It's not recycling, it's 'upcycling.' This latest environmentally-friendly craze involves taking recycled goods and making them into more interesting items. The items used include old Capri Sun containers, discarded packaging, and more to create lunch boxes, flower pots, and tote bags.
New Jersey's Terracycle is one such company making recycling into an 'upcylcing' adventure. Many people have decided that making their own tooth-paste bag takes far too much time, so they let Terracycle do it for them. On their site, they show off their 'consumer by-product' masterpieces.
Even if you're not into recycling, you might not resist bringing lunch to work in a bag made out something you ate out of yesterday! These kitschy designs make even the modest of recyclers into upcycling phenoms.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Toyota Is...
That's right. You guessed it... recalling more vehicles!
Now, Toyota has decided to recall 50,000 of their 2003 Toyota Sequoia SUVs because of their ability to 'move forward, a little too fast.' The "aggressive" control system used in these vehicles is what caused the car manufacturer to reclaim these vehicles, said Metro News.
Unfortunately, Toyota has been dealing with recalls for months and we are still seeing more and more vehicles recalled. Just recently, the dealer recalled some of their Lexus GX SUVs because of "failing stability controls."
I understand that these recalls are due to actual events where car control systems and accelerators have malfunctioned. However, with so many recalls, I have to sit here and wonder, are they being too cautious? I know what you're thinking, you want to be safe! And I get that. I'm just saying that with so many vehicles being recalled, are they taking into account the vehicles that have no flaws? I mean, they clearly want to make sure the public is aware of any problems with their cars, but I feel like these recalls are reaching a ridiculous level. I've said it before, that I'm definitely biased. My parents had their '87 Toyota Corolla for 14 years. However, I think this trend of recalls for Toyota is far past the realm of precautionary and heading into the Twilight Zone.
Now, Toyota has decided to recall 50,000 of their 2003 Toyota Sequoia SUVs because of their ability to 'move forward, a little too fast.' The "aggressive" control system used in these vehicles is what caused the car manufacturer to reclaim these vehicles, said Metro News.
Unfortunately, Toyota has been dealing with recalls for months and we are still seeing more and more vehicles recalled. Just recently, the dealer recalled some of their Lexus GX SUVs because of "failing stability controls."
I understand that these recalls are due to actual events where car control systems and accelerators have malfunctioned. However, with so many recalls, I have to sit here and wonder, are they being too cautious? I know what you're thinking, you want to be safe! And I get that. I'm just saying that with so many vehicles being recalled, are they taking into account the vehicles that have no flaws? I mean, they clearly want to make sure the public is aware of any problems with their cars, but I feel like these recalls are reaching a ridiculous level. I've said it before, that I'm definitely biased. My parents had their '87 Toyota Corolla for 14 years. However, I think this trend of recalls for Toyota is far past the realm of precautionary and heading into the Twilight Zone.
Interview With a Witch
When Annie and I decided to create a documentary about witches and discrimination, I was excited and also slightly terrified. However, when we interviewed Christian Day, I couldn't have been more intrigued by someone. He was unique, hilarious, intelligent and very well-spoken. If we could have picked any modern witch to interview, he still would have been at the top of our list.
Considering Annie and I both come from Christian upbringing, we had plenty to learn. The good thing about that was that Christian was ready to teach. Anything we brought up about rituals, what he believed, how he used his talents and more were all very well-received. He had an answer for everything and by the end we had more than enough footage for our film. What struck me the most about him was how he was so very sure of himself and his beliefs. It takes a lot of guts to stand up in front of a crowd very different from yourself and pronounce that you are different. However, throughout the interview, Christian lead us back to what we had thought in the first place: human beings aren't so different after all.
By the time Annie and I finished our film, we were overjoyed, exhausted, and very pleased. Moreover, we realized we produced a short documentary that could be used by many different organizations. Not only could it by used by the No Place For Hate Committe and the Salem Witch Museum, but by witches and Wiccans that want people to know their point of view. In creating this film, I found that as a public relations practitioner I will be in charge of a message. When the message is meant to bring about social change, it must be well-researched, have an acceptance within a certain community, and have room to 'grow.' In this case, if we were hired by the No Place for Hate Committee to create more pieces like this one, I think we have a good grounding on how to proceed.
**For another look at our film, you can view it here!**
Considering Annie and I both come from Christian upbringing, we had plenty to learn. The good thing about that was that Christian was ready to teach. Anything we brought up about rituals, what he believed, how he used his talents and more were all very well-received. He had an answer for everything and by the end we had more than enough footage for our film. What struck me the most about him was how he was so very sure of himself and his beliefs. It takes a lot of guts to stand up in front of a crowd very different from yourself and pronounce that you are different. However, throughout the interview, Christian lead us back to what we had thought in the first place: human beings aren't so different after all.
By the time Annie and I finished our film, we were overjoyed, exhausted, and very pleased. Moreover, we realized we produced a short documentary that could be used by many different organizations. Not only could it by used by the No Place For Hate Committe and the Salem Witch Museum, but by witches and Wiccans that want people to know their point of view. In creating this film, I found that as a public relations practitioner I will be in charge of a message. When the message is meant to bring about social change, it must be well-researched, have an acceptance within a certain community, and have room to 'grow.' In this case, if we were hired by the No Place for Hate Committee to create more pieces like this one, I think we have a good grounding on how to proceed.
**For another look at our film, you can view it here!**
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Eurovision: Singing for Cultural Diplomacy
It is that time of the year again! We are only a few weeks away from Eurovision! Last year, to my surprise, I met some people who didn't know about this beautiful event! I thought Eurovision was the second biggest event in the universe - the first being, of course, the World Cup.
When something is an inherent part of your culture and life, it is very difficult to explain it, especially when other people have no idea what you are talking about - "It is like American Idol - but an entire continent competes" or "It is a parade of songs and stage shows that have never left the 80s" or simply "Just watch it, it is fun". Last year, I watched the final with friends from Nepal, New Zealand, and the UK. It was really interesting and funny to see non-European reaction to the contest.
Let me try to explain what Eurovision is. Once upon a time European countries came together and started an organization called European Broadcasting Union (EBU). EBU decided to do something to bring European countries together after the World War II, and tried to test the broadcasting technologies. Eurovision, a song contest broadcasted simultaneously in several countries, started in 1956. And we still watch it, and no, apart from Ireland, we are still not bored (Ireland won Eurovision seven times). The winner country gets to host the following year's contest. Last year, Norway won, and Eurovision 2010 will take place in Oslo, Norway.
Eurovision, for me at least, presents a snapshot of European politics, as well as our deep commitment to disco era. Last year, I was in a position to explain why Scandinavian countries give 12 points to each other, why it is a big issue when Turkey votes for Cyprus, and why we pretend to speak French (deuze pointe). Now, on one hand, we forget about politics - Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and even Israel are seen as 'European' countries, we love to hear them sing together. On the other hand, when it comes to voting, we are reminded how powerful political relations are in Europe - i.e. 12 points are exchanged between countries with strong ties (yes Scandinavian countries, I am talking about you!! Stop doing that!).
Long story short, thanks to Eurovision, people see at least some faces, melodies, and lyrics from all around the continent. Visit Eurovision's website at http://www.eurovision.tv/page/home and be a part of this great event!
PS: This is Turkey in ESC 2010:
and this is my favorite song thus far - Iceland 2010:
This blog post is also posted on http://efesevin.wordpress.com/.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Toyota's blind spot
Among the points in this interesting article: Toyota was very well equipped to be the No. 2 (in terms of vehicles sold) automaker, but unprepared when it became No.1 in 2008. Its vaunted Toyota Production System, under which any line worker could halt the assembly line if he detected a fault, was no help if any faults got through - the company simply refused to believe that it wasn't perfect. In addition, Toyota recalled 9 million cars since the crisis broke - nearly as many cars sold in the US last year.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/06/opinion/06debord.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/06/opinion/06debord.html
How Safety Agency Investigates Complaints
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says it receives more than 30,000 complaints a year (a little more than 80 a day). 70% come in from the web. The NHTSA has legal authority to order a recall only when it can "demonstrate a safety related defect...In the last three years, it has issued 524 recalls involving 23.5 million vehicles."
Friday, April 23, 2010
Toyota pays $16.4 million fine, made it back in less than two hours
On April 19, Toyota paid a fine of $16.4 million to the US Department of Transportation, the largest fine ever levied against an automaker, for its role in concealing the sticky accelerator pedal problems and other quality issues. As is often customary with such fines, Toyota admitted no wrongdoing, but the company is still vulnerable to civil and criminal complaints, as well as ongoing Justice Department and Securities and Exchange Commission investigations.
There are some who question the effectiveness of fining a corporation without holding individuals accountable, as the fines are ultimately paid by the company's shareholders, while the company can shrug off the expense as a cost of doing business. Moreover, while $16.4 million is a considerable sum, Toyota earned nearly $22 million each hour in 2009, based on its $185 billion annual revenues.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/20/business/global/20toyota.html
There are some who question the effectiveness of fining a corporation without holding individuals accountable, as the fines are ultimately paid by the company's shareholders, while the company can shrug off the expense as a cost of doing business. Moreover, while $16.4 million is a considerable sum, Toyota earned nearly $22 million each hour in 2009, based on its $185 billion annual revenues.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/20/business/global/20toyota.html
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