This is funny. Some of it is right on. Some of it is off. Regardless, The Hundreds have managed to sum up American living with this entertaining visual. Some of my personal favorites: from stupidity, to ignorance, to education. And from luxury to value to quality. Pharrell said it best, “It’s a new year. Everything is gonna change.”
It’s interesting. It appears to me as if our perception of reality is becoming shattered more and more each day. This image is so poignant to me because it contrasts so greatly from this. But, they’re of the same person. Yet portraying such different realities. Or “realities” perhaps. In a way our world is crumbling before our eyes. As time goes on I think we will be astonished by what we have believed to be true. With Tiger, I think we can find a good in it. Although infidelity is not championed on the Bowties, being human is. I think when it comes down to it, humans fuck up a lot. But we want to make it seem like we’re always doin hella good. I can’t remember someone floppin themselves as hard as Tiger has in recent memory. But hopefully now we can appreciate our own wins and losses.
“OKAY YOU’VE CONVINCED ME. NOW GO OUT AND BRING PRESSURE ON ME.”
- Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 1932
The supposed father of community organizing–Saul Alinsky–believed that it was the social millieu that fostered delinquency in the nature vs nurture debate. Indeed, Alinsky believed that the environment in which we live holds more influence on our behavior than any natural inclination toward delinquent behavior. Organizing, in essence, is an effort for marginalized communities to fight for an environment where they have the opportunity to thrive; free from the delinquency that lingers in poor communities of color.
Here at Wine & Bowties we like to share our thoughts on the peculiar and extra ordinary. And what we have here today falls neatly into the peculiar category. Actually, peculiar as fuck. On some, “Damn I didn’t even know they got down like this,” hype. Twill understands this especially well. Known as the Capsule Hotel Shinjuku 510, this Japanese “hotel” offers patrons tiny plastic capsules to sleep in that measure no more than 6.5 feet long, and 5 feet wide. For about $640 a month, visitors can inhabit one of these spaces for a price that is more affordable than a regular months rent in Tokyo. Peculiar? Yes. Efficient? Definitely. Hit the MORE to learn more about how Japan is saving money by saving space.
Some food for thought for the New Year. It’s crazy. For some folks money is everything, for other’s it means nothing. I think those that know how to comfortably manage it are doing the best. The video featured above is a cautionary tale to those who put their money (and trust) in large corporate banks. Are community banks the 2010? Perhaps. It’s up to you to decide.
Did anybody go harder in the ’00s than Steve? For our generation, the innovations Apple made possible in the past decade redefined the way we entertain ourselves. Once again this year, Steve took home his annual $1 salary from Apple, as well as $40,000 to reimburse him for work-related travel. It’s been said that the $1 figure doesn’t mean much, since Jobs indeed still holds over $1.1 billion in Apple shares, but at the very least, the symbolism is worth mentioning. To my mind, it seems like strictly holding equity is a model for how good business should be conducted. No salary, no bonuses, no bullshit. The company’s success is his success because he’s invested in it. Full story below.
When you’re faded and you need to relieve yourself there is nothing more important than that quintessential tinkle. I’ve seen people stooping to unimaginable new lows to get a better spot in the bathroom line: Tappin’ people on their right shoulder then slippin’ round the left, passing gas, sneezing on people’s neck… just to name a few. But the question is: is it really that serious to do your business in the bathroom? At least for men, we can rest easy knowing that any patch of pavement is a plausible place for a piss, but in a capitalistic country, is anything ever truly free?
Looks like Google is looking to take over one more area of free internet service. Techcrunch reported yesterday that the search giant is deep in negotiations to buy Yelp, with a reported asking price of half a billi. The deal has yet to be finalized, but with revenue of $30 million last year, everyone’s favorite user-review site would be a welcome addition to Google’s already wide selection of useful things. A few things struck me about this. For one, give Google some credit. In the midst of economic turmoil, they’re ballin outta control, making major moves left and right. And I’ve never been charged a cent for the service they provide. As far as Yelp goes, you can’t help but be impressed. For a site that started in 2004, $500 million isn’t too shabby. Hit MORE for the story.
One of the major changes Barack brought to the White House was a firm stance on controlling climate change and reducing carbon emissions nationwide. Which is a good thing. Unfortunately, the proposed system of cap and trade has its critics, and with good reason. The notion that a market-based approach like the one on the table, is the solution to our ecological woes just doesn’t seem plausible. I’m not an expert on the subject, but Annie Leonard is. The Story of Cap & Trade is a simple and informative video that breaks down exactly what cap and trade means, offering other possible solutions to the looming problem of climate change.
Yesterday, L.A.’s City Council voted to limit the number of medical marijuana dispensaries in Los Angeles to 137, with a target goal of 70. The number is a drastic drop from the figure of over 1,000 currently operating in the county. Additionally, dispensaries will not be allowed to operate within 1,000 feet of schools, parks, libraries or residences. Why local government is focusing on shit like this in a time of economic distress is just confusing. The numbers would certainly seem to suggest that cannabis clubs are one of the few avenues where small business is still flourishing. What does this mean for the business owners who opened their shops legally, or the employees who make a living working there? The vote goes down today. Hopefully the L.A. Times will help us make sense of it all.
I don’t think anyone could have predicted the degree to which technology would play a role in our everyday lives. Not that I’m telling you anything you don’t already know, but the way information and commerce travel has been completely transformed in the last decade or so. Now it looks like money management is the next field to undergo a major change. Jack Dorsey, the mind behind everybody’s favorite 140-character medium will introduce the Square, a gadget that allows anyone to become an online merchant simply by using their cellphone. For a much better explanation, hit the MORE and let the LA Times Mark Milian put you up.
Often times, when I look into the stars it helps me deal with the trivial shit going on in the day to day. To keep it real, looking at the stars is damn near therapuetic. When I look into the stars I realize that nothing really matters. Unless it does… In my humble, there is no way we “humans” are the only living beings out here. There’s just no way. Let me drop some knowledge: According to Rebecca Sato of the Daily Galaxy there are an estimated 250 billion stars in the Milky Way alone. And 70 sextillion (7 x 10²² ) in the visible universe. Please take a moment to consider these statistics. Meanwhile, our 4.5 billion-year old Solar System exists in a universe that is estimated to be between 13.5 and 14 billion years old. Experts believe that there could be advanced civilizations out there that have existed for 1.8 gigayears. FYI, one gigayear = one billion years. Hit the MORE for more reasons why it simply can’t just be us out here.
Recently I had the opportunity to speak with Leo and Oliver Kremer of Dos Toros Taqueria. The definition of entrepreneurs, the Bay Area brothers set out to create a one of a kind Mexican restaurant modeled after their hometown favorite, Gordos. Applying the successful elements of Gordos while adding their own unique taste and vibe, the duo have recently opened their own taqueria in the heart of New York City. To the awe and amazement of friends and family around them, the brothers have provided the people of New York with an authentic taste of home, serving fine Mexican cuisine to their appreciative patrons each day. Speaking with the brothers, we discussed the various elements of their business. Highlighting the difficulties of the process, how they went about selecting their menu and their inspiration for such a pursuit. A lesson in true entrepreneurship, the brothers are set to redefine New York Mexican cuisine, one burrito at a time. Read on to learn more about the creation of Dos Toros Taqueria.
Never have so few companies controlled so much of the music played on the radio and for sale at retail stores. At the same time, there are more bands and more ways to discover their music than ever. Music seems to have split in two – the homogenous corporate product that is spoonfed to consumers and the diverse independent music that finds devoted fans online and at clubs across the country.
This one’s for the music fans. An important film to say the very least. If you’ve ever wondered why you always hear the same shit on the radio, this film will answer your questions. Exploring the development and progress of American music, filmmaker Andrew Shapter unveils the realities that currently plague the record industry and American music at large. Featuring interviews with artists from the likes of Erykah Badu to Elvis Costello, the documentary provides viewers with an accurate portrayal of where the music business has been, where it’s at, and where it’s going. Whether you’re an artist, a producer, a businessman or a fan, you need to full screen this shit and just let it rock. Trust me.
Looks like there really is some truth to the assertion that vinyl is making a long-overdue comeback. The latest reports from SoundScan indicate that about 1.4 million records were sold last year, up from 800,000 a year before. Unfortunately that’s less than half of what Taylor Swift’s albums sold. Baby steps though. In any case, I think it speaks to a generation of music listeners who take more than just a casual interest in the music they listen to. For the record (yeah, I know), vinyl will forever be tighter than CD’s and MP3′s. It sounds better, looks cool, and it doesn’t end in a file extension. Not to mention there’s a gang of incredible shit that never made it to digital reissue. Just saying. Full story from Variety after the MORE.
