10 Inspirations

TED #3: Derek Sivers: Weird, or just different?

Its interesting to think that something that is completely normal for us in the US can make no sense in some other place in the world. The example Sivers uses is the way we view streets and blocks. In the US we find where we are by looking at street names but in Japan they name blocks instead of streets. These are things that are completely normal and pretty much common knowledge for each culture. This proves that some of the things we take for certainties or obvious facts,may have an opposite reality in some other culture.

TED #2: Oliver Sacks: What hallucination reveals about our minds

Sacks' opening line is "We see with the eyes, but we also see with the brain." He speaks of hallucination, perception, and imagination. Neurologist and author. The subject of example is a woman who is blind but who was seeing things. This makes me wonder, do blind people dream? What do they see when they dream? But she said its not like a dream, its more like a very boring movie. Unrelated to anythign she was thinking or doing. Some hallucinations are mobile. It seems very frightening to go though with hallucinations such as these. The Charles Bonnett syndrome is very different from the psychotic hallucinations. they interact with you unlikethe Bonnett ones that are more like watching a movie. Temporal lobe epilepsy on the other hand, is like traveling to the past to a specific moment. full of feeling, emotion, sensory effects and everything. FMRI view what parts of the brain are activated. The flow of preception is being intersected. They are nothing like dreams. In the end of his presentation, he admits to seeing osme hallucinations himself and wonders whether cave paintings were inspired by such hallucinations. This was completely fascinating.

TED #1: Kevin Kelly tells technology's epic story

This talk raises the question "What is a world without technology?" but before that, Kelly discusses what technology actually is. Technology is not something new or recent because ancient and prehistoric tools are also forms of technology. Not many humans - if any- would be able to survive without technology. With technology we became the dominant species and it is the most powerful force in this planet. It could also be considered a very important part of who we are. It allows us to reinvent ourselves and our humanity. According to Kelly, technology is anything useful that a mind makes. This is an interesting outlook and deffinitely has changed the way I view technology. Trends in evolution of life when compared to the density of energy can show where technology is going. Technology is selfish vs. technology is generous? Engage technology. Respond to a bad idea with a better idea. Technology is a way to increase possibilities, choices, oppertunities and freedoms. It is an extension of life, its part of us and an even stronger force than we are.

10 inspirations - Flea Market

10 Inspirations

Elegant meets everyday. Newspaper + Flowers.

Colorful street art makes any walk more enjoyable.

The Darkroom: its smell, its cool old time meter clocks, the magic.

What a witty name. Student work is inspiring.


Great exhibit. Great concept of love

Woah. That really happens.


SYRACUSE IS SAFE . . .


Dogs love snow!


Intimidation.


Thinking bubbles. Great 3D project.

Dear Planet Earth: I still love you.

The movie documentary "11th Hour" really reminded me of how much we have affected our planet negatively and how we humans tend to separate ourselves from nature. Global warming is no joke. Everyone's talking about it, but the truth is, only a handful of people are really doing something to help. I found a website recently called "inhabitat" where designers are finding creative ways to be sustainable and making that small step to help the environment. Unfortunatelly, we're basically at a point where we'll be doomed anyway. Our world is changing so quickly and its our turn to completely change the way we live and find ways to adapt to all the changes that are occurring. Its a scary reality, but I guess the first step is accepting it. The second, actually doing something about it.

10 inspirations - Our planet is doomed :(