Hollywood does Hybrids

Of all the cars in the world, who would've guesed that the 2nd generation Toyota Prius would become the darling of Hollywood? Don't get me wrong, all this PR is well deserved for Toyota, who sunk millions on what was then seen as a very risky investment. It's just that I'm still baffled by their decision to make the original Prius look so naff... and then come out with a car that, somehow managed to cancel out all its green credentials with utterly offensive styling. maybe, like organic produce, they decided that the beauty should only be on the inside. My best guess is that Toyota did all the proper research in the market that matters, (the US). This would of course explain the styling, and in that context, the current Prius probably looks quite attractive parked amongst Detroit's ... er... products. Anyways, I thought this Pimped Up Prius was funny, so here's the recipe.

1. Take one ugly externally car
2. Marinade in a vat of American trans fats,
3. Allow 10 days to infuse,
Caution: do not spoil the nutritional value of the green stock
4. Liberally dress with chrome
5. Serve dish with Toyota warranty intact.

Under-Developed v Over-Developed?

The Problem is the Solution.

Whenever I read about India & China's economic boom it starts a chain-reaction of dark thoughts of eco-doom.

As a designer what can I do about it?
1> Create a highly desirable car that can be made entirely from papier-mache? (No wait, the Trabant already exists).
2> Commission a chinese factory to produce an exclusive range of furniture made entirely from shampoo bottles... ensuring it'll be copied and sold internally - thus providing a use for all our plastic (i.e. one that doesn't involve incineration)?
3> Get stray dog-meat back on the menu in Soho?

I could go on, but I think I've been patronising enough. Every dark thought has it's opposite.
When asked for his view on western civilization, Ghandi replied: "I think it would be a good idea." And as for China, I'd like to thank Al Gore Labs for reminding me of this little fact: "The Chinese symbol for 'crisis' is in fact two symbols - one for danger and the other for opportunity. That is how I see the challenge of halting climate change - locally, nationally and internationally there are opportunities to advance economic and social progress, but there are also huge dangers." Of course you could say that the US has the same attitude but if you through the Yin Yang concept into the mix - you've got yourself an exciting superpower!

Refresh & Reuse: train poster + 6yr old

Twin sisters, Ellen & Julia aim to reclaim the term 'designer' from empty styling. On their blog they attempt to apply design theory and practice to some basic problems of daily living. This example is of an innocent and well-intentioned act of train vandalism.
Design Your Life - Ad-aptive Reuse

Down with Imperialism!

Emma's starting to get a bit stressed about the progress of the new kitchen... she hasn't said anything... and I know she's carrying extra wait, but there's a lot of huffing and blinding going on. Being green (... or tight) is quite a bitch sometimes. I'm trying to re-use as much plastic and copper piping as possible - hence lots of careful cutting, working out, re-cutting, trips back&-forth to get different connectors/adaptors/stoppers/valves etc etc.

It seems that 40mm pipe can sometimes be 38mm pipe and sometimes 42mm ..but seldom does it actually measure 40mm. It all depends where you buy your pipe from. And if you happen to stumble upon www.diy-not.com looking for advice, you'll find lots of hardcore DIYers swapping hate stories about how and why a certain "hardware" store is not "the real deal" at all. Hmmm - very sinister - then again, they're quite a helpful bunch - replying to my somewhat bashful queries about basic plumbing & electrical techniques that any self-respecting man about the house should already know.

Anyways, I started this post to have a bitch about stupid imperial measurements... I'm sorry Victor papanek, I know it's all very romantic to measure everything based on whether or not you can carry it from one village to another... or whether you can stick your thumb in it or whatever - but Victor, how's that going to help me when all I want to do is stick two bits of plastic pipe together? I thought that the UK government started the official switch over to metric back in the 70's, but the other day I found out that it was more like 100 years ago. FK me, hardcore plumbers are old!