And that is what this resurgence of hand-painted signage is about: the
power of individuality.
Seeing the same lettering, the same color schemes, the same type of
signs everywhere we go has made us immune to the sad fact that
uniformity has taken over our cities.
This is never more apparent than when we walk by a shop with carefully
hand-painted signs.
It, almost without fail, will seem like the coolest and most
interesting shop on the street, even before we walk through the door.
Why? Because that store owner took pride in his or her business and
chose to display the individuality that other shops are missing.
http://weburbanist.com/2012/10/24/the-incredible-lost-and-found-art-of-hand-painted-signage
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Convincing Women They're Too Hairy
Read how foreign companies use
psychology in advertising to sell
needless and useless products.
http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-10-18/convincing-women-in-china-theyre-too-hairy
Cosmetics
Convincing Women in China They're Too Hairy
By Matthew Boyle on October 18, 2012
Sales of hair-removal creams in Asia are growing 20 percent a year.
In the $427 billion global personal-care products business,
manufacturers have long convinced women to focus on perceived flaws.
psychology in advertising to sell
needless and useless products.
http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-10-18/convincing-women-in-china-theyre-too-hairy
Cosmetics
Convincing Women in China They're Too Hairy
By Matthew Boyle on October 18, 2012
Sales of hair-removal creams in Asia are growing 20 percent a year.
In the $427 billion global personal-care products business,
manufacturers have long convinced women to focus on perceived flaws.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Social media, business and politics
More small businesses dedicating time to social media
One reason small businesses' interest in social media hasn't subsided
is because sites are constantly changing.
"When major shifts happen, some business owners panic with the
changes," Flint said. "But they have to remember that change affects
everybody. It sort of levels the playing field."
In Los Angeles, social media sites are fundamental for a business'
livelihood; food trucks announce their locations on Twitter to let
customers know how to find them and new health spas can attract
clients with a Groupon or Living Social deal.
Checking into a business through a social media site, such as
Foursquare, Facebook, Twitter and Yelp, is the modern equivalent of
talking about it with friends. But now the conversation includes
feedback from the company itself.
"The business owners can react to what people are saying or talk to
customers through their own page," said Dina Mayzlin, an associate
professor of marketing at USC's Marshall School of Business. "Social
media gives a restaurant a second chance to gain a customer who wrote
that they were unimpressed or the chance to build a deeper
relationship with their regular customers."
Businesses have a lot more to think about on social media sites than
just "likes" and "check-ins." There are tricks of the trade, such as
how to time posts, word Tweets and reveal attention-grabbing
giveaways.
The practice of setting a schedule for photos and messages to be
released to fans enables a business owner to set some time aside and
focus on the other demands of running an enterprise. The trick is to
balance traditional face time with customers and 21st century screen
time over the Internet.
"They might know how to run their business, but business owners might
still need help in how to utilize social media to its full potential"
with minimal time investment, said Katie Washington, director of
social programming for American Express. "For them, time is money."
http://articles.latimes.com/2012/oct/19/business/la-fi-social-media-small-business-20121019
Social media growing in US politics: study
WASHINGTON — Nearly two out of five US adults use social media to get
involved in politics, with the younger crowd and the ideologically
committed especially active, a study showed Friday.
The Pew Research Center study showed that 60 percent of adults use
social networking sites like Facebook or Twitter and that two-thirds
of these -- 39 percent of all US adults -- use social media for civic
or political activity.
Social media users who talk about politics on a regular basis or who
have firm ideological ties are the most likely to be active on the
sites, the study found.
And those aged 18-29 are "notably more likely than older users to have
posted their own comments, as are those who have at least some college
experience," Pew said.
"Now that more than half of adults use social media, these
technologies have worked their way into the rhythms of people's lives
at many levels," said Lee Rainie, director of the Pew Internet &
American Life Project.
"At the height of the campaign season, it is clear that most social
media users, especially those who care about politics, are using the
tools to debate others, stay in touch with candidates, flag political
news stories and analysis that are important to them, and press their
friends into action. We'll see the fruits of this neo-activism on
Election Day."
Around 35 percent of social media users have used the tools to
encourage people to vote, the study showed, with Democrats (42
percent) holding an edge over Republicans (36 percent) and
independents (31 percent).
Around a third post their own comments or thoughts, or repost content
from someone else.
About 21 percent of those using Twitter or other social media belong
to a group on a networking site that is involved in political or
social issues, or working to advance a cause.
One reason small businesses' interest in social media hasn't subsided
is because sites are constantly changing.
"When major shifts happen, some business owners panic with the
changes," Flint said. "But they have to remember that change affects
everybody. It sort of levels the playing field."
In Los Angeles, social media sites are fundamental for a business'
livelihood; food trucks announce their locations on Twitter to let
customers know how to find them and new health spas can attract
clients with a Groupon or Living Social deal.
Checking into a business through a social media site, such as
Foursquare, Facebook, Twitter and Yelp, is the modern equivalent of
talking about it with friends. But now the conversation includes
feedback from the company itself.
"The business owners can react to what people are saying or talk to
customers through their own page," said Dina Mayzlin, an associate
professor of marketing at USC's Marshall School of Business. "Social
media gives a restaurant a second chance to gain a customer who wrote
that they were unimpressed or the chance to build a deeper
relationship with their regular customers."
Businesses have a lot more to think about on social media sites than
just "likes" and "check-ins." There are tricks of the trade, such as
how to time posts, word Tweets and reveal attention-grabbing
giveaways.
The practice of setting a schedule for photos and messages to be
released to fans enables a business owner to set some time aside and
focus on the other demands of running an enterprise. The trick is to
balance traditional face time with customers and 21st century screen
time over the Internet.
"They might know how to run their business, but business owners might
still need help in how to utilize social media to its full potential"
with minimal time investment, said Katie Washington, director of
social programming for American Express. "For them, time is money."
http://articles.latimes.com/2012/oct/19/business/la-fi-social-media-small-business-20121019
Social media growing in US politics: study
WASHINGTON — Nearly two out of five US adults use social media to get
involved in politics, with the younger crowd and the ideologically
committed especially active, a study showed Friday.
The Pew Research Center study showed that 60 percent of adults use
social networking sites like Facebook or Twitter and that two-thirds
of these -- 39 percent of all US adults -- use social media for civic
or political activity.
Social media users who talk about politics on a regular basis or who
have firm ideological ties are the most likely to be active on the
sites, the study found.
And those aged 18-29 are "notably more likely than older users to have
posted their own comments, as are those who have at least some college
experience," Pew said.
"Now that more than half of adults use social media, these
technologies have worked their way into the rhythms of people's lives
at many levels," said Lee Rainie, director of the Pew Internet &
American Life Project.
"At the height of the campaign season, it is clear that most social
media users, especially those who care about politics, are using the
tools to debate others, stay in touch with candidates, flag political
news stories and analysis that are important to them, and press their
friends into action. We'll see the fruits of this neo-activism on
Election Day."
Around 35 percent of social media users have used the tools to
encourage people to vote, the study showed, with Democrats (42
percent) holding an edge over Republicans (36 percent) and
independents (31 percent).
Around a third post their own comments or thoughts, or repost content
from someone else.
About 21 percent of those using Twitter or other social media belong
to a group on a networking site that is involved in political or
social issues, or working to advance a cause.
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Mam Sonando’s lawyer Sok Sam Oeun Ignorant of Truth
Dissident Cambodian radio station chief Mam Sonando was sentenced to
20 years in prison.
Mam Sonando's lawyer is a rights advocate named Sok Sam Oeun.
He is the executive director of the Cambodian Defenders Project.
As his lawyer, he said it was not his place to comment whether or not
the court's ruling was just.
"Fair or unfair, I will not say. [That is a question for] the suspects
themselves because they know the truth, which I don't".
Mam Sonando, 71 operates the 105 FM Beehive radio station.
He was found guilty of insurrection and inciting villagers to take up
arms against the state.
Cambodian and international rights groups have called the accusations
against Mam Sonando baseless.
They say the government was seeking to justify its harsh crackdown on
the alleged Kratie rebellion.
During the rebllion, a 15 year old girl was killed by a stray bullet
fired by authorities as a warning shot.
In condemning the court decision, Human Rights Watch said this is
"the worst miscarriage of justice we have seen" since U.N. forces
withdrew about 20 years ago after helping to rebuild war-shattered
Cambodia."
There was no evidence Mam Sonando had been involved in the Kratie dispute.
The idea villagers were attempting to secede from the country is ridiculous.
Twenty years in prison is a "death sentence" for Mam Sonando, who has
been in poor health since his arrest.
International rights groups say this case raises concerns about the
impartiality of Cambodia's justice system.
EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton expressed "serious concern"
over the conviction.
She said "raises severe doubts about the impartiality and independence
of the court."
International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) said this case shows
how the Cambodian government uses the courts as a "tool for
repression."
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/mam-sonando-10012012135649.html
20 years in prison.
Mam Sonando's lawyer is a rights advocate named Sok Sam Oeun.
He is the executive director of the Cambodian Defenders Project.
As his lawyer, he said it was not his place to comment whether or not
the court's ruling was just.
"Fair or unfair, I will not say. [That is a question for] the suspects
themselves because they know the truth, which I don't".
Mam Sonando, 71 operates the 105 FM Beehive radio station.
He was found guilty of insurrection and inciting villagers to take up
arms against the state.
Cambodian and international rights groups have called the accusations
against Mam Sonando baseless.
They say the government was seeking to justify its harsh crackdown on
the alleged Kratie rebellion.
During the rebllion, a 15 year old girl was killed by a stray bullet
fired by authorities as a warning shot.
In condemning the court decision, Human Rights Watch said this is
"the worst miscarriage of justice we have seen" since U.N. forces
withdrew about 20 years ago after helping to rebuild war-shattered
Cambodia."
There was no evidence Mam Sonando had been involved in the Kratie dispute.
The idea villagers were attempting to secede from the country is ridiculous.
Twenty years in prison is a "death sentence" for Mam Sonando, who has
been in poor health since his arrest.
International rights groups say this case raises concerns about the
impartiality of Cambodia's justice system.
EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton expressed "serious concern"
over the conviction.
She said "raises severe doubts about the impartiality and independence
of the court."
International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) said this case shows
how the Cambodian government uses the courts as a "tool for
repression."
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/mam-sonando-10012012135649.html
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
History :: Who was Barry Commoner ?
Who was Barry Commoner ?
Barry Commoner died on September 30, 2012 in Manhattan, New York.
In his 1971 book The Closing Circle, a bestseller, Commoner suggested
that the American economy should be restructured to conform to the
unbending laws of ecology.
For example, he argued that polluting products (like detergents or
synthetic textiles) should be replaced with natural products (like
soap or cotton and wool).
This book was one of the first to bring the idea of sustainability to
a mass audience.
One of Barry Commoner's lasting legacies is his four laws of ecology,
as written in The Closing Circle.
The four laws are:
1. Everything is Connected to Everything Else. There is one ecosphere
for all living organisms and what affects one, affects all.
2. Everything Must Go Somewhere. There is no "waste" in nature and
there is no "away" to which things can be thrown.
3. Nature Knows Best. Humankind has fashioned technology to improve
upon nature, but such change in a natural system is, says Commoner,
"likely to be detrimental to that system."
4. There Is No Such Thing as a Free Lunch. Exploitation of nature will
inevitably involve the conversion of resources from useful to useless
forms.
Barry Commoner published another bestseller in 1976, The Poverty of Power.
In that book, he addressed the "Three Es" that were plaguing the
United States in the 1970s:
1. First there was the threat to environmental survival;
2. then there was the apparent shortage of energy;
3. and now there is the unexpected decline of the economy.
He argued that the three issues were interconnected:
1. the industries that used the most energy had the highest negative
impact on the environment;
2. the focus on non-renewable resources as sources of energy meant
that those resources were growing scarce,
3. thus pushing up the price of energy and hurting the economy.
Barry Commoner (May 28, 1917 – September 30, 2012) was an American
biologist, college professor, and politician.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barry_Commoner
In other ecology news today ::
Climate change and ocean acidification is killing off coral reefs
around the world.
One of the worst hit reefs if the magnificent Great Barrier Reef, off
of Australia, half of which has died off in the last 30 years, a new
study suggests.
Several human interventions could save the reef, Les Kaufman told LiveScience:
"The problem is entirely soluble, and coral reefs can be saved through
concerted effort over this and the following two or three
generations," said Kaufman. "There is absolutely no excuse for failure
to do this, and if we do fail our generation will forever be
remembered for unimaginable, unforgivable stupidity and sloth."
Read more:
http://www.businessinsider.com/half-of-the-great-barrier-reef-died-30-years-2012-10
Barry Commoner died on September 30, 2012 in Manhattan, New York.
In his 1971 book The Closing Circle, a bestseller, Commoner suggested
that the American economy should be restructured to conform to the
unbending laws of ecology.
For example, he argued that polluting products (like detergents or
synthetic textiles) should be replaced with natural products (like
soap or cotton and wool).
This book was one of the first to bring the idea of sustainability to
a mass audience.
One of Barry Commoner's lasting legacies is his four laws of ecology,
as written in The Closing Circle.
The four laws are:
1. Everything is Connected to Everything Else. There is one ecosphere
for all living organisms and what affects one, affects all.
2. Everything Must Go Somewhere. There is no "waste" in nature and
there is no "away" to which things can be thrown.
3. Nature Knows Best. Humankind has fashioned technology to improve
upon nature, but such change in a natural system is, says Commoner,
"likely to be detrimental to that system."
4. There Is No Such Thing as a Free Lunch. Exploitation of nature will
inevitably involve the conversion of resources from useful to useless
forms.
Barry Commoner published another bestseller in 1976, The Poverty of Power.
In that book, he addressed the "Three Es" that were plaguing the
United States in the 1970s:
1. First there was the threat to environmental survival;
2. then there was the apparent shortage of energy;
3. and now there is the unexpected decline of the economy.
He argued that the three issues were interconnected:
1. the industries that used the most energy had the highest negative
impact on the environment;
2. the focus on non-renewable resources as sources of energy meant
that those resources were growing scarce,
3. thus pushing up the price of energy and hurting the economy.
Barry Commoner (May 28, 1917 – September 30, 2012) was an American
biologist, college professor, and politician.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barry_Commoner
In other ecology news today ::
Climate change and ocean acidification is killing off coral reefs
around the world.
One of the worst hit reefs if the magnificent Great Barrier Reef, off
of Australia, half of which has died off in the last 30 years, a new
study suggests.
Several human interventions could save the reef, Les Kaufman told LiveScience:
"The problem is entirely soluble, and coral reefs can be saved through
concerted effort over this and the following two or three
generations," said Kaufman. "There is absolutely no excuse for failure
to do this, and if we do fail our generation will forever be
remembered for unimaginable, unforgivable stupidity and sloth."
Read more:
http://www.businessinsider.com/half-of-the-great-barrier-reef-died-30-years-2012-10
Monday, October 1, 2012
Young people from provinces flood Phnom Penh to send money back home
According to the
Cambodian Rural Urban Migration Report Project (CRUMP),
http://www.mop.gov.kh/
undertaken by the
Ministry of Planning and United Nations Population Fund Cambodia,
http://web.unfpa.org/focus/cambodia/unfpain.htm
young people from the provinces are flooding Phnom Penh for work and
education opportunities.
On average, four per cent of a village's population migrate away each year.
One village lost 600 people in a single year.
Phnom Penh's population has doubled in roughly 11 years.
Infrastructure is concentrated only in Phnom Penh.
We need to fill the gap between urban and rural development.
Sometimes money is sent back home to the village.
The average remittance is about 40,000 riels ($10) a month.
Women send over a dollar more than men, even though they earn less.
Garment workers send 100,000 riel – about a quarter of their salary.
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/index.php/2012100259040/National-news/young-cambodians-in-exodus-to-phnom-penh.html
Cambodian Rural Urban Migration Report Project (CRUMP),
http://www.mop.gov.kh/
undertaken by the
Ministry of Planning and United Nations Population Fund Cambodia,
http://web.unfpa.org/focus/cambodia/unfpain.htm
young people from the provinces are flooding Phnom Penh for work and
education opportunities.
On average, four per cent of a village's population migrate away each year.
One village lost 600 people in a single year.
Phnom Penh's population has doubled in roughly 11 years.
Infrastructure is concentrated only in Phnom Penh.
We need to fill the gap between urban and rural development.
Sometimes money is sent back home to the village.
The average remittance is about 40,000 riels ($10) a month.
Women send over a dollar more than men, even though they earn less.
Garment workers send 100,000 riel – about a quarter of their salary.
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/index.php/2012100259040/National-news/young-cambodians-in-exodus-to-phnom-penh.html
Cambodia: freedom of expression deteriorating
The United States says it is "deeply concerned" at the conviction of a
prominent Cambodian land rights campaigner who was sentenced to 20
years in prison on insurrection charges.
In a statement Monday, the State Department characterized the sentence
against Mam Sonando as "harsh" and called on the Cambodian government
to immediately release the 71-year-old.
A Cambodian court on Monday convicted Sonando of inciting villagers to
try to form their own state following a land dispute in eastern
Cambodia earlier this year. Sonando denied the charges.
His radio station, known as Beehive Radio, sometimes broadcasts
material critical of Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has ruled Cambodia
since 1985.
The Cambodian Center for Human Rights slammed the conviction as being
politically motivated. It said there is no evidence Sonando was
involved in the unrest, which the government viewed as a rebellion.
Amnesty International called the conviction "shocking and baseless,"
saying it reflects the deteriorating situation of freedom of
expression in Cambodia.
Cambodia has carried out an intensifying wave of sometimes violent
forced evictions affecting tens of thousands of people. Activists say
officials are increasingly cracking down on those who challenge the
land grabs.
Source:
http://blogs.voanews.com/breaking-news/2012/10/02/us-slams-harsh-sentence-against-cambodia-govt-critic/
prominent Cambodian land rights campaigner who was sentenced to 20
years in prison on insurrection charges.
In a statement Monday, the State Department characterized the sentence
against Mam Sonando as "harsh" and called on the Cambodian government
to immediately release the 71-year-old.
A Cambodian court on Monday convicted Sonando of inciting villagers to
try to form their own state following a land dispute in eastern
Cambodia earlier this year. Sonando denied the charges.
His radio station, known as Beehive Radio, sometimes broadcasts
material critical of Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has ruled Cambodia
since 1985.
The Cambodian Center for Human Rights slammed the conviction as being
politically motivated. It said there is no evidence Sonando was
involved in the unrest, which the government viewed as a rebellion.
Amnesty International called the conviction "shocking and baseless,"
saying it reflects the deteriorating situation of freedom of
expression in Cambodia.
Cambodia has carried out an intensifying wave of sometimes violent
forced evictions affecting tens of thousands of people. Activists say
officials are increasingly cracking down on those who challenge the
land grabs.
Source:
http://blogs.voanews.com/breaking-news/2012/10/02/us-slams-harsh-sentence-against-cambodia-govt-critic/
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