The Happy Burro

The inimitable Mr. Gavin at Servant of Chaos posted about a tip from a friend, Sharon Sarmiento, who posted about a writing contest from Problogger Darren Rowse. So a tip o’ the hat to all in providing the opportunity!

TOP FIVE WAYS TO AVOID E.Coli

1. Cook the hell out of it (finish your projects)
2. Shop at your local co-op (know your vendors)
3. Buy organic (quality over quantity, most every time)
4. When you go to restaurants, just drink (moderation in presentation)
5. Eat dark chocolate (try ideas that don’t necessarily ‘make sense’ all the time)

Of course, since this IS a bit of a serious business blog, the Top 5 are good for food and work. Full disclosure – since employing this Top 5 list, I have not contracted E.Coli at work or while eating. How’s THAT for empirical evidence!

Joe Raasch :: May.10.2007 :: Innovation :: 28 Comments »

“It doesn’t cost more to create beauty and harmony than it does to build ugly stuff.”

I read these words in Valeria Maltoni’s Conversation Agent blogpost about Design of Greatness.

Why do so many people spend their hard-earned dollars on ugly stuff?  Walmart world, commodity price over beauty?  Function over form?

Given a choice, wouldn’t most of us opt for something beautifully designed v. ugly? 

We all don’t have the option to get suits from Milan, chocolate from Switzerland, scarves from Paris, or beef from Japan. Sometimes it is a sale at Brooks Brothers, a Snickers bar, a hand-knit scarf from ‘that aunt’, and a McDonald’s hamburger. 

Design doesn’t mean expensive

Target is cashing in on this. Chic design for the masses. Kuhlman has great shirts (well, the buttons are an issue, but that’s on me.)

Yet Walmart has millions of apparently satisfied customers.  Many new suburban developments are testaments to beige and plastic siding. 

Why do you think design is secondary, especially when price is not a factor?

Joe Raasch :: May.10.2007 :: Innovation :: 4 Comments »