Eyes Unclouded by Hate

I'm watching the superbly dubbed english version (featuring voice acting from Billy Bob Thornton, Minnie Driver, and Jada Pinkett-Smith) of Princess Mononoke.  There is a fantastic theme in the movie - that Prince Ashitaka's mission is to "see with eyes unclouded by hate."  The first reference to this theme comes from this line:

"You cannot alter your fate, my prince.  However, you can rise to meet it, if you choose.  Look at this.  This iron ball was found in the boar's body [ed. referring to a demon boar, rampaging through the forest, that Ashitaka killed].  This is what hurt him so.  It shattered his bones, and burned his way deep inside him.  This is what turned him into a demon.  There is evil at work in the land to the west, Prince Ashitaka.  It's your fate to go there, and see what you can see with eyes unclouded by hate." - Village Elder @ 8:26 [Veoh Link.]

It reminded me of a recent monologue by Rick Sanchez targets some simply ignorant remarks made by the infamous "Joe the Plumber."  Joe, "reporting" from Israel, informs us that he doesn't think "journalists should be anywhere (around) war...  I think media should be abolished from, you know, reporting.  War is hell."  Rick responds quite effectively to this pseudo-political icon, and his spouting, suggesting that journalists are requisite to democracy, and even honoring the 43 journalists killed in action since the beginning of 2008.  It is, indeed, the job of journalists to go into war zones and see with "eyes unclouded by hate."

James Nachtwey does just this.  His infamous M.O.  -

"I have been a witness, and these pictures are my testimony. The events
I have recorded should not be forgotten and must not be repeated."

He goes into war zones, and illustrates the horror of hatred enacted (see his terrific TED Prize acceptance speech).  His camera truly is an eye unclouded by hate, and he knows for certain that war is hell.  The James Nachtweys of the world let us know where our tax dollars spent on munitions end up, and where our attention should be placed.  Journalists in the war zone are the medics for our souls, and we must enable, protect and empower them.  Read more, and donate at http://www.cpj.org/.

Tesla Guitar

Wow, this is a beautiful example of how DIY/makers can contribute to performance and culture progress. This is a pretty cool tool, and would be wonderful on a live set. That is, if any club owner actually allowed it in.

Space Based Solar Power Arrays

Space elevators would make the energy transportation issue, and loss of energy from atmospheric disturbance, less of an issue.

DIY projector

Fundamental to video jockeyism is access to a projector. This is a cheaper way of acquiring one.

Tesla Roadster

This is perhaps the #1 car that I want in the world.

Leaf Bowls, Terracotta Cups

Using natural resources to create household items is key to a sustainable economy. Biodegradable = cradle to cradle.

Gapcast #10 - Carbon Dioxide

Carbon Dioxide is not emitted equally.

Revolution Bike Ride for Global Change

This project, co-founded by my friend Eric Kornacki, is truly an inspiration for anyone who wants to contribute to bettering the health of the planet.

Cradle to Cradle Design

This talk from William McDonough entitled "the wisdom of designing cradle to cradle," delivered at the TED conference, gives great insight into the foolish ways we design products now, and how we can design them more intelligently in the future.