Sunday, 20 February 2011

American Hero


I guess by now it's evident that I no longer view the United States as a leader power. It's not about the raw power. No country has invested more money in aggression and future aggressiveness than the United States. I think that will be born out in the future when the full extent of how much militarization of space is under way. 

On the Chinese dime. 

It's the loss of moral leadership that is most visible outside of the media cocoon that many US communities live within. However that's not to say I'm not a great admirer of the citizens who turn away from the malignancy of the system and in that respect Michael Reynolds the architect who creates sustainable living in New Mexico is exactly the kind of American I admire hugely for that big bold vision thing that trickles down into the lives of people and changes them for the better. This is both a great story and an informative pointer about why bureaucracy is first and foremost self preserving. Lots of good construction ideas in this. Free thinking, and rule breaking creativity. Not the prettiest of constructions but very much in harmony with the environment and the people who come together to build them.

Saturday, 19 February 2011

Athenian Democracy



Our illusory democracy bears very little resemblance to the original. I think this documentary I just watched is thin on a couple of points about atomic prescience and totally passes on the Eleusian mysteries. That's just too much dynamite for the academics to handle, but apart from that it's an excellent dip into the period and the resolution is high. Also the chick presenter (Bettany Hughes) is erudite and yummy eye candy.

Friday, 18 February 2011

Radiohead




It's not often I post music but this did make my body hair (cute & fluffy as it is) stand on end. I've no idea why British music has been so fecund in the 20th and 21st century. Love the dancing moves. We should all dance more and talk less.