DISQUS

Very interesting, and very poignant. I'm guessing that the print was made with a chemical that reacts with carbon dioxide, or some other pollutant in the air. The reaction probably had the affect of changing the ink colour from transparent to black, so the longer the poster was up, the more time the pollution reacted with the ink.

So I guess it took 16 days to react fully. I wonder how long it would have taken 10 years, ago or in 10 years time. Will things improve?

Leaving Obama aside on this, I found it quite interesting. I'm not American, but even I found it slightly uncomfortable listening to it as I know how important the national anthem is in American society. More so than many other societies.

I don't know the nature or the context of the event in which it was performed, and am not sure if there is any specific relation, but it was definitely a bold and brave statement, and I look forward to the discussions which I am sure will ensue.

I don't quite agree however with the statement "Art is always meant to push the envelope and stretch our comfort zones". I don't think this is the case. Art often does so, and is often welcome when it does, but is not always intended to. In my opinion, art is the expression of the soul, a physical manifestation of thought and meaning. It does not "always" have to stretch comfort zones. After all isn't it best when art is enjoyed without discomfort?

Lastly, as a non-American, I have never really paid much attention to the pledge of allegiance. In light of history, and current events, I find it slightly offensive, especially the "liberty and justice for all" part. It seems this, and the flag, a most important symbol of the United States, has been used as an excuse to reek atrocities in the rest of the world. eg. Like bringing peace and justice to Iraq, or Afghanistan, or other countries that have been the subject of US interest. Even with prevailing issues with "liberty and justice" within America, it is interesting that the pledge has meaning.

This may well be and old observation, but for some reason while watching the video, it struck me. Maybe the attention to the national anthem may bring attention to the pledge also.

I really yearn for something good to watch or listen to. You just cant get it these days. I thought I would never say this in my life, but the only thing i feel comfortable listening to is NPR in LA.

I found the ad kinda gross too. I'm not a coke drinker, and to be honest the ad put me off wanting to try it out.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for showing this. It was great to see this, and so enlightening to see the pastor sticking up for right in the way that he did.

I feel a wrong has been done (not the first time I admit). A wrong has been done, and not even Obama has owned up to put it right. I also believe the Jeremiah Wright said nothing wrong. He was a victim of the media, and no one has put it right. The full recording of what Wright said is up on youtube for all to see, and if people saw it, they would realize that what Wright said was accurate, not hateful, but truthful. But people aren't showing it.

God Damn America vid
America's chickens are coming home to roost vid

I don't know Wright, but I hate the fact that he has been judged on things that were taken out of context by the media, (who had their own agenda) and most people have just taken it and swollowed it without a second thought.

And when Obama distanced himself from Wright in the way that he did, he also took part in the wrong doing. I understand that Obama felt he had to do the political thing due to his position, but I still feel it was wrong. It just proves that it's all a game and however good Obama is, he has to play it the same as everyone else.

Biggup to Michael Pfleger. Boo to the reporter. Jokes about the big black guy that just stood there :P

Would be great if you could get that. I will be looking forward to it.

That was supposed to say *sociology on the last one.

I Love these ads, for the simple reason that they do make you think. I will start with the last one as it seems to be the most difficult, and then go backwards, writing a question on each. I'll also place a specific subject, as I think each ad tries to target a different subject area the university may teach.

5. Notice the 13th hour on the clock. It was difficult to notice, but why? What does that say about our perception of things? (Psychology, sociology)

4. Didn't realize this at first, but I think it is the earth in the distance where the moon should be. Is life outside our planet possible? (science-physics)

3. In our scientific age everything is being genetically modified. How far will things go? (However, this has been going on for much longer than we think. People have been manipulating crops to achieve different results for 100's of years. Maybe not genetically, but what is the difference?) (science-biology,genetics)

2. Can things in war torn Darfur improve within the time frame to make this a possibility? (international relations, conflict management)

1. While people in the west are adopting children from developing countries (like Madonna, just to give an example), what would it be like if it were the other way round? (socialogy)

Great post. Will keep this in mind.

This is a great Idea for advertising from Red Bull. In a sense it's free advertising, and recycling at the same time as being art.

I have to agree. Not sure I like these ads as much as the last ones. Even though the old ones appealed to me, I never did purchase one. Actually, I got one free with my mac when they were doing the rebate thing, but gave it to my girlfriend. Not really an ipod person on principle more than anything else.

Anyway, back to the ads. It's true that eventually they have to use a different ad campaign. You can't stick to the same one forever. Maybe they chose this one to try and appeal to a different audience, a more artistic audience maybe.

Congrats on your win :) I tend not to enter competitions as the odds are so small they are sometimes next to nothing anyway, such as lotteries and stuff. But sometimes people do get lucky, like you.

This speech will go down in history as one of the greatest and most racially relevant of its time. I rate Obama for turning a situation so negative (public opinion of his pastor) into a brilliant opportunity to tell the American people what they have been trying to ignore. It was a true education for many, and will hopefully enlighten the masses.

What is so amazing, is how some people are already using it as a tool against him (Rush Limbaugh saying that Obama wants to be the "nation's racial-healer-in-chief, rather than its commander-in-chief"). I wonder what's gonna happen now. There's a good chance people will brush it under the carpet. Surprisingly, I have not heard much on the radio about it yet. I would have thought it would be everywhere by now. Maybe it just needs a bit of time for it to sink in.

Congratulations.

Am happy for you. I hope you continue to make great posts, and get further and further to the no. 1 spot. All the best.

Carlsberg do the best adverts, check this youtube one out. It's a flat mate advert. There's plenty more too. They also did a pub football one (soccer for Americans) with all the soccer greats. It was brill.

Who I gave to: breastcancercampaign.org
Reason why I gave: I used to work in a secondary school in London, UK where once a year, around October, there would be a charity event called "pink day for breast cancer awareness"where students and teachers would dress up in something pink, and give money/get sponsored for it. October 2006, I dressed up in a pink panther suit, and managed to raise about £150, (roughly $300). I really enjoyed it. Well, I miss teaching in London, and I missed pink Day in 2007, but thought your offer was a good excuse to give anyway.

I wouldn't touch him with a barge pole. Wouldn't trust him as far as I could throw him. I say him, but it's more him+Cheney plus all the others in the administration. (as I bet he had less of a say in the running of the country than I did!, and i'm British/Ghanaian)

All that money that has been "pledged" (meaning: may not actually see the light of day) is what is owed to Africa in the first place, and is totally canceled out by all the ridiculous trade agreements (i prefer to say violations) that have been set up to ensure USA always has the upper hand no matter what. Not to mention all the promises of aid, which can never do enough, and have a way of keeping Africa "hanging on waiting for crappy handouts". I could go on, but I won't. It's all a front, which if taken hook line and sinker by the African leaders, will end up with Africa being, or continuing to be worse off as a result.

$18.8 Billion? $30 Billion? These are all figures for that can't even help countries! Africa is a CONTINENT. This money is not gonna do a thing! It's a drop in the ocean. Bush aint doin Africa Nuttin! (that's "nothing" just in case anyone needed a bit of clarity)

I Think I'm in love with the buildings too. They are totally amazing. Breathless. I wish more buildings were like this. I wasn't ever thinking of visiting Columbia, but if I ever did, this would be a reason to go.

Sorry I'm not a woman, so I can't really relate to the panty liners thing.

But to me this is more art than nudity. Even though the ladies are wearing nothing, their whole body is covered. All you can see are the painted clothes.

I think each photo has been photoshopped, but it is primarily body paint. No matter what the pictures are these days, it doesn't go to print or get published without a digital makeover.

I hate the way that western science totally dismisses herbal medicines. I feel that they are so much nicer, and have been used for far longer than the medicines that we use in the west today. Herbs and things are more natural. They should be used more in the west.

BTW the 3rd picture is my fav. :P

Totally amazing. I loved it. I will be keeping a close eye on Improv Everywhere from now on. I hope they come to LA.

Eeewwww. Bruv, I'm bringing my own food to my next party.

This reminds me of another study that some people did in the UK about those mints (ones without wrappers) that you see at the counters of some restaurants. They found out that there were traces of urine on them, from people who didn't wash up after doing their "business", and helping themselves at the till. NASTY!

Talking about camera's, I remember when 35mm camera's used to be popular. Now it is nearly impossible to find any. Well, in the USA and the UK anyway.

About Marcus' comment, I think there is a fine line between good taste and what people see as exploitation. I think that the picture is comical and tasteful enough, but who is the judge? Different countries have very different customs. In Brazil that would be fine, but in many middle Eastern countries, it would not be. Also it is also difficult to tell who is being exploited. IMO, in the ad it is the men being exploited not the woman.

I think the idea is truly amazing. The architects totally deserve the award. However, I think the sound is a bit too scary. I wouldn't want to be there on a windy night. I think it looks more beautiful than it sounds.

Checked out The Root, and it looks really promising. Thanks for the heads up. I will definitely be taking a closer look.

K