John Legend/The Roots/Common/Melanie Fiona – “Wake Up Everybody”
Monthly Archives: August 2010
Where is everybody?
More often than not, I go into shops and I find I’m serving myself. Well, assisted by robo-till (as per above).
Not even elongated lunchtime queues are enough to persuade the majority of customers to skip Jason – who’s face illustrates that he could possibly be doing the most soul destroying shift on earth, but – who’s now free at till 8!
There will forever be a human desire for mortal contact and service.
I get why they’ve been introduced; keeps the cost of man power down doesn’t it.
But tell me this, have the fat cats creaming off the additional profit considered; once everything becomes computerised (because it will) and we are soon served in shops by hologrammed assistants, we’re steadily going to reduce man’s employability? Hence eliminating one’s personal income and in turn that will mean no one will have any money to spend and pay for their goods via robo-till.
What then?
i-Robot?
I will say no more.
Wyclef Jean for President?
From ‘Fugee to Presidential status, has Wyclef Jean really got what it takes to become Haiti’s next President?
Throughout a remarkable Hip Hop career, as one third of one of the best loved Hip Hop bands, the ‘Fugees, Jean has always spoken of his love for the country of his birth.
In the aftermath of the tragic earthquake that struck earlier this year, Jean flew to Haiti equipped with aid and was seen with his wife working relentlessly to help those injured. This was no press opp’; Jean’s passion and emotions were laid bare for all to see as he and his wife also assisted in carrying dead bodies as part of the relief effort.
Many have criticised that he’s not got the essential political experience needed to manage and lead forward the world’s poorest country, which in its 206 year history of independence has been riddled with coup de’tats, natural disaster and a severe series of bad luck.
But Jean isn’t the first to shun the entertainment stage to enter the arena of politics; Ronald Reagan and Arnold ‘I’ll be back’ Schwarznegger are just two names who’ve gone before him. Lucky for them Arnie and Ronald both took office in stable, dare I say respected (depending on how you define it) political systems.
But what nobody can challenge is the heart and passion he has for Haiti. Perhaps that’s what we should measure in political leaders? Not the spin. Not the buzz words or the diplomatic resume. In declaring his campaign, he teaches if you believe in something enough don’t just talk about it, be about it!
I wish him every luck in his ambitions; his non-jaded/non-corrupted political status could serve he and the people of Haiti well in their aspirations to build a better future. A part of me does wonder if he might yield better results by working in a Goodwill Ambassador capacity?
This next point might seem significantly trivial, but if he does become President, does that mean we no longer get to see him perform on stage? Anyone that’s been to a ‘Fugees or Wyclef Jean concert knows that he gives an amazing show! I would be selfishly sad to miss that:
Gives you a warm fuzzy feeling…
I think I’m in love…
With Janelle Monae’s Cold War
Naomi at The Hague
Asked why she hadn’t wanted to appear in Court, she replied,
“This is a big inconvenience for me. “I really don’t want anything to do with this, and I care about the protection of my family.
“This is someone [Charles Taylor] that I read on the internet has killed thousands of people, supposedly, and I don’t want my family in any danger in any way.”
Naomi, I completely respect that this can’t be a pleasant experience for you and given that the incident occurred 13 years ago, your memory may be a little sketchy. However I’m sure Liberia’s civil war is of equal, if not more, inconvenience to its civilians, many of whom, like Lovetta Conto have had their lives thrown into disarray and are still battling with the consequences.
But hey it’s someone else’s civil war, someone else’s problem. Right?
WRONG!
GiveMeTap
Seriously, there must be something in the water. 2010 has been an amazing year for friends and friends of friends fulfilling creative and inspirational ideas.
The latest is GiveMeTap; brainchild of Edwin Broni-Mensah (brother of Shoobs.com founder, Louise!)
So what is GiveMeTap? Well, do you remember back in the day when you felt a cloud of shame in asking for tap water at a restuarant? That’s now okay. But we all know that buying water in plastic bottles whilst on the go isn’t. Aside from the continuous cost, there’s the massive global problem of the non-biodegradable plastic that’s used in packaging. GiveMeTap allows people to purchase re-usable aluminium bottles and ask for tap water at any cafe or eaterie that displays itself as a provider. You know, in the same way that you can look in a shop window and see that the establishment accepts Visa or Mastercard.
I think what I love most about this scheme is the fact that 70% of profits will fund water aid in Africa. How brilliant is that! Access to clean water is a universal basic human right. GiveMeTap is a great opportunity for all of us to help make it happen.
The scheme has kicked off in Manchester and is slowly making its way around the country. I’m sure it’s going to be massive, keep your eyes peeled and remember where you heard about it first!
For more info visit GiveMeTap
