Posts Tagged ‘ exploration ’

The Vice Guide to Everything

Once again I reveal that not only do I watch a bunch of television, but on suspect channels for my age (MTV and VH1) and with shows that at first seem a little strange (OCD Project, The Buried Life).  But here I go again because I feel like I’ve found an interesting gem of a show that not only gives me a completely different view into the world we live in but does so with a definite style.

Ever heard of Vice Magazine (potentially nsfw)?  How can I sum this up best:  no holds barred, in your face, straightforward talk about politics, art, fashion and other news from around the world.  You may not agree with what they say but they’ll most likely give you a different way of looking at a given issue.  And not to downplay the entertainment aspect of this, these guys are willing to do just about anything to immerse themselves in a culture which can obviously lead to some interesting finds.

Package this kind of information into a 30 minute video format, and you’ve got the new MTV show The Vice Guide to Everything.  And they do mean everything!  Here’s a quick look at the first two shows:

  • Visit to Yemen to see if it’s the next breeding ground for terrorism
  • DIY strip club in Detroit
  • Mafia pop stars in Naples
  • African fantasy coffins
  • The “Hermit Kingdom” of North Korea
  • TV shows made by Russian mobsters about their past crimes
  • Mexican theme parks with an attraction that simulates border crossings
  • How to date a girl in a burqa

Just two episodes in and you can probably tell that this is both controversial and fascinating.  It is not my intent to offend, simply discuss this show, so please watch at your own risk.

However, I do find the openness and experimentation with different cultures to be one of the most interesting parts of this storytelling.  How are we to understand this world if we don’t see issues from different viewpoints?  The style in which they present this information is both raw and opinionated which certainly ups the ante on entertainment.  Finally, the topics they choose…well, it is called Vice for a reason.

I’m looking forward to watching a few more episodes because I find that it’s challenging some stereotypes that are in our mass media, shining light on cultures from around the world and practices that I’ve never heard of, and making me think about things in a way that’s at times uncomfortable but also enlightening.

And perhaps you’re bored with the local news and would rather your weather report be Vice-style.

2010
12/07
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Out and About – Leonardo da Vinci

I’m always amazed at the great stuff I find in Fort Worth!

Last year I was able to see an exhibit of Impressionist paintings from the Art Institute of Chicago at the Kimbell Art Museum and a couple of weekends ago I visited the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History to see an exhibit about Leonardo da Vinci:  “Man, Inventor, Genius.”  The guide I picked up goes on to say:

Leonardo da Vinci was one of the greatest geniuses the world has ever known.  Discover his genius in this remarkable, internationally acclaimed exhibition that displays over 60 models of his machines, inventions and designs, plus reproductions of his famous artwork.

So the real magic was in the fact that you could get up close and interact with what, I at least, have only seen as drawings up until now.  Built from materials that would have been readily available during da Vinci’s time, models scattered over several gallery rooms.

What amazes me the most is how Leonardo da Vinci was able to apply his thinking to such a wide range of disciplines.  Did you know that da Vinci built quite a few wartime machines and defense systems?  How about flying contraptions?  And alongside that he was a painter.  He was able to look at the world and solve a wide array of problems.

I’ve always been impressed by Leonardo da Vinci and upon graduation from college, I received a book about him from a friend of the family.  In her note to me, she described da Vinci as the original adman…of the Renaissance.  In her inscription to me, she wanted me to “be inspired by the true da Vinci code – individual thinking, original artistry, and invention.”  And da Vinci continues to impress me to this day.

As we observe the world around us, we should be able to apply our thinking to anything as a Renaissance man would and then share our ideas openly so all can learn from them.

2010
10/08
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Immigrant Kitchens

How do you experience the world if you can’t travel?

Or even more broadly, how do you learn about the diversity that exists right next door – the world coming to you?

A beautiful mixture of understanding and experiencing can be found on Immigrant Kitchens.  Developed and written by professional chef Lindsay Sterling who says the inspiration for the blog was the fact that she was:

…stuck in Maine with no fancy world-travel budget.  In an effort to keep from withering away with vacation envy, I started asking anyone with a foreign accent right here if they wouldn’t mind teaching me how to cook their favorite foods from their homelands.

Part anthropology, part broadening of horizons, the blog is a mixed-style education on culture, food, and sharing.  Starting with a quick preview of the culture and food presented, links in the sidebar take you to the recipes, cooking instructions, and the full story behind the meal accompanied by pictures and fun anecdotes.  But the real highlight for me was the podcast of each adventure that is partly voiced-over but mostly background sounds of the context as well as quotes from those doing the educating.  The podcasts walk through the initial meeting, grocery-buying, cooking, stories behind the types of ingredients and meals being cooked, and the celebration and sharing of the food.

This reminds us that everyone brings along their culture and traditions and makes a home for themselves no matter where they are currently living.  So it doesn’t take world-traveling alone to foster understanding and appreciation for other people and cultures, just try your neighbor.

2010
10/07
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World of Jenks

Here I go again with another post about a tv show…World of Jenks.

Documentary filmmaker Andrew Jenks is profiling the lives of young people across the country.  He moves in with them for a week and presses them with questions about their lives.  What impresses me about Jenks is that he puts himself in situations that are entirely outside of his world but by the end of just one week, he calls the person he just met a friend and has an understanding of their chunk of life.

I encourage you to watch the fourth episode in the series called “Fifty Fists.”

It’s inspiring to see the struggles and triumphs of these young people.  As people tend to do, they will surprise you in many ways.  And you may learn about lifestyles that are completely outside your realm.

[A quick shout out to MTV:  As a leader in what matters most to young people, I’ve been very impressed with some of the shows they’ve been rolling out.  I believe that this wave of shows that promotes understanding and helping others is a key trend among teens and young adults.  Others to check out:  The Buried Life (What do you want to do before you die?) and If You Really Knew Me (breaking down barriers between people, bringing Challenge Day to high schools across the country).]

Only 24-years-old, Andrew Jenks has already become an accomplished filmmaker.  You may not recognize the name (yet) but you may have heard of one of his other efforts – Room 335.  At 19-years-old, a sophomore in college, Jenks moved into an assisted living facility to gain a “generational understanding” and interact with seniors.

Whether it’s peeking into the lives of others or using your enthusiasm and passion to make things happen, now, I’m learning something new every week.

2010
09/28
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Out and About – Redbull Art of Can

Team outing!

For Dave and Knape’s birthdays at the beginning of August, we decided to visit the Dallas Galleria for a happy hour with a side of culture.  Lucky us that the Redbull Art of Can was showing and we got to see the different ways people created art with Redbull Cans as a theme (use of the cans as a material, the colors and Redbull logo incorporated in the art, etc.)

The exhibit is described on the website:

The Red Bull Art of Can is a nationwide hunt for creativity and is open to everyone, from fulltime artists to simply those with a creative flare.  Build, sculpt, weld, glue, hammer, bend, fold, print, tape and paint…

Be bold!  Send a message!  Make a Statement.  Your primary material must be a Red Bull can but you will need to add plenty of imagination and creativity.  Make a sculpture, a picture, a 3D model, a mobile, a video or a piece of modern art but make it beautiful, colorful, clever, amusing and outrageous.

Let’s check out the fine detail and artistry of some of the pieces, including a quick snap by the most birthday-appropriate piece of art (no, we didn’t supply the party hat):

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

It’s important to remember to step away from your desk, go outside of the walls of the agency, and explore the city…so glad that Dave and Knape were up for anything to celebrate their birthdays!

2010
09/13
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Make Tangible

What would the world look like if all virtual images were tangible? One artist does this with Google maps. I like this because it makes me think beyond what I see and instead think about the things I can’t, except through my computer. As we consume more information and entertainment virtually, there is room to move this backwards into how it might actually look if implemented concretely. I don’t want a Facebook “like” button to follow me around and verify my friends, but maybe a real snowball flying at me when it’s 105+ degrees outside is not such a bad thing. The thought still counts, but the actual could be so interesting.

2010
09/13
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Staycation?

As the economy changed, so did our language around vacation. People began to realize they wanted to take advantage of hard earned vacation from work while spending less; the word staycation became popular. The idea is to stay at home for vacation and focus on local opportunities to relax and explore. Norwegian Cruise Lines has now given us a way to staycation and still see the world. Vacationer channel organizes travel videos in one place by area and gives it an iTunes feel. If you want to see the world for free, here is the place and maybe, just maybe, be inspired for a trip later. I love this idea. I think it could use some refinement, but what a great way to keep inspiring people to learn and grow from the safety of their computer when they don’t feel they can afford to leave home. 

2010
09/09
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Top 1% of Dallas Residents

I keep hearing that there are others out there like me. Seriously? Ten months ago I sold my house because I didn’t like living outside the city. I bet a lot of people think that is crazy. Last week, I sold my car because after moving to the city I almost never drive. In Texas, I am sure I could find lots of people who find this crazy too. But, I was introduced to a fun website today. www.walkscore.com It calculates the walkability of where you live. I scored 98 of 100 and am in the top 1% of Dallas residents for walkability and 92 of 100 for public transit access. I am in a paradise of sorts. But, is true for everyone? No. I realize I am a part of a very small portion of the US population. I always need to remember this. My opinion is good among at least 1% of the local population. It’s a start, but verifies how important it is for me to actually talk to people before making assumptions based on my experiences and preferences.

Now, off to find a site that measures my common sense and make sure it’s high enough!

2010
08/27
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Experimentin’

Step onto soapbox.

I think we should do a lot more experimenting.  Let’s get our hands dirty, be flexible and fast, do it and then evaluate it.

A while ago, I suggested an activity to get people to really think about this in a very concrete way.  Gather the team, bring out some potting soil, and literally get your hands dirty.  It’s not so bad when you do.

Then, crack open a few jars of playdoh and create…anything!  Share with others, or mold with others’ creations.  Talk about it or take it back to your desk as a daily reminder of what you did.

There’s so much we can DO – within our jobs, for our clients, with our communications.  Let’s create!

I’m no artist but I like to use the tools around me to help me create.  In Keynote, I purposefully use different templates and different ways of presenting my information.  Physical things can be used in a briefing along with storytelling.  Sometimes seeing is believing.

And this blog is embodying this concept as well.  I write here so I can write better in general.  Let’s create things so we can get better at it.

So let’s make stuff!!

Steps down.

2010
08/20
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How To Be Alone

A lovely poem – How To Be Alone.

I was drawn to this video for several reasons.  For one, I do live alone and I’d like to believe that I’m making the most of my alone time.  Second, I love to approach new cities or experiences in this way.  A few “rules” that I picked up from this how to on being with yourself:

  1. Embrace it
  2. Start simple
  3. Love oneself
  4. All experience is unique

This seems to me to be very much like our planning/creative process.  Being curious in all things leads to a better outcome than wishing to have things a different way.  When alone do you enjoy it or do you only wish to be with others?

In this time of my life and in this career, this seems to be a great way to live.

2010
08/02
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