One of the nastiest experiences of my life was having coffee at the Paragon Train Station in Hull. (more…)
philosophy
An Announcement: My Point Is This
“What are you talking about?”
I’m no stranger to that question, although it’s usually phrased in different ways such as “What the hell do you mean, Mike?”, “Are you aware you’re actually talking, as in Out Loud?” and “Please get to the point before one of us dies“.
But in blogging circles, it’s one of the Big Questions you need to answer before you commit fingers to keyboard. What’s your topic? What do you have to say? Why is it you that has to say it? How do you conquer the world? (more…)
Traveller, Deny Thyself
Here are some interesting things about the word “denial”, regarding travel.
1. Denial is not a river in Egypt. (Ask this chap, if you don’t believe me). It’s spelled differently. This is why puns are all contemptible: they’re all about perverting our language to fit humour. Well, not in this blog. (more…)
Giving Form: The Designer’s Intent
When we become the hired guns of greed-driven corporations, we are driven to conform.
If we generate status kitsch for a jaded elite, and allow ourselves to become media celebrities, we perform.
When we twist products to reflect the navel-gazing of market research, we deform.
If our products divorce appearance and other functions – a telephone that looks like a duck and quacks instead of ringing, a clock-radio that looks like a female leg – we misinform.
When our designs are succinct statements of purpose, easy to understand, use, maintain and repair, long-lasting, recyclable, and benign to the environment, we inform.
If we design with harmony and balance in mind, working for the good of the weaker members of our society, we reform.
Being willing to accept the consequences of our design interventions, and accepting our social and moral responsibilities, we give form.
- Victor Papanek, The Green Imperative.
Image: Staircase at the BC Cancer Research Centre, Vancouver – by slightly-less-random.
The Green Imperative at Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com.
