Euangelion: "Zion, don't hang on the cross!"
Click on the link for a post from my friend and colleague, Joel Willitts...very thought-provoking
brian beatty's posterous
How Nike's Visual Tricks Made the Oregon Ducks Look Fast (Despite Defeat) | Co.Design
A Nike designer speaks on the visual tricks at play in the uniforms that stole the show in last night's BCS Title Game.Oregon suffered defeat at the hands of Cam Newton and Auburn last night in the 2011 BCS championship game. But hard as it may have been to watch the gut-wrenching loss, you probably couldn't take your eyes off the Oregon players the whole time, thanks to flashy uniforms that made Auburn look stuck in the 1950's. How'd those Oregon guys get to looking so sharp? And why did those uniforms look the way they did?
"Oregon is one of the fastest teams in the nation, and we wanted them to look fast," Todd Van Horn, Nike's top football uniform designer, tells us. (Van Horn was on his way home from the game, and his voice was more than a little hoarse.) Visually, the colorway of the uniforms is meant to bring your eyes to the fastest moving parts of the player's bodies -- the hands, and in particular the shins, which move twice as fast as the thighs do while running. The bright yellow socks, which blended seamlessly into the cleats, drew attention to that fact.
Those color contrasts are functional as well. "We hear constantly from teams and quarterbacks that having a bit more visual acuity and contrast on the field makes things easier," says Van Horn. The white jerseys and grey pants, combined with the green accents, allowed the players to stand out vividly against their Auburn opponents.
You might have also caught sight of those flashy helmets -- the swirling pattern on the outside emphasizes the fact that Nike's padding system on the thighs and shoulders contain carbon fiber plates (layered over breathable foam and a moisture wicking base). Nike worked with a company that usually applies custom graphics to cars to create the special decals applied to the helmet. Combined with the green highlights of the Oregon "O," these created a visual vibration you could probably discern on your TV last night as an almost moire pattern effect.
The final piece of visual flare is a custom font designed to make the players look, basically, meaner and more physically imposing. The numbers, are wider at the top and narrower at the bottom, thus making the player's shoulders look wider and the waist look narrower. "The artistry comes in in how we make the players look fast and look dynamic," says Van Horn.
If only that one freak tackle hadn't happened!
<div class="disqus-noscript">View the discussion thread.</div>
Cliff Kuang
Cliff is the editor of Co.Design, and writes regularly for Fast Company, WIRED, and GOOD. ... Read more
via fastcodesign.com
Question: is your content and design only smoke and mirrors or does the packaging accurately tell your story? Just because something looks slick on the outside, doesn't necessarily mean that they have what it takes to get things done. Sounds like a bait and switch to me!
Twas the Month Before Christmas...
Twas the month before Christmas
When all through our land,
Not a Christian was praying
Nor taking a stand. See the PC Police had taken away
The reason for Christmas - no one could say.
The children were told by their schools not to sing
About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things. It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say
December 25th is just a ' Holiday '.
Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit
Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!
CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-Pod
Something was changing, something quite odd!
Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa
In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda. As Targets were hanging their trees upside down
At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.
At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears
You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears. Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty
Are words that were used to intimidate me.
Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen
On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton ! At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter
To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.
And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith
Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace. The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded
The reason for the season, stopped before it started.
So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'
Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me. Choose your words carefully, choose what you say
Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS, not Happy Holiday!
Please, all Christians join together and wish everyone you meet MERRY CHRISTMAS!
How can you be critical of a law you HAVEN'T READ?!?!
Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr., who has been critical of Arizona's new immigration law, said Thursday he hasn't yet read the law and is going by what he's read in newspapers or seen on television.
Mr. Holder is conducting a review of the law, at President Obama's request, to see if the federal government should challenge it in court. He said he expects he will read the law by the time his staff briefs him on their conclusions.
"I've just expressed concerns on the basis of what I've heard about the law. But I'm not in a position to say at this point, not having read the law, not having had the chance to interact with people are doing the review, exactly what my position is," Mr. Holder told the House Judiciary Committee.
This weekend Mr. Holder told NBC's "Meet the Press" program that the Arizona law "has the possibility of leading to racial profiling." He had earlier called the law's passage "unfortunate," and questioned whether the law was unconstitutional because it tried to assume powers that may be reserved for the federal government.
Rep. Ted Poe, who had questioned Mr. Holder about the law, wondered how he could have those opinions if he hadn't yet read the legislation.
"It's hard for me to understand how you would have concerns about something being unconstitutional if you haven't even read the law," the Texas Republican told the attorney general.
The Arizona law's backers argue that it doesn't go beyond what federal law already allows, and they say press reports have distorted the legislation. They point to provisions in the law that specifically rule out racial profiling as proof that it can be implemented without conflicting with civil rights.
But critics said giving police the power to stop those they suspect are in the country illegally is bound to lead to profiling.
Mr. Holder said he expects the Justice and Homeland Security departments will finish their review of the Arizona law soon.
Journalism...the Chicago way
AUDIO: Chicago Chicago Affiliate Won’t Cover GOP Senate Candidate if He Continues to Hammer Dem Opponent on Bank Scandal
Posted by Larry O'Connor May 5th 2010 at 12:49 pm in Featured Story, media bias | Comments (33) EditReporting on politics, “The Chicago Way.”
The Illinois Senate race is shaping up to be a high-profile and influential campaign that will have national implications. Not only because Illinois is the most populated state in the mid-west, but also because the seat up for grabs is President Obama’s former seat. If Republican candidate Rep. Mark Kirk, were to win the seat it would be seen as an enormous PR loss for the White House.
The Democratic nominee, Alexi Giannoulias has been under fire because of the failiure of Broadway Bank and his direct connection to it. Believe it or not, there are suspicions of corruption, incompetence and graft with regard to a Democrat in Chicago. Go figure!
Obviously, this is such a damaging story for Giannoulias that Rep. Kirk has been able to gain some serious traction in the race by continuing to focus on the issue. That’s what a politician does when engaged in a tough campaign (Sen. John McCain’s Presidential campaign notwithstanding).
Now we have the spectacle of one of the major local stations in Chicago threatening not to cover the campaign if the Republican continues to discuss the most damaging aspect of his opponent’s record. Is this the role of an FCC licensed station, entrusted with the role of serving the public interest in relation to a free-flow of information for the citizenry? Maybe in Chicago it is.
REPORTER: Channel 2’s made a decision. We’re really not going to cover the Senate race, if it’s consistently only in your terms, is about Broadway Bank. The bank’s been taken over by the government, Alexi’s been pilloried. Tell me, what is your campaign going forward? What are the issues you are going to tell the voters why they should vote for you?
Hear the entire segment from Chicago’s WLS-AM 890 Don Wade and Roma Show.
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Tags: Alexi Giannoulias, Broadway Bank, Chicago Politics, Illinois, Mark Kirk, Obama, Senate race, Senate seat, WLS
They should stick to normal lib questions, such as why Kirk why hasn't withdrawn from the race.Re-post: Pound away Mr. Kirk…it’s a legitimate issue of competence and cronyism. This is the sleaze that was left undisturbed by McCain and the RNC in ’08...learn dammit…pick up the club and pound that sleazeball democrat, relentlessly! My rant is complete!Its a long way to Nov... don't worry eyeball news, channel 2, we will find another story about Alexi to pound across the airwaves. Its all good. ;)Tweets that mention » AUDIO: Chicago CBS 2 Won’t Cover Senate Campaign if GOP Candidate Continues to Hammer Dem Opponent on Bank Scandal - Big Jour
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Vince Humphreys, Kevin Paulk, Angel Fleming, Buddy Smith, Raafat- New York and others. Raafat- New York said: RT @BigJournalism: AUDIO: Chicago CBS 2 Won’t Cover Senate Campaign if GOP Candidate Continues to Hammer Dem Opponent on Bank Scandal http://bit.ly/bHPbly [...]
Now, now, didn't you people hear what King Barack had to say about keeping our debates civil? Unless of course you want to call people Tea-Baggers, censor what they say, imply that they are Nazis and racist or laugh and mock opposing opinions held by conservatives. Then you are an intelligent, articulate, caring person. I've got to go throw-up.There's going to be a race war--blacks and hispanics against Whites--there's going to be a political war--democrats against Republicans. Witness Greece--it's your future. Personally, I can't wait--Olbermann and Maher sh*tting their pants is some hilarious imagery.Perhaps the news thinks they've milked that scandal for all its worth, and since it is Chicago, the target audience deserves a better quality of corruption.Which, while a valid argument, shouldn't their investigative journalists be doing just that?
If any TV station had tried this kind of stunt on behalf of a Repub candidate... with its reporter calling the candidate by his first name, as if it were here brother or boyfriend or something.... and indignantly drew a line in the sand for the Dem candidate saying "we won't fulfill our broadcast obligations to the citizens of greater Chicagoland because we think you're being mean to our guy"....?TV broadcast license permanently revoked by SUNDOWN THAT DAY.
It is racist and anti-American to continue to bring up facts in this race.CBS 2's campaign slogan: "Vote Democrat; it's easier than thinking!"Ah yes how wonderful would the libs "fairness doctrine be?How typical for the liberal biased media... they rode Palin's minor child into the ground day in and day out (never too old for them) but god forbid a they cover a defective democrat candidate... no way hosay... they can only covered in the milk and honey... rose pedals cast beneath their feet... please just take you bat and balls (if you have any) and go home to you mother maybe she will coddle you, 'cause its just not fair... what a bunch of zeor integrity hypocrites. CBS, 'nough said.Challenge their right to an FCC license. This is clearly unacceptable behavior, trying to dictate to a candidate on what and how he campaigns.Gotta wonder: how much the dems are paying the scum at Chicago CBS 2 to work for them... or if they're just doing it because they're fringe-leftists?Eric Sevareid is now spinning in his grave! CBS is sinking to new depths.Letters now stand for: CBS Controlled Bull S**T
Frightening. Absolutely frightening. Shame on Channel 2.For those not from Chicago, no one watches Channel 2 anyway.Freedom of speech? http://www.funnyconservatives.com/?p=842They can't handle the truth. What about the immigration law, the media has been found lying and the violence from the left is just getting worse:http://www.americanparchment.com/library/obama_ar...How about their coverage of the "No-Time" Bomber in Time Square, they wanted it to be a Republican, Tea Partier, or someone upset with the Health Care Bill, come to find out besides being Muslim the he was upset with Bush. Funny how they didn't report that he bought his house before he was nationalized and then it was foreclosed on during one of his trips to Pakistan:http://www.americanparchment.com/library/terroris...
Interesting how journalism is dead.
We always called it SBS in my house growing up for "See BS" ~ the more things change the more they stay the same.Their next question will be "Do you still beat your wife, Mr. Kirk?"
It's why I watch WGN.
Logging you in...
Gotta love it: VW's First Ever Two-Wheeler Fits in Your Spare Tire Compartment | Fast Company
Did you know that Volkswagen's "focus on mobility" extends beyond cars to two-wheelers? Neither did we until VW research and development chief Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg said so at this week's Auto China 2010 show. Hackenberg introduced the VW bik.e, a battery-powered two-wheeler that resembles a bicycle without the pedals.
According to Autobloggreen, the specs look pretty good: a 12.5 mile range (perfect for short trips around town, nothing more), a top speed of 12.5 mph, and most impressively, the bike can easily fold into a disc that fits in a car's spare tire compartment.
VW hasn't revealed when--or if--the concept bike will go on sale, but chances are good that it will be commercialized at some point soon. What do you think--would you ride around on such a tiny contraption? Video of the bike in action is below. Just skip past the part with the goofy undersea dancers.
Related Stories:
Topics:
Innovation, Technology, Ethonomics, VW, Volkswagen, Ulrich Hackenberg, China, Asia, East Asia, Volkswagen AG
via fastcompany.com
Franklin Graham on Islam and the media
What waves are in your life today?
via youtube.com
Practically Unplugged
Here is a great article to help encourage margin in your life.
In our Jan/Feb issue, Sam Duregger wrote a great article about his time living unplugged —read it here. Today, Sam shares some practical steps toward unplugging:
Last month’s article, “Unplug,” was a glimpse into how I found time with God away from technology, but let’s be honest … living in a tent may not be a feasible option for you. So. I wanted to begin a conversation on how we can practically unplug from technology while still being a functioning member of society, below are some starter ideas:
- Set boundaries on smartphone use. When you’re at dinner with your significant other or friends — try to be present, forget about updating your foursquare status with pictures of your veal parmesan.
- Check mail only twice a day, at set times. Tim Ferris, the guy who wrote The 4-hour Work Week, encourages setting times during the day that you check and respond to emails. This allows you to tackle the messages all at once as opposed to being interrupted all day with various emails that may or may not be important. Set a schedule and abide by it — this creates efficiency and margin in your work day.
- Put the TV out of sight. Skye Jethani once told me his family philosophy on television is to, “have it outside the life-flow of the house.” This is a practical and useful strategy, as it’s no longer a peripheral distraction as you walk from your kitchen through the living room to the bedroom. Personally, my TV is in the basement “entertainment room,” and it’s true — out of sight is out of mind. This can be especially useful when kids come in the picture, as the TV can become a binky for the brain.
- Phone fast. Go outside once in a while without your phone, I know this seems unreasonable, but I believe it is important to find time free from the possibility of distraction, as I have found possibility always means inevitability when it comes to technology.
- Intentional time with God. My pastor was telling me about Eugene Peterson, the author and pastor, who every week takes a 3-hour walk with his wife in complete silence! Afterward, they sit and discuss their thoughts and what (if anything) they heard from God. This is an unconfirmed report on Eugene Peterson’s life, but true or not seems to be a great way to be intentional with your life partner and God.
- Begin your day social media-free. Don’t check your email, Facebook, Twitter, or other social media outlets until after breakfast. This one is difficult for me, but seems to be the most beneficial, as it gives me time to sit, eat, and read the Bible before jumping in the furious interaction found within the Internets.
The fact of the matter is, finding margin in your life is ultimately up to you and it is rooted in discipline and intentionality.
I want to hear from you — what other ways can we unplug and create margin?
Thanks for sharing, Sam! By the way, Sam Duregger is a talented writer from Iowa, and he’s getting married on Saturday. Keep up with him at www.duregger.net or on Twitter:@duregger.
Enjoy!
Miss you, David...
via youtube.com
