Buy Handmade!

So, I've been on this 'green' type kick. I've been thinking about my carbon footprint, trying to eat less meat, reusing (or not using) shopping bags when I buy little things, turning off the lights, and taking off my shirt instead of running the air conditioner.

Speaking of shirts, I recently bought a totally sweet shirt from this new online marketplace called Etsy. It's a marketplace where small vendors can make and sell their wares. It's got a lot of stuff. From cufflinks to knittings to art to pottery. I'm not sure where I come out on the whole little guy vs. major corporation thing, but I'm pretty sure that I side with the little guy.

Now, let's not get out of control here. The main reasons that I use Etsy are that it's really easy to find some shirts that are interesting and the goods are typically pretty high quality (handmade in the USA after all). Plus, there's a human touch. When I buy a shirt, it often comes with a little note from the craftsperson thanking me for my purchase. (Typically, the artisan will buy a blank shirt from American Apparel and print their design on it.) Plus, I'm not sure where else you could get this shirt or this tie.

I feel like it's a bit greener to buy shirts manufactured in the US rather than China because you save all of that shipping. A side effect might be that some jobs may be created in the US. But, I have no real evidence that there is actually any benefit. And, who knows if American Apparel is less polluting compared with China, I'd have to guess yes, but maybe they make up the difference with sexual harassment.

So, about the interface, it's a typical shopping website with search, categories for browsing and create favorites of both items and of sellers. You can also choose to 'Shop Local', though I'm not sure if that means you pick it up rather than have it shipped. Like every other website launched in the past 3 years, it has a social aspect. I'm bballan if you're interested in seeing my favorites.

Let me know what you think of the site. If you get something cool, I'd love to hear what it is. I think I'm about to buy this shirt from one of my favorite sellers.

I just recommended:Etsy

A Thought on Earth Day

So, today was Earth Day, and I had a weird thought. When did people start using trash cans? I feel like I've been dragged to a lot of Colonial Williamsburg type places on family vacations and school trips, and I can't remember ever seeing a trash can.

I had a friend when I was in college who was an environmental engineer. She raised the issue to me that the rise of disposable cleaning products is the worst thing to happen to the environment, probably ever. At the time, I thought she made a good point. I am definitely someone who believes in the power of baby steps (which I learned from this woman). And, as I think about it now, I more and more look at the amazing amounts of waste we create every day. Especially with bottled water. I'm trying to do my part, so I've started carrying around a Nalgene bottle like a cruncy hippie.

I'm not worried about fecal matter (mostly because the enjoyment I get from pooping is too high to consider it waste). But, what about the toilet paper we use? There's a lot of paper being flushed down the toilet every day.

I can think of two potential solutions.

1. A butt brush - it's like a tooth brush, but for your ass. It would have to sit in some kid of sterilizing liquid, I'm thinking like the blue stuff my barber keeps the combs in. But then we'll have some harsh chemicals to deal with.
   

2. Reduce the amount of TP we use. I'm not talking about getting up with shit on your ass. I'm just thinking that, if you tear of 4 squares for each wipe, try to get it down to 3. If you're down to three, try 2. If you're already at 2, try to reuse the square you've got. Instead of starting in the center of the square, start on one side, then use the other side for a second pass. I'm calling this new campaign, Spare a Square.
   

I would love to have you join my campaign. Please let me know in the comments if you have any suggestions to further our goal and save the lives of some poor, defenseless squares. And don't try to tell me that you "can't spare a square".

Design and the Elastic Mind

I went to this exhibit at the MoMA today. It was fantastic. I highly recommend that everyone take a look at it. If you can't make it to the museum, take a look at the online exhibits which are also interesting, though seeing them all in person adds a good bit of context. Some of these things are not as original as others. For example, the Painstation is a rip off of James Bond in Never Say Never Again. But, for the most part, these are some really cool ideas (along with a lot of absolutely certifiable ones)

Some recs: LASER TAG, Sketch Furniture, Flight Patterns and Dressing the Meat of Tommorrow

It also reminded me of a design competition that I had read about. This other exhibit was focused on sustainable gadgets. I thought these were really cool, and am ready to buy myself one of these lamps. These other entries are also really cool.

Anyways, take a look at those, and let me know if you've read anything else cool about how we might be living with technology in the future. And if you get to the MoMA (or the website) let me know what exhibits did you find most interesting.