An invitation to view our work and meet our team

Can design make the leap from sofas to social issues?

During London Design Festival our unit will be showcasing its current project on Citizenship at the Design Council's offices in Bow Street, London.

The project asks: how does the design of encounters such as voting, jury service and the new citizenship ceremony shape our sense of citizenship?

The RED unit invite you to drop in for light refreshments, view the work and have a chat with the team on Friday 24th September between 11am and 4pm at the Design Council, 34 Bow Street, London WC2E 7DL, nearest tube Covent Garden. Map

Click here for more information on the project. For any further information contact Claire Hartten on 020 7420 5254.

Chris Vanstone | LINK | TOUCHING THE STATE PROJECT | COMMENTS (0)

Random register democracy for widespread involvement

There are many and various bodies requiring representation, but it is difficult to get people to apply. If representatives were chosen at random from the electoral register and invited to be on the body it would make them reflect the population in the broadest way possible. It would cut down on cronyism, those who usually put themselves forward, and being limited to people who have the information to apply. All this would promote true democracy.

From an idea posted on the Global Ideas Bank

Markd | LINK | CITIZENSHIP | COMMENTS (0)

Freedom of Expression - A National Monument

A public artwork by Laurie Hawkinson, John Malpede, and Erika Rothenberg, entices passersby to voice their thoughts, poetry, grievances, and hopes. Freedom evokes the struggle involved in making change, while reflecting the public's desire to break through mass media and partisan politics where individual voices tend to diminish.

Find it at Foley Square, Lower Manhattan, NYC August 17 - November 13, 2004

Found via We-make-money-not-art.com

Chris Vanstone | LINK | CITIZENSHIP | COMMENTS (0)

The only interactive television network.With Automated External Defibrillators.

Their strapline not mine. A product of our time designed for pharmacies and schools in the us. The kiosks will screen health related video content, weather reports and advertising. In the event of an emergency pushing the big red button automatically connects you to a remot paramedic who has access to the defibrillator and will stay online giving advice until local teams arrive.
Via we-make-money-not-art.com

Chris Vanstone | LINK | HEALTH | COMMENTS (0)

Not winning on energy

The UK Parliament Select Environmental Audit Committee report, published this week, makes for some disappointing reading. It reviews progress, or lack thereof, in regard to emissions targets to combat climate change, transport, tax incentives to increase energy efficiency, and the development of alternative fuels.

"Carbon emissions from transport are still moving in the wrong direction. The Government must use the fiscal incentives at its disposal to curb transport growth while at the same time ensuring that there is sufficient investment in low-carbon public transport systems-particularly in the development of new communities-to provide an efficient and effective alternative." (paragraph 4 of the Conclusions and Recommendations)

READ MORE..."Not winning on energy"

READ MORE..."Not winning on energy"

| LINK | TRANSPORT | COMMENTS (0)

National Geographic weighs up the obesity crises

According to this month's National Geographic the number of bariatric surgeries performed in the US has rocketed from 16,200 in 1992 to an estimated 144,000 in 2004 - it appears that for an increasing number of obese Americans, stomach stapling is the only way to fight the fat. What is now recognised as an obesity 'epidemic' in America is spreading rapidly across the globe with the number of overnourished people around the world now equalling the number of undernourished. If the obesity crises is simply a matter of doing the calories in = calories out calculation, it appears we are creating an envionment in the developed world where balancing that equation is nearly impossible.

Jude | LINK | HEALTH | COMMENTS (1)

Health by Phone

Italian telco Tim and Health Telematic Network, are launching the first Italian sms-based health service, allowing TIM subscribers to get information about blood analysis, medicines, meaning of medical words (and their translation in english if needed), etc. An sms " therapeutic reminder" will also warn the patient when the hour has come to swallow his pills.
From We make money not art

Chris Vanstone | LINK | HEALTH | COMMENTS (1)