Some saints are guardians of the sick; some are protectors of nations. But, believe it or not, several have been assigned to beer. First on the list is King Gambrinus, AKA the king of beer, an unofficial saint whose legendary status is attributable to his alleged invention of hopped malt beer. Next, Saint Bridget, who turned a leper colony’s (hopefully unused) bath water into beer and served it to them; now her name resides on a saucy beer label (and in books, I’m sure). You’ll also find a pair of Arnolds, one of whom presides in saintliness over my favorite beer-producing country, Belgium. Even Luke — you know, the apostle — comes marching in when beer’s on the menu.

But today we’re going to discuss another saint: Nicholas of Myra, a bishop who, through the Christian tradition of getting all up in pagans’ business, became known as the jelly-bellied filler of stockings himself, Santa Claus! That’s right — jolly old Saint Nick is a beer geek. How did this happen? Let’s search for answers within a festive piece of Santa folklore. Yaaaay, Christmas!

From the Saint Nicholas Wikipedia page:

“… A malicious butcher lured three little children into his house, where he slaughtered and butchered them, placing their remains in a barrel to cure, planning to sell them off as ham. Saint Nicholas, visiting the region to care for the hungry, not only saw through the butcher’s horrific crime but also resurrected the three boys from the barrel by his prayers.”

Wow, uh … it’s — it’s a Christmas miracle? But it still doesn’t explain how Saint Nick (or those other holy men and women) became accomplices to brewers. Isn’t alcohol the devil’s juice? Many American counties still prohibit the consumption of alcohol, and Wikipedia* suggests that the “rationale for maintaining prohibition on the local level often is religious in nature.” That’s not all. Sam Adams Utopias, a 27% ABV beer that retails for $150 per bottle, is illegal in 13 states, despite being weaker than most hard liquors. Apparently, because it’s beer, tweens everywhere are now amassing what little change they have left after last month’s Team Edward shopping sprees so they can meet up at a gas station/fine liquor emporium to buy a bottle of Utopias and sip it from snifters long into the night while blasting heavy metal and applying ballpoint pen tattoos. Won’t somebody please think of the children?!

One explanation for beer’s saint patron-surplus requires a bit of time travel. Before the 10th century, saints were chosen by the Catholic public rather than the Vatican. At the time, beer was a practical, nourishing drink used by monks during fasts as well as a safe, inexpensive alternative to polluted water. And, because monestaries provided not only beer, but also safe lodgings for travelers, this everyman’s beverage soon became casually affiliated with religion. As for Saint Nick, stories say he was canonized for his kindness, his generosity, and his awesome beard — all things we remember him for today. Would such a man endorse an evil product?

Either way, beer and Christmas have a long history together. In recent years, however, beer has been supplanted by nog, cider, wine, and numerous non-alcoholic beverages. So here’s my plan for Dec. 25: You call Christmas and tell it to come over for dinner; I’ll show up with a few holiday beers; and old Saint Nicholas of Myra will oversee the whole affair with a gift-sack on his shoulder, a stein in his hand, and a “ho ho ho!” in his heart.

*With two of these articles to write per week, Wikipedia is a credible enough source for me!

Thursday: I’m taking the day off. Expect a new article on Dec. 28!

Walter Jonas was born on 1910 in Oberursel, Germany. He was a graphic artist and art critic, but his researches and interest led him to design a city called Intrapolis. Based on his finding that traditional or modern homes were all oriented towards the outside, but instead of great landscapes and views, they had noise, dust and noxious gases, Jonas has worked in rethinking the meaning of “home”. Inspired by a trip to Brazil in 1958, Jonas has developed a vision of a new humane urban form: the Intrapolis. This is directed against the traditional way of urban development.

The concept, created by Jonas with Intrapolis goes beyond the concept of funnels city and connects the meaning of Introversion and Polis. Jonas saw the principle of introversion not only as an important component of balance in the society, but also as a counterpoint to the hustle and extroversion of the turbulent world of his time. In a most architectural sense, introversion also acts in contrast to the traditional design of houses and towns with the living space inside, while the roads, stairs and elevators are located outside.

Jonas wrote:

Contrary to the concept extroversion or housing oriented toward the outside we propose an idea inwardly. We believe that, precisely for the modern man, and a fortiori lice man of tomorrow, the home must become a place of meditation and individualization [...] There is a second very important point: we must save as much as possible the surface soil, and it will not succeed as a high concentration of population and, simultaneously, by minimal contact with the ground.

His funnel city is a kind of artificial valley with homes opening to the interior of the funnel. The design of the terraced, inward-arranged housing is compact and allows good light and visibility. Through the funnel-shaped building structure more undeveloped green space for the public is available.

Each funnel is formed, until the first third of its height, with the facilities for which artificial light is sufficient. Administration, department stores, cinemas and other public facilities are housed in the funnel base. Each funnel has a superstructure that supports the central patio or planted with trees. Schools are often grouped around the patio, on the circle below, then on the following circles which follow-shaped arena, lay the apartments and gardens. The individual units may be increased or decreased as needed. Jonas believes that such a funnel structure to promote the solidarity of the residents themselves and also just the older generation would integrate better into the community.

Walter Jonas was a founding member of the Groupe International d’Architecture Prospective (GIAP), with Yona Friedman and involving Ionel Schein. In 1967 he was involved together with German and Swiss architects in the creation of a German-speaking section in Zurich.

Image via Wikipedia

Note: This review contains mild spoilers.

The Eye of the Heron is a short novel that was originally published in the collection Millennial Women, edited by Virginia Kidd. A straightforward story that reads like a fable, The Eye of the Heron is set on the alien planet of Victoria, where there are two groups of settlers: the farmers of the village of Shantih and the wealthier City inhabitants. The rest of the planet is uninhabited except by strange animals, including the long-legged, elegant, gray creatures called “herons” because of their resemblance to the bird, who gaze on the humans’ activities impassively; and the small, funny shape shifters called “wotsits,” who die in captivity but will sometimes alight on a person’s hand.

The book opens and closes with a person watching a wotsit change shape and color in his palm before flying away. These two framing incidents are both hopeful, representing a brief communion between the human and his new world. In fact, The Eye of the Heron could be classified as fantasy, if we did not know that both groups of settlers came to the planet on spaceships, exiles from a future Earth. The City dwellers were descended from prisoners, while the people of Shantih were leaders of a movement called the People of the Peace, a nonviolence movement that had gained too many adherents back on Earth. The brief glimpses of Earth’s future history, as related in the tales of the exiles’ descendants, add some layers of complexity to this otherwise straightforward tale.

Lev, the young leader of the Villagers, is returning home with a scouting party when the story opens. The Villagers have found a location for a new settlement, but the City Council won’t let them go, not wanting to lose their supply of low-paid workers and farmers. The People of the Peace respond with nonviolent civil disobedience, and several of them are arrested. One of the older leaders, Vera, is imprisoned in a Councilor’s house, where she begins to influence the Councilor’s daughter, Luz.

Luz, learning that her father has recruited an army of brutish young men to enslave the Villagers, flees her home to warn Lev and the others. Once there, she chooses to stay, a decision that drives her father and her suitor back in the City to irrational action. Luz tries to talk Lev into simply leaving Shantih, but he insists on following his people’s nonviolent ideals, which leads to tragedy. After things return to normal, though, Luz’s arguments eventually win over some of the Villagers, and she takes a group on an expedition to found a new home as the story ends.

Though unamibiguous and very short, The Eye of the Heron explores many interesting ideas. The People of the Peace believe strongly that each individual makes his or her own choices, and the choices that the settlers make after being stranded on an alien planet — after being given a clean slate, in effect — are of interest to Le Guin. Do they wall themselves off in the City and attempt to control the uncontrollable? Do they hold on to the ways of Earth and refuse to adapt, even when it might mean their deaths? Or do they embrace their circumstances and make this planet their new home, adapting to it? Le Guin explores all of these choices, but clearly, it is the last one that holds the most promise at the end. I wouldn’t say that this is Le Guin’s best work, but it is certainly enjoyable and thought-provoking.

Le Guin herself credits this short novel with causing a breakthrough in her development as a feminist writer. In a 1995 interview, Le Guin said this about the novel and the character of Luz:

I gradually realized that my own fiction was telling me that I could no longer ignore the feminine. While I was writing The Eye of the Heron in 1977, the hero insisted on destroying himself before the middle of the book. “Hey,” I said, “you can’t do that, you’re the hero. Where’s my book?” I stopped writing. The book had a woman in it, but I didn’t know how to write about women. I blundered around a while and then found some guidance in feminist theory. I got excited when I discovered feminist literary criticism was something I could read and actually enjoy. I read The Norton Book of Literature by Women from cover to cover. It was a bible for me. It taught me that I didn’t have to write like an honorary man anymore, that I could write like a woman and feel liberated in doing so.

More information:

• Wikipedia article
• Millennial Women Wikipedia article
• Publisher’s page
• Retrospective: Ursula K. Le Guin

Too much of a good thing can be too much. Unless you’re talking about beer, in which case too much is never enough for some brewers!

Craft brews are nothing new; the popular microbrew movement has turned cities from Portland, OR to San Diego, CA into beer Meccas. Some intrepid brewers, however, are pushing the envelope – going beyond exotic flavors and food pairings to beers with alcohol content so high that they’re banned in many states.

What’s the purpose of a 32% ABV beer? You’ll have to ask the creators of Tactical Nuclear Penguin to find out. The list of strongest beers and the reasoning behind their creation can be found at AsylumUK.

In conjunction with the amazingly useful, humorous and insightful Sloshspot.com we’ve put together another flowchart to make your decision making that much easier.

Just in time for those wonderful Holiday parties, Eating The Road to the rescue. We figured you may need this one a bit more than the others seeing that you may be a little…ahh, under the influence. Due to that, please use this chart with caution and responsibility. If you have not heeded that advice there is always this wonderful video on how to hold your liquor and here is a list of hangover cures. Also, in maybe one of the most genius Holiday creations ever, here is a Scottish Advent Calendar.

You may also enjoy our other flowcharts:
Fast Food Edition
Chain Restaurant Edition
Cereal Edition
Freezer Aisle Edition

Don’t forget to enter our Christmas Giveaway with over $250 in free swag.

(click image to view full size)

Mas Yendo, is an ex-student of Lebbeus Woods that has developed several speculative projects. He was born in 1957 in Tokyo and educated at the Rhode Island School of Design (B.A.) and Pratt Institute (M.A., architecture). His experimental works have recently been compiled in his monograph Ironic Diversions, published by Springer/Wien through the Research Institute of Experimental Architecture. He lives and works in New York City.

This project called B1-9004 Reef Machine.  The project is a large artificial reef system that maximizes the ocean’s capacity to renew itself and sustain life. It encourages macrobiotic activity by pumping air through nearly 90 miles of pipes that wrap its perimeter. This activity results in the growth of crustaceans and barnacles, which, in turn, leads to habitation by larger organisms. Eventually B1-9004 will be completely lined with living organisms to form a complex eco-environment.

The project is an experimental prototype for the Sagami Bay ecosystem. This bay, which makes up the lower portion of Tokyo Bay, stretches 70 miles west of the Miura Peninsula to the town of Manazuru. The bay, which consists mostly of sandy beaches and quiet fishing villages, is shaped like a bow, and the Sagami River flows into its center. Under the sea, Jogashima, Kagemi, Enoshima, and Oiso Spurs spread like fingers and drop 1,500 meters to the Sagami Trough Basin.

Organisms from sub-arctic regions are also advected into the bay by intrusions of the Oyashio Current resulting in a very high [biodiversity]. It is the major study site for research programs at the University of Tokyo (ORI) and the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC). Twenty miles south of the bay, the flow of the deep ocean current Kuroshio sweeps the Izu Peninsula and travels north. This particular current originates at the equator and brings migrating fish and microscopic organisms. The combination of the unusual depth of the bay and the tropical ocean current fosters a diverse and highly concentrated ecological system.

That’s why B1-9004 Reef Machine is a reaction to the usual methods of preserving and designating natural reserves. Such methods (parks, for example) may stop further development but they are usually already overdeveloped. Further, when one considers our advanced understanding of the complexity and interrelated structure of nature’s wholeness, such bureaucratic efforts seem fragmented and ineffective.

More info at Mas Yendo web-site.

The great architect Yona Friedman’s first exhibition in an Italian art gallery focuses on an architectural interpretation of two Italian cities, Brescia and Venice, which belong to the same area despite subtle differences. Friedman’s works range from his central concept of Ville Spatiale, developed in the nineteen fifties, by way of numerous variants, to a non-geometric model of Ville Spatiale taking pride of place in the Massimo Minini Gallery.

His conception of architecture is that it must be possible for the inhabitants themselves to create it, the architect merely providing them with hints on how to do it. This sort of architecture, in Friedman’s view, produces communication even before it produces architecture as the creation of architectural codes and, lastly, buildings. This conception of his is tangential to his idea of art. In his work, art and architecture become a single means for constructing a dimension of communication between people that goes beyond any distinction between the two arts, creating a new area beyond all possible specialisation.

Cartoline postali presents images of Venice and Brescia where Friedman has displayed his architectural skills, revolving around the central idea of Ville Spatiale. It offers both a conception of architecture and a vision in which the daily lives of the people are inseparable from aesthetic representation.

The experimental character of Friedman’s work consists precisely on the fact that it incorporates numerous elements – theory (biology, cybernetics, anthropology, psychology and the human sciences in general), art, architecture and animated films. This broadening of horizons arises from the need to build a more modern perspective, a vision of modernity. “After the second world war – says Friedman – the only chance we had was to build something new.” However, his idea of Modernity is not an abstraction he imposes on the inhabitants of a modern city, but rather an idea that re-uses the existing and takes the wishes of the residents into account. Instead of creating icon-buildings as many contemporary architects do, Friedman views architecture as being an innate part of the inhabitants’ way of life, in line with their requirements, offering the tools to build individual micro-visions. In this, his conception is very close to the mechanisms that preside over life in contemporary Asian cities, one of the reasons why his work is so contemporary.

At the Massimo Minini Gallery the artist presents a large installation in the main hall, together with picture postcard images of Brescia and Venice, several animated films and a model of the Bridge of Liberty in Venice.

From 31^st October  until  9^th January 2010

Since the 1990s, craft brewers like the Boston Beer Co. and the Delaware-based Dogfish Head have produced a number of “extreme beers” that challenge old notions of beer and the decades-old laws that have governed them. The maker of Samuel Adams beer has released an updated version of its biennial beer Utopias. As more brewers take advantage of improvements in science to boost potency and enhance taste. By law, these specialty drinks still are classified as beer when they are based on fermented grain.

Utopias is now the highest alcohol content beer on the market at 27 percent alcohol by volume, pushed the traditional cap of 14 percent alcohol by volume for beer. Utopias comes with a cost of $150 a bottle. Utopias reaches its unique strength through a 15-year aging process in barrels at the Boston Beer Co.’s brewery in Boston. It’s aged and finished in wooden containers like Scotch whisky barrels and sherry casks. The drink’s yeast strains are regularly used in making malts and champagne. A quick sip unveils a cognac-like hit combined with vanilla, honey, and maple flavors. The drink comes in a ceramic-and-copper bottle that resembles a tiny brew kettle. Thirteen states prohibit its sale because its alcohol content exceeds the legal limit for beer: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont and Washington.

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Para ler ouvindo a música mais forte e bela que tiver conhecimento.

Meio-dia e trinta adentrou o recinto. Após um almoço conturbado e uma manhã de cansaço, o explosivo humano corroeu-se através do pátio da construção de vidro, atravessou o corredor de flores silvestres, subiu as escadas de marfim e deu de cara com as pessoas que mais amava e com as que menos gostava nessa vida.

Se é que ainda tinha vida e se é que ainda podia entitulá-la como tal.

Perguntou o que poderia fazer para ajudar, a quantas andava a coisa toda, que caixas deveria carregar… O que fazia ali? O que todos faziam ali? O que toda aquela construção fazia ali? O que todas aquelas vielas tortas faziam ali? O que aquela cidade toda fazia, escondida nos cafundós conservadores de um estado decadente, de um país em declínio?

Por alguns instantes a intolerância tomou conta do seu corpo. Não se sabe o que aconteceu. Desejo de brigar, partir pra cima de alguém, caçar confusão, deixar o demônio operar e apossar-se de sua mente… Não se sabe mesmo, mas seja o que for, essas forças motrizes fizeram festa em sua imaginação como há muito não faziam.

A cabeça doía, mas controlou-se. Fez caras e bocas, sorriu às gargalhadas, flerteu com quem viu de interessante pela frente, olhou os transeuntes com olhos baixos, soturnos, veementes. Lançou mão dos sarcasmos mais bem elaborados e maldosos, diga-se de passagem.

Boas armas, que, quando bem utilizadas, irritam e ferem mais que um soco bem dado, pensou.

Acertou em cheio. Saiu vitorioso, pelo menos, em sua fértil imaginação. Vislumbrou ser odiado mesmo, com toda força e todo ódio desse mundo, agora ou mais tarde, tanto fizesse, tanto houvesse, tanto quisesse.

Duas e meia da tarde adentrou novo recinto. Ambiente estranho, insalubre, parecido com a sensação de afundar-se em areia movediça. Colocou os fones de ouvido na tentativa de reinterpretar suas fantasias mais ousadas através das músicas que mais gostava. Saiu completamente do mundo. De corpo, alma e coração. Não sentia mais nada, nem uma sensação sequer. Tomou de assalto a estratosfera, como se ela fosse demasiado pequena para tamanha neutralidade de sentidos. Queria reabsorver-se de si mesmo, sugar tudo de ruim que existia para construir algo novo por cima, como um prédio em ruínas que é implodido para conferir vida nova em espaço e tempo diferentes.

Após tanto ódio, tanta raiva, tanto mau pressentimento, acalmou o coração. Voltou a si por livre e espontânea vontade de espírito.

Sabia que era volúvel e que essa volubilidade tinha seus encantos, pelo menos, em sua imaginação fértil. A cabeça ainda doía, mas por motivos diferentes. Era a transformação dos sentimentos ruins em renovadas fontes de percepção.

Às seis da tarde, ao desfalecer da aurora, já era outro. Não precisava de recintos, fossem construções de vidro ou ambientes insalubres. Nada disso. Era todo o espaço que podia alcançar com a fantasia. Era realmente outro. Era si mesmo. Nem ódio, nem neutralidade.

Era amor. É amores.

E o resto da história eu não preciso nem contar. Sei que é difícil, mas realize em sua mente, em sua alma e no íntimo do seu ser, um homem realmente feliz. Que de explosivo humano à uma neutralidade estratosférica, encontrou-se no lugar dos amores, das fantasias, das paixões irresolutas e das utopias transformadoras.

Não. Não pense que era perfeito, pois tinha prazer em não sê-lo, pois era feliz nas inconstâncias, nas volubilidades e, principalmente, nos prazeres de transformar as coisas mais humanas.

Era ainda o ódio, era ainda o neutro.

Sabendo, que, no final das contas, era sempre o amor.

E é sempre amores.

Sempre.

Body update:  I finally went to the doctor today.  I know, I know, I should have gone 2 weeks ago when this all started, but I thought it would go away, like most colds do… and yet it didn’t. I feel like utter, utter crap.  So, I went to the doctor.  One exam and a couple of vials of blood later, and I’m off work until Monday. Let me know if you want to come over and share a glass of ginger ale, or something.  Maybe some pudding.

Urban Loser update: related to my body failing me is Urban Loser, a type of “Biggest Loser” that my church, Urban Bridge, has started.  We started on Sunday, and we’ll just say that I’m currently at “n” pounds, where n = starting mass as measured by imperial units on earth, but is colloquially known as “weight.”  Future updates will take the form of n – x, where x = pounds lost.  I’m hopeful about this.

Things to love update: check out “Jill Keech Photography” on my blogroll over there —> I know that I love her, but I didn’t realize how much I love her photography.

Personal interests update: Utopias. Oh heck yeah. (That one up there is a painting by Heironymus Bosch from a triptych called “The Garden of Earthly Delights.”)  I love reading about them and want to learn more and more and more.  More specifically, I’d like to learn more about the physical design of different utopian communities, whether imagined or real.  Anyone know if anyone’s looked into this, and has made a handy reference book?  All a girl wants is some nice maps of utopian communes… The community design of the best imagined community.  Dang, yes.  If you have any leads on this, send them my way, please.

Estimado Dr. Narro Robles
P R E S E N T E

Me dirijo a usted para poner a su consideración otra parte del plan para reactivar la economía de la UNAM  que le propuse a ustedes en fechas recientes y que tan amablemente me respondierón con el oficio 3/091767, propiciado por el llamado a un verdadero pacto nacional del día 2 de Septiembre por parte del Presidente Lic. Felipe Calderón Hinojosa y que la propuesta que hago menciona en mucho a la UNAM y su recapitalización mediante nuevos activos,  entre otras menciona la creación de la planta armadora de autos ECOVIA como modelo de colección propiciado como legado del bicentenario vinculando a todos los actores involucrados como los sistemas abastecedores de hidrogeno, energéticos considerados alternos o  emergentes pero nos darán la ruta a seguir y ventajás a futuro en el cambio tecnológico  fundamentalmente basado en ideas surgidas del semillero de la ciencia mexicana.

Esa es una de las propuestas que están las condiciones perfectas para ello, quizas solo el sistema de abastecimiento genere un poco de roncha pero por eso usted debe de impulsar la propuesta como programa de infraestructura y comunicaciones anticiclico, como servicio ambiental, de futuro obligado generando empleos, apostarle a una tecnología propia, que le genere recursos a la UNAM, desde la universidad dandole a la patria los estudios técnicos como programa educativo para las factibilidades que le generen ahorros a los gobiernos en un sentido de patriotismo y reciprocidad para que quizas el año 2010 se pongan las primeras piedras de las plantas armadoras compartiendo el riesgo pero tambien el negocio con los gobiernos involucrados y con los creadores del modelo de auto. Un auto de bajo costo solo para ciudades que viaje a 80 kilometros por hora sería algo muy bueno para el desarrollo e incentivo para la inversión en ciencia. Además de que le daría cierta independencia y autonomía presupuestaria a la Máxima Casa de Estudios que es lo que todos queremos un despegue de las potencialidades de la creatividad mexicana, y otra vertiente que yo le veo a la propuesta que pongo a consideración de la comunidad académica es la de que el principal sector al que podría dirigirse la producción puede ser el gubernamental para que en la medida que renueven su parque vehicular con el ECOVIA  se puedan hacer naturales candidatos para beneficirse de los llamados fondos ambientales que le den una demanda sostenida al auto para que con el tiempo la tecnología se pueda ir mejorando alcanzando mayores velocidades y mayor poder de carga para otras aplicaciones que seguramente irán surgiendo, sin dejar de lado que se puede voltear al sector privado creando acuerdos de asociación y de responsabilidad social manifiesta como apoyo a la educación que impulse la vigorosa actividad exportadora especificamente en el rubro automotriz y a todo el sector de la economía con una competencia más que en lo económico en lo conceptual acerca de la responsabilidad social de la industria con el medio ambiente.

Sin más por el momento aprovecho la ocasión para enviarle un cordial saludo y una felicitación extendida a toda la comunidad por el premio que merecedoramente ganó recientemente la labor universitaria en el campo de la cultura allende nuestras fronteras.

A T E N T A M E N T E
Juan Enrique Ortega Rousset

En la actualidad hay muchas alertas, fugas, inércias, fuerzas en movimiento y en inminente peligro de colisión si no se les encausa dandoles un ritmo a las cosas para que surjan en función de un rumbo determinado, sí  por los acontecimientos globales, pero para mi, conmemorar nuestra independencia significaría el poder nosotros incidir en los propios indicadores y variables de lo micro hasta lo macro intercediendo por el interés colectivo de una forma solidaria. Alguien tiene que ceder, si no es la otra parte ¿Por qué no empezar uno mismo? Avanzar en una compatibilidad de intereses nacionales que se puedan aplicar en todos los municipios como verdadero plan nacional de desarrollo que articule  realmente unas prioridades muy puntuales emanadas de un diagnostico real de las condiciones de distribución de los servicios urbanos percápita, redirección del presupuesto y programas, urgente correción de aberraciones del sistema, por ejemplo, en las colonias con una plus valía alta los servicios son de primer mundo e incluso de punta, y cruzando la calle hay casitas de paracaidistas en zonas de riesgo y donde ya no hablemos de servicios básicos, de derechos elementales para la vida civilizada, se está acumulando una energía que puede liberarse, puede ser que sea de sopetazo, o con válbulas de escape medio reguladas y desconectadas entre sí en lo físico pero no en lo ideológico,  o que sea una oportunidad para articular un movimiento nacional masivo por el desarrollo entendido este como la homologación de los servicios que el Estado presta como entidad encargada de velar por el bien del interés publico, es muy simple, se elabora un tabulador de los servicios en las colonias que cuenten con los servicios básicos, y se divide entre la población que vive en la localidad, del resultado percapita de inversión se saca una tabla general urbana para cuantificar el daño del desequilibrio y la desigualdad, ese resultado de inversión percápita en servicios en esa delegación o municipio se compará con el nivel de inversión en los mismos servicios en las comunidades rurales o las colónias perdidas, de esa resta se obtiene la cantidad que el Estado Mexicano le adeuda a sus gobernados en aras de una jsutificación pacifica de la conmemoración de la justicia de la Revolución de 1910. Por otro lado hacer una obra nacional enfocada a pagar la deuda histórica que frene la desigualdad como legado del Bicentenario y que contribuya a que la plus valía de las propiedades se incremente de forma real a travéz de los servicios con los que contarían, esa misma energía puede ir en reversa de los origenes de la crisis mundial provocada por la crisis de las hipotecas en Estados Unidos como efecto mariposa que pueda darle un crecimiento sostenido a la economía mundial virando ligeramente los conceptos de infraestructura hacia el freno directo a la marginación y el abandono que ya suena a cantaletita de nunca acabar. Nada impide a las comunidades organizarse para obtener los servicios que les son negados institucionalmente, pero luego ya no van a creer en los partidos ni en los gobiernos, solo en los hechos y resultados inmediatos de lo que es fácil con solidaridad aplicada en el plan directamente organizando a la sociedad en la solución de sus propios problemas, hacer clic pues. Este es un sistema social que te bloquea la participación política en la solución de los problemas que nos afectan a todos, no hay una formula de consulta ciudadana directa, desde esa optica se podría pensar que el ejercicio de gobierno son un conjunto de desiciones arbitrárias desde el grupo que democráticamente sea electo, tiene que haber una inclusión garantizada de los puntos de vista de la oposición reflejada en los poderes ejecutivos para darle gobernabilidad y certidumbre a los ciudadanos que participan con su voto con una formula perdedora, de acuerdo a los márgenes de votación deberían de inclirse propuestas de los otros candidatos en el propio programa de gobierno, mínimo votar por el gabinete una vez que exista un presidente electo. Un pacto nacional al que me sumo presintiendo lo que puede pasar si nadie se suma a una cuestión de unidad nacional, por que no abrir un canal democrático de negociación público con la oposición TODA para en está etápa crítica de la história nacional podamos contribuir a nuestra propia recuperación y consolidación como país eficiente, suficiente y autosustentable por que lo tenemos todo para lograrlo solo nos hace falta una oportunidad motivada ya no por la urgencia de la crisis sino por un reconocimiento del diferente como alguien que también juega en el mismo equipo y hay que pasarle la bola de vez en cuando, si no estamos jugando incompletos o desarticulados. E-Q-U-I-P-O y quizas así le inyectemos esa energía a la selección y podamos el 2010 soñar con ganar el mundial de futbol. Así de paradojico es el mexicano. 

Proximamente 126 en este y muchos medios más. 1 x 1, 2 y 2 son 4, 4 y 2 son 6, 6 y 2 son 8 y 8 16.

Pasa una especie de cortina plástica con motivos florales y el rosa más feo que he visto en mi vida, a través de la cual me asomo para percatarme de que está hundiendo un vaso de plástico duro en una de esas cubetas de pintura, pero que contiene agua… o lo que parece agua; se percata de mi presencia y dice, “es lo más fuerte que tengo”, yo le digo que no hay problema y extiendo mi mano para recibir el vaso, él no atiende a ese detalle y saca un pequeño recipiente, veo cómo vierte algunas gotas de algo en mi vaso y pretende revolver el contenido con un pequeño movimiento de su mano. Finalmente me lo extiende, yo dudo por un instante, pero no es tiempo suficiente para plantear una pregunta que no pueda ser interpretada como desconfianza.

-          No se preocupe, tiene un efecto similar al alcohol,  sólo es más placentero y menos agresivo con el organismo, es probable que al igual que el alcohol agilice nuestra comunicación.

-          Gracias, ya he probado ciertas sustancias… ilegales, y definitivamente he tenido peores experiencias con las legales.

-          Sabe, todo este asunto legal me parece una de las más grandes presunciones de la humanidad, la vida de la gente es regulada y hasta juzgada por personas que ni siquiera entienden de Ética, uno quisiera ver argumentos filosóficos tanto en los palacios legislativos como en los tribunales. Muchos podrían pensar que el núcleo de las religiones es la divinidad, en todas sus formas, sin embargo, el núcleo de las religiones es la Ética.

-          Veo que usted concibe particularmente una religión sin dios.

-          La palabra dios como todas las palabras, son a la vez un concepto y una subjetividad. Cuando la gente es parte de una religión y la conoce bien, apega su entendimiento de la divinidad al cómo es definida por dicha religión. También debo decir que a lo largo de mi vida he conocido a mucha gente que se declara de tal o cual religión, pero su concepción de la divinidad es completamente diferente a la establecida por dicha religión. Esto es normal, históricamente se ha utilizado el sincretismo para obtener una mayor cantidad de seguidores.

-          Y qué mayor sincretismo que la subjetividad que usted promueve…

-          Veo que ha hecho efecto rápidamente su bebida. Efectivamente, a un nivel abstracto podría ser considerado el sincretismo supremo, sin embargo eso no ayudaría con el problema de la injusticia social…

-          De alguna manera sí, primero obtiene seguidores, luego promueve sus políticas públicas.

-          La historia ha demostrado que ese camino no funciona. Pasa tanto tiempo que cuando ya hay suficientes evangelizados ya murieron los evangelizadores…

-          Pero no depende de ellos el mensaje…

-          Por un lado sin ellos no hubiera sido posible transmitirlo, imagínese en el siglo dieciséis convenciendo a un nativo que habla otro idioma de raíces completamente desconocidas, que su forma de vida no es la más adecuada, eso no ocurre con palabras, sino con obras, aquellos evangelizadores tuvieron qué evidenciar que vivir de manera diferente era mejor…

-          Pero de manera tramposa…

-          Por supuesto usaron “espejitos”, pero aquellos nativos no eran tontos, también tenían qué ver un beneficio personal o comunitario al adoptar nuevas prácticas religiosas…

-          Tomaron sus prácticas y las adaptaron, para después destruir sus tradiciones…

-          ¿Ahora lo ve? La Ética es el núcleo de las religiones, estos manipuladores profesionales pensaban en un bien mayor, y así es en la vida diaria, todos hemos hecho actos cuestionables pensando en un bien mayor, evidentemente subjetivo.

-          ¿Y cómo saber si estamos equivocados?

-          Fácil, asumamos siempre que estamos equivocados, es lo más probable, pero aún así persigamos humildemente el conjunto de principios que para nosotros hace sentido.

-          “Hagamos lo que creemos incorrecto…”

-          Es mucho más complicado que eso. Hoy jugamos con dualidades éticas, el bien y el mal, lo correcto y lo incorrecto, lo luminoso y lo sombrío. En la realidad, dependiendo de la sociedad que juzgue, puede haber personajes que se vuelvan íconos de la bondad o de la maldad, Gandhi y Hitler por ejemplo, pero, ¿es posible aseverar que todo lo que decía el primero era correcto y el segundo incorrecto?, sin embargo, al considerarlos símbolos, es posible que mis principios sean más influidos por el primero que por el segundo, luego al ser parte de un paradigma, es posible que la mayoría se vea más influida por el primero que por el segundo. Pero el mayor reto no es encontrar los principios que nos satisfagan más que otros, sino seguirlos, ser congruentes.

-          ¿No es exactamente lo que ocurre hoy en día?, las mayorías prefieren ser como Gandhi que como Hitler…

-          No, hoy no identificamos nuestros propios principios, hoy seguimos los que nos enseña el contexto social, religioso, incluso legal. No se trata de tomar a cada símbolo como ejemplo, se trata de entender que nadie mejor que nosotros mismos para tener voz y voto respecto a qué nos hace más sentido en términos éticos. Los símbolos son inspiraciones pero, ¿cuántos seguidores de Gandhi se han convertido en Gandhi?

-          Ninguno. Pero quiero terminar de entender algo, por un lado, la verdad se vuelve un asunto democrático en la medida que existe un paradigma, por otro lado usted invita a que no sigamos los paradigmas sino que ubiquemos principios individuales.

-          ¿Lo ve? La comunicación se aceleró de manera importante. Acaba de tocar el punto medular. El gran paradigma que promuevo es el cuestionamiento de los paradigmas, la aceptación autocompasiva, en un contexto budista, de la inmensa probabilidad de que estemos equivocados, pero el apego congruente a lo que nos hace sentido personalmente.

-          Seguro ya le han preguntado antes… ¿qué pasa cuando el principio le dice a alguien que matar es correcto?

-          Ya me lo han preguntado antes pero nadie se ha atrevido a publicarlo. Yo hoy no me siento capaz de juzgar un acto sin un contexto, la teoría legal se ha encargado por un lado de darle una serie de connotaciones al asesinato y las sociedades también han tenido un punto de vista mucho más flexible de lo que se pudiera creer. Una inocente ama de casa durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial pudo el mismo día sentir felicidad por enterarse del encarcelamiento del tipo que asesinó al tendero y recibir como héroe a su esposo que siendo piloto de un bombardero mató a miles de personas. Y desde una perspectiva sociológica, si exclusivamente la gente que creyera correcto matar matara, seguramente se perderían menos vidas todos los días, y aún así, si lo apegáramos estrictamente a la religión o paradigma que promuevo, al menos cada uno de esos asesinos sabría que lo más probable es que esté equivocado y tendría la apertura de escuchar argumentos que podrían hacer que cambie de opinión.

-          ¿No se vuelve utópica su propuesta?

-          Cuando pensamos en utopías, tendemos a imaginar el mundo que queda como resultado de la propuesta utópica, de hecho la palabra Utopía comienza significando un lugar, una isla, una especie de paraíso. Estoy convencido que un mundo que siguiera este paradigma sería un mundo mejor, pero no visualizo ese mundo, ahora mismo lo que veo de valor es el camino hacia lo inalcanzable, el comenzar a entender cuáles son nuestros principios, el empezar a ser congruentes, entender que lo más probable es que estemos equivocados y mantener nuestras mentes abiertas a ideas diferentes, ir superando nuestras propias fronteras, irnos volviendo ilimitados en la medida que nos comunicamos con otros seres.

-          ¿Humanos?

-          Sería limitante decir eso para aquél capaz de comunicarse con cualquier otro ente.

-          Entiendo. También entiendo que si bajo cierto contexto matar puede ser un acto congruente basado en un principio, en la religión que propone no se plantea un premio o castigo.

-          Efectivamente, pensar que todo lo que se hace en esta vida se paga es la manera simplista de entender un fenómeno completamente diferente; que todos encuentran sus razones y sinrazones para hacer las cosas. Siempre será aventurado calificar algo de malo cuando no se tiene todo el contexto, y siempre será imposible tenerlo por completo.

-          ¿Tiene más de su… agua?

I will make y0u so drunk.

Oh, hi there. What sort of boozy delights do I have up my sleeve this week? Why, Sam Adams Utopias, the strongest beer in the world. It clocks in at 27 percent ABV, a number that will have you seeing triple on the double. Thirsty? Drink it up!

Lecture: Friday 13th November @ Blue room, Foulis Building, Glasgow School of Art

John Wood presented the concept of Metadesign in a 1.5 h lecture. It included system theory as well as the mindset of utopias to create change.

To my understanding Metadesign is about an optimistic mindset which creates and fosters synergies within teamwork. These synergies are unleashed through tools and methods. Underneath I outlined the most important concepts about metadesign picked up from this lecture:

1. Replicable synergies

Synergy is an enhanced effect from two or more factors collaborating. What are the environmental factors which encourage synergy? Relation between factors, factor’s awareness of strengths and weaknesses, comfort and trust. Communication and bonding. John Wood argues synergies go beyond what we are used to. We may not even notice them when we experience them as the mind does not notice things that are running smooth and well. How do you create synergies and make this process of bonding replicable? Humour is an effective type of synergy. It creates comfort and relation. But how do you replicate personal trades such a humour?

Within teamwork synergy is about Evolving together. Creating synergy within teams by sharing knowledge which is held in individuals in retention to others. Others can unleash knowledge and skills which we are used to having not acknowledging the fact we have these skills. Only in relation to other people this knowledge can be appreciated. This is not just applicable to people and interaction, but also interaction with space and environment.

2.There is no paradigm

There is no fit all problem solution. There is no silver bullet (a quick solution for a difficult problem). John Wood argues that we need fractal replication : the replication of ‘utopias’. Many utopias will flourish within, pick up momentum, spread and create an overall impact. He argues we need new forms of collaborative design, which focus on single solutions locally applicable in multiple locations. It is about steering desires and creating opportunities, basically: manipulation and education.

3. Design = possible + unthinkable

Normally design is perceived to be the possible and thinkable, but we should strive towards the unthinkable, stretching beyond the known. After all miracles are just unlikely, not impossible! This involves taking risks and acknowledging possible failures. What kind of mindset is required to nurture such behaviour?

4. Auspicious

be welcoming and positively open thinking. Pessimists can not be designers. Focus on possibilities rather than problems. In brainstorming: pointing out faults and too much logic limits possibilities.

5. The control of positive feedback

In system theory: negative feedback is the normal trigger for change. If something is not working as it should, a reaction is caused to adjust to strive towards equilibrium, a balanced environment. Negative feedback only exists in close order systems. The world however is not such a system, it is an open system.

Positive feedback on the other hand are reactions that are same directional. It keeps growing exponentially. Nonetheless this reaction holds the fear of loosing control. Afterall an avalanche is a positive feedback and it grows into a non predictable swallowing mass. John Wood however argues that this mindset is based on negative thinking. He encourages dreaming and optimism. I agree with the overall statement, but would highlight within limits, natural constraints of our brains driven by logic and responsibility.

6. Design is… about shifting paradigms.

imagining something that does not exist yet, which is thinkable, talkable, possible and shifts paradigms. It is basically the creation of new solutions/systems which are beyond fitting their purpose (Donella Meadows). According to Tomas Kuhn there is a paradigm shift every 40 years.

Which impact will paradigm shifts have? Take an intertwined economic system, the car industry for instance: According to John Wood 25% of income is spend on the car. 10% of the population is involved in the car industry. If these numerous groups are addressed imagine the impact this has on wealth etc.

Here are some academic papers from attainable utopias.

“Without the fog, London wouldn’t be a beautiful city”
Claude Monet writing to his wife, Alice, during one of his long visits to England.

While updating our twitter timeline, we read about The Cloud project at @nicolatwilley tweet. After this, we inmediately went to City of Sound blog and start reading about this amazing project. Suddenly, we thought about Paisajes Emergentes’s Clouds, but reading all the material that we found at The Cloud’s site, we discover that the philosophy and motivation behind is different form PE’s Clouds. Let’s see:

From the Cloud web-site:

The Cloud proposes a new form of monument – a new form of collective expression and experience, and an updated symbol of our dawning age. It proposes an entirely new form of observation deck, high above the Olympics – from which one can not only see the whole of London, but the whole of the world, immersed in the euphoric gusts of weather but also immersed within that new, pressing and endlessly compelling environment in which we increasingly congregate – the digital sublime.

It is almost evident that Tomas Saraceno is part of the design team. Saraceno is widely known for his utopics designs and his inflatable structures and balloons. But not only Saraceno, the complete multidisciplinary team includes Dan Hill [City of Sound], Carlo Ratti, Walter Nicolino, Atmos, SENSEable City Lab among others. The visualisations works were done by London-based GMJ and graphic design by Studio FM Milano. Structural engineering was Schaich Bergermann und Partner with numerous other engineering services. The advisors included Umberto Eco, William J. Mitchell, Chris Bangle and others.

Each inflatable has its own air pump that controls air pressure level. All pumps are networked, thus forming a distributed, self-regulating system. Each pump will generate energy by letting air in and out during the daily heating and cooling cycles due to solar radiation. Inflatables on the periphery of the cloud are insulated with nanogel and kept hotter through internal resistors – so that they can float freely in air.

It’s easy to imagine that in a project like this wind will play an important role, as is the element in charge that will make the cloud freely floats. The wind will naturally ventilate the inhabited spaces inside the Cloud during the summer, while they’ll be sealed to maintain internal heat generated by the occupants and the sun during the winter.

And the most important element: People. We can read at the design statemente that People are the Cloud – its principal particulate. Seen from afar, their silhouettes animate its transparency. They help its construction through a global, innovative fundraising process (or ‘cloudraising’). Their gravitational potential energy, accumulated while they rise up to the Cloud, is then collected and transformed into electric energy by three regenerative lifts.

The Cloud as a real-time world medal collection board

“Like all tell-tale signs of brooding weather, the Cloud is a display system. It is both screen and barometer, archive and sensor, past and future.” We really appreciate that these kind of projects are still alive, the new utopias [or not, let's wait until 2012] that are all about people and designed for the 21th Century, according to the concept of the Sentient City and with environmental concerns.

It can be found more info at City of Sound, the Cloud web-site and also, you can follow them on twitter at @raisethecloud

Hace varias semanas escribí un post llamado diálogos, como resultado de una visión que tuve hace varios meses. Dicha visión tenía qué ver con un concepto que me pareció extremadamente poderoso: “todos somos uno”.

A pesar de que la visión me llegó con una certeza sin precedentes, a diferencia de lo que estoy acostumbrado, no encontré los suficientes argumentos lógicos para respaldar dicha visión.

Generalmente recurro a diálogos internos para llegar a conclusiones, y aún cuando cargo con argumentos que me parecen bastante sólidos, es difícil encontrar tal sensación de certeza.

Esto puede significar nada para cualquier lector, sin embargo trato de transmitir el gran impacto que tuvo la idea en mi interior.

Es entonces que decidí crear una serie de artículos llamados diálogos para enfrentar a mis argumentos, ir llenando huecos y terminar con una conclusión mejor fundada.

Escribí la segunda parte y por cuestiones de insatisfacción en el estilo no lo he publicado, sin embargo hoy tuve la grata sorpresa de ver un documental llamado Zeitgeist: Addendum.

No pude sentirme menos que profundamente conmovido al ver reflejada con precisión clínica la idea de religión que quise plantear a través de mis diálogos.

Y la razón es que al no encontrar todos los argumentos, todo queda perfectamente acomodado para pensar en una religión, porque los huecos, mientras no son resueltos con argumentación, son resueltos con algo que hoy conocemos como fe.

El documental de Zeitgeist, por otro lado, al tener una clara postura hacia la palabra religión y todo lo que representa, acude a una forma diferente de engaño. Y vaya que me duele escribir esa palabra y mezclarla con el movimiento.

El engaño del documental radica en deliberadamente no llenar los huecos, sesgar cierta información y muy posiblemente provocar una polarización de puntos de vista.

Maravilloso en cualquier caso, imposible en estos temas no polarizar, entiendo y justifico si cualquier información fue sesgada (si esto ayuda a llegar a una masa crítica menos informada) y si muchos de los evidentes huecos se le dejan al futuro del movimiento. Excelente que arrancaron y le dieron ese mensaje al mundo.

Si son capaces de ignorar estas imperfecciones y llegan a la segunda mitad del documental, me parece encontrarán un mensaje extremadamente valioso.

Los invito a verlo.

http://www.zeitgeistmovie.com/add_spanish.htm

U.to.pi.a: (gr ou +gr tópos+ia) sf 1. Plano ou sonho irrealizável. 2. Fantasia, quimera. Fonte: Dicionário Michaelis.

Hoje comemoram-se os 20 anos da queda do muro de Berlim e acho muito pertinente uma reflexão sobre as utopias. O que vou escrever a partir de agora é uma opinião bastante pessoal.

Apesar de o socialismo ter colapsado em boa parte do mundo, ainda hoje há muita gente que acredita ser essa a forma mais justa de governo.

Pois bem, não nasci em um país socialista. Mas tive a oportunidade de viver em Cuba por dois anos, de 2002 a 2004. Não fui a passeio e tampouco a trabalho. Estive lá para estudar em uma escola de cinema, movida por um sonho antigo. E também pela utopia que cerca a ilha.  Essa foi uma experiência que marcará a minha vida até meu último suspiro.

Qual não foi a minha surpresa ao ver meu ideal se desfalecer através dos meses. A cada dia, percebia que aquela imagem de justiça e igualdade tão propagada mundo afora, de fato machucava o dia-a-dia do povo cubano.

Em uma simplificação rasteira, socialismo significa fazer todos iguais. Mas em Cuba, esse valor se dá não pela inclusão, mas sim pela proibição, pelo acesso negado, pela censura, pela vigilância permanente.

Lembro que viajando por um dos estados da ilha, me deparo com uma senhora carregando o filho pequeno no colo. Se aproxima de mim e pede: “você poderia me dar um sabonete?”. Para quem está de fora e carrega a bandeira de uma ideologia carcomida, pode ser que querer um sabonete seja um desejo burguês. Ora, faça-me o favor. Entre outras coisas, a higiene básica deveria ser um direito de todos, independente de tendências políticas. Cito esse episódio simbólico para não adentrar na tão complexa problemática da sociedade cubana.

Às vésperas do aniversário de 20 anos da queda do muro de Berlim, a blogueira cubana Yoani Sánchez sofre agressões físicas e morais por expressar sua opinião contrária ao Governo (relato escrito pela própria ou o áudio de uma entrevista que concedeu a uma rádio mexicana – ambos os links em espanhol) . Uma voz dissonante que, sob a ótica dos poderosos chefões do comunismo cubano, deve ser calada a  joelhadas nas costas e ameaças vis. Agora pense bem: é esse mundo que queremos?

Na antiga Alemanha Oriental, quem ousasse ultrapassar o muro, seria sumariamente executado. Aqui uma reportagem que não me deixa mentir e aqui as animações que simulam como era o aparato repressor do paredão. Se era um mundo tão “justo”, por quê muitos arriscaram a vida tentando ir para o outro lado?

Gostaria de deixar claro que minha (recente) discordância do socialismo  não significa automaticamente uma aprovação do capitalismo. A meu ver, a realidade não é tão maniqueísta assim. E confesso que me é bem difícil confiar em ideologias atualmente.

No entanto, continuo acreditando em um mundo mais justo, onde haja respeito pelo ser humano e por suas opiniões. E penso que o momento em que vivemos é de transição. Para algo melhor, espero.

Ditaduras nunca mais. Sejam elas militares ou comunistas.

O “utopismo” consiste na idéia de idealizar não apenas um lugar, mas uma vida, um futuro, ou qualquer outro tipo de coisa, numa visão fantasiosa e normalmente contrária ao mundo real. O utopismo é um modo não só absurdamente otimista, mas também irreal de ver as coisas do jeito que gostaríamos que elas fossem. Fonte: Wikipédia

Amor:
Me enseñaste a volar,
Me enseñaste a soñar

Tan poca es la vida que me queda y
Tan poco el amor que me diste.

No tengo remedio, al fin de ti estoy perdido.

Veo las estrellas, te veo.

El césped halagüeño,
Susurrando inconcluso tú nombre,
Ha seducido lo incompleto
Y te ha atado en mis entrañas,
Sabor de miel y sangre…
Rosado idilio el que nos une.

Bésame, profecía de un adiós,
Y piérdeme entre el muslo de tu frontera
Y entre el péndulo de un amor
Tan tristemente correspondido
Y un beso con sabor olvido.