Wednesday, 12 January 2011
Moving my post location
Going to attempt blogging again, but going back to my original blog location. Shall try to remember to cross post. But for more current thoughts I'm always commenting on twitter.
Tuesday, 24 August 2010
Why Blogging is Good - the Old Internet
I’ve recently discovered why blogging is good.
Rereading the archives.
I was irked by the NYT article repeatedly showing up on my newsfeed (What Is It About 20-Somethings?) and thought of a letter to the editor for TIME that I wrote back in 2006 responding to an article characterizing our current generation, which described us as the multitasking generation. I found it later – and will respond to those articles again later if I find time, but in looking for the article I found out something else.
Years before I knew the queer community I took a stance in favor of same-sex marriage. Years before I thought I was interested in media I was comparing 3 to 4 news sources for biases in looking to current events. And years before I thought of myself as an activist I was taking the stance of speaking into the void of the internet to declare my opinion.
Selective memory means if you ask me about 2005 I’ll tell you about graduating from high school, starting at Foothill College, getting a job, a camera, travel – but I’ll forget which issues went where. I’ve forgotten which online quizzes I took (Just retook some – results have changed… ). I forgot what a big deal goodbyes were before facebook took off – the email exchange and numbers in yearbooks. How much more aware I was of the news and how it affected me before I could vote and suddenly received political spam rather than just newsprint to educate on the issues. I forgot a lot of the details, the mundane ones with the flavor of the ordinary. And in rereading them I remembered. I clicked old links, found friends' old blogs, and recalled where they were. I meandered through time and in doing so actively reflected with a much greater depth than the current rut of thought I’ve been stuck in.
When I’m passively sitting, ideas used to be bouncing around like bubbles from the wand of a five year old. These notions were erratic and random, yet stemming from a common source. And at some point in the last few years I found my thinking actively declined. If I stopped without a topic in my mind, I’d go blank. Listening to the whir of fans or a breeze, seeing the color of the light, and then after the observation it was like my brain would be put on pause until I actively focused on something – and then thinking became an active act on whatever notion I chose to focus on. Thoughts didn’t just happen, things wouldn’t just occur to me, thoughts were the product of a focused effort. I’d get stuck in a linear progression that lead to a predictable product.
But rereading my own words set off fireworks in my brain last night. Like chipping a frozen waterfall and finding a gushing river underneath I’ve been thinking about everything since then. The traffic patterns, the paint between the lanes on the highway, the DMV, government structures, international politics, the texture of paint best suited for a photomontage, ideas for art, the difference between the same content in different context, flavors and texture in food, the practice of religion, people and their professions, maturation versus mindless conformity – anything and everything was back in play.
I’m not saying rereading old posts or journals or newspapers is always great, I’m sure if one was stuck looking backwards nothing good would come of it, but rather there is a great value to have an archive of one’s thoughts, public stances, the cross commentary of those who read, and the engagement around them. It feels like I’m eavesdropping on the past to explore that which might have not been posted today where people are so conscious of their personal branding online rather than seeing a forum of ultimate freedom. It’s realizing just how much the web has changed in a few short years, and how the dialogs possible alter with those conventions.
But I think the more interesting part is the casualness of it – the coffee table convo of a thought you’d share without researching it. The opinions, speculations, and unabashed biases displayed. It’s wonderful. I wouldn’t necessarily want policy based on it – but I would want that social dialog to happen, to be open for anyone to participate in, be open for future review and accessible across time and space– and those old blogs had that to a degree I find lacking now that every news outlet and pundit is online acting as if sound bites and repetition equal fair representation or debate. Anyways, my two cents on some internet nostalgia… I’ll probably start posting more – if nothing else to try to recreate a small piece of that conversation for myself and friends.
Rereading the archives.
I was irked by the NYT article repeatedly showing up on my newsfeed (What Is It About 20-Somethings?) and thought of a letter to the editor for TIME that I wrote back in 2006 responding to an article characterizing our current generation, which described us as the multitasking generation. I found it later – and will respond to those articles again later if I find time, but in looking for the article I found out something else.
Years before I knew the queer community I took a stance in favor of same-sex marriage. Years before I thought I was interested in media I was comparing 3 to 4 news sources for biases in looking to current events. And years before I thought of myself as an activist I was taking the stance of speaking into the void of the internet to declare my opinion.
Selective memory means if you ask me about 2005 I’ll tell you about graduating from high school, starting at Foothill College, getting a job, a camera, travel – but I’ll forget which issues went where. I’ve forgotten which online quizzes I took (Just retook some – results have changed… ). I forgot what a big deal goodbyes were before facebook took off – the email exchange and numbers in yearbooks. How much more aware I was of the news and how it affected me before I could vote and suddenly received political spam rather than just newsprint to educate on the issues. I forgot a lot of the details, the mundane ones with the flavor of the ordinary. And in rereading them I remembered. I clicked old links, found friends' old blogs, and recalled where they were. I meandered through time and in doing so actively reflected with a much greater depth than the current rut of thought I’ve been stuck in.
When I’m passively sitting, ideas used to be bouncing around like bubbles from the wand of a five year old. These notions were erratic and random, yet stemming from a common source. And at some point in the last few years I found my thinking actively declined. If I stopped without a topic in my mind, I’d go blank. Listening to the whir of fans or a breeze, seeing the color of the light, and then after the observation it was like my brain would be put on pause until I actively focused on something – and then thinking became an active act on whatever notion I chose to focus on. Thoughts didn’t just happen, things wouldn’t just occur to me, thoughts were the product of a focused effort. I’d get stuck in a linear progression that lead to a predictable product.
But rereading my own words set off fireworks in my brain last night. Like chipping a frozen waterfall and finding a gushing river underneath I’ve been thinking about everything since then. The traffic patterns, the paint between the lanes on the highway, the DMV, government structures, international politics, the texture of paint best suited for a photomontage, ideas for art, the difference between the same content in different context, flavors and texture in food, the practice of religion, people and their professions, maturation versus mindless conformity – anything and everything was back in play.
I’m not saying rereading old posts or journals or newspapers is always great, I’m sure if one was stuck looking backwards nothing good would come of it, but rather there is a great value to have an archive of one’s thoughts, public stances, the cross commentary of those who read, and the engagement around them. It feels like I’m eavesdropping on the past to explore that which might have not been posted today where people are so conscious of their personal branding online rather than seeing a forum of ultimate freedom. It’s realizing just how much the web has changed in a few short years, and how the dialogs possible alter with those conventions.
But I think the more interesting part is the casualness of it – the coffee table convo of a thought you’d share without researching it. The opinions, speculations, and unabashed biases displayed. It’s wonderful. I wouldn’t necessarily want policy based on it – but I would want that social dialog to happen, to be open for anyone to participate in, be open for future review and accessible across time and space– and those old blogs had that to a degree I find lacking now that every news outlet and pundit is online acting as if sound bites and repetition equal fair representation or debate. Anyways, my two cents on some internet nostalgia… I’ll probably start posting more – if nothing else to try to recreate a small piece of that conversation for myself and friends.
Monday, 9 August 2010
Blogging Fail
I'm not so good at this public blogging... Mainly because I forget about it.
When I go online I find the idea of writing something and posting it seems much more better suited to being put it in a facebook note post where I can tag friends and better fulfill the social function of initiating a dialog. Or if it's a quick update that I don't have time to explain or flesh out - then twitter seems superior.
Thus while on the road - I used a physical journal to reflect for myself, the internet to communicate with friends/family at home, and emails to offer specific comments to individuals. A blog doesn't easily fit into that routine as there is no clear cut audience - who am I speaking to? The general void? No one? Random strangers? Friends with too much time?
Anyways that's why I can so easily fall off the face of the public internet - it's an uncertain audience and the bases for most of the connections I've got an immediate desire to share with are better served through other mediums.
On that note - unlike the last post - I'm back in the states. After Krakow I continued to Lviv, Kiev, and Moscow via road. I flew to Bishkek for a few days and then returned home for a night before heading out to Reno to see a wedding in Carson City. After that had some time shuttling between San Francisco and home in the South Bay... But I've been busy round here.
Prop 8 being overturned was a truly joyous experience to be present for and I feel thankful I got to be there with some of my favorite activists, armed with a camera and surrounded by friends as well. For photos of that check out my photoblog (www.urv.shutterchance.com). Hope this unknown audience is well - I shall try to remember to post more in the future.
When I go online I find the idea of writing something and posting it seems much more better suited to being put it in a facebook note post where I can tag friends and better fulfill the social function of initiating a dialog. Or if it's a quick update that I don't have time to explain or flesh out - then twitter seems superior.
Thus while on the road - I used a physical journal to reflect for myself, the internet to communicate with friends/family at home, and emails to offer specific comments to individuals. A blog doesn't easily fit into that routine as there is no clear cut audience - who am I speaking to? The general void? No one? Random strangers? Friends with too much time?
Anyways that's why I can so easily fall off the face of the public internet - it's an uncertain audience and the bases for most of the connections I've got an immediate desire to share with are better served through other mediums.
On that note - unlike the last post - I'm back in the states. After Krakow I continued to Lviv, Kiev, and Moscow via road. I flew to Bishkek for a few days and then returned home for a night before heading out to Reno to see a wedding in Carson City. After that had some time shuttling between San Francisco and home in the South Bay... But I've been busy round here.
Prop 8 being overturned was a truly joyous experience to be present for and I feel thankful I got to be there with some of my favorite activists, armed with a camera and surrounded by friends as well. For photos of that check out my photoblog (www.urv.shutterchance.com). Hope this unknown audience is well - I shall try to remember to post more in the future.
Saturday, 17 July 2010
On the Road
I'm currently in Krakow, Poland.
Since last posting basic timeline...
Day 1
Salisbury to Cologne
Via Dover, Ferry to France, Drive to Bruge, Pass through Netherlands, and Arrive in Germany.
Breakfast snack while waiting for the Ferry - chips (fries if American).
Lunch of English breakfast on the Ferry
Coffee Ice Cream for afternoon pick me up in Bruge
Dinner at hole in the wall kebab shop in Cologne
I drove most of the day 8am to sunsetish - though Lennox took over at night.
Day 2
Cologne to Dresden
Via many autobahns, many under construction. Also stopped in Arnstadt.
Breakfast at the hostel - bread and eggs with coffee
Late and long lunch in Arnstadt - pasta with chicken
Dinner - skipped. Too tired.
Drove all day, except when a U-turn was needed in Arnstadt
Day 3
Dresden to Krakow
via Czech Rep. Visited the ghetto and concentration camp in Terezín.
Breakfast - stuff from grocery store, bacon wrap
Lunch - traditional Czech fair according to the menu... sirlion in a brown sauce with cranberries and cream and dumplings. Actually delicious.
Dinner - egg sandwich from gas station - actually rather delicious.
Drove from morning till about 2 - then Lennox took over until round 11pm. Yay picture taking time.
We've had hot and humid weather, thunderstorms, and tonight I'm grateful to be in a hotel with an AC. If you want to see some photos from the trip or hear snippets I've been posting on my photoblog (www.urv.shutterchance.com) and twitter (twitter.com/theurv)
Since last posting basic timeline...
Day 1
Salisbury to Cologne
Via Dover, Ferry to France, Drive to Bruge, Pass through Netherlands, and Arrive in Germany.
Breakfast snack while waiting for the Ferry - chips (fries if American).
Lunch of English breakfast on the Ferry
Coffee Ice Cream for afternoon pick me up in Bruge
Dinner at hole in the wall kebab shop in Cologne
I drove most of the day 8am to sunsetish - though Lennox took over at night.
Day 2
Cologne to Dresden
Via many autobahns, many under construction. Also stopped in Arnstadt.
Breakfast at the hostel - bread and eggs with coffee
Late and long lunch in Arnstadt - pasta with chicken
Dinner - skipped. Too tired.
Drove all day, except when a U-turn was needed in Arnstadt
Day 3
Dresden to Krakow
via Czech Rep. Visited the ghetto and concentration camp in Terezín.
Breakfast - stuff from grocery store, bacon wrap
Lunch - traditional Czech fair according to the menu... sirlion in a brown sauce with cranberries and cream and dumplings. Actually delicious.
Dinner - egg sandwich from gas station - actually rather delicious.
Drove from morning till about 2 - then Lennox took over until round 11pm. Yay picture taking time.
We've had hot and humid weather, thunderstorms, and tonight I'm grateful to be in a hotel with an AC. If you want to see some photos from the trip or hear snippets I've been posting on my photoblog (www.urv.shutterchance.com) and twitter (twitter.com/theurv)
Wednesday, 14 July 2010
Epic Adventure, here I come?
I now know how to drive on the left side of the street in a car with steering on the right and a trailer on the back. And I've nicknamed the Land Rover Grover. We've left Cambridge and are back in Broad Chalke. Tomorrow the epic drive begins.
Yesterday we were supposed to be ready to go, but the antitheft immobilizer spazzed out and thus the car wouldn't move. So after getting stuck in multiple places we ended up in Cambridge for another night.
Today while the immobilizer was being removed (it can't spazz out if it's no longer there) I spent the day exploring Cambridge, walking through town, and managed to find some cool new shirts at an open air market. One with a cup of tea on it (highly appropriate before an adventure with the Tracing Tea folks), one about being vague (Being vague is more fun than this other thing), and one with a definition of geek. A forth shirt was also added to the collection later, a Maximum Exposure Productions shirt. Also appropriate to have before a thousands of miles long trip for one of their productions.
Then when the car was ready, went out to the storage unit, packed up the trailer, hitched it to the 4x4 and then drove from Cambridge back to Broad Chalke where we'll be spending the night. And tomorrow up early, taking the Ferry over to France and driving from there to Germany. And from there - onwards until we get to Kyrgyzstan. Got some rain in during this evening's drive so I've now familiarized myself with driving this set up in sun and rain, day and night, and with and without trailer. I think we're good to go now.
Yesterday we were supposed to be ready to go, but the antitheft immobilizer spazzed out and thus the car wouldn't move. So after getting stuck in multiple places we ended up in Cambridge for another night.
Today while the immobilizer was being removed (it can't spazz out if it's no longer there) I spent the day exploring Cambridge, walking through town, and managed to find some cool new shirts at an open air market. One with a cup of tea on it (highly appropriate before an adventure with the Tracing Tea folks), one about being vague (Being vague is more fun than this other thing), and one with a definition of geek. A forth shirt was also added to the collection later, a Maximum Exposure Productions shirt. Also appropriate to have before a thousands of miles long trip for one of their productions.
Then when the car was ready, went out to the storage unit, packed up the trailer, hitched it to the 4x4 and then drove from Cambridge back to Broad Chalke where we'll be spending the night. And tomorrow up early, taking the Ferry over to France and driving from there to Germany. And from there - onwards until we get to Kyrgyzstan. Got some rain in during this evening's drive so I've now familiarized myself with driving this set up in sun and rain, day and night, and with and without trailer. I think we're good to go now.
Tuesday, 13 July 2010
Where in the World am I?
Cambridge. England.
Though it seems these days I'm hoping around. The list of places I've slept in the last week.
Los Altos, California. (Home)
Somewhere in the air. (Airplane)
Broad Chalke, England. (Friend Sophie's parent's house)
London, England. (Cousin Nikhil's place)
Cambridge, England. (Where I am now.)
And the road trip hasn't actually begun yet. That should be happening tomorrow if all gets sorted out today. So far have had the pleasure of meeting a variety of folks and doing something unusual for me when traveling - wandering. Spent most of this time in London on foot as opposed to underground, and as a result have a better geographic understanding, got to do more people watching, and I've acquired some blisters to show for it. Rather than aiming to see everything and go everywhere, I'm testing the go slowly on foot method. The wander around the block and see flowers, crowds, and whatever random exhibits are one day only things that happen to be in my path. (Waltzing in Trafalgar Square for example and also a video exhibit later the same day) This approach means on one hand I don't start the day as excited for what's on the agenda because there isn't necessarily one, but I'm also less disappointed because of things I couldn't do. Also still managed to get a lot done/seen...
Review of the days in a nutshell
Tues - Left California... Started by finishing packing, getting my Russian visa, going to the bank, grabbing lunch, and heading to the airport. Then the flight...
Wed - Arrive midday in London, meet Sophie, check out the car in Croydon, go down to Broad Chalke to stay with her parents.
Thurs - Take the train into London, wander about, get lost many times, check out many parks, Waltzing in Trafalgar Square, wandering around Regent's Street, Oxford Street, get a phone, see a tutorial on Final Cut Pro at the apple store, check out film thing in Trafalgar Square, train back to Salisbury finishing my book on the way (Blink), return to Broad Chalke.
Fri - Spent all day in Broad Chalke. Sleep in to make up for some of the jet lag, read a bit of the novel I'd bought the day before (The Gun Seller), hung out with Sophie's parents John and Sharron, and their friends Val and Lee for dinner and drinks. Lively conversation about the difference between US and UK educational systems, politics and our thoughts on different models...
Sat - Took the train up to London with all my stuff, met up with my cousin Nikhil, dropped my stuff off at his place, walked through Regent's park to get lost before going to Belsize park, met up with my friend Trevor from UCSB then Greg from Stanford, before meeting Greg's friends Ezra and David. Had a lovely dinner with those four before Trevor had to leave to meet another friend, so Greg, Ezra, David and I took a walk through Primrose Hill, Regent's park and then down to SoHo. Went to Tesco, grabbed some drink making supplies so we could make Pimm's and Lemonade. Enjoyed drinks and conversation at David and Ezra's place in Soho. Eventually Greg and I left to check out the bar/club scene which lead to us wandering in circles as places began to close, before we finally decided on going to Heaven to see Kylie Minogue perform there. That took us to about 3:30 am before going to catch our bus out. Got to Nikhil's place around 4am.
Sun - As a result of jet lag and the long day before, ended up sleeping till about 3pm, before waking up, showering and then heading out with Nikhil to meet his girlfriend and some friends of theirs. Went out to the burbs and took a walk before getting to a pub in Cheswick to grab dinner then watch the world cup. Then after the game we returned to his place and passed out.
Mon - Woke up early, repacked bag to be more efficiently accessible before heading out. Took the tube to Southwark and then went to the Tate where I could check my luggage while also checking out art. Definitely a win. Saw the surveillance photography exhibit and part of the flux exhibit before meeting up with Sophie. Then took the overground out to Croydon, hopping on a bus to get back to the dealership and picking up the Land Rover which we then took out to Cambridge. Grabbed dinner and then hung out with Cath(erine) and Dave who we're staying with.
Tue - Woke up, had croissants for breakfast, ran an errand, uploaded photos, caught up in my travel journal, and now am chilling while Sophie runs around getting the vehicle and trailer registered for the trip. Eventually I should get some driving practice and we might be leaving as early as tomorrow. Shall update again when I can
Hope all is well with folks at home!
Though it seems these days I'm hoping around. The list of places I've slept in the last week.
Los Altos, California. (Home)
Somewhere in the air. (Airplane)
Broad Chalke, England. (Friend Sophie's parent's house)
London, England. (Cousin Nikhil's place)
Cambridge, England. (Where I am now.)
And the road trip hasn't actually begun yet. That should be happening tomorrow if all gets sorted out today. So far have had the pleasure of meeting a variety of folks and doing something unusual for me when traveling - wandering. Spent most of this time in London on foot as opposed to underground, and as a result have a better geographic understanding, got to do more people watching, and I've acquired some blisters to show for it. Rather than aiming to see everything and go everywhere, I'm testing the go slowly on foot method. The wander around the block and see flowers, crowds, and whatever random exhibits are one day only things that happen to be in my path. (Waltzing in Trafalgar Square for example and also a video exhibit later the same day) This approach means on one hand I don't start the day as excited for what's on the agenda because there isn't necessarily one, but I'm also less disappointed because of things I couldn't do. Also still managed to get a lot done/seen...
Review of the days in a nutshell
Tues - Left California... Started by finishing packing, getting my Russian visa, going to the bank, grabbing lunch, and heading to the airport. Then the flight...
Wed - Arrive midday in London, meet Sophie, check out the car in Croydon, go down to Broad Chalke to stay with her parents.
Thurs - Take the train into London, wander about, get lost many times, check out many parks, Waltzing in Trafalgar Square, wandering around Regent's Street, Oxford Street, get a phone, see a tutorial on Final Cut Pro at the apple store, check out film thing in Trafalgar Square, train back to Salisbury finishing my book on the way (Blink), return to Broad Chalke.
Fri - Spent all day in Broad Chalke. Sleep in to make up for some of the jet lag, read a bit of the novel I'd bought the day before (The Gun Seller), hung out with Sophie's parents John and Sharron, and their friends Val and Lee for dinner and drinks. Lively conversation about the difference between US and UK educational systems, politics and our thoughts on different models...
Sat - Took the train up to London with all my stuff, met up with my cousin Nikhil, dropped my stuff off at his place, walked through Regent's park to get lost before going to Belsize park, met up with my friend Trevor from UCSB then Greg from Stanford, before meeting Greg's friends Ezra and David. Had a lovely dinner with those four before Trevor had to leave to meet another friend, so Greg, Ezra, David and I took a walk through Primrose Hill, Regent's park and then down to SoHo. Went to Tesco, grabbed some drink making supplies so we could make Pimm's and Lemonade. Enjoyed drinks and conversation at David and Ezra's place in Soho. Eventually Greg and I left to check out the bar/club scene which lead to us wandering in circles as places began to close, before we finally decided on going to Heaven to see Kylie Minogue perform there. That took us to about 3:30 am before going to catch our bus out. Got to Nikhil's place around 4am.
Sun - As a result of jet lag and the long day before, ended up sleeping till about 3pm, before waking up, showering and then heading out with Nikhil to meet his girlfriend and some friends of theirs. Went out to the burbs and took a walk before getting to a pub in Cheswick to grab dinner then watch the world cup. Then after the game we returned to his place and passed out.
Mon - Woke up early, repacked bag to be more efficiently accessible before heading out. Took the tube to Southwark and then went to the Tate where I could check my luggage while also checking out art. Definitely a win. Saw the surveillance photography exhibit and part of the flux exhibit before meeting up with Sophie. Then took the overground out to Croydon, hopping on a bus to get back to the dealership and picking up the Land Rover which we then took out to Cambridge. Grabbed dinner and then hung out with Cath(erine) and Dave who we're staying with.
Tue - Woke up, had croissants for breakfast, ran an errand, uploaded photos, caught up in my travel journal, and now am chilling while Sophie runs around getting the vehicle and trailer registered for the trip. Eventually I should get some driving practice and we might be leaving as early as tomorrow. Shall update again when I can
Hope all is well with folks at home!
Wednesday, 7 July 2010
I don't write down my opinions these days
It's actually rather sad, I noticed the other day flipping through my computer's documents, I don't write down my opinions these days. And that's problematic. Because sometime between entering UCSB and now, my line of reasoning has changed and I can't with certainty point to a piece of logic and say, "There it is!" And I can't chart the development/deterioration of thinking patterns.
On the plus side, I've read three books this week. Two Malcom Gladwell books (The Tipping Point and Blink) and one by John Wood (Leaving Microsoft to Change the World). I'm also over in England right now, and I read part of Outliers on the flight out here.
I'm about to travel across Europe and Central Asia, and I think I will be creating a blog/journal for the trip just to force me to record my reflections for my future self and the friends back home, but I haven't thought of a good name for it yet. I'll do that and get back to you later. On one hand, having my opinion online might be a liability should my perspective change too much, however as a recent college grad with her first big exploration of the world beyond the home and family (most of my international travel has been with the family...) I'm probably doing the same damn cliche growth patterns as most socially-liberal American travelers when stepping out of the bubble - and in hopes of beginning conversations with folks back home about said adventures/giving them reference points to ask about when I return - I hope to offer the opening for further dialog and reflections later. For that as I see it is the point of blogging - not just speaking to the void, but prompting face-to-face dialog and offering a foundation for such conversations. Wish me luck on my travels - and an open mind in all I encounter, for I can imagine nothing will serve me better.
On the plus side, I've read three books this week. Two Malcom Gladwell books (The Tipping Point and Blink) and one by John Wood (Leaving Microsoft to Change the World). I'm also over in England right now, and I read part of Outliers on the flight out here.
I'm about to travel across Europe and Central Asia, and I think I will be creating a blog/journal for the trip just to force me to record my reflections for my future self and the friends back home, but I haven't thought of a good name for it yet. I'll do that and get back to you later. On one hand, having my opinion online might be a liability should my perspective change too much, however as a recent college grad with her first big exploration of the world beyond the home and family (most of my international travel has been with the family...) I'm probably doing the same damn cliche growth patterns as most socially-liberal American travelers when stepping out of the bubble - and in hopes of beginning conversations with folks back home about said adventures/giving them reference points to ask about when I return - I hope to offer the opening for further dialog and reflections later. For that as I see it is the point of blogging - not just speaking to the void, but prompting face-to-face dialog and offering a foundation for such conversations. Wish me luck on my travels - and an open mind in all I encounter, for I can imagine nothing will serve me better.
Sunday, 21 February 2010
A Return to the Unknown – Blogging, Transient Communities and Leadership
I realized recently that in my rush between events and activities – I haven’t given time to put reflections in written form. While verbal diarrhea seems to be a part of my post processing experience with life – those reflections rarely get communicated outside of the sphere of people who participated in the events with me. Therefore when I’m sharing those stories it only helps reinforce a memory with friends or aids me as an individual to feel a sense of narrative completion on the to do list of life.
Go to conference X or protest Z. Check. Talk it out. Continue with Event Y.
Shared experiences, they’re great. Talking things out with friends is also great. But this weekend I was reminded why that’s really not enough, at least for me right now.
While looking at what I consider common sense of organizing – I realized how many students around me haven’t had the opportunity to learn about and develop those skills yet. And as a debate unfolded this weekend at a conference regarding leadership turnover – a topic I have discussed in countless retreats – I realized what appeared immediately obvious to me is constantly being rediscovered by people who while looking elsewhere missed that cue.
Now when good/decent student leadership is leaving – they often tend to leave a long to do list, list of traditions or other set of resources behind. But when incoming leaders receive a bunch of resources – it also tends to be an information overload that gets parking-lotted (Like a car in a parking lot, it is temporarily put to the side to return to). The problem is that often times the resource isn’t utilized. Now one could blame the students for this, but realistically, we’ve got other things to do! We’re full time students and huge binders to read are a drag. But in my experience there’s one in depth resource I will always be quick to consult when I have a question – people. Peers, mentors, teachers, TAs, friends and family are all great places to go. And when the leaders of an organization graduate and the turnover is happening – the best thing to leave behind is a phone number to be contacted at and a good relationship that makes it easier to pick up the phone.
Okay – totally common sense. But the other thing that is always forgotten is who does your organization/club/group work with? Do you have a personal relationship with those leaders than enables you to work with them easily? If so – your new replacement either needs to be put in contact with them to develop such a relationship or your new replacement and that organization’s new leadership will have to meet. Yes, that is a lot of work for both you and that other organization’s leadership to organize, especially if your work has been happening in centrally dictated actions where leaders work together and pass down instructions. However if you consider leadership turnover not at the moment of exchange, but as a process it’s much easier to plan. If you make sure your organizations members know each other – when it’s time to collaborate they’re much more able to continue to work together with or without you.
I’m a senior at UCSB. I will be graduating this year (assuming the English department lets me in to my final required class…) and when I go I know my rolodex (… or facebook) goes with me. But that’s actually irrelevant. Because when I leave, so will a large number of my friends who I would have called to organize an action. Leadership is constantly developing, evolving, and graduating/leaving. If an activist next year called me and asked me for advice – I couldn’t suggest, “Just talk to so and so.” But this year before I leave, I can look for developing leaders and members around me and encourage them not only think of what the organization needs, but also just to befriend the people around them and in allied causes. I don’t know and can never be sure about who will move up – but if members are regularly working as a community the organizational culture of collaboration won’t be dependent on me or my individual skills.
When in caucus spaces facilitators’ job is to start actions, keep things moving and moderate for an enjoyable space for all. I see the role of a good leader in transient communities to do that as well. Ultimately if the quality of the space is dependent on the individual the organization will fall apart with or without a binder of resources. So as a leader now is the time to start reflecting (if you haven’t already). Who’s passionate? Who’s itching for more to do? Who was left out and is waiting for an invite to return to the table? If the people who are the answers to questions like these don’t know each other yet, start the introductions as you go about your programs. Those are the ties that will outlast your days in the organization and help your organization maintain a culture that fosters good communication needed to keep alliances alive when your rolodex is outdated, your binder is ignored and your voicemail is full.
So where does this leave me? I’m at the end of yet another conference, short on sleep, and optimistic about the future of my campus organizations. This weekend I think my greatest act of leadership was being the designated driver at the end of Saturday night – and by doing so allowing for alcohol induced networking. It might seem like an odd place to begin the leadership transition – but those memories, laughing over silly moments and the bonds that go with them are often what makes for a community worth fighting for and can make all the difference to both members and potential leaders looking for a place to call home. And even if those people never end up leading – their ability to enjoy the community and talk within that space will make it easier for whomever does.
Go to conference X or protest Z. Check. Talk it out. Continue with Event Y.
Shared experiences, they’re great. Talking things out with friends is also great. But this weekend I was reminded why that’s really not enough, at least for me right now.
While looking at what I consider common sense of organizing – I realized how many students around me haven’t had the opportunity to learn about and develop those skills yet. And as a debate unfolded this weekend at a conference regarding leadership turnover – a topic I have discussed in countless retreats – I realized what appeared immediately obvious to me is constantly being rediscovered by people who while looking elsewhere missed that cue.
Now when good/decent student leadership is leaving – they often tend to leave a long to do list, list of traditions or other set of resources behind. But when incoming leaders receive a bunch of resources – it also tends to be an information overload that gets parking-lotted (Like a car in a parking lot, it is temporarily put to the side to return to). The problem is that often times the resource isn’t utilized. Now one could blame the students for this, but realistically, we’ve got other things to do! We’re full time students and huge binders to read are a drag. But in my experience there’s one in depth resource I will always be quick to consult when I have a question – people. Peers, mentors, teachers, TAs, friends and family are all great places to go. And when the leaders of an organization graduate and the turnover is happening – the best thing to leave behind is a phone number to be contacted at and a good relationship that makes it easier to pick up the phone.
Okay – totally common sense. But the other thing that is always forgotten is who does your organization/club/group work with? Do you have a personal relationship with those leaders than enables you to work with them easily? If so – your new replacement either needs to be put in contact with them to develop such a relationship or your new replacement and that organization’s new leadership will have to meet. Yes, that is a lot of work for both you and that other organization’s leadership to organize, especially if your work has been happening in centrally dictated actions where leaders work together and pass down instructions. However if you consider leadership turnover not at the moment of exchange, but as a process it’s much easier to plan. If you make sure your organizations members know each other – when it’s time to collaborate they’re much more able to continue to work together with or without you.
I’m a senior at UCSB. I will be graduating this year (assuming the English department lets me in to my final required class…) and when I go I know my rolodex (… or facebook) goes with me. But that’s actually irrelevant. Because when I leave, so will a large number of my friends who I would have called to organize an action. Leadership is constantly developing, evolving, and graduating/leaving. If an activist next year called me and asked me for advice – I couldn’t suggest, “Just talk to so and so.” But this year before I leave, I can look for developing leaders and members around me and encourage them not only think of what the organization needs, but also just to befriend the people around them and in allied causes. I don’t know and can never be sure about who will move up – but if members are regularly working as a community the organizational culture of collaboration won’t be dependent on me or my individual skills.
When in caucus spaces facilitators’ job is to start actions, keep things moving and moderate for an enjoyable space for all. I see the role of a good leader in transient communities to do that as well. Ultimately if the quality of the space is dependent on the individual the organization will fall apart with or without a binder of resources. So as a leader now is the time to start reflecting (if you haven’t already). Who’s passionate? Who’s itching for more to do? Who was left out and is waiting for an invite to return to the table? If the people who are the answers to questions like these don’t know each other yet, start the introductions as you go about your programs. Those are the ties that will outlast your days in the organization and help your organization maintain a culture that fosters good communication needed to keep alliances alive when your rolodex is outdated, your binder is ignored and your voicemail is full.
So where does this leave me? I’m at the end of yet another conference, short on sleep, and optimistic about the future of my campus organizations. This weekend I think my greatest act of leadership was being the designated driver at the end of Saturday night – and by doing so allowing for alcohol induced networking. It might seem like an odd place to begin the leadership transition – but those memories, laughing over silly moments and the bonds that go with them are often what makes for a community worth fighting for and can make all the difference to both members and potential leaders looking for a place to call home. And even if those people never end up leading – their ability to enjoy the community and talk within that space will make it easier for whomever does.
Sunday, 30 August 2009
Why I Support Voting for the National Marriage Boycott
Do you have one minute? Really, this is all the time it will take to click this link: http://www.ideablob.com/ideas/6032-National-Marriage-Boycott register, vote to support the National Marriage Boycott (NMB for short) and empower student activists.
This last year has been a flurry of activity, activism, and somehow between this time last year I’ve gone from passively accepting instructions at phone banks to… whatever you call whatever I’m hyperactively doing now. But when looking towards a lot of the issues being debated about LGBT issues I keep noticing the same trend of overly localized activism which ignores the bigger picture. Resources spread thin as people are donating to numerous state wide campaigns, rallying around every case, supporting multiple groups and finding those groups don’t always collaborate in the way we wish they could. This isn’t unique to LGBT issues – the same problems plague student groups on campus, environmental groups, advocacy groups, etc… And while this tends to make me cynical there are certain areas where I retain hope…
The National Marriage Boycott was founded by The Emma Goldman Society for Queer Liberation – an activist group made up mostly of friends and peers are Stanford. After Prop 8 passed in the wave of protests with signs proclaiming, “I’m not a second class citizen” I was amazed to see these students not only protesting prop 8, but working to raise awareness of the high suicide rate in LGBT youth. They didn’t just react to the current political circumstances, they used the climate as an opportunity to be proactive and raise awareness for an issue we too often are silent about. This same type of forward thinking rather than reactionary protest shaped the National Marriage Boycott – which is not only protesting the Defense of Marriage Act, it also showcases the optimism with which we approach the issue, highlighting the belief that there can and will be change in our lifetime.
As a student it’s often hard to remember what a great deal of power we hold. Organizations which constantly ask for funding and not time make us feel like we have nothing to offer and without the greater access enjoyed by those organizations even if you have something to say, it’s very difficult to get a platform to say it. When planning The National Marriage Boycott, students didn’t see these things and give up – they thought big, planned big, and worked hard. We got ourselves rings, personally committed ourselves to work tirelessly on the issue until full federal equality, and we only increased our commitment since then.
If we lose this contest and have little to no funding moving forward – we won’t stop. But if we win we’ll be enabled to act in a time that demands action. With seed money to help set up new chapters, promote the group, send people to have those vital conversations that help us build a real community of activists rather than a group of likeminded strangers – we can do so much MORE. Without aid we could get national press and 20 chapters in less than a year. With a few clicks of a mouse you can help us even if you’re unable to join the boycott, you can help put pressure to repeal DOMA and you can support students as we work to stay involved and hopeful in a climate that breads cynicism.
That’s worth 60 seconds for me. How about you?
If you have a minute to vote, please do so at http://www.ideablob.com/ideas/6032-National-Marriage-Boycott and leave a comment here when you do so. Nothing inspires me more than knowing good people are doing good work.
This last year has been a flurry of activity, activism, and somehow between this time last year I’ve gone from passively accepting instructions at phone banks to… whatever you call whatever I’m hyperactively doing now. But when looking towards a lot of the issues being debated about LGBT issues I keep noticing the same trend of overly localized activism which ignores the bigger picture. Resources spread thin as people are donating to numerous state wide campaigns, rallying around every case, supporting multiple groups and finding those groups don’t always collaborate in the way we wish they could. This isn’t unique to LGBT issues – the same problems plague student groups on campus, environmental groups, advocacy groups, etc… And while this tends to make me cynical there are certain areas where I retain hope…
The National Marriage Boycott was founded by The Emma Goldman Society for Queer Liberation – an activist group made up mostly of friends and peers are Stanford. After Prop 8 passed in the wave of protests with signs proclaiming, “I’m not a second class citizen” I was amazed to see these students not only protesting prop 8, but working to raise awareness of the high suicide rate in LGBT youth. They didn’t just react to the current political circumstances, they used the climate as an opportunity to be proactive and raise awareness for an issue we too often are silent about. This same type of forward thinking rather than reactionary protest shaped the National Marriage Boycott – which is not only protesting the Defense of Marriage Act, it also showcases the optimism with which we approach the issue, highlighting the belief that there can and will be change in our lifetime.
As a student it’s often hard to remember what a great deal of power we hold. Organizations which constantly ask for funding and not time make us feel like we have nothing to offer and without the greater access enjoyed by those organizations even if you have something to say, it’s very difficult to get a platform to say it. When planning The National Marriage Boycott, students didn’t see these things and give up – they thought big, planned big, and worked hard. We got ourselves rings, personally committed ourselves to work tirelessly on the issue until full federal equality, and we only increased our commitment since then.
If we lose this contest and have little to no funding moving forward – we won’t stop. But if we win we’ll be enabled to act in a time that demands action. With seed money to help set up new chapters, promote the group, send people to have those vital conversations that help us build a real community of activists rather than a group of likeminded strangers – we can do so much MORE. Without aid we could get national press and 20 chapters in less than a year. With a few clicks of a mouse you can help us even if you’re unable to join the boycott, you can help put pressure to repeal DOMA and you can support students as we work to stay involved and hopeful in a climate that breads cynicism.
That’s worth 60 seconds for me. How about you?
If you have a minute to vote, please do so at http://www.ideablob.com/ideas/6032-National-Marriage-Boycott and leave a comment here when you do so. Nothing inspires me more than knowing good people are doing good work.
Thursday, 28 May 2009
Prop 8 stands, and so we must too.
I was expecting it. I vocally expressed the fact that I expected the verdict that we received. And yet it still shocked me. Here's what I found most troubling about the Press Release and Summary of the opinion on Prop 8:
"Inalienable Rights The majority opinion next addresses and rejects the Attorney General’s claim that because article I, section 1 of the California Constitution characterizes certain rights including the right of privacy as “inalienable,” Proposition 8 is invalid because it abrogates such rights without a compelling interest.
The opinion explains that not only does Proposition 8 not “abrogate” the aspect of the right of privacy discussed in the majority opinion in the Marriage Cases, but that the identification of a right as “inalienable” has never been understood to mean that such right is exempt from any limitation or to preclude the adoption of a constitutional amendment that restricts the scope of such a right. The opinion emphasizes that there is no authority to support the Attorney General’s theory."
(insert my shock at the second to last sentence)
What exactly ARE inalienable rights then? Someone please explain. No really - I've heard the term and used it in what I thought was the correct manner in philosophy and history classes before, but this court's statement about the ability to limit inalienable rights goes against everything that I thought that meant... And if we have any legal experts who can educate me, I'm more than willing to listen.
Also it really troubled me to read Justice Moreno's opinion and know the other 6 people in the room disagreed.
For the text go here:
http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/presscenter/newsreleases/NR29-09.PDF
I haven't had time yet to read the full 185 pages of the decision - but I've seen enough of it to know I'm troubled by it. (the joy of being a full time student and activist as well - time is scarce... I will read the whole thing eventually though)
But moving past this troubling verdict, we need to look toward the future and figure out what to do beyond voicing our disapproval. (Which is definitely something that needs to be done, but while that reaction is easily arrived at - a plan of action takes a bit more work.)
I think that if we're to win a fight for equality we need to reach out to the moderates, face our opponents, and include all of our allies. We also need to do more than speak to our friends - we need to take the conversation to a place where others will hear it. And this weekend there is an event that will help do just that - build a more inclusive movement with a broader audience. Which is why in the midst of final papers and trying to wrap up this quarter I'm taking the time to organize friends and community members to go to Fresno for Meet in the Middle. I hope you can do the same and I hope to see you there!
For more information go to http://www.meetinthemiddle4equality.com/
"Inalienable Rights The majority opinion next addresses and rejects the Attorney General’s claim that because article I, section 1 of the California Constitution characterizes certain rights including the right of privacy as “inalienable,” Proposition 8 is invalid because it abrogates such rights without a compelling interest.
The opinion explains that not only does Proposition 8 not “abrogate” the aspect of the right of privacy discussed in the majority opinion in the Marriage Cases, but that the identification of a right as “inalienable” has never been understood to mean that such right is exempt from any limitation or to preclude the adoption of a constitutional amendment that restricts the scope of such a right. The opinion emphasizes that there is no authority to support the Attorney General’s theory."
(insert my shock at the second to last sentence)
What exactly ARE inalienable rights then? Someone please explain. No really - I've heard the term and used it in what I thought was the correct manner in philosophy and history classes before, but this court's statement about the ability to limit inalienable rights goes against everything that I thought that meant... And if we have any legal experts who can educate me, I'm more than willing to listen.
Also it really troubled me to read Justice Moreno's opinion and know the other 6 people in the room disagreed.
For the text go here:
http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/presscenter/newsreleases/NR29-09.PDF
I haven't had time yet to read the full 185 pages of the decision - but I've seen enough of it to know I'm troubled by it. (the joy of being a full time student and activist as well - time is scarce... I will read the whole thing eventually though)
But moving past this troubling verdict, we need to look toward the future and figure out what to do beyond voicing our disapproval. (Which is definitely something that needs to be done, but while that reaction is easily arrived at - a plan of action takes a bit more work.)
I think that if we're to win a fight for equality we need to reach out to the moderates, face our opponents, and include all of our allies. We also need to do more than speak to our friends - we need to take the conversation to a place where others will hear it. And this weekend there is an event that will help do just that - build a more inclusive movement with a broader audience. Which is why in the midst of final papers and trying to wrap up this quarter I'm taking the time to organize friends and community members to go to Fresno for Meet in the Middle. I hope you can do the same and I hope to see you there!
For more information go to http://www.meetinthemiddle4equality.com/
Wednesday, 15 April 2009
Exemplify the Activism you’d Like to See.
It sounds simple. Exemplify the activism you’d like to see. But it’s easier to say than be, and we have far too many talking heads which is not what we need.
Right now, I’m busy. Very busy... Okay, not as busy as some, but I’m averaging about 3 hours of sleep per night - which is my limit.
I am running for the Associated Students position of Off Campus Representative with Student Voice, a progressive coalition of campus leaders. The reason I am running is simple - I want a student government which is more active than reactive. I don’t just want to recycle our waste, I want to reduce it. I don’t just want resolutions against hate crimes a few weeks after each incident, I want proactive measures to create safe spaces. I don’t want to have to receive petitions in the arbor every time an issue comes up, because if that happens it means we’re protesting and reacting rather than actively setting an agenda. The fact that I need to be a part of protests to get my voice out there means the system as it stands fails to represent me, and I want to change that.
Tomorrow night I’ll preform in Take Back the Mic - a Take Back the Night event of spoken word, music and story telling which aims to bring awareness about sexual violence and aid the community in being proactive in preventing it.
Thursday there are several events I’ll be working on. First I’ll be off to the No on Hate march which seeks to raise awareness of the recent hate crimes in our campus community, until we admit our school has a problems it’s rather hard to address them. Then I’m going to be supporting the arts by MCing an afternoon Open Mic in Davidson Library for national poetry month. And later that night I’ll be going to Take Back the Night’s March. Somewhere in there I’ll be going to class too...
Friday I will be participating in National Day of Silence. Day of Silence seeks to bring awareness to the problems of social discrimination in our schools, an issue which is so often silenced by homophobia. If you think that this isn’t an issue consider the fact that less than a week ago an 11 year old boy committed suicide in reaction to being bullied regularly and being accused of being gay. One in three LGBT youth have attempted suicide. In 30 states in our nation you can be fired for being gay. And in 46 states same-sex marriage isn’t recognized. The fight for marriage equality is important because legal inequity is intolerable - but we cannot forget the students of today are the citizens of tomorrow. And if we can’t provide safe spaces in schools, where can we offer safety? I wouldn’t know what to shout into a microphone if I were asked why this is a problem because there’s so many reasons and few are willing to listen. Even while in a progressive university, we’ve got hate crimes in our community, we too should be reflecting - we’re guilty too.
This Sunday I’ll be at UCLA for 1Fest to celebrate the fight for civil rights, marriage equality and the artistic community that is a part of the struggle. Live music, information booths, politicians and activists will all contribute so that we can actively come together as a community energized, motivated, and with a sense of direction on how to work towards civil rights. The fight for civil rights and equality should not just be seen in angry protests, but also through positive community events such as this. I’ll also be volunteering with some Stanford activists from the Emma Goldman Society for Queer Liberation to work on a Vow Not to Marry ring campaign where participants pledge not to marry until everyone can do so. (I’m already wearing my ring if you ever want to see it.)
And on Monday, I’ll be back on campus working with Student Voice trying to get progressive leaders into positions on campus where they can actively enable organizations.
Am I doing everything? No I’m not. I can’t. I’m still a full time student with hundreds of pages to read, I have papers to write, and projects to do. I still need to eat, sleep, and have enough downtime to recharge to keep myself active. But I do what I am able to. Apathy and inaction are the greatest threats to societal progress. It doesn’t matter how much you are able to do if you’re unwilling to act. It doesn’t matter what the best green technology is unless we’re using it. And I could not stand with a clear conscious before a mirror if I were to ignore the problems I see in favor of a pleasurable apathy. If you’re interested in learning or attending any of the events written about here please check out the following links or send a message to me!
Be actively present!
Urvi
STUDENT VOICE Silvergreens Fundraiser - Wednesday on Pardall
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=71083390771
Take Back the Mic - Wednesday night IV Eclectic on Pardall
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=55913806500
STUDENT VOICE Deja Vu Fundraiser - Thursday on Embarcadero del Mar
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=91395497523
No on Hate Rally - Thursday in the Arbor
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=151384660161
Open Mic Poetry Event - Thursday in the Library
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=61085528380
National Day of Silence - Friday EVERYWHERE
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=13588438490
STUDENT VOICE Berrilicious Open Mic Night - Friday night Embarcadero Del Norte
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=163309975017
1FEST - Sunday afternoon at UCLA
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=65066260818&ref=ts
Emma Goldman Society for Queer Liberation
http://www.stanford.edu/group/emma_goldman/cgi-bin/site/index.php
Right now, I’m busy. Very busy... Okay, not as busy as some, but I’m averaging about 3 hours of sleep per night - which is my limit.
I am running for the Associated Students position of Off Campus Representative with Student Voice, a progressive coalition of campus leaders. The reason I am running is simple - I want a student government which is more active than reactive. I don’t just want to recycle our waste, I want to reduce it. I don’t just want resolutions against hate crimes a few weeks after each incident, I want proactive measures to create safe spaces. I don’t want to have to receive petitions in the arbor every time an issue comes up, because if that happens it means we’re protesting and reacting rather than actively setting an agenda. The fact that I need to be a part of protests to get my voice out there means the system as it stands fails to represent me, and I want to change that.
Tomorrow night I’ll preform in Take Back the Mic - a Take Back the Night event of spoken word, music and story telling which aims to bring awareness about sexual violence and aid the community in being proactive in preventing it.
Thursday there are several events I’ll be working on. First I’ll be off to the No on Hate march which seeks to raise awareness of the recent hate crimes in our campus community, until we admit our school has a problems it’s rather hard to address them. Then I’m going to be supporting the arts by MCing an afternoon Open Mic in Davidson Library for national poetry month. And later that night I’ll be going to Take Back the Night’s March. Somewhere in there I’ll be going to class too...
Friday I will be participating in National Day of Silence. Day of Silence seeks to bring awareness to the problems of social discrimination in our schools, an issue which is so often silenced by homophobia. If you think that this isn’t an issue consider the fact that less than a week ago an 11 year old boy committed suicide in reaction to being bullied regularly and being accused of being gay. One in three LGBT youth have attempted suicide. In 30 states in our nation you can be fired for being gay. And in 46 states same-sex marriage isn’t recognized. The fight for marriage equality is important because legal inequity is intolerable - but we cannot forget the students of today are the citizens of tomorrow. And if we can’t provide safe spaces in schools, where can we offer safety? I wouldn’t know what to shout into a microphone if I were asked why this is a problem because there’s so many reasons and few are willing to listen. Even while in a progressive university, we’ve got hate crimes in our community, we too should be reflecting - we’re guilty too.
This Sunday I’ll be at UCLA for 1Fest to celebrate the fight for civil rights, marriage equality and the artistic community that is a part of the struggle. Live music, information booths, politicians and activists will all contribute so that we can actively come together as a community energized, motivated, and with a sense of direction on how to work towards civil rights. The fight for civil rights and equality should not just be seen in angry protests, but also through positive community events such as this. I’ll also be volunteering with some Stanford activists from the Emma Goldman Society for Queer Liberation to work on a Vow Not to Marry ring campaign where participants pledge not to marry until everyone can do so. (I’m already wearing my ring if you ever want to see it.)
And on Monday, I’ll be back on campus working with Student Voice trying to get progressive leaders into positions on campus where they can actively enable organizations.
Am I doing everything? No I’m not. I can’t. I’m still a full time student with hundreds of pages to read, I have papers to write, and projects to do. I still need to eat, sleep, and have enough downtime to recharge to keep myself active. But I do what I am able to. Apathy and inaction are the greatest threats to societal progress. It doesn’t matter how much you are able to do if you’re unwilling to act. It doesn’t matter what the best green technology is unless we’re using it. And I could not stand with a clear conscious before a mirror if I were to ignore the problems I see in favor of a pleasurable apathy. If you’re interested in learning or attending any of the events written about here please check out the following links or send a message to me!
Be actively present!
Urvi
STUDENT VOICE Silvergreens Fundraiser - Wednesday on Pardall
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=71083390771
Take Back the Mic - Wednesday night IV Eclectic on Pardall
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=55913806500
STUDENT VOICE Deja Vu Fundraiser - Thursday on Embarcadero del Mar
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=91395497523
No on Hate Rally - Thursday in the Arbor
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=151384660161
Open Mic Poetry Event - Thursday in the Library
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=61085528380
National Day of Silence - Friday EVERYWHERE
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=13588438490
STUDENT VOICE Berrilicious Open Mic Night - Friday night Embarcadero Del Norte
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=163309975017
1FEST - Sunday afternoon at UCLA
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=65066260818&ref=ts
Emma Goldman Society for Queer Liberation
http://www.stanford.edu/group/emma_goldman/cgi-bin/site/index.php
Saturday, 11 April 2009
ACTION: Do not drink Rockstar
I do not support hate.
And I also do not support those who will support hate.
The owners of the Rockstar energy drink promote values which I find detrimental to a civil society - they're openly bigoted (most clearly homophobic), against immigration, against workers rights and more...
When I drink something to give me energy, I want a positive boost. And Rockstar won't offer that. Please stop consuming Rockstar and urge your friends to not drink it as well. Ask any businesses you frequent to remove Rockstar from their shelves. Even if we can't change their minds - we can stop enabling them to spread detrimental messages.
And I also do not support those who will support hate.
The owners of the Rockstar energy drink promote values which I find detrimental to a civil society - they're openly bigoted (most clearly homophobic), against immigration, against workers rights and more...
When I drink something to give me energy, I want a positive boost. And Rockstar won't offer that. Please stop consuming Rockstar and urge your friends to not drink it as well. Ask any businesses you frequent to remove Rockstar from their shelves. Even if we can't change their minds - we can stop enabling them to spread detrimental messages.
Thursday, 9 April 2009
Blatant Propaganda
I know many of you have already seen this video which the National Organization for Marriage is running across the nation - but I wanted to make sure it was made available for those who hadn't.
THIS is what we're up against. Despite the fact that today 46 of 50 states don't recognize same-sex marriages, when equal rights are granted in 2 (Iowa and Vermont) it triggered national attacks.
As a Film and Media student we see many theorists and film makers cynical about the medium based upon the propaganda of the times, but usually these discussions are contextualized in the past. If we allow these types of ads/attacks to go unchallenged, not only do we increase the resistance to equal rights, but we allow ourselves to tolerate the media illiteracy which allows fringe cases to be grossly exaggerated to reframe the issue.
I know this issue is an emotional one for many- but when ads seek to manipulate emotion rather than engage in discussion it hurts us all. I ask you today not only to show support if able to Courage Campaign's fund raising for activist training, but also if you're able sign up for one of them! (http://www.couragecampaign.org/action)
Furthermore if you see this ad on a TV station you watch, turn off the TV, and then SPEAK UP! E-mail the program director, head of advertising at the channel, publicity, and news hot line if those numbers/e-mails are available on the station website. If it is a show you must see - go watch it online because those ads are almost always for other movies, medications, or department stores - thus the money paying for your viewing won't be one that directly discriminates (Though depending on the ad- they might still be guilty, at least their main purpose is not discrimination). Adding a financial reason to drop an ad makes our debate enter the picture if enough people do something! Also if you'd like, let me know about any stations you see the ad on and I will update this post so others wishing to take action can follow your lead.
In solidarity for equality and media literacy!
Urv
THIS is what we're up against. Despite the fact that today 46 of 50 states don't recognize same-sex marriages, when equal rights are granted in 2 (Iowa and Vermont) it triggered national attacks.
As a Film and Media student we see many theorists and film makers cynical about the medium based upon the propaganda of the times, but usually these discussions are contextualized in the past. If we allow these types of ads/attacks to go unchallenged, not only do we increase the resistance to equal rights, but we allow ourselves to tolerate the media illiteracy which allows fringe cases to be grossly exaggerated to reframe the issue.
I know this issue is an emotional one for many- but when ads seek to manipulate emotion rather than engage in discussion it hurts us all. I ask you today not only to show support if able to Courage Campaign's fund raising for activist training, but also if you're able sign up for one of them! (http://www.couragecampaign.org/action)
Furthermore if you see this ad on a TV station you watch, turn off the TV, and then SPEAK UP! E-mail the program director, head of advertising at the channel, publicity, and news hot line if those numbers/e-mails are available on the station website. If it is a show you must see - go watch it online because those ads are almost always for other movies, medications, or department stores - thus the money paying for your viewing won't be one that directly discriminates (Though depending on the ad- they might still be guilty, at least their main purpose is not discrimination). Adding a financial reason to drop an ad makes our debate enter the picture if enough people do something! Also if you'd like, let me know about any stations you see the ad on and I will update this post so others wishing to take action can follow your lead.
In solidarity for equality and media literacy!
Urv
What Would Nature Do?
My friend over at Positive Sustainability, Nick Enge, poses this question and asks for a revolutionary shift in the way we consider our relationship to our planet. What Would Nature Do? By thinking of this answer and using designs and engineering based around the notion of biomimicry (imitating life) we can recreate some of the solutions the natural world has developed and increase our own sustainability in doing so.
This question has been asked many times in a religious context when people ask, “What would Jesus do?” and seek answers of the most moral solution to a conflict. However while the media surrounds us with debates about gay rights, abortion, racial injustice and more - we continue to quietly continue designing products without considering their consequence. I’m by no means saying the other issues aren’t important debates for a society to have - but the lack of dialog on the design we tolerate is allowing it to continue.
Every day people continue and think they’re improving while they are buying “ecofriendly” and “sustainable” products from halfway around the world, and these are likely packaged in paper/plastics that will be discarded the minute we unwrap the product which itself will likely only last a year or two. The entire model hurts the environment.
Today what I ate was not only bad for me but it was horrible for the environment. I’m not going to sugar coat it and say I’m free of blame - because I’m not. I’m a tired and busy college kid who didn’t have the time to cook because even sleep is a luxury these days. I bought a sandwich and pasta on campus which both came in packaging which was then discarded. The soda I drank was horrible for me in so many ways. The coffee I had to keep me awake in class was grown on the other side of the world. For dinner I was in a rush so I got fast food - a hot dog and fries. Not only did I succeed in clogging my arteries and getting far too little nutrition, but I failed to embrace the fact that I live in a fertile area with a huge array of locally grown produce.
I live in an apartment complex that brags about the co-mingled trash and recycling which allows for fewer trips to pick up waste, thus using less gas and having a reduced carbon impact. We also have two flush settings on toilets, low flow shower heads, and refrigerators that beep if open for more than 15 seconds to remind you to close them. But I’m also living in an ugly box that doesn’t take advantage of the natural light that is common in Santa Barbara. The only living thing other than myself (and my roommate) in my apartment is a house plant that was purchased at a local store. This entire living situation is somewhat pathetic. I live in a naturally beautiful setting with lovely flora if I walk a few minutes to the beach or bike towards the hills. And yet as my housing complex heaps on the accolades and self-congratulatory praise encouraging new students to apply here - we’re planting non-native plants. Looking at the water situation in our area it’s clear that our University’s long range plan will have an increase in the number of students far beyond what the local aquifer will be able to support, and we’re already in a drought state that’s had huge fire problems in recent years.
While Nick covers some of these themes in other writings on his site (which I urge you to all follow) I think that the idea of bio mimicry needs to not only be considered by designers and engineers who create products, but by those who will consume the goods. A shift in thinking must occur in the audience for a producer to succeed given that we live in a very self-reflexive society.
In politics many leaders follow the polls and popular opinion rather than paving the way. Experts only speak about their fields, limiting the ability to have true collaboration where larger changes are needed. Workers only respond to orders thus not allowing the practical hands on knowledge to shape the management above them. Managers buy into the systems that allow for their profits without considering the cost to future generations. While I’m sure many are planning to point out that this isn’t always the case, as a general rule of thumb, the status quo has a great deal of momentum behind it; And my point based upon that generalization is that when a change of direction is needed, it takes more than a good idea to lead to action.
Now if I had the answers and could just tell all of you how to change the world - it would be a great conclusion to this post, but sadly we’ve got a lot more work to do than that! We need to redesign how we live! We need to figure out how to get the basics of food, water and shelter in a sustainable way that won’t hurt our local ecosystems and leave us in overly sterilized industrial box environments which fail to reflect the natural beauty of our planet. And for that to happen we can’t just wait for good designs to come to us, we have to seek out those ideas. We must invest in them. We need to create a market for sustainable goods, a niche for sustainability in our ideas and planning, and when sitting down in meetings we need to look not only to the monetary value, but the social and environmental values and costs of our actions. This begins with you and me. I’m currently in the red, but if you have any ideas - feel free to begin a dialog here! I’m listening.
This question has been asked many times in a religious context when people ask, “What would Jesus do?” and seek answers of the most moral solution to a conflict. However while the media surrounds us with debates about gay rights, abortion, racial injustice and more - we continue to quietly continue designing products without considering their consequence. I’m by no means saying the other issues aren’t important debates for a society to have - but the lack of dialog on the design we tolerate is allowing it to continue.
Every day people continue and think they’re improving while they are buying “ecofriendly” and “sustainable” products from halfway around the world, and these are likely packaged in paper/plastics that will be discarded the minute we unwrap the product which itself will likely only last a year or two. The entire model hurts the environment.
Today what I ate was not only bad for me but it was horrible for the environment. I’m not going to sugar coat it and say I’m free of blame - because I’m not. I’m a tired and busy college kid who didn’t have the time to cook because even sleep is a luxury these days. I bought a sandwich and pasta on campus which both came in packaging which was then discarded. The soda I drank was horrible for me in so many ways. The coffee I had to keep me awake in class was grown on the other side of the world. For dinner I was in a rush so I got fast food - a hot dog and fries. Not only did I succeed in clogging my arteries and getting far too little nutrition, but I failed to embrace the fact that I live in a fertile area with a huge array of locally grown produce.
I live in an apartment complex that brags about the co-mingled trash and recycling which allows for fewer trips to pick up waste, thus using less gas and having a reduced carbon impact. We also have two flush settings on toilets, low flow shower heads, and refrigerators that beep if open for more than 15 seconds to remind you to close them. But I’m also living in an ugly box that doesn’t take advantage of the natural light that is common in Santa Barbara. The only living thing other than myself (and my roommate) in my apartment is a house plant that was purchased at a local store. This entire living situation is somewhat pathetic. I live in a naturally beautiful setting with lovely flora if I walk a few minutes to the beach or bike towards the hills. And yet as my housing complex heaps on the accolades and self-congratulatory praise encouraging new students to apply here - we’re planting non-native plants. Looking at the water situation in our area it’s clear that our University’s long range plan will have an increase in the number of students far beyond what the local aquifer will be able to support, and we’re already in a drought state that’s had huge fire problems in recent years.
While Nick covers some of these themes in other writings on his site (which I urge you to all follow) I think that the idea of bio mimicry needs to not only be considered by designers and engineers who create products, but by those who will consume the goods. A shift in thinking must occur in the audience for a producer to succeed given that we live in a very self-reflexive society.
In politics many leaders follow the polls and popular opinion rather than paving the way. Experts only speak about their fields, limiting the ability to have true collaboration where larger changes are needed. Workers only respond to orders thus not allowing the practical hands on knowledge to shape the management above them. Managers buy into the systems that allow for their profits without considering the cost to future generations. While I’m sure many are planning to point out that this isn’t always the case, as a general rule of thumb, the status quo has a great deal of momentum behind it; And my point based upon that generalization is that when a change of direction is needed, it takes more than a good idea to lead to action.
Now if I had the answers and could just tell all of you how to change the world - it would be a great conclusion to this post, but sadly we’ve got a lot more work to do than that! We need to redesign how we live! We need to figure out how to get the basics of food, water and shelter in a sustainable way that won’t hurt our local ecosystems and leave us in overly sterilized industrial box environments which fail to reflect the natural beauty of our planet. And for that to happen we can’t just wait for good designs to come to us, we have to seek out those ideas. We must invest in them. We need to create a market for sustainable goods, a niche for sustainability in our ideas and planning, and when sitting down in meetings we need to look not only to the monetary value, but the social and environmental values and costs of our actions. This begins with you and me. I’m currently in the red, but if you have any ideas - feel free to begin a dialog here! I’m listening.
Tuesday, 7 April 2009
Celebrate!
In one week two states have legalized same-sex Marriage!
Yay for Iowa and Vermont!
This brings our total to 4.
46 to go.
Yay for Iowa and Vermont!
This brings our total to 4.
46 to go.
Monday, 30 March 2009
My Manifesto.
I am going to fail.
I am also going to succeed.
The reason I know this is very simple - I take action.
I know I don’t know all the answers, and the best solutions are probably things I never would have thought to think of. There is so much information in the world and time is so scarce that there is no way I could possibly know everything about any one issue; and there are so many issues that even if I could know everything about one thing, I probably wouldn’t know which one to focus on.
Our entire generation is in the same spot though.
We’ve got so many problems to deal with and so many opportunities to seize.
Things that were once specialized fields have become easily accessible thanks to technology. Anyone with the will and a computer can make a poster, design a website, publish their own writing, compose music without playing an instrument, participate in global discussions, read foreign newspapers, blog to strangers around the globe, and more... Technology has made the tools easily accessible enough that anyone can try. So much to the point that if you’re up to date with consumer society you are a renaissance resource. Time magazine even named you the person of the year in 2006 for your amazing work. So congratulations my fellow citizens - we’re the most hyperactive procrastinators and producers the world has ever seen and our potential talent is only matched by our active apathy and indifference and our illogical attachment to old expectations. We need to get the highest GPAs to help us aquire BS BAs to pad our resumes in order to get a 401k, invest in IRAs, pay off the HMOs until we can R.I.P. with the freedom of the deceased. And while we’re busy conforming to the old mold and doing what we’re told there’s problems to address like global poverty, environmental catastrophes, unsustainable production, military facilitated destruction, human rights abuses, technology misuses, economic mismanagement and the lack of education helping us be unaware of the problems left off the list. We should be pissed off.
Our education system is pathetic. I didn’t know the names of the countries in Central Asia until my sophomore year of college when I specifically took a class to fix that problem. I’ll be the first to admit to my ignorance. I do not know the history of anywhere in Africa, Asia, South America or the rest of North America. And yet I posses a degree in History and an Indian identity. And a quick look at what I was wearing today informs me that my underwear was made in Honduras, my bra in Central African Republic, my jeans in China, my sweatshirt in Turkey and a tee-shirt from Pakistan. This is not an exaggeration. All of my clothing today has come from places I’ve never been.
My education regarding our American system of government was only one semester of my senior year, in which every Friday we spent watching movies. Napoleon Dynamite is the thing I remember best from that class - and I never once cut. I remember reading the Greatest Generation and being pissed off at the book because he argues that the generation which grew up during the depression and then fought WWII was the greatest generation any society has produced - and all I could think about was people of the same generation also built crematoriums and designed the holocaust. A generation is defined by time - not location, and because he applauds only a select group he makes himself blind to the issues of the time that forced those people to stand. When citizens see a future of death, destruction, and a lack of freedoms for the living, standing up shouldn’t be extraordinary. Standing up should be normal. And the fact that this is not normal, means our call to action is needed more than ever. 50 years from now I hope our generation doesn’t get false accolades for simply doing what we should, because if we do it means the culture of active citizenship has only been a phase not a lasting social evolution.
If I stand up for civil rights, environmental reform, sound fiscal policies, antiwar efforts, new methods of diplomacy, investment in the arts, open dialogs and human dignity - that should not make me an activist That should make me normal. Our generation normally multi-tasks. We don’t second guess the ability of the average man to text while driving, sing while showering, do work while watching TV, twitter while working and use every application on an iPhone - we’re obviously capable of doing more than one thing at once. And we need to There are over 2.5 billion people on our planet who live without basic sanitation. Climate Change is a global problem and yet the commitment average citizens are asked to make is turning off their lights for an hour. Really? Is that all we need to do?
How is it our generation with all the renaissance talents, tools to communicate, abilities and passions - has failed thus far to cultivate a civic society that utilizes these talents to better itself? We have all the skills to do so, we have the time to do so, but we don’t have the WILL to do so. Somehow our generation has the time to play on their Wiis enough to cause "Wiiitis" an acute version of tennis elbow, and yet we can’t seem to afford time to think about things as basic as our food and where it comes from? There is a “Paradox of Choice” that our generation is confronted with: We have the power to act, the information to act upon, the tools to be heard, and crippling anxiety about the number of issues we must address.
Maybe these issues are too big for one person to affect and as a result students despair and assume they can’t cause change. - but even on a local level there’s so much work to be done On the same issues too. Education reform, for instance. Why? Because I know the school system I’m a part of is focused more on assigning a letter to my ability to present regurgitated information than on aiding me in making new connections. Since September there have been at least three hate crimes in Isla Vista. There are environmental problems and oil developments. Housing prices are ridiculous. University workers aren’t making a living wage. The majority of women have experienced harassment; racism and homophobia are no strangers to our community even though 84% of students voted no on 8. We might look progressive at times but we’ve got a lot to do.
When confronted with the paradox of choice, we must not chose inaction. Although it seems like an easy way to avoid the problem, what inaction leads to is the problems continuing uninterrupted. It would be like buying a home and not doing maintenance for fear of breaking something - you might cause a problem if you act, but give it enough time and the gutters will clog, your roof will leak and you’ll be forced to act to address worse circumstances and pay a higher price. A civil society is not something that can passively exist, it requires active citizenship, and apathy is the greatest danger our generation could possibly face.
So I will stand.
And I will to try to do my part.
And as I stand and plan to take action I know that sometimes I will fail. Sometimes my best won’t be enough. Sometimes I will be tired and frustrated and angry at the things too big for me to change. And that’s okay. Because the alternative to sometimes failing is never trying. And given the stakes, that is an option our generation can’t afford to take. Because like it or not we live in a democracy and a government that is “of the people, by the people, for the people” will be made up of people like you and people like me. And given that we live in a democracy it is unacceptable that we sit by idly. I will stand. Will you join me?
I am also going to succeed.
The reason I know this is very simple - I take action.
I know I don’t know all the answers, and the best solutions are probably things I never would have thought to think of. There is so much information in the world and time is so scarce that there is no way I could possibly know everything about any one issue; and there are so many issues that even if I could know everything about one thing, I probably wouldn’t know which one to focus on.
Our entire generation is in the same spot though.
We’ve got so many problems to deal with and so many opportunities to seize.
Things that were once specialized fields have become easily accessible thanks to technology. Anyone with the will and a computer can make a poster, design a website, publish their own writing, compose music without playing an instrument, participate in global discussions, read foreign newspapers, blog to strangers around the globe, and more... Technology has made the tools easily accessible enough that anyone can try. So much to the point that if you’re up to date with consumer society you are a renaissance resource. Time magazine even named you the person of the year in 2006 for your amazing work. So congratulations my fellow citizens - we’re the most hyperactive procrastinators and producers the world has ever seen and our potential talent is only matched by our active apathy and indifference and our illogical attachment to old expectations. We need to get the highest GPAs to help us aquire BS BAs to pad our resumes in order to get a 401k, invest in IRAs, pay off the HMOs until we can R.I.P. with the freedom of the deceased. And while we’re busy conforming to the old mold and doing what we’re told there’s problems to address like global poverty, environmental catastrophes, unsustainable production, military facilitated destruction, human rights abuses, technology misuses, economic mismanagement and the lack of education helping us be unaware of the problems left off the list. We should be pissed off.
Our education system is pathetic. I didn’t know the names of the countries in Central Asia until my sophomore year of college when I specifically took a class to fix that problem. I’ll be the first to admit to my ignorance. I do not know the history of anywhere in Africa, Asia, South America or the rest of North America. And yet I posses a degree in History and an Indian identity. And a quick look at what I was wearing today informs me that my underwear was made in Honduras, my bra in Central African Republic, my jeans in China, my sweatshirt in Turkey and a tee-shirt from Pakistan. This is not an exaggeration. All of my clothing today has come from places I’ve never been.
My education regarding our American system of government was only one semester of my senior year, in which every Friday we spent watching movies. Napoleon Dynamite is the thing I remember best from that class - and I never once cut. I remember reading the Greatest Generation and being pissed off at the book because he argues that the generation which grew up during the depression and then fought WWII was the greatest generation any society has produced - and all I could think about was people of the same generation also built crematoriums and designed the holocaust. A generation is defined by time - not location, and because he applauds only a select group he makes himself blind to the issues of the time that forced those people to stand. When citizens see a future of death, destruction, and a lack of freedoms for the living, standing up shouldn’t be extraordinary. Standing up should be normal. And the fact that this is not normal, means our call to action is needed more than ever. 50 years from now I hope our generation doesn’t get false accolades for simply doing what we should, because if we do it means the culture of active citizenship has only been a phase not a lasting social evolution.
If I stand up for civil rights, environmental reform, sound fiscal policies, antiwar efforts, new methods of diplomacy, investment in the arts, open dialogs and human dignity - that should not make me an activist That should make me normal. Our generation normally multi-tasks. We don’t second guess the ability of the average man to text while driving, sing while showering, do work while watching TV, twitter while working and use every application on an iPhone - we’re obviously capable of doing more than one thing at once. And we need to There are over 2.5 billion people on our planet who live without basic sanitation. Climate Change is a global problem and yet the commitment average citizens are asked to make is turning off their lights for an hour. Really? Is that all we need to do?
How is it our generation with all the renaissance talents, tools to communicate, abilities and passions - has failed thus far to cultivate a civic society that utilizes these talents to better itself? We have all the skills to do so, we have the time to do so, but we don’t have the WILL to do so. Somehow our generation has the time to play on their Wiis enough to cause "Wiiitis" an acute version of tennis elbow, and yet we can’t seem to afford time to think about things as basic as our food and where it comes from? There is a “Paradox of Choice” that our generation is confronted with: We have the power to act, the information to act upon, the tools to be heard, and crippling anxiety about the number of issues we must address.
Maybe these issues are too big for one person to affect and as a result students despair and assume they can’t cause change. - but even on a local level there’s so much work to be done On the same issues too. Education reform, for instance. Why? Because I know the school system I’m a part of is focused more on assigning a letter to my ability to present regurgitated information than on aiding me in making new connections. Since September there have been at least three hate crimes in Isla Vista. There are environmental problems and oil developments. Housing prices are ridiculous. University workers aren’t making a living wage. The majority of women have experienced harassment; racism and homophobia are no strangers to our community even though 84% of students voted no on 8. We might look progressive at times but we’ve got a lot to do.
When confronted with the paradox of choice, we must not chose inaction. Although it seems like an easy way to avoid the problem, what inaction leads to is the problems continuing uninterrupted. It would be like buying a home and not doing maintenance for fear of breaking something - you might cause a problem if you act, but give it enough time and the gutters will clog, your roof will leak and you’ll be forced to act to address worse circumstances and pay a higher price. A civil society is not something that can passively exist, it requires active citizenship, and apathy is the greatest danger our generation could possibly face.
So I will stand.
And I will to try to do my part.
And as I stand and plan to take action I know that sometimes I will fail. Sometimes my best won’t be enough. Sometimes I will be tired and frustrated and angry at the things too big for me to change. And that’s okay. Because the alternative to sometimes failing is never trying. And given the stakes, that is an option our generation can’t afford to take. Because like it or not we live in a democracy and a government that is “of the people, by the people, for the people” will be made up of people like you and people like me. And given that we live in a democracy it is unacceptable that we sit by idly. I will stand. Will you join me?
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