Freud's Roots in Politics + Industry: "The Century of Self" by Adam Curtis (Pt 4)

--video feature--

Here is the final part of a four part series, of our week long daily video feature - "Century of Self" by Adam Curtis. This extraordinary documentary produced in collaboration with the BBC, reveals how the understanding of psychoanalysis transformed the relationship of government and industry with the public. The film is an eye opening look in how our consent had come to be, actually, manufactured.

Part I: "The Century of Self" (58:00) - go HERE

Part II: "The Century of Self" (58:00) - go HERE

Part III: "The Century of Self" (58:00) - go HERE

Part IV: "The Century of Self" (58:00)

Freud's Roots in Politics + Industry: "The Century of Self" by Adam Curtis (Pt 3)

--video features--

Here is Part 3 of our week long daily video feature - "Century of Self" by Adam Curtis. This extraordinary documentary produced in collaboration with the BBC, reveals how the understanding of psychoanalysis transformed the relationship of government and industry with the public. The film is an eye opening look in how our consent had come to be, actually, manufactured.

Part I: "Century of Self" (58:00) - go HERE

Part II: "Century of Self" (58:00) - go HERE

Part III:(58:00)

Freud's Roots in Politics + Industry: "The Century of Self" by Adam Curtis (Pt2)

--video features--

Here is Part 2 of our week long daily video feature - "Century of Self" by Adam Curtis. This extraordinary documentary produced in collaboration with the BBC, reveals how the understanding of psychoanalysis transformed the relationship of government and industry with the public. The film is an eye opening look in how our consent had come to be, actually, manufactured.

Part I: "Century of Self" (58:00) - go HERE

Part II: "Century of Self" (58:00)

Freud's Roots in Politics + Industry: "The Century of Self" by Adam Curtis (Pt 1)

--video feature--

From need based to want based, the consumption culture emerged in the last century and was shaped and reshaped through the understanding of human psychology.

Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis, changed the understanding of the human mind. His findings had not only impacted the field of mental health, but also public relations, marketing, advertising and ultimately helped industry understand how to tap products "into the human psyche." The knowledge of how the mind works was then used by politicians to influence public perception. The result ultimately is the very engineering of public consent in the last century.

Here is the remarkable documentary " The Century of Self" by Adam Curtis, produced in 2002. The award winning BBC film presents the complicated and controversial history behind "engineering consent."

Each part of this four parts series will be featured daily, this week on The Lohasian.

Part I. (58:00)

Walt Disney Follow's The "Green" and Launches Nature Documentary Division

--film + television + print--

Nothing convinces big corporate players to undertake mindful initiatives like simply, the dollar. Business is business and the bottom line can never ultimately be renegotiated. But where there is a demand there is a supply, and if the demand is for something socially redeemable, the forces that be will find a way to get it to you. A perfect example of this is Walt Disney Company's announcement this week that they are launching a new film division focusing on nature documentaries. These days Disney is less synonymous with Bambi than with High School Musical and Hannah Montana - so what gives? The Burbank based giant simply "followed the green" (in every sense of the word).

The company seems to want to capitalize on growing public fondness for all things green since the 2006 success of Al Gore's global warming documentary, "An Inconvenient Truth." And the hire of Jean-Francois Camilleri,who co-produced the Oscar winning worldwide sensation "March of the Penguins," points to the studio's method to bring the guy with the Midas touch into the mix.

"Our goal is to bring event films, as only nature can tell, to audiences around the world and for generations to come," Dick Cook, chairman of the Walt Disney Studios, said in unveiling the production banner on the Disney lot in Burbank.

The first project from the new venture appropriately name Disneynature is slated for release on Earth Day, April 22, 2009, and is titled "Earth," adapted from the popular BBC television series "Planet Earth." Other films in the Disneynature development slate include "Chimpanzee" and "Big Cats," both set in Africa and co-directed by Fothergill; a look at flamingos titled "The Crimson Wing"; the undersea exploration "Oceans," from French co-directors Jacques Perrin ("The Winged Migration") and Jacques Cluzaud; and a time-lapse spectacle of flowering plants, "Naked Beauty: A Love that Feeds the Earth."

This is of course great news for not only nature loves, documentary enthusiasts, environmentalists and parents, but ultimately kids who will be able to experience the drama, splendor and humor of the natural world that can rival the entire Disney channel adolescent line up. But beyond the good news is a powerful lesson.

We often complain of the lack of products and services that adhere to a more conscious way of living. But in order to convince companies that what we want is valuable we must prove to them by simply generating sales. Its up to us as conscious consumers to seek out products that we believe in and buy them and recommend them to others. Nothing speaks like profits. Had Disney not seen a financial upside in nature documentaries no good sentiment would have moved the business forward. Beyond wanting quality products in the market, we must realize that we are, weather we realize it or not, consumer activists making our voices heard with our every dollar spent. What are your purchasing decisions saying ?

Good for Disney on making the move - now it will be up to us, to prove them right.

For more information on Disneynature, go to their SITE

Here is the trailer for Disneynature's first release next year, "Earth" from award-winning British producer/director Alastair Fothergill, whose credits include the Emmy and Peabody award-winning "Planet Earth" series (BBC and The Discovery Channel) and "The Blue Planet."

Legendary Sustainable Design Architect Norman Foster on "Building the Green Agenda"

--art + architecture + design--

Architect Norman Foster of Foster + Partners is legendary in his sustainable design work, spearheading projects that impress in extraordinary scale and vision. From the 6 million square meter Masdar sustainable development in Abu Dhabi (top image above), to the Moscow City Tower (middle image above) which will have an innovative "energy cycle" that will pioneer sustainable development in Moscow, to the Hearst headquarters in New York City (bottom image above) designed to consume significantly less energy than a conventional New York office building (becoming a model of sustainable office design) - the company and the Foster name has become synonymous with what is possible in green design.

Here is an impressive presentation given by Normon Foster at the Design Life Design Conference in Munich, courtesy of TED.com. Foster discusses his own work to show how computers can help architects design buildings that are green, beautiful and "basically pollution-free." He shares projects from throughout his career, from the pioneering roof-gardened Willis Building (1975) to the London Gherkin (2004). He also comments on two upcoming megaprojects: a pipe to bring water from the Red Sea to the Dead Sea, and the new Beijing airport.

To learn more about the amazing work of Foster + Partner see their SITE

Architecture for Humanity to Give Technology Access to 50% of Planet by 2015

--Weekend Feature Archive--

Architecture for Humanity seeks to provide creative solutions for humanitarian crises by offering architecture and design services to those most in need. The organization taps a network of professionals worldwide who donate time and talent to help communities recovering from disaster as well as those seeking community development support services. The multifaceted organization, amongst other things, advocates for good design, publishes a book, engages in public policy, as well as spearheads the first ever open source open architecture network that is the first site on the net to provide access to open source architecture plans.

Currently, the organization is spearheading an exciting initiative called the AMD Open Architecture Challenge which is an international design competition that is open to all (not just architects). The competition is seeking to find the best solutions for building sustainable low cost technology facilities for those most in need. Their objective is to tilt the scales on who has has access to technology(currently 20% of the 6 Billion humans on this planet), by helping create community facilities that will give access to 50% of the world by 2015.

For more information or to enter the competition go to their site at www.architectureforhumanity.org, and watch the fantastic video below of founder, and TED Prize winner, Cameron Sinclair discussing the vision of Architecture for Humanity.

Mattel's War on Children: Bio-Chemist and "Cradle to Cradle" Author Michael Braungart Speaks Out

--Weekend Feature Archive--

Renowned bio-chemist, and co-author of "Cradle to Cradle", Michael Braungart speaks at the Cradle to Cradle conference in the Netherlands. His speech is an eye opening look at the malicious war on our kids health by companies like Mattel. A must see, especially for any parent.



(Running Time: 3:35)

(Originally Posted November 11,2007)

No Child Left Inside: Initiative Reconnects Youth With The Planet

--home + food + family--

No Child Left Inside is a brilliant example of a program that is building a deeply intuitive relationship between our youngest global citizens and our planet. Beyond big talk and nicely written books, the program gets kids intimately involved with the environment.

This special initiative of Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell, coordinated by the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection is also meant to encourage Connecticut families and visitors alike to enjoy all the recreational resources and outdoor activities available in Connecticut's state parks, forests and waterways.

Here is a sensational video of some of their inspiring programs:

1000 Year Life Span & Aging's Engineering Problem: Aubrey de Grey Refedines Mortality

--science + technology +innovation--

Controversial British researcher Aubrey de Grey is trying convince the world that aging is simply an "engineering problem" and one that can be "fixed." He believes that the 1000 year life span is not only possible, but human are being born who are capable of it. His Strategies for Engineered Negligible Senescence(SENS) is turning him into the scientific community's wild card - so much so that the MIT Technology Review has issued a $20,000 to any molecular biologist who can disprove de Grey's theory. The MIT Technology Review said that

"Aubrey de Grey is a man of ideas, and he has set himself toward the goal of transforming the basis of what it means to be human."

In the video below de Grey presents his eye opening and "out of the box" ideas at the TED conference.

For more information de Grey's theories on aging, and SANS, go to www.mfoundation.org

Cinema For the Soul: "One Giant Leap" by Duncan Bridgeman

--film + television + print--

One Giant Leap (Dir: Duncan Bridgeman) is an eye opening cinematic journey around the globe fusing rhythm, poetry, imagery and raw emotion to create a story on the state of modern life.

The ambitious documentary was filmed in twenty five locations in twenty countries. The film explores topics such as Time, Inspiration, Sex, War,God, Death, through the use of interviews with internationally renowned philosophers, writers, actors, musicians, and thought leaders, including; Kurt Vonnegut, Dennis Hopper, Ram Dass, Tom Robbins, Anita Roddick, Brian Eno, Michael Stipe (REM), Robbie Williams, Neneh Cherry, Speech (Arrested Development), Stewart Copeland, Baaba Maal, amongst others.

The result is a visual tapestry that is one part educational documentary and one part music video, creating a flawless fusion that touches the mind and spirit.

One Giant Leap is a must have on a collectors shelf, and is available on AMAZON.

Here is one of the many fantastic tracks you will find on the DVD as well as it equally impressive soundtrack; "My Culture" by Robbie Williams & Maxi Jazz.

The Sound of Culture Fusion: Jewish Reggae Artist Matisyahu

--fashion + travel + music--

As we have moved increasingly towards a multi-cultural existence, it is inspiring to see an artist of the caliber of Matisyahu, whose talent is unquestionable and whose approach brilliantly embodies the cultural fusion that is so in spirit with the time.

The artist is a Hasidic Jew straight out of Crown Heights Brooklyn and is shaking up the music scene with his innovative mixes of English, Yiddish and Hebrew lyrics that are delivered with pulsating rap/reggae rhythms that are so incredibly good that he is getting serious nods from fellow rappers. Matisyahu albums "Youth" (released in 2006) and "Matisyahu Live at Stubbs" (released in 2005), were both received to rave reviews. Both offer a unique and utterly enthralling listening experience (available on Amazon.com).

Here is a sample of his fantastic hit "Jerusalem." Check out his site for concert and appearance dates!

Playing GOD: Artist Theo Jansen Creates Wind Powered "Life Forms"

----art + architecture + design--

There is simply no better word to describe the dutch artist Theo Jansen than "genius." The artist has spent the last 16 years creating kinetic sculptors that move on their own, propelled by either live or stored wind energy. He calls these creatures "Strandbeests"and they can be found walking the beaches of Holland.

Wired News referred to Jansen as a "self-styled god." We don't disagree. Watch the video above (brought to you by courtesy of the TED conference) to witness this truly amazing mind at work.

Tom Hanks Helps Africa Get Connected

--celebrity + charity + global relief--

Information is power - and as much of Africa is cut off from electricity on most of its continent it is has no access to information about everything from the political climate to the weather climate. Freeplay Lifeline radios offer an innovative solution through a wind up mechanism, or solar power.

On February 1, Tom Hanks and Ebay partnered to auction off 10 celebrity autographed lifeline radios which helped raise $13,000, and helped some 10,000 children and adults get access to Freeplay radios. Having these radios helped these families get access to information to improve the quality of their lives. The effort was also produced with the support of Creative Artists Agency and Auction Cause, an Los Angeles based auction management agency.

“The extraordinary technology of the Freeplay Foundation’s Lifeline Radio can bring vital information to isolated people all over the world,” said Tom Hanks. “For example, right now there are more than 13 million children orphaned by AIDS. Most can’t attend school and can’t afford batteries or electricity to power a radio. The Freeplay Foundation can hand these children a lifeline to the outside world by giving access to radio programs that teach them how to grow their small garden plots to feed themselves, take care of their chickens or goats, and prevent deadly diseases like malaria and AIDS.”

For more information on this important initiative see the video below of Tom Hanks, and check out www.freeplayfoundation.org to see how you can help empower others through access to information.

Legendary Media Entrepreneur Jeff Skoll on Making Movies that Transform the World

--film + television + print--

Jeff Skoll, who made his fortune as the second employee and first president of eBay, has since made a name for himself as a legend in Social Entrepreneurship through his Skoll Foundation as well as his founding of Participant Productions (that produced Inconvenient Truth).

Here Skoll speaks on making movies that influence social change at the TED conference. Witty, interesting overview on a new sensibility in movie making.

Exploring Sustainable Habitats in the Year 2020

--science + technology + innovation--

A fascinating look at a sustainably designed world of the future. This film "Off the Grid: Sustainable Habitat 2020" is based on a brief to develop sustainable housing for urban megalopolis in China in 2020.

(Run Time Approx. 8:00min)

An Unholy Alliance:When Religion Goes "Green"

--body + mind + spirit--

Recently a new movement has taken hold of sectors of the Evangelical movement marked less by dissections and perceptions of scriptures than by dissections and perceptions of scientific research - environmental that is. Just see the ad above sponsored by the "Evangelical Environmental Network," asking you the thought provoking question - "what would Jesus drive?"

The "Green" Evangelicals who marry the holy role of man to accountability for environment are facing a lot of slack from their inner circle - and the resolution between the two sides seems as unlikely as a second parting of the red sea.

Here is a great video brought to you courtesy of the Weather Channel, detailing some of the hotbed issues putting an unholy wedge in the Evangelical world.

"Happiest Man in the World," Matthieu Ricard, on the Secrets to Happiness

--WEEKEND FEATURE ARCHIVE: body + mind + spirit--

Matthieu Ricard, regarded by some as the "happiest man in the world," left a life of science (a biochemist) to move to the Himalayas and become a Buddhist monk. His spiritual studies have led him to uncover profound knowledge on the "secrets to joy." Ricard believes what is required to attain happiness, is the same kind of effort and mind training that any other serious pursuit involves.

His latest book on happiness is Happiness: A Guide to Developing Life's Most Important Skill; his latest book of photographs is Tibet: An Inner Journey. Both works demonstrate his regard for the splendor of life, internal and external.

Here Matthieu Ricard presents his extraordinary ideas at the TED Conference.


(Approx. 22:00)

U.S. Restaurants Aid Global Water Shortage - UNICEF TAP Project 2008

--WEEKEND FEATURE ARCHIVE: celebrity + charity + global relief--

According to the United Nations, there are 1.2 Billion human beings on this planet who do not have access to a safe water supply. The last half century has seen a doubling in our consumption of water, with a degradation of water quality and a rapidly expanding gap between rich and poor countries on the planet. The result is a global crises where children born in developed world end up drinking 30-50 times the water of a child in a developing nation.

Beginning Sunday, March 16 through Saturday, March 22, 2008, UNICEF will be spearheading an initiative to raise money for clean drinking water for those in need. The initiative is called the TAP Project and the plan is simple. Restaurants nationwide are asked to participate in this great cause by simply inviting customers who typically get TAP water for free to donate a minimum of $1 for their tap water to this cause. That one dollar dollar will give a child clean drinking water for 40 days. The TAP Project site provides a simple outline of the initiative and is asking for volunteers to step up and sign up as participating restaurants, and volunteers who can recruit restaurants.

Currently, UNICEF provides access to safe water and sanitation facilities while promoting safe hygiene practices in more than 90 countries. By 2015, UNICEF's goal is to reduce the number of people without safe water and basic sanitation by 50 percent...at the scale of the current crises it will require 200,000 people to be connected to clean water and 400,000 to improved sanitation - EVERY DAY.

Make a difference in your world - go to the TAP Project site and see what you can do to be part of the world change www.tapproject.org

Greenpeace Protest of Airport Expansion Causes Security Panic at Heathrow

--trends + business + politics--

Greenpeace struck again ! This past Monday February 25, 2008 three men and two women protesters climbed onto a British Airways flight at 9:45 a.m and covered the tail fin with a banner that read "Climate Emergency - No Third Runway."

The protest came in light of Heathrow anticipated expansion plans of the airport. The organization is calling for an end to all airport expansion and a cap on flights at current levels. Although the protest did provide a global stage to discuss the climate change issues, most media outlets were more concerned with the security risks at the airport that would even allow for such an event to take place.

For more information on Greenpeace, go to www.greenpeace.org

Here is video coverage of the event and an interview with a protester, live - as the event happened...courtesy of CNN.