information or abilities, she's trying . . . but the gears can't catch.

Can you guess where this is?

For some this may be easy . . . there's a major landmark in there, but for others it may take awhile for your eyes to adjust . . . and focus . . . and believe.   The answer after the leap. . .

Friday

Economist Interactive Map Fun for ALL!


The Economist has an fascinating interactive chart comparing the economies (GDP) of US States with world nations AND the populations of both as well.  Michigan, despite it's woeful economic situation lo these many years, rivals Taiwan!  Michigan's nearest population "cousin" is CHAD!  Just saying

  View/play HERE.

Thursday

How Big Brands can Help Biodiversity -- VIDEO

Jason Clay is a WWF vice-president who works with big corporations to transform the global markets they operate in, so we can produce more with less land, less water and less pollution.  Take 20 minutes and watch how someone goes to work every day to make change on the macro level. . . it's encouraging, but begs the question:  Do we just accept that monopolies will forever run global production?  Do we work from within them, or work to dismantle them and stop thinking things are 'too big to fail'?

"The average cat in Europe has a larger environmental footprint . . . than the average African"



From TED.com

Wednesday

Not New but Still True


More guns does not mean more lunatics, but it does mean more lunatics with guns.

From the 2006 Independent (emphasis mine):
"In the US, there are roughly 17,000 murders a year, of which about 15,000 are committed with firearms. By contrast, Britain, Australia and Canada combined see fewer than 350 gun-related murders each year. And it's not just about murder. The non-gun-related suicide rate in the US is consistent with the rest of the developed world. Factor in firearms, and the rate is suddenly twice as high as the rest of the developed world.
Children are affected particularly hard. An American youth is murdered with a firearm every four and a half hours on average. And an American youth commits suicide with a firearm every eight hours. It's worth remembering that many of the most spectacular mass murders of recent years were really suicides, with the perpetrators choosing to take a few other people with them while they were at it. Gun-control advocates argue they manage to carry out their murderous fantasies only because firearms give them the means to do so."

Tuesday

Seven Green Things your Grandparents Did


This list of seven easy life adjustments we could learn from the "greatest" generation compiled by the often excellent Mother Nature Network:  after le leap . . .

Friday

Earth Art Memorialized in sad but true exhibit in NYC



January 8, 2011 is the 25th anniversary of the destruction of Adam Purple's monumental "earthwork" The Garden of Eden.  Photos of the artwork and the artist by acclaimed photographer Harvey Wang (also director of The Last New Yorker) will be displayed for the first time at the FusionArts Museum on Stanton Street, from February 1 - 20.

Happy New Year, let's go Backwards!!!

The now brainless, ever brash US House of Republicans, has decided that funds for transportation projects are now subject to re-appropriation. . . meaning your gas tax dollars may not go to bridges, subways and roads, but to some freakish abstinence campaign.  THANKS republicans, for tossing us back 15 years on the plodding path of progress.  Be sure to say hi to your private special interests on the way to survey the stalled infrastructure project in your district.  Jerks.
“Buried in the rules written by the GOP majority is a change that is opposed by the City of New York and the State Transportation Department and which the Metropolitan Transportation Authority said would cause ’significant damage.’”  He continues: “New Yorkers have already paid money at the gas pump that is guaranteed for transit, subways and roads.  Under the new rule change, this money would be put on the annual chopping block and not guaranteed at all.”
-Anthony Weiner (the only man with half a brain in there)