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Saturday, 21 April 2012
Measuring happiness
I love to travel. It's as simple as that. And I have found a new place that fascinates me, and that I will one day visit. There is a teeny tiny country in Asia, between India and China, called Bhutan. This country is one of the least impacted by the West that I have heard of, and seems to me a place of refuge.
In Bhutan, the focus of the government is not on money, or exports of Gross National Product, but on happiness.
They base their decision making on the Gross National Happiness of the people, not on how rich or poor they are. This seems silly, because how can they make people happy without turning a profit? But, as it turns out, happiness is not about how many things you own (difficult to believe, I know), but about appreciation and enjoyment of life.
The focus of the governement of Bhutan is on self-reliance, preservation and promotion of the environment and the Bhutan culture and good democratic governance.
It makes sense to me that policy decisions should be made based upon the feelings of wellbeing among the people, and I feel that Western society could learn a lot from Bhutan's systems. But is this level of change possible in our society? We are very stuck in our ways.
From the Creative Visions module that I looked at last term, I read about a lot of pessimistic thoughts about our future, and in doing so came up with a few ideas of how it could be made better.
I am not exempt from the Western materialism. But as far as I can see, the economy is getting worse and worse, and what might happen should it collapse? I don't believe that we are so selfish and animalistic to fall into a man-vs-man scenario. Maybe we should start trading in kindness? You do a good deed, you gain reward points, and that way you build yourself a life.
Whatever happens, it is important to remember that nothing feels as good as contenment.
In Bhutan, the focus of the government is not on money, or exports of Gross National Product, but on happiness.
They base their decision making on the Gross National Happiness of the people, not on how rich or poor they are. This seems silly, because how can they make people happy without turning a profit? But, as it turns out, happiness is not about how many things you own (difficult to believe, I know), but about appreciation and enjoyment of life.
The focus of the governement of Bhutan is on self-reliance, preservation and promotion of the environment and the Bhutan culture and good democratic governance.
It makes sense to me that policy decisions should be made based upon the feelings of wellbeing among the people, and I feel that Western society could learn a lot from Bhutan's systems. But is this level of change possible in our society? We are very stuck in our ways.
From the Creative Visions module that I looked at last term, I read about a lot of pessimistic thoughts about our future, and in doing so came up with a few ideas of how it could be made better.
I am not exempt from the Western materialism. But as far as I can see, the economy is getting worse and worse, and what might happen should it collapse? I don't believe that we are so selfish and animalistic to fall into a man-vs-man scenario. Maybe we should start trading in kindness? You do a good deed, you gain reward points, and that way you build yourself a life.
Whatever happens, it is important to remember that nothing feels as good as contenment.
Tuesday, 17 April 2012
A new love...
In researching a recent post, I discovered how much I love United Colors of Benetton's collections, especially this stunning top!
And their electric colour combinations would lift anyone out of a slump.
That's me cheered up for the evening :D
And their electric colour combinations would lift anyone out of a slump.
That's me cheered up for the evening :D
Sunday, 15 April 2012
It's Greased Lightning!
There is something about the film Grease that is completely timeless and energising.
The summertime feeling, the colours, the songs, the one liners! Not to mention the clothes...
And with vintage popularity continuing to rise, why not get some of that style? It would make a fantastic summer wardrobe!
From cigarette skirts to full circular skirts, showcasing gorgeously feminine fabrics. And even in Summer's citrus brights.
The structured bodices and short playsuits also follow the theme.
The summertime feeling, the colours, the songs, the one liners! Not to mention the clothes...
And with vintage popularity continuing to rise, why not get some of that style? It would make a fantastic summer wardrobe!
From cigarette skirts to full circular skirts, showcasing gorgeously feminine fabrics. And even in Summer's citrus brights.
The structured bodices and short playsuits also follow the theme.
And 50's style swimsuits are dignified and glamorous.
And who could forget the accessories?
Finally, for a totally unique take on the 50s hair roll, Karmin's Amy Heidemann demonstrates her very own 'suicide roll'.
Friday, 13 April 2012
The life of a Standbeest
The physicist Thoe Jansen has created a new creature, but is it life, or just machine?
He claims that the 'Strandbeest' can think for itself, by sensing dangers like storms, water and dry sand and changing direction or anchoring itself into the sand to preserve itself. However, does this count as 'feeling' or 'thinking'?
The main question is; what is alive? These creatures can move themselves, look after themselves and store energy for later use. They effectively have muscles and a brain. But they are completely man-made and inorganic.
I find them absolutely fascinating, and although their look reminds me very much of spiders and stick insects, they are in their own way beautiful.
I guess this is more of a moral and religious debate than an artistic one, but I think the ingenuity that Jansen has shown is astonishing. If creatures like this are being made now, what will we be capable of in the future?
He claims that the 'Strandbeest' can think for itself, by sensing dangers like storms, water and dry sand and changing direction or anchoring itself into the sand to preserve itself. However, does this count as 'feeling' or 'thinking'?
The main question is; what is alive? These creatures can move themselves, look after themselves and store energy for later use. They effectively have muscles and a brain. But they are completely man-made and inorganic.
I find them absolutely fascinating, and although their look reminds me very much of spiders and stick insects, they are in their own way beautiful.
I guess this is more of a moral and religious debate than an artistic one, but I think the ingenuity that Jansen has shown is astonishing. If creatures like this are being made now, what will we be capable of in the future?
There's something about Post Secret
Post Secret is getting bigger and bigger. But why?
It appeals to our humanity, and our basic instincts to express ourselves. Whether it is a happy secret or an awful one, I am always stirred to some sort of emotion by reading the postcards. The walls and rules that define society are suspended by the anonymity, and the fear that we will be rejected because of these secrets seems to dissappear. In many ways, this is the only way that people can be themselves. This is why I am, kindasorta, addicted!
For more information on Post Secret and to see how moving it really is, watch Frank himself discuss it in his ted.com talk 'Half a Million Secrets'.
There are many similar projects which explore the ways that we communicate, and I think that the most interesting thing about these 'social experiments' is that people feel that they can be more honest with a computer screen than they can in human interaction.
Another of these fascinating projects is wefeelfine.org which was set up by artist and techology analyst Jonathon Harris. This brings to the forefront of my mind how much we express ourselves online, to total strangers. And how much can be known about us just from our online activity. It is frightening, but it is also quite freeing.
Jonathon Harris is trying to bring together a global mythology, to interpret the world in which we live. This brings to the foreground the way that each of our thoughts and actions on the internet is important and can make a difference. And another of his projects, Universe, which organises the internet world into constellations in the night sky, is just as fascinating, but seems to have dissappeared from its webpage. Harris is exploring a world of connectivity and storytelling in our high-tech world.
Jonathon Harris' 'one photo a day' project is based around the idea of living life more richly, being more present in your own moments and appreciating what you have. It is all too easy to get caught up in the day-to-day rituals, to just motor along, and especially looking at things like post secret to become obsessed by the bad things, and forget the good. But we should be about more than 'getting through life'. We should enjoy every moment and make the most of what we have. It won't be there forever.
What I am striving for, right now, is an enhanced awareness. I don't want to let things slip by me unnoticed. And that is why this post is full of random bits, because they have all caught my attention and made me appreciate my life and the world around me.
Artists are trying to form languages to communicate accross the world. The Emoticon Project, from Samsung, has introduced me to several artists who make it their goal to express themselves and help those around them to do the same. Megan Whitmarsh, for example, uses beautiful colours, delicate stitching and passion. I love this canvas which she says tries to communicate "exuberance, joy and humour".
I wish I could be an artist, but I cannot draw. So instead, I will share the art of others and celebrate the creatives that are out there. As Jonathon Harris says, life itself is your creation. I am creating my own story, and by golly will it be a good one!
It appeals to our humanity, and our basic instincts to express ourselves. Whether it is a happy secret or an awful one, I am always stirred to some sort of emotion by reading the postcards. The walls and rules that define society are suspended by the anonymity, and the fear that we will be rejected because of these secrets seems to dissappear. In many ways, this is the only way that people can be themselves. This is why I am, kindasorta, addicted!
For more information on Post Secret and to see how moving it really is, watch Frank himself discuss it in his ted.com talk 'Half a Million Secrets'.
There are many similar projects which explore the ways that we communicate, and I think that the most interesting thing about these 'social experiments' is that people feel that they can be more honest with a computer screen than they can in human interaction.
Another of these fascinating projects is wefeelfine.org which was set up by artist and techology analyst Jonathon Harris. This brings to the forefront of my mind how much we express ourselves online, to total strangers. And how much can be known about us just from our online activity. It is frightening, but it is also quite freeing.
Jonathon Harris is trying to bring together a global mythology, to interpret the world in which we live. This brings to the foreground the way that each of our thoughts and actions on the internet is important and can make a difference. And another of his projects, Universe, which organises the internet world into constellations in the night sky, is just as fascinating, but seems to have dissappeared from its webpage. Harris is exploring a world of connectivity and storytelling in our high-tech world.
Jonathon Harris' 'one photo a day' project is based around the idea of living life more richly, being more present in your own moments and appreciating what you have. It is all too easy to get caught up in the day-to-day rituals, to just motor along, and especially looking at things like post secret to become obsessed by the bad things, and forget the good. But we should be about more than 'getting through life'. We should enjoy every moment and make the most of what we have. It won't be there forever.
What I am striving for, right now, is an enhanced awareness. I don't want to let things slip by me unnoticed. And that is why this post is full of random bits, because they have all caught my attention and made me appreciate my life and the world around me.
Artists are trying to form languages to communicate accross the world. The Emoticon Project, from Samsung, has introduced me to several artists who make it their goal to express themselves and help those around them to do the same. Megan Whitmarsh, for example, uses beautiful colours, delicate stitching and passion. I love this canvas which she says tries to communicate "exuberance, joy and humour".
Visit meganwhitmarsh.com to see more of her art (its all awesome!).
Thursday, 12 April 2012
Us Brits do summer like no-one else!
We are now in British Summertime, but the weather is still unsure... Is this it? Will we get a proper summer? Will it be like the last few years with a few short weeks in April and May, and that's it until September?
I remember summers when I was a kid, full of sunshine and hose-pipe bans, running around in shorts and t-shirts, having village-wide water fights...
How do we spend summer now? Wishing that the few weeks of nice weather would wait until exams are over, trying to wear the loveliest summer clothes, even on cold wet days, because otherwise, why did you bother buying them?
The rain and thunderstorms are a constant of British summers, and the best plan if you know there will be storms? Stay warm and cosy at home with a mug of hot chocolate and watch the lightning from afar.
Here is how to dress for summer so that you'll never be caught out:
Layering is key! (And oh how I love to layer) You can still get pops of colour into your wardrobe, to combat the grey skies.
Take your pick from the season's favourite coloured skinny jeans, like these from Elizabeth and James...
Keep those winter knits on hand, just in case the temperature drops.
And if you do have to brave it, try a bright, fun umbrella like this dotty Fulton or this rain jacket from Akris. Not only will the colours make grey skies more bearable to you, but they may just brighten up everybody's day.
I remember summers when I was a kid, full of sunshine and hose-pipe bans, running around in shorts and t-shirts, having village-wide water fights...
How do we spend summer now? Wishing that the few weeks of nice weather would wait until exams are over, trying to wear the loveliest summer clothes, even on cold wet days, because otherwise, why did you bother buying them?
The rain and thunderstorms are a constant of British summers, and the best plan if you know there will be storms? Stay warm and cosy at home with a mug of hot chocolate and watch the lightning from afar.
Here is how to dress for summer so that you'll never be caught out:
Layering is key! (And oh how I love to layer) You can still get pops of colour into your wardrobe, to combat the grey skies.
Take your pick from the season's favourite coloured skinny jeans, like these from Elizabeth and James...
Add in a simple t-shirt (Espirit) or blouse (Mango)...
Keep those winter knits on hand, just in case the temperature drops.
And if you do have to brave it, try a bright, fun umbrella like this dotty Fulton or this rain jacket from Akris. Not only will the colours make grey skies more bearable to you, but they may just brighten up everybody's day.
And there is always Christopher Kane's technicolour dream to keep you smiling!
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