A toy is a toy and this one really is, but a Porsche is not a toy!
Design is an art, whether for cars, homes, fashion, and more.
Those that get design right make things not only functional, but incredibly beautiful.
And when function and design come together in perfect harmony that is no toy! 😉
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
This was one of the most interesting facts that I learned recently.
Dolphins needs to come up to the surface to get air to breathe.
But how do they do this when they sleep?
The answer is that only part of their brain sleeps at a time, so that they can continue to rise to the surface for air 24/7.
Part of their brain sleeps while the other part stays awake.
I think that this truly happens with people too.
If you have ever been overtired, your brain still needs to sleep.
At some point, you can literally feel part of your brain go to sleep even as the rest is awake to do what it needs to do (even at suboptimal functioning).
This is beyond fascinating how G-d created us to adapt and survive. 😉
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Life is not meant to be chaos (or partially that is).
That’s why G-d created a natural order and rules of nature.
From the laws of physics to repeatable mathematical formulations, the universe may be infinitely large and complex, but it is not without standards of function.
According to the Law of Causality, the world is a pattern of action and reaction (or effect), where everything is a consequence of something prior.
Even in Chaos Theory, we find that in apparent randomness, there are underlying patterns.
Absent a miracle, the sun rises every morning and sets every evening.
Yet, nature and man can also bring catastrophe whereby the world seems like one big chaotic mess.
Whether from illness, natural disaster, or conflict, our world, can in a moment be turned on it’s head.
Moreover, it’s all predictably unpredictable.
And it’s up to us to make Order Out Of Chaos (OOOC).
This is where many of us either sink or swim.
When the chips are down, and all the world seems to be imploding with dysfunction, this is where we need to find and make sense and order.
Bad things happen even to good people.
Good people need to find the faith and the strength, and with G-d’s help, rise to the challenge.
Easier said than done, for sure.
In the chaos of things, time may stop and everything becomes a blur.
We may become like a deer in the headlights–frozen with panic and truly not knowing what to do.
But if we can just find which way is up.
Then we can redirect ourselves–rising from the depths of despair to the surface, where the sun is shining and we can gasp a breath again.
Even around our dysfunction is function to be had.
Solve a problem, do something constructive, and help others…it’s all part of making order out of chaos. 😉
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
There is a place for border walls.
Walls are not bad.
And neither are all people.
But some people are bad.
And we have the right to be protected from them.
Walls help to manage the flow.
Not everyone can just go whatever, whenever, wherever.
Surely, some people need to move to and fro.
But we must decide who and when and where.
Walls define spaces and ownership.
Not every place and thing is everyone’s.
People have property rights as do sovereign nations.
Not everything is strictly defined.
There is the commons that we share.
But also there is a mine and a yours.
That’s how economics functions and how people give and take.
Walls help separate and secure.
Bridges help connect and transport.
They are not mutually exclusive.
I’ve never seen a house, company, organization, or government without walls.
And neither have you. 😉
(Credit Photo: Michelle Blumenthal)
Just a saying from Dr. Ferry Porsche (as in Porsche cars) that I liked:
“It has always been a principal of our company that function and beauty are inseparable.”
If you can make something useful and attractive–you have a real winner!
Companies like Porsche and Apple get it (many, many others are clueless).
Product development is both art and science and therein lay the foundations of their success or failure. 😉
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Just wanted to share this really beautiful yellow and flowered teapot.
Love all the shapes–the pyramid base, the curly spout, the circular handle, and the little round ball at the top.
Like most nice things, it’s too beautiful to actually use.
(Almost like a million outfits in my closet that I never wear, because I don’t want to mess them up…)
This is where design trumps functions–and I would rather look at this and enjoy it as art more than drinking another cup of tea! 😉
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Wow, I fell in love with this Porsche 718 Cayman.
Blue like the sky and ocean in Miami.
I got my eye on this one!
Now if only my wife would see the wisdom in why I absolutely need this!
Anyway, I can enjoy the photo and dream for now. 😉
(Source Photo: Dannielle Blumenthal)
What’s the fascination with the mythical cyclops and the single eye in the center of the forehead?
If the eye represents seeing and knowing then aren’t we better off with two or even a dozen eyes to see with?
See more, know more, do more.
How about eyes in the back of the head?
Or all around the head in a cool circle–like a majestic crown of sight all around you.
Seeing is miraculous.
The beauty of the world–people, nature, and the stars above.
Seeing is function.
Being able to navigate, get around, and do things with relative ease.
Seeing is safety.
Sensing path from obstacle and friend from foe.
It’s frightening to think of not having vision–what a challenge!
One old lady is possibly legally blind, but still serves as a notary public–how does she do that?
Eyes themselves are beautiful–brown and blue and hazel, and soft and deep and mesmerizing.
Looking into someone’s eyes, have you ever seen their soul.
Show me thy ways oh L-rd and let me learn and grow in the world you’ve created for us–seeing the material and spiritual world we’re enveloped in.
I see the beauty, necessity, and lessons you have for me.
However many eyes, seeing is believing in it all. 😉
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Interesting…Bloomberg Businessweek ran a special anniversary issue with a countdown of the 85 most disruptive ideas (in the last 85 years), and guess where they think the smartphone fell in that?
#78!!!
Right up there with the white board (#82) and good ‘ol high frequency trading (#80).
But not as important as get this…the corporate campus (#77), the VCR (#74), Kitty Litter (#73), Singapore, literally–{Uh, and how about Israel?} (#71), bottled water (#56), High-fructose corn syrup (#48), Air Jordan sneakers (#45), Napster (#43), and junk bonds (#7).
They ranked the smartphone so low in disruption, even after giving it a two-page spread with no less than 32 “things the smartphone killed” and they probably missed a few hundred!
There is no need to list everything the smartphone does for you, because you use these functions every moment of every day.
To most people now, the smartphone is one of their most prized possessions and they don’t go anywhere without it and rarely do you see anyone not “on it.” (Uh, I know more than a few people who even dropped them in the toilet!)
Honestly, Businessweek…I think you missed the significance of the smartphone big time.
Yeah maybe Starbucks (#68) and the Pill (#9) are competitors, but not as important or disruptive as Kitty Litter…shame on you! 😉
(Source Photo: here with attribution to Lonely Bob)
So this is what a new hip looks like.
Well almost, anyway–this is a small-scale model of one.
About 300,000 people per year benefit from this procedure in the U.S.
Thank G-d for such medical advances.
I don’t know what people did in earlier times having to live with the pain and loss of function and mobility before they had this available.
My father always told me that the doctors are G-d’s messengers and they only know and can do what G-d tells and enables them to do.
In that sense, a good doctor is really an angel of G-d’s mercy.
It’s amazing and miraculous! 😉
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
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