via BuzzFeed
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Kitteh comes with own packaging
Everest is connected
There is NOT 3G mobile coverage on Philip Island, Victoria.
Or Ceduna, South Australia.
Or Halls Gap, Victoria.
Or any one of a million places I've been in the past 6 months where I actually needed 3G mobile coverage.
In fact, here's a map showing 3G coverage of the whole of Australia. See all that yellow? Yeah, you can't do shit on the Interwebs there.
But at least you can check your Facebook from the peak of the highest mountain in the world. Priorities, people, priorities.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Doc Brown is the bad guy
According to Newman, the Doc is;
- a terrorist
- a pedophile
- an advocate for scientific testing on animals
- a vain, selfish coward
- a thief
- and a hypocrite when it comes to his own 'rules' about time travel intervention.
And you know what? He's 100% right.
However, you're worried about the morals and ethics of a crackpot scientist in the middle of Reagan America, when there's a teenage boy about to get lucky with his mum?
Perspective, dude.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Data Journalism
Journalists have to balance their role in responding to events with their role as an active seeker of stories - and data is no different. The New York Times' Aron Pilhofer recommends that you "Start small, and start with something you already know and already do. And always, always, always remember that the goal here is journalism." The Guardian's Charles Arthur suggests "Find a story that will be best told through numbers", while The Times' Jonathan Richards and The Telegraph's Conrad Quilty-Harper both recommend finding your feet and coming up with ideas by following blogs in the field and attending meetups such as Hacks/Hackers.I looooove data visualisation. I've even had formal training in it, although my Informational Graphics lecturer at RMIT would probably not call me her best pupil. I'm fascinated by the quick, easy and succinct nature of data-vis - it's such a powerful tool for communicating a message, especially when it's presented in an interactive way. And it's something that can take so many different forms - from standard graphs, to plotting points on a map, to interesting mash-ups of non-related data, to showing size comparisons not normally considered (eg pictured is Australia overlaid on Europe).
After speaking to Jess Bachman, creator of the Death & Taxes visual budget last year, I embarked on producing an Australian version of this huge visual aid. Along with every media outlet, lobby group and political party in the country, the Greens scour the Federal Budget the second it is released, trying to find the important elements that can become campaign elements. As part of my role in this machine, I was attempting to show very clearly the disparity between spending on, say, military hardware and Indigenous health programs. After a few months of attempting to whittle down massive budgetary papers into quick, clear stats, I had to give it up. It was a good lesson in the process of developing this type of project: make sure your data is ready, well before you start thinking about the end product.
I'm currently working on a series of visual guides that aim to show the impacts of climate change on everyday parts of our lives - from commodity prices to the funding required in renewable energy industries. The climate movement has a wealth of data to back up their arguments - hopefully we can make some of those conversations quicker and easier.
With so many datasets available on the Interwebs these days, it's a wealth of information that is frequently too large to easily interpret. By visualising this data into bright, shiny, happy graphs, maps, displays and other graphic representations, the wider story can often be a lot easier to convey.
Check out some of my favourite data-vis blogs:
BTTF Twitter reenactment
Bound to happen sooner or later.
Today after 2:00 pm (PST) follow the BTTF characters on Twitter for the reenactment of the BTTF movies. http://fb.me/KOI39Txq
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
This is totally a pipe
I require this on a t-shirt.
Stat.
via Daily What
Countries at threat from climate change
UK consultancy Maplecroft identified Bangladesh and India as the two countries facing the greatest risks to their populations, ecosystems and business environments after ranking 170 countries based on their exposure to climate-related natural disasters and their social, economic and political ability to adapt to a changing climate.
According to Maplecroft, the countries facing the greatest risks are characterised by high levels of poverty, dense populations, exposure to climate-related events and reliance on flood- and drought-prone agricultural land.
Here are the 16 countries that face "extreme" risk, in order from most vulnerable to least.
- Bangladesh
- India
- Madagascar
- Nepal
- Mozambique
- Philippines
- Haiti
- Afghanistan
- Zimbabwe
- Myanmar
- Ethiopia
- Cambodia
- Vietnam
- Thailand
- Malawi
- Pakistan
First published on Oxfam Blogs
Batboat Mark II
Duh - buy another one.
The Sea Shepherd have announced that the 12-year-old, 115-foot, stabilized monohull vessel Ocean Adventurer will join the Steve Irwin and the Bob Barker on the next campaign in the southern ocean.
Awesome.
Monday, October 25, 2010
The evolution of the geek
Although it would appear that whilst some elements of me have fully traversed the evolutionary chain (Design geek, Tech geek), there are parts of my psyche still stuck a few branches down (Star Trek geek, Politics geek, Internet geek).
via Flowtown
Cheesy billboard
It is advertising high-speed broadband.
Makes sense.
via Gizmodo
ONE's Living Proof campaign
Newly launched, the ONE campaign in the US are running a new project called Living Proof, which aims to tell the real story of incredible progress being achieved by some of the world's poorest people.
The Living Proof campaign is calling for a cold, hard look at what's working well in the world of development. It's asking people to celebrate - and share - the stories of those who are achieving it. Now, more than ever, stories need to be heard about how effective, affordable solutions to the global problem of extreme poverty are being found and delivered.
Whilst the campaign is not attempting to paint the picture that all aid works, it is a great effort to tell some of the stories that are too often ignored - the individuals transforming their communities and countries, and the smart aid investments that are helping them realize their goals.
We're loving the range of inspiring videos that have already been featured in this campaign, including this one about Maria Mchele - a mother and farmer in Tanzania who relies on farming for food and income.
Through a local agricultural program, Maria learned about a new crop of orange-fleshed sweet potatoes, specifically bred to thrive in sub-Saharan Africa. They taught her about soil irrigation, crop multiplication, and how to get her crops to market. She is now a leader in her farming group and teaches others what she’s learned. Learn how investments in programs like this have helped farmers increase their incomes by up to 400%.
Check out more of these great stories here.
First published on Oxfam Blogs
Wave of action
Oxfam and partners are organising events, protests, talks and media stunts in over 30 countries, all part of a wave of action that demonstrates we’re willing to roll up our sleeves and get on with the job – and demand that world leaders do the same.
We know that poor people feeling the impacts of climate change are already finding innovative solutions to adapt. Like Noograi Sangsri from Northern Thailand, who has been part of a community initiative to pipe water directly into her field, reducing the time she must spend there and increasing her harvest.
This work is critical to building long term, sustainable solutions to climate change. But international support for more work like this is urgently needed. Less than a tenth of climate funds distributed to date have reached those who need it most.
2010 is an opportunity to get the climate negotiations back on track and help the world’s most vulnerable people. As Environment Ministers set off to the next Climate Summit in Cancun at the end of the year, millions of people will be watching. We demand a fair Climate Fund is established, one that delivers for poor people, particularly women. By delivering concrete progress on the cash needed to tackle climate change and ensuring it reaches those who bear the brunt of climate impacts like Noograi, world leaders can sow the seed for the fair, ambitious and binding deal that the world so urgently needs.
- Join us and make sure our political leaders get the idea.
- Check out just some of the actions that have already happened around the world
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Cable TV info fail.
via Barry
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Save the Children iPhone game
An 8.2 magnitude earthquake struck a densely populated island in the Atlantic Ocean. Thousands are injured and many more feared dead. Damage to buildings and infrastructure is widespread. You have been sent by Save the Children to distribute life-saving aid to people affected.
The game is simple: save the lives of children and their families affected by a massive earthquake. To do that, Save the Children will send you (the player) to the affected area to distribute life-saving aid to the most in need.
As the crisis deepens and as more homeless people need aid like food, water and shelter, you must make quick decisions about where aid is needed and how much aid is needed. But you must hurry, or lives will be lost… just like in a real emergency.
First published on Oxfam Blogs
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Makin' a Sun - BRB
Aside from the terrifying fact that this machine's purpose is to create an artificial sun on the surface of the earth, does anyone else think it looks like X-Men's Professor Xavier's Cerebro machine?
WANT WANT WANT ALL!
Attention everyone I know: it is now 63 days until my birthday.You may buy me everything on this list of props and memorabilia from the Back to the Future movies.
I have already drooled over the ability to buy the original puffer jacket worn by Marty in BTTF #2, but thanks to Trav's keen eyes, I now know there is a hell of a lot more currently on offer at auction.
Including this map of Hill Valley from 1885, or either of these copies of USA Today from 2015, or perhaps these original self-lacing Nike shoes. Maybe your tastes are more inclined towards the original 'OUTATIME' license plates.
I already own a giant poster of BTTF #1 movie release, courtesy of my wonderful sister. But if you wanted to be like, epic awesome, you could buy me a version signed by Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Claudia Wells, Crispin Glover & Thomas F. Wilson.
You know what, let's just make it easy - you can all chip in and buy me a DeLorean. It's only fair.
Kartikeya Sarabhai on climate change
One of the highlights of the Wheeler Centre’s recent 2010 Deakins lecture series was a fascinating talk by Founding Director of the Centre for Environment Education, Kartikeya Sarabhai. He spoke about climate change programs in India, and asked the hard questions about how we can make development sustainable.
The series, titled ‘Brave New World: The Climate Change Challenge’, was curated by Professor Tim Flannery and featured some of the main players in politics, science and social engagement with climate change.
First published on Oxfam Blogs
Monday, October 18, 2010
Youtube in B flat
This is just beautiful.
inbflat.net collects youtube clips of instruments being strummed in B flat and dumps them all onto one screen.
You can then opt to play all or some of them, starting and stopping whenever you want.
It feels like you're watching the musical brains of Thom Yorke, Björk, Sigur Rós, Philip Glass & Looper all at once.
via Google Lab's list of Interwebs awesomeness
DesigNYC
DesigNYC is a project aimed at connecting design studios with NGOs and community-driven projects, facilitating pro-bono design, advertising, campaigning and communication expertise for projects and services that wouldn't otherwise be able to afford them.
The image I've used here is a logo redesign for the Bronx River Alliance - an NGO aimed at maintaining the health of the Bronx River.
In the words of DesigNYC, they:
CONNECT pro bono designers with organizations serving the public goodI love this idea. A lot of creative agencies love to do pro-bono work, especially for causes they feel an affinity towards, but mostly it comes down to pre-existing relationships or chance meetings for collaborations to get off the ground. This is a great service to connect those worlds together properly.
INSPIRE collaboration and action
CREATE community and social capital
SHARE stories and spread good ideas
AMPLIFY the work of extraordinary organizations
DEMONSTRATE the value of good design
I have been toying with a very similar concept - a site that would facilitate all the great creative ideas being generated by the public and connect them with an NGO that could fund them. Just an idea at the moment but hopefully I'll get it somewhere soon.
There's a range of interesting bottom-up projects that have been building over the past few years - all using the mentality that if you build the infrastructure to allow people to connect, you can then sit back and let them. From things such as the Awesome Foundation, who award $1000 grants to awesome ideas every month, to the micro-lending system for creative projects Kickstarter, the trend is leaning towards de-centralised systems that allow for collaboration and co-operation.
I'm a fan.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Vote for Rich Whitey
USA Green Party candidate in Illinois, Rich Whitney, had his name misspelled on 4200 electronic voting machines.
In an area that is predominantly African-American, his name appeared on the ballot as 'Rich Whitey'.
I'm sure that went down well.
In an area that is predominantly African-American, his name appeared on the ballot as 'Rich Whitey'.
I'm sure that went down well.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Ed Hardy, go f*ck yourself
I now have new found respect for people who live south of the river.
via Daily What
Friday, October 15, 2010
Amazing video projection on Prague clocktower
Digital video mapping and projection is my new favourite thing. I require an art collective that is into this shit. I will give them money. For serious.
Portuguese thinking city
No, you didn't read that wrong, and no, it's not as scary as it seems. In actual fact what they're doing is, for the first time, linking all the water, energy, waste and climate control systems into one hive mind.
This collective system will then be able to make smarter decisions about power consumption, waste management flow and other needs of the city.
Cool.
Somewhat terrifying as a precursor to SkyNet global takeover, but still cool.
via GOOD
Blog Action Day 2010: Water
We all need fresh, clean accessible water for drinking and for cooking, only some of us have to go to the limits of human endurance to get it. Right now a staggering one billion people are forced to use dirty water for their daily needs.
Unclean water, poor sanitation and unsafe hygiene practices have claimed more lives over the past century than any other cause – and this is continuing in many developing countries – making this one of the world’s most urgent health issues.
Increasingly unpredictable weather patterns are affecting farmers’ crops. By 2020 yields from rain-fed agriculture in Africa could be down by 50%. Water supply is now so acutely challenged that several major cities that are dependent on the Himalayan and Andes glaciers will face crippling shortages within decades.
What is Oxfam doing about this?
Rice paddy water useOxfam’s promotion of the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) in programs in east and south Asia, including Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia and Sri Lanka. This production method of the main staple food for these regions uses less water, less seed stock, less chemical fertiliser and pesticides, and generally results in increased yields of rice, which can be up to 50 – 100%. This ecological based farming practice spaces rice plants further apart, uses compost and other organic fertilisers, and because it only keeps rice paddy soil moist rather than flooded, uses 25 – 50% less water. The efficient use of water resources is a critical adaptation to climate change, with water efficient farming being a key part of this.
Learning to swim
In many countries prone to flooding, women in particular are at increased risk of drowning as they are less likely to be taught how to swim. Oxfam’s disaster risk reduction work in Vietnam has included swimming classes, including women and children as a response to increased flooding risk from climate change.
Check out some more info about this program here.
Timor Leste climate change adaptation program
This new program will work with communities to identify the key climate change risks, which anecdotal stories already are talking about changing rainfall patters – with more rain in the dry seasons, more intensive rains and hotter temperatures. All of this can play havoc with local water management and supply (for farming, health and hygiene purposes), increases risks of flooding and landslides in this mountainous country. We will work with communities to find ways they can adapt to these changes and manage the risk.
Oxfam’s Global WASH Portfolio
Oxfam is funded by AusAID for around A$5m to deliver improved access to safe sufficient supplies of water in more than 100 remote rural communities in 6 countries: Timor Leste, Bangladesh, PNG, Cambodia, Mozambique and Zambia. This group of counties is already suffering from the impacts of climate changes on the availability and quality of their water sources including drought, flooding, sea level rises and the increased intensity and number of natural disasters such as hurricanes and tropical storms. The impact on their health is made worse by the lack of latrines leading to open defecation and direct contact with excreta which increases their disease burden. Oxfam is not only providing clean water, but it is also ensuring that the communities have access to latrines and learn about the importance of good hygiene behaviors such as hand washing with soap or ash after contact with defecation.
Read more about this program here.
So, what can you do?
Help us deliver safe water to Papua New GuineaIn the East Sepik region in Papua New Guinea, families literally live on the water. They fish in it, they wash in it and they drink it … yet they also go to the toilet in it.
In February 2010 cholera hit the region. As an acute intestinal infection (caused by contaminated food and water) it spread fast — taking lives, and making whole communities very sick. To stop the spread of cholera in PNG we’re distributing water catchments and hygiene kits containing soap, oral rehydration salts and buckets.
The Oxfam bucket not only helps families store clean water but also keeps it safe. A tight-fitting lid ensures flies are kept out, and a tap prevents water becoming contaminated by dirty hands. By donating to the Oxfam Water Appeal, you can help families access clean and safe water and prevent the spread of the disease through good hygiene practises.
Protect a family in Cambodia
Turning on a tap and drinking water is second nature to us. You can help protect people from sickness by providing them with a water filter jar. These nifty devices are a hygienic way to store and filter water and stop any nasty bugs getting in. And at only $14, that’s a present we can all drink to!
A simple but effective water filter jar provides disadvantaged families in Cambodia with safe water to drink and cook with. The water filter jar significantly reduces the prevalence of life-threatening disease, such as diarrhoea, in communities where clean water supplies are hard to come by. “I collect water from the river every morning. The water that I collect I boil then put through the water filter jar because I’m afraid of bacteria and disease. Now that I boil water and have a water filter jar my health is better.” Mrs Sok Bun, Stung Treng province, Cambodia
Get involved in Blog Action Day
You've still got time to take part in this global day of action!
Write a post on your own blog, comment on the thousands popping up around the world or just read more about the importance of providing clean, safe drinking water to every person on the planet.
This post is part of Blog Action Day 2010
First published on Oxfam Blogs
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Set time circuits to AWESOME
This is very very VERY relevant to my interests. Michael J Fox - back in the DeLorean (albeit for an ad for some kind of TV awards ceremony).
via @ebony_bennett
Oh, and I know everyone is going nuts over this footage of Eric Stolz as the original Marty McFly.
Pfff. Please. We all know The Fox is sooo much better at being awkward-yet-awesome-in-a-puffer-jacket.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
TAM London 2010
TAM London 2010 is a world-class fundraising conference which this year is being held on 16 - 17 October 2010 at the Hilton London Metropole hotel. Join amazing speakers and over 1000 like-minded delegates for a fundraising celebration of science, critical thinking and entertainment in the heart of the city.
PLUS delegates have the chance to buy exclusive tickets to the premiere of Tim Minchin's Storm movie and spend Saturday evening being entertained by Tim and special guests. A totally unique opportunity!
via BB
Real human billboards
Great campaign from ING Direct in Italy - using real humans attached to billboards under the slogan 'Ask people who have it already.'
via The Inspiration Room
Improv MP3 Experiment Seven
The Improv Everywhere MP3 Experiment #7 has been undertaken in NYC, and it looked awesome.
3000 participants all downloaded the same MP3, met in stores surrounding a block of central New York and clicked play. I'm not sure if I approve of the huge wastage of toilet paper, but it did look cool from the air.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Typographic maps
Not the Chicago one - but sooner or later, they'll get around to doing a Melbourne one. Right?
BIG Lego
Giant Lego-shaped storage boxes.
Want want. I wouldn't even put Lego in them, just to be annoyingly ironic.
via Laughing Squid
FCKH8 and love teh gays!
This video just put a great big smile on my face.
Putting aside the epic sadness that, yet again, Californians have to fight Proposition 8 (the law that repealed gay marriage in that state), this campaign is brilliantly executed.
Are you ready to FCKH8? Buy a campaign t-shirt and all funds will go towards the legal fight against fundie Christians and arshole Republicans who want to stomp on the rights of thousands of same sex couples.
I particularly like the little girl with the line: "Don't f*ck with my queer daddies!"
via Peter Stahel
Monday, October 11, 2010
Wave of action
Oxfamm alongside many other organisations are organising events, protests, talks and media stunts in over 30 countries, all combining to be part of a wave of action that demonstrates we’re willing to roll up our sleeves and get on with the job - and demand that world leaders do the same.
We know that poor people feeling the impacts of climate change are already finding innovative solutions to adapt. Like Noograi Sangsri from Northern Thailand, who has been part of a community initiative to pipe water directly into her field, reducing the time she must spend there and increasing her harvest.
This work is critical to building long term, sustainable solutions to climate change. But international support for more work like this is urgently needed. Less than a tenth of climate funds distributed to date have reached those who need it most.
2010 is an opportunity to get the climate negotiations back on track and help the world’s most vulnerable people. As Environment Ministers set off to the next Climate Summit in Cancun at the end of the year, millions of people will be watching. We demand a fair Climate Fund is established, one that delivers for poor people, particularly women. By delivering concrete progress on the cash needed to tackle climate change and ensuring it reaches those who bear the brunt of climate impacts like Noograi, world leaders can sow the seed for the fair, ambitious and binding deal that the world so urgently needs.
Join us and ensure our political leaders act now!
First published on Oxfam Blogs
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Friday, October 08, 2010
Adorable Ukiyo-e shoes
These Merrell shoes include famous Ukiyo-e style Japanese wood-block designs on the soles, which means you can spread calming pictures of waves wherever you go.
Also, wish I had feet small enough to fit them. Dang.
Milky milky goodness
I had a few others but I like this one the best.
Thursday, October 07, 2010
Clown elected to Brazil Congress
Francisco Everardo Oliveira Silva, better known by his clown name Tiririca, received more than 1.3 million votes in Sao Paulo state in Brazil's elections - more than double the votes of his closest rival.
Tiririca ran under the slogan: "It can't get any worse" and a campaign promise to spend his time in Congress reporting back to the public on how politicians spend their time.
This honesty is best captured in a quote from his advertisements:
"What does a congressman do? The truth is I don't know, but vote for me and I'll tell you."
Given the recent election of a comedian as the Mayor of Reykjavik, and how close we came here in Australia to having Tony Abbott as Prime Minister, I'd say there's a bit of a worldwide trend for electing crazy people to positions of authority. Be afraid.
Garden buses are here.
Your signature has the power to stop...
Check out this totally amazing (yet ridiculously simple) design for Amnesty's petitions. Such a brilliant use of the space in physical petitions, which can traditionally be very stale and boring.via I Believe in Advertising
Wednesday, October 06, 2010
Collapsus - woah.
This just blew my mind. Collapsus is a new project from Tommy Pollatta - the director of Waking Life - which melds a whole variety of different media together to tell a story. It combines computer game with fictional film and documentary footage to tell an interactive story of the impending energy and resource crisis.
Check out the video intro for a walkthrough on how it works. Truly amazing to see such an innovative and new way to deliver a message.
via BB
Makin' Bacon
I think I may throw up. This is how bacon is processed on an industrial scale.
I don't know what's more disturbing - the 'liquid smoke', the jiggle-slicer or the ridiculously large amount of packaging.
Nup, it's got to be the pork belly tumble-drier.
via GOOD
Saturday, October 02, 2010
Cut it out, you fool!
via Black & WTF
Hear Ursula's story of climate adaptation in the Pacific
We'd encourage you all to go along to this Australian Conservation Foundation night of inspirational stories from Ms Ursula Rakova from the Carteret Atoll in Papua New Guinea, accompanied by wine, music and comedy.Meet Ursula Rakova from Tulele Peisa and hear her moving and inspiring stories of a people not defeated by the tough challenges of climate change. Comedian Rod Quantock will entertain you with his good humour consistent with the spirit of the Pacific islanders in the face of adversity. The Carteret communities live a low-carbon lifestyle and yet they are bearing the full force of climate change. Coral atolls are geologically dynamic, but extreme weather events consistent with climate change have been creating havoc.
The story of the Carterets is one of hardships, courage and inspiration. Proceeds go to Tulele Peisa, the non-governmental organisation set up by the Council of Elders to facilitate an ecologically and culturally sensitive relocation and resettlement program as well as for their advocacy work to call for an international CO2 emission reduction target of 350 parts per million, the safe limit for humanity according to scientists.
When: Tuesday 5 October at 6.30pm for a 7pm start
Where: RMIT Research Lounge, RMIT University Building 8, Level 5, Swanston St, Melbourne
Cost: $20 (wine and cheese included)
Book now
If you are unable to book online please RSVP by email: apvollie@acfonline.org.au for cash payment on the night
First published on Oxfam Blogs
Friday, October 01, 2010
The Super Mario Bros sheet music
Joseph Karam discovered that there was no original sheet music score for that most iconic of all music - the Super Mario Bros theme.So, he studied it and wrote it out, note for note, so piano teachers around the world could curse his name forever.
Google Maps in Antarctica
Mind. Explode.You can now operate Google Street View on ALL SEVEN CONTINENTS. Yes, that includes Antarctica.
Brian McClendon (VP of Engineering, Google Earth and Maps) recently went on a trip to Half Moon Island, Antarctica with his wife, dragging a panoramic GPS-enabled camera along with them.
As a result, you can load up their destination and ogle the penguins.
Awesome.
Jimmy Fallon & Justin Timberlake. Rapping
Justin Timberlake appears on Jimmy Fallon's show, resulting in an epic duet medley of the past 20 years of hip hop.
I have never before enjoyed watching two white boys doing black music so much.
via Kottke
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