Category: Society

  • Our Center of the Universe

    Our Center of the Universe

    I recall watching Star Trek : The Voyage Home and thinking it was cool detail that it was set in San Francisco. That of all places in the Galaxy and Universe, Star Fleet Headquarters is based in the City by the Bay.

    What really made San Francisco special, Bernardi says, was its progressivism and diversity. Roddenberry was a liberal humanist, and San Francisco, out of all American cities in the 1960s, best captured the issues Roddenberry wanted to delve into in the show. It was a hub for the civil rights and anti-war movements, says Bernardi, who has studied Roddenberry’s papers, which are collected at UCLA.

    SFGate.com, Victoria Sepulveda, ‘Why ‘Star Trek’ made San Francisco the center of the universe’
  • Reimagine Cities

    Reimagine Cities

    Much has been written with much hand-wringing over the vacancies in office buildings due to people working remotely. Without a doubt it has had a devastating effect on downtown economies. I’ve seen first hand how small businesses like restaurants and shops have closed. There simply is not enough people and foot traffic daily in those downtown areas to keep the businesses alive.

    Wide angle view of the city of Emeryville California focusing on a high rise building
    Emeryville, California

    But is not the end of the city. The city is simply changing into something different. And that means people have to change their preconceived notions about what a city is and how it operates.

    For over a century we have built cities and infrastructure around the premise that people must travel to the work. But modern technologies today enable the work to travel to the people. The later is not only more efficient and reduces costs. But it also allows people to work in ways that aren’t possible in person.

    “We need housing,” Desai told the Business Times. “I hope it happens, because it will show a different way of doing things. I mean, the city is all behind it. Now is really for the developers to make a deal.”

    More importantly, this sea change has the potential to reduce one of California’s most vexing problems. Housing. The NIMYBY (not in my backyard) folks have been one of the main factors driving the housing crisis. No one wants new high density housing (apartments and condos) built near their neighborhood.

    The conversion of high rise commercial buildings into real estate side-steps that problem completely. Typically the buildings have adequate parking, are located near public transportation, and have a range of small restaurants and shops around them.

    By all accounts, this is a win-win for cities, residents, and developers. But it means change. And it means the downtown and commercial areas will radically change for a century or more.

  • How much do Influencers make?

    “The average influencer earns $2,970 per month according to HypeAuditor‘s ‘Influencer Income Survey’ – but that’s only once you get through the ‘micro influencer’ (10,000 followers) stage.

    Those trying to build up their followings can expect to earn around $1,420 per month – though some seem to bypass”

    $40k a post within three months of fame: Welcome to the world of the influencer

  • Moving Chains

    Moving Chains

    Stunning piece of kinetic art installation on display in New York in view of the Statue of Liberty.

    Moving Chains by Charles Gaines

    Moving Chains is on display through June of 2023. When stationary I expect it will be a powerful piece of art. When moving I expect it will be deeply disconcerting and emotional; which is good.

    The juxtaposition of Moving Chains in view of the Statue Liberty only increases its gravity.

  • Immigrants Start Businesses

    Immigrants Start Businesses

  • Birds Aren’t Real

    Birds Aren’t Real

    www.washingtonpost.com/education/2021/12/16/birds-arent-real-misinformation/

    “It’s about holding up a mirror to America in the Internet age,” the movement’s 23-year-old founder, Peter McIndoe, told the New York Times in a Dec. 9 profile. And though he’s publicly remained in character since starting Birds Aren’t Real in 2017, McIndoe says it’s now time to own the hoax and begin working to fight conspiracism in earnest.