The Softness of Things: Technology in Space and Form  

"With realization of one's own potential and self-confidence in one's ability, one can build a better world." -- Dalai Lama

"Synergy is the only word in our language that means behavior of whole systems unpredicted by the separately observed behaviors of any of the system’s separate parts or any subassembly of the system’s parts. There is nothing in the chemistry of a toenail that predicts the existence of a human being." -- Buckminster Fuller

Week 5: Ecology, energy and sustainability

Ecology, energy and sustainability - There is much talk for the need of sustainable design. We are in a unique position to explore “sustainability as interaction” – both figuratively and literally. We will look into Buckminster Fuller’s World Game, the lessons of Cradle-to-Cradle and see what alternative energy sources we can harness for our own projects.

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Ode to a Flower -- Feynman on youtube
NY Trash, where does it go?
Buckminster Fuller, Everything I know
and Lost Interviews (talking about the world-map) and on space

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“To make the world work
For all humanity
In the shortest possible time
Through spontaneous co-operation
Without ecological offense
Or the disadvantage of anyone.”
- R. Buckminster Fuller
- Buckminster Fuller Institute

“we can recycle and compost as much as we want, but the total waste stream continues to grow and we’ll never escape our own mess…if we don’t wake up and make the connection between the economy and the environment the planet will eventually do it for us, and it won’t be pretty”
Garbage Land -- website for Elizabeth Royre's book

William McDonough's book, written with his colleague, the German chemist Michael Braungart, is a manifesto calling for the transformation of human industry through ecologically intelligent design. Through historical sketches on the roots of the industrial revolution; commentary on science, nature and society; descriptions of key design principles; and compelling examples of innovative products and business strategies already reshaping the marketplace, McDonough and Braungart make the case that an industrial system that "takes, makes and wastes" can become a creator of goods and services that generate ecological, social and economic value. Cradle-to-Cradle, by William McDonough and Michael Braungart

Needles & Nerves, by Catherine Dold in Discover magazine

Green Tara Mantra, His Holiness the Dalai Lama

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Human Powered Wearable Computing, By Thad Starner
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Rechargeable Batteries at Mouser

Rechargeable Batteries (including coin cell) at action-electronics

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Assignment 1: What is "energy"? Create a piece that communicates your relationship to energy.
Assignment 2: Keep a log of all your "waste" and propose alternatives to your consumption/waste patterns.