More must sees...

Who killed the electric car?
http://www.apple.com/trailers/sony/whokilledtheelectriccar/trailer/


Hip Hop as a path to peace:
http://www.apple.com/trailers/independent/wordlife/trailer/

Google Does It Again

So google released yet another awesome tool called trends. It lets you search for and find the stats for searches based on a word or words. It is an EXCELLENT way to learn about the populous at large and their habits (at least the people that use google).

Check out the link below for an example. To see just what we in the US on google look for, try the link below, then remove Paris Hilton from the search and do it again. Then add her back. Notice the difference in searches! I can't imagine why humanitarian orgs are having so much trouble (extreme sarcasm)...

Another interesting thing to note is the news graph below the main graph. Notice the news coverage as opposed to the searches by people...very interesting...


http://www.google.com/trends?q=Uganda%2CDarfur%2CGlobal+
Warming%2CGenocide%2CParis+Hilton&ctab=0&geo=US&date=all

This is not all negative, it just made me realize just how asleep our country is. On a positive note, I think this will be a useful tool for progressive groups to judge the status quo and better focus there efforts for change.

Wahoo google!

Recommendations of the Day

Movie:
http://www.sonyclassics.com/whywefight/

Book:

Another day...

Accomplished a thousand things today, none of which I really have time to yap about. The main thing is I got the complete re-edit of the Full Belly Project website (http://www.fullbellyproject.org) done. What a way to spend your lunch hour!!

Too tired to record much more, more soon hopefully.

Peace

The New Deal

So in essence, Che had it almost right.

1> The system we have doesn't work.
2> We need a new system.
3> A new system must account for our shortcomings as humans.
4> A new system must have an inherent method of implementation, that is, the system itself can be used to implement itself.
5> The implementation of a new system will most likely require a radical, short-term change to it and away from the olds systems.
6> A new system cannot be implemented by the existing systems, because it is meant to replace those very systems.
7> All natural systems are dynamic, and a new system must therefore be dynamic as well.
8> A new system must be easily managed and interacted with by all individuals.
9> A new system must not create emergent behaviors that are not intended by the individuals within that system.

In essence, I believe the only way to save our failing society, is to replicate Che's revolution, but replace the anger and bullets, with compassion and knowledge. The emotional response one human has to another's suffering, can be just as motivational as the hatred and anger that powered traditional revolution.

Anger comes from mis-understanding. When we truly understand another, we are not angered by their actions. We may not agree with their actions, but we understand why they did what they did, and how they can change their behavior, if it needs changed.

I suppose the fundamental idea that the universe contains right and wrong is something that must be contended with. But even if we suppose that there is a universal right and wrong, we should not be angered by someone doing wrong. We should be saddened to see a fellow human acting with ignorance, and seek to help them overcome that ignorance.

Anger is the fruit of frustration, and frustration comes from misunderstanding and impatience.

Punishment creates anger and resentment.

To move forward, we must help individuals and groups learn how to do things the "right" way, not punish them for doing it the wrong way. Punishment is a short-term solution to a symptom, we need long term solutions to the problem.

Revolution Needs Checklist:
1) A new governmental system for human society (All levels from local to global)
2) A methodology for teaching the system to all
3) A methodology to ensure future generations also understand and use the system (Self-sustaining)

Yep

Still insanely busy as I now have a full time job (FINALLY!!!). But, I was doing some house cleaning and had to share these two pics from our trip to NY. Evie and I got to go to the UN while we where there, and the first picture is a really cool statue out front of it. The second picture is of some key chains they had at the gift shop. I thought it was kind of funny because they have Bush's biggest nightmare hanging beside the US keychain...

A vacation from vacation!

Wow, I thought my vacation was two long, but after being back in town for a week I miss it already! Things are crazy busy for me right now on all fronts.

I'm trying to get Amnesty moving forward again for a great year. We're up to 43 members and we have about 10 officers. Plus, we're hoping to add 3 professors to the advisory board. I think things are really going to take off this year.

Full Belly Project is moving ahead and we got the official word that Jimmy Carter is going to meet with us about endorsing our organization. The organization is also shaping up nicely with a more structured approach and renewed enthusiasm.

SEACC is off to a great year with upcoming potlucks for local activist, monthly training for local non-profits, and the new website (CFAN) is moving forward. I will write more about CFAN when I have a writeup, but its basically an activist/organization networking and news tool for the internet. It will be the main focus of my non-profit work this year.

With jobs, the company I have been working with (BMS) is now paying me and planning to bring me on as a full parnter in the near future. The pay is low right now, but once money starts rolling in from our clients in the next couple of months, they are going to up my pay. I'm basically making an investment in the company because I believe it is only a matter of months before things really take off. They are paying me out of their pockets for now, though one of our clients is now up and running with monthly payments for our software. The cool part is that I control how the company progresses because I'm a partner, so its more of a career opportunity than working for some company that can lay me off in a year. I'm still interviewing with several companies, but unless I get a substantial offer I'm staying with BMS. In addition, I may start getting paid for some of the non-profit work I'm doing as a large grant has been promised to one of my projects.

Thats about it for now, gotta get to bed for my interview tomorrow. Working out is on track, and so is the diet. I'm shooting for 10 pounds/month, and so far I'm on track. If it happens, I'll be super health man by January next year!

Peace

Global Exchange's Most Wanted Human Rights Violators in the Corporate World

The new list of the top human rights violating corporations has been published at:
http://www.globalexchange.org/getInvolved/corporateHRviolators.html

And for those of you defending Wal-mart, take a peak! Remember, the goal is reform, not destruction.