“The Drone Aviary reveals fleeting glimpses of the city from the perspective of drones. It explores a world where the ‘network’ begins to gain physical autonomy. Drones become protagonists, moving through the city, making decisions about the world and influencing our lives in often opaque yet profound ways.”
environment & politics
Adam Curtis on Last Year’s News
A brilliant look at the hidden narratives behind the chaos of last year’s news, which was part of Charlie Brooker’s 2014 Wipe. I intended to post this earlier in the month, but I wasn’t sure how long it would be left up on YouTube. It’s still there. I really cannot wait to see Curtis’ new documentary series soon, which will be only available on iPlayer (giving him more creative freedom).
“ Post-democracy refers to our neutron-bomb politics, in which the old structures, such as elections and parliaments, remain standing, but are uninhabited by political power. Power has shifted to other forums, unamenable to public challenge ”
- George Monbiot in the Guardian -Blackout City
A fine film that strips London of its light pollution, and show you what you’d probably be able to see instead. Beautiful stuff.
Who We Are
“It’s time we stop apologizing for how we get our protein. This is who we are. Unless you’re a small time rancher, small time farmer, a hunter or fishermen… you really have no idea where your food comes from. Most people don’t even think about it. Well, we think about it.”
I’m sure some might see the controversy in this, and hunting for food in general, but there’s a lot of sense in that statement. These people are getting some of the most ecologically sustainable forms of protein, from animals that have lived healthy, free lives. Food for thought…
Disruption
It’s a long film and, ultimately, contains many concepts you’ve probably heard before. But this is put together very well and deserves watching.
Sea Chair
“Since the discovery of the Pacific Garbage Patch in 1997, which is predicted to measure twice the size of Texas, five more have been found across the world’s oceans with the Atlantic gyre predicted to be even larger. This plastic takes thousands of years to degrade, remaining in the environment to be broken up into ever smaller fragments by ocean currents.”
Read more on Vimeo.
John Oliver on Net Neutrality
Every minute of this rant on cable companies and net neutrality is brilliant. And the end result was pretty effective.
A Gallery of Wind Farms
There’s a gallery of these over at the Guardian. Though just about all forms of energy generation are controversial to some section of the population, I reckon wind turbines are among the most beautiful. There’s a weird, hypnotic grace to their movements – and, besides, I’d far rather live next to one of these than a coal mine.