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Sustaining Obama?

Jason McCormick — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 12:53:30 -0800

Two months without a post and now two in two days… everything is changing today (see previous post)… and fittingly, it’s a post about Obama - and his Blackberry.

In an age where the infamously addictive device is commonly known as the ‘crackberry’, Obama is under pressure to give up his beloved Blackberry. The fear – according to aides – is anyone with the right technology will be able to track his movements and know his exact whereabouts, not to mention hack into his messages.

This poses a unique situation. On one hand, it’s one less thing for the president of the united states to have to manage and confiscating the device may make more time for a little (and I mean little) more personal sustainability. But on the other - and this is what Jonathan Freedland identified as unique in his guardian article – Obama’s Blackberry ‘represents a line out to the real world, a source of information - and casual communication with friends - that does not have to first pass through the filter of his advisers. Most of us would have more human contact if we gave up our BlackBerries: Obama may be a rare case of the reverse’.

Everything’s changing today…

Jason McCormick — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 23:31:45 -0800

Goodness, it’s been months since my last post… terrible, i'm usually the 'Blog Police' at work... oh well, thought I’d share this song with you… it’s by The Futureheads… not only is it a great song to get ready to before you head out for the night, but it’s got a great message… check out some of the lyrics:

‘We’ve never made a difference
But tonight it will be different
It opened up in front of us
And it can change for every one of us’.

Inspiration... it's everywhere!

Serious Play

Sarah Hay — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 11:28:08 -0800

I've just come back from a 'serious play' long weekend, sailing around the San Juan Islands in Washington (video footage here). It was a regatta called Round the County that spanned 2 days, saw 64 boats participate, 46 knots of wind the first day and basically none the next day. We placed 3rd in our division and 8th overall. Sailing to me is one of the best examples of serious play. We're all out there giving 110% because we love it and at the same time there is a lot at stake. Overcoming fears and inihibitions, placing ourselves in unknown territory, pushing the limits of our bodies and designs, because in the end it makes everything seem easier and more alive.

Tim Brown's Ted Talk on Serious Play came into my inbox this morning. It's 30 minutes long but it sure is great. He covers a lot of ground explaining how adults can overcome inhibitions surrounding play, learning from children, breaking habits, defering judgement and the absolute importance of creative experimentation.

Seriously good stuff!

When does the story end?

Sarah Hay — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 12:59:48 -0700

Have you ever wondered what happened after the tortoise beat the hare in that famous race? I hadn't ever really stop to think about what might happen the next time (or times). While jamming on some ideas for stickers to give away for a bike safety station my friend was organizing, I did a quick search for images of the tortoise and the hare. We wanted the caption to say: "Are you really in a hurry?". On my search I found a speculative epilogue to one of my favourite children's stories. I won't recap the story because it's quite short and a great read, but suffice to say, there are a few new morals that present themselves - learning from our mistakes, never giving up, and yes - collaboration. Oops, did I just give it away?

This is not the end of my blog today.

In the context of slow and steady... an article today in Time Magazine caught my attention about social networking platforms, and the race to critical critical mass.

While MySpace got to critical mass first and Facebook became the poster child for the social-network generation, LinkedIn has always been the tortoise in this race.

Reid Hoffman founded LinkedIn in 2003. I have not joined this network but after reading this article and given my intense interest in the Slow Movement, this platform is said to be focussed not on quantity but - quality. You mean I won't get invitations for Vampire, Werewolf, Mummy, and Lil' Green Patch applications? Great. That's not to say they won't be adding applications as they have just signed some deals with Google and Amazon, but they will be very mindful so as to not clutter the user experience - that they will actually be useful in fostering intelligent social connections between professional people.

The main point of this article is that LinkedIn continues to thrive in the midst of these unsettling economic times and it has a lot to do with Hoffmans' strategic, long term planning approach. The author of the article writes:

That's the kind of counter-conventional wisdom and smart strategy that Hoffman is known for. He was one of those guys who obsessively played military board games as a youth. (He once told me he never lost.) Over a year ago, Hoffman starting looking for funding to ensure that LinkedIn would be able to thrive during what he then described as the coming nuclear winter. (He figured a reserve of cash would help LinkedIn buy up companies during the downturn.) All in all, the company has raised $100 million, boasts a $1 billion valuation, and last week signed up its 30 millionth member. (A spokesman told me the sign-up rate has escalated of late and now includes one new member per second.)

Counter conventional wisdom... I like the sounds of that. Perhaps I will be the next new member of the second. Or perhaps I'll take my time to join into yet another. social. media. platform. After lunch.

The process of bringing people together

Sarah Hay — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 13:16:32 -0700

My friend Sobey introduced me to the City Repair Project a while back. I remember being blown away with optimism by the stories and videos I saw on the website. Just today, I was inspired to revisit the site because of an exciting project we are working on here. I believe more people should know about this project!

City Repair Project is almost an entirely volunteer-run social-profit (non-profit) organization based out of Portland, Oregon but has spread to other communities across the US. What they do really well is engage with people where they live. In other words, they physically go to specific neighbourhoods, bringing with them the necessary tools, equipment and enthusiasm, and invite local residents to take part in a transformation of ordinary space to meaningful place. This could be in an intersection road painting, landscaping round-a-bouts, block parties and even the construction of shaded gathering places. The very process of bringing people together, outside, induces a sense of ownership of the place and from that ensues pride and collectivity.

City Repair Project volunteers are active in their own disciplines, which adds to the diversity and collective intelligence at each event – architecture, planning, permaculture, arts, builders, musicians, etc. all take part and contribute what they can.

The other fascinating thing about this project (you can hear it in this video) is that they did not have permission originally to carry out their vision. What happened when they went ahead anyway was an actual shift in beurocratic thought around the nature of public space in neighbourhoods.

More of that, please.

A little closer to home in Vancouver, there is a group here banding together to promote cultural vibrancy – to end Vancouver’s reputation as No Fun City. Their strategy is to engage with policy makers in order to alleviate the barriers in place for cultural organizers such as performance spaces, galleries and clubs. You can read their manifesto here > www.profuncity.com. Perhaps there is something to learn from City Repair Project.

Creativity + Community Connection = Pecha Kucha

Kierstin De West — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 16:02:13 -0700

Pecha Kucha's rapid success is representative of the number one sustainability issue today: Feeling connected with my friends, my family, my community. Pecha Kucha Vancouver is hosted by the talented duo Steve and Jane Cox, owners of design consultancy Cause & Affect who do a great job of building creative community in Vancouver, first with their Movers & Shapers exhibit and now with hosting Pecha Kucha.

I've been asked to present at Pecha Kucha Vancouver tonight and my 20 images are inspired by my friend Craig Damrauer, an artist and writer who lives in Brooklyn with his family. Craig created New Math: Equations for Living. His Equations for Living applies mathematical formulas to everyday cares and concerns. Distilled insight in a quick hit, they were first shown in conjunction with Move Lab, the curated shop/gallery of the lovely designer Missy Wilson in Manhattan's Meatpacking District around 2000 (I think it was). Here are some of my favourites:

BEAUTY = PUBLIC OPINION + EYE OF THE BEHOLDER
MODERN ART = I COULD DO THAT = YEAH, BUT YOU DIDN'T

You can check out more of Craig and New Math: Equations for Living via Google Books or his websites
www.morenewmath.com
www.assortedbitsofwisdom.com

Pecha Kucha Vancouver is being held at the Park Theatre, in the Cambie Village area. Tickets can be bought at the door or online.

People Who Move the Dial...

Kierstin De West — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 14:00:04 -0700

One of the reasons I love my job is the interesting and inspiring people I get to meet. Sometimes this means sitting in someone's living room hearing them talk about sustainability and social responsibility. Sometimes its connecting with other business leaders in the sustainability space. I was asked to participate in Focalyst Executive Forum the week before last in NYC at Chelsea Piers. It's a popular annual event focused on marketing to Boomers put on by AARP and Millward Brown. On the second day of the presented some findings on sustainability and the 55+ consumer from Ci's SHIFT Report:what issues they care about, what motivates them to make sustainable and responsible choices, the Sustainability Passion Index (SPI) and more.

On the first day of the conference, I introduced Senator Tim Wirth, President of the United Nations Foundation, just before his keynote, and then I moderated a panel of leaders in sustainability + business. My goal was to facilitate honest - not just glossy- discussion that left the audience inspired, and with a tool kit of ideas and approaches they could use. Jeff Renaud, Director of Ecomagination shed insight on GE's initiatives around Ecomagination, some of its hits and misses, some challenges and how GE faced them. Bill Bass, founder of retailer Fair Indigo, talked eloquently about the importance of authenticity and a key sustainability issue in the social sustainability pillar: Fair Trade. And Senator Wirth shared his perspectives and personal experience from hit and misses, to challenges and opportunities, informed by his long time experience as a Congressman, Senator, Co-Chair of The Clinton/Gore Campaing, President of the United Nations Foundation and Betterworld Fund and more. It was a great experience all around. Check out the UN Foundation's very cool Nothing But Nets campaign where you can buy a bed net to help save people from death by Malaria.

The one key belief all the panelsts shared: Change the Rules. Change the Equation.

Ci goes to Vegas, baby!

Sarah Hay — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:26:22 -0700

Ci traveled to the city of Las Vegas, Nevada this week to facilitate a sustainability workshop with a major live entertainment event. They are scheduled to start touring North America early next year so soon we will be able to say more and let you all know when it comes to your city! What I can say though is that everyone present learned a great deal about an expanded view of sustainability and social responsibility. More than a recycling workshop (which is what they thought they were getting), we worked with them to ensure every category and touch point was put through our filter of the 4 pillars of sustainability (personal, social, spiritual and environmental) and the 4 barriers to conscious consumption (price, time, knowledge, pressure).

After two days of solid work, we had the evening free to explore the strip and take in a show. Cirque de Soleil was truly mind blowing. I can hardly believe what human beings are capable of doing when given the opportunity. After stepping back out into the Casino floor, the experience felt entirely like a dream. Did that really happen?

We did of course laugh at the irony of why we were there, in the city of over consumption and excess. I can see though, why so many conferences and off-sites happen in Vegas. It is a city where everything seems possible, even if it is somewhat of an illusion.

A few other highlights of the trip were conversations we had with people living in Vegas – taxi drivers and neighbors at the restaurant table talking about changes they are seeing and have seen recently – things like how the economic situation in the states has been effecting the city and also what kinds of sustainability initiatives they are seeing spurt up. To sum it up, what goes up must eventually come down, and then back up again.

May we live in interesting times.

Perfectly good stuff

Sarah Hay — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 23:24:34 -0700

This morning, Kierstin and I went to the Vancouver South Transfer Station, Recycling Depot & Yard Trimmings Drop-off also known as 'the dump' located at 377 West Kent Avenue North in Vancouver. Let me first say that I am a big fan of field trips. Even the bus trip down Cambie was enjoyable because the bus driver really liked his job. He said it was a piece of paradise compared to the 15 years he spent at a plastics recycling plant. We met quite a few people along the way who were more than helpful to share their deep knowledge of the city's industrial metabolism with us. Not only that, they carried so many ideas for improvement, and recognized that these things take time to implement. Patience.

These 2 chairs were on their way to the landfill but someone scooped them up recognizing that they don't yet belong there. Perfectly good stuff. If you ever get a chance, take a 1/2 day field trip to your city dump and recycling centre and just take a look at the stuff people are throwing away, and what is being recycled / reused / repurposed.

It's mind boggling!

I can't stop here. Over in the recycling depot, it was a little more optimistic and future friendly. But still an enormous amount of perfectly good stuff being sent to the shredders.

Definitely though, the highlight was when our gracious tour guide showed us they're garden made entirely of refuse. This image makes me think how hopeful I am when I see plants growing out of old objects.

Matt is a Vocal Globalist

Sarah Hay — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 12:31:09 -0700

Where the hell is Matt? And what is his carbon footprint?!

If you haven’t met Matt online or in your country, Google “Matt” and this one individual will show up at the top of your query. Very impressive. Matt, born in Norwalk, Connecticut in 1976, spends his time traveling the world and dancing with local people – a moving post card if you will. He then uploads the videos to YouTube where millions of people watch and wonder.

The FAQ’s on the website share a lot about his process and motivations for his documented adventures and also answer a few broader questions – like ‘why is the world so screwed up?’ This leads me to believe that Matt is a vocal globalist from our Sustainability Passion Index findings.

On the one hand, the videos are hilarious and offer a psycho-geographic break from our personal worlds. On the other, I have to ask how much energy is this one person using in his global quest to own the name ‘Matt’ and to show the world his… sweet dance moves, and to show us... the world. A vocal globalist, with a gift of connecting cultures, who happens to carry with him a very large carbon footprint. C'mon Matt, offset that!

Back to school, and the speaking engagements!

Jason McCormick — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 23:52:30 -0700

It’s not only time to pack the kids off to school in the morning, it also happens to be conference season.

Over the next couple of months, Ci will be speaking and/ or moderating a panel at the following events:

- Open Dialogue’s 2nd Annual Green Marketing conference. Taking place October 22 & 23, 2008 in Toronto.

- Focalyst Executive Forum: Targetting Boomers & Beyond. Taking place October 22 & 23, 2008 in NYC.

If you happen to be attending, please come find us – we’d be happy to connect.

Social Responsibility: Going Beyond the Minimum

Jason McCormick — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 16:14:18 -0700

We are not experts on governance, but we certainly know a thing or two about consumers & sustainability.

I read an article the other day… Andrew Winston commenting on what ‘compliance’ means in the contemporary landscape. The gist of the article? Though only a few companies have made green a core business strategy, most business execs appreciate the need to do more than what the government is asking. Major brands such as Walmart & Home Depot are going above and beyond the regulated standards, and they are smart to do so…

Not only are they minimizing the fear and cost of say an expensive product recall (see BPA in baby bottles, phthalates and lead based paints in toys…) they are also going a long way to prove to another important stakeholder – the end user/ consumer – that they are socially responsible.In the latest installment of The SHIFT Report, we presented a list of areas companies could demonstrate their commitment to social responsibility and asked North Americans ‘For you to believe a brand is truly socially responsible, which if the following areas would you want to see responsible action taken by companies whose product or services you buy?’… a massive 70% of the General Population said ‘Exceeding expectations – going a step beyond what is required of companies by the law and by government regulation’.

Say what you like about big corporations (there’s plenty, I’m sure), but you can’t deny that their huge organizational force means they have the power to raise business standards. The real issue hinges on whether they will choose to exercise it.

Did they not read my last blog?

Jason McCormick — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 17:38:23 -0700

In my last blog I wrote about the fact that Shell had their wrist slapped because of exaggerated claims in their advertising. I netted out on the fact that they really couldn’t afford to alienate an ever-savvy consumer with misleading claims and they would do well to bite the bullet, learn their lesson and move on. Well… looks like they are at it again, and now Shell are being accused of manipulating an independent environmental audit.

Apparently, Shell officials managed to persuade the auditors - AEA Technology - to disperse its findings throughout the report, rather than leaving them in one appendix. While also downplaying experts fears that continuous noise could have a detrimental affect on endangered whales, and questions about whether permits were sought before or after drilling began.

Now I know that your average consumer would rarely get their hands on such a report, let alone have the interest and time to sit down and go through it, but at a time when we are exposed to unprecedented levels of information and advocacy is crucial to a brand’s appeal it makes sense that brands of all sizes (not just those that have messed up in the past!) play a fair and honest game. Remember… today's consumers are looking at all touch points to determine whether a brand is socially responsible or not, AND not just their advertising - HA!

Going Green with Global. Back to school, again.

Jason McCormick — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 15:52:03 -0700

Going Green with global celebrates it's first anniversary. As with last year, Kierstin kicks off september by sharing three simple tips for parents and kids alike to be a little more conscientious now that the young ones are back to school

Thinking about beauty (in the rain)

Sarah Hay — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:16:21 -0700

“Every design is, in essence, a critique of the context in which it has been produced. Every day I struggle with this thought: do we really need more? Because I am an optimist, the answer is yes. What we need is beauty, original thought, creativity, and awareness.”

I wrote this almost 5 years ago for my 'design philosophy' statement that was mounted beside my grad project on display in Carleton University's Art Gallery. For whatever reason today I am reminded of this statement, while also feeling quite weighed down by my 'latest news headlines' RSS feed, and compounded by the noise of traffic in the rain. What is it that makes something beautiful? As the cliché goes ~ beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Considering how many eyes there are out there - about 13 billion and counting... that's a lot of potential for beauty. Of course beauty has many different definitions and dimensions. It's appropriation by it's own commercialization and fantasization in the media is not so desirable. But beauty is also one of those mindset shifters. A very powerful thing to experience, especially when shared.

We have come so far in the last 5 years in terms of sustainable design, development and communication. And this is still the beginning of a (hopefully) long road. Sustainable Minds is a relatively new company who recently bought the rights to Okala Ecological Design Curriculum which was written in part by my thesis supervisor Louise St. Pierre. This course was my starting point into the world of sustainable design and is now available to designers everywhere, not just in schools. Whether you choose to dive into Sustainable Minds, or simply go outside and witness the slow transition of summer to fall, turn on your beauty filter and things may start feel a bit lighter and brighter, even in the rain.