We come to the last phase of my look at the Keep Austin Weird campaign where I’ve asked three questions: What is your name? What is your quest? What is your favorite color? No, sorry we were looking at something … read more
Specialization- the process by which we have achieved space flight, agriculture, engineering, science, industry, efficiency, and ninjas. Although specialization can lead to excellence, it can have unintended consequences or stem from conditions of disparity. A meandering anecdote now follows: My … read more
There are many attributes to art. Art can have aesthetic quality. The work can be satiating to the eye, and beautiful in a very traditional sense. Art can have a purpose. The work can be functional and exceptionally well designed … read more
If France can brag that they have the healthiest health care system, Japan can brag that they have the healthiest people. At a life expectancy of 82 years, the Japanese live the longest and have four full years of life … read more
I hate port-o-pots. I find them gag inducing and would rather relieve myself in the woods than in a confined space filled with excrement. I know I’m not alone in this sentiment. This past weekend I attended an event with … read more
I have this facebook friend — one of those people I used to know and do not keep in touch with much — who last week updated his status to ask if he could crash at someone’s place. “Help” he … read more
Since this column started, one of the topics I’ve read the most about and wanted to eventually cover has been creative placemaking. Those two words, placed together just so, were so full of intrigue to me and seem to provide … read more
Let me start with a disclaimer. I shop local and I believe more people should ditch the big box retailers to support the independent local businesses in their community. I believe in buying local not only because it has a … read more
My apologies in advance for the personal biases expressed in the following post, but not very big apologies. Change takes place on so many different time scales that it truly boggles the mind: Geologic history is too slow to comprehend, … read more
Change is a result of access to information. The accelerated rate of societal change from the middle ages to present is likely a result of access to written information. During that period we experienced the invention of the printing press, … read more
Mission driven in vision and action.
