Non-Functional Thoughts

I came across this website of random absurdities, some of which are very interesting & clever:

Non-Functional Thoughts

This also reminded me of one of my all-time favorite SNL segments, Deep Thoughts, by Jack Handy.

Sistine Chapel Turns 500 Years Old

One of the great works of the Renaissance, the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, had its 500th birthday.

CNN: 

Sistine Chapel ceiling turns 500 years old

Michelangelo was famed as a sculptor, but Pope Julius commissioned him to paint the famous frescoes in the 16th century.

He rejected the scheme intended for the design of the painting & instead made the Vatican accept his grand vision for the composition. It's one of the most well-known works of art in the world, with good reason.

I came across this beautiful virtual reconstruction of the chapel, from the Vatican's website:

Virtual Sistine Chapel

George Lucas Succumbs to the Dark Side (or Retirement)

The Monkey Buddha Archives

Star Wars 

Star Wars: A New Hope came out right around the year I was born.

Some of my earliest memories as a kid were Star Wars related.
I remember watching The Empire Strikes Back at my grandmom's for the 1st time, on a small black & white TV with a grainy picture. When the Wampa snow monster comes out of nowhere & it pounces on Luke, it scared the crap out of me.

 Between me & my brothers, we had tons of Star Wars toys. Even though we accumulated a massive collection of other toy lines, too, vintage SW toys are the only ones I'd bother to keep. What's crazy to me is that my young nephews & cousins kids are all into it now. At my parents house there's a bin full of (non-vintage) figures they play with all the time, from when we were young. It's continuing to stay relevant, inspiring a whole new generation of kids.

As I've gotten older, I've also grown to appreciate the Star Wars films as technical achievements, & also being a modern mythological saga. There are layers of meaning and cultural allusions that are like an almanac of archetypes & metaphors from the span of human history, including our future history!

I never shied away from my admiration of the movies & have always been a true fan. However, like everything else in the world, they have flaws, some of which are really major. I've been an unforgiving critic of George Lucas's decisions on plenty of aspects of the films' production.

For the record, the 2 biggest travesties in the series (for now) are the following-

• The Prequels: 

At the end of Episode III, when Vader has his Frankenstein moment: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!

• The Originals: 

At the end of Return of the Jedi, old Anakin's ghost was replaced with Hayden Christenson's ghost. This edit makes absolutely no sense, it is horrible & completely indefensible.

Despite plenty to criticize, the Star Wars movies are works of genius that will be remembered for as long as our civilization endures. They have inspired me my whole life, and informed my cultural, spiritual, and creative understanding.


Now- the imaginative Star Wars universe, that I & so many others have come to know so well, is entering an unexpected new phase.

At first I thought it was an Onion article, but I eventually realized that it was true:

Wired:

Disney 

Buys Lucasfilm for $4B, 

Targets Star Wars: Episode 7 for 2015

Like I stated before, Lucas's directing & editing abilities have room for improvement. Perhaps Disney's vast resource of talent can use the rich material George Lucas has created to continue and expand the Star Wars Universe.

The Avengers movie was one of (if not THE) greatest superhero movies ever, even to my ultra-critical eye. If Disney can produce Marvel films of that caliber, I think the Star Wars franchise will be okay.

Think Progress: 

How Disney Could Make 

Star Wars Episode VII Awesome

On a very positive final note, Lucas won't be hoarding the mountain of money he'll be making:

George Lucas To Donate 

Most Of His $4 Billion To Education Charity

Halloween Costume - "Reptilians for Romney"

"Top Secret Reptilian Agenda'

click to enlarge

I sincerely apologize to any Reptilians out there 

 for exposing your secret agenda. 

 

I recently went to a Halloween party, but didn't really have a costume to wear.

Jokingly, I told one of my friends who was going to the party to be a "Reptilian Bilderberg"- along the lines of something from a conspiracy website.

Since my friend was being Mitt Romney, I decided to be the shape-shifting Reptilian myself. I also made last-minute "Reptilians for Romney" stickers & the "Top Secret Reptilian Agenda" at the top of the page.

If anything, the whole Reptilian Conspiracy could be a metaphor for people in power who are operating at a lower, more 'lizard-like' limbic system consciousness. On the other hand, I have a ridiculously open mind, so the idea of shape-shifting reptilian beings running around doesn't seem completely impossible. The world is a weirder place than we can imagine... I've personally never seen something that crazy, though, so for me it's nothing more than wild speculation.

Dinosauroids Revisited

Below are some pics of my costume, which I threw together for less than $10.
For the reptile skin, I found some green textured fabric at AC Moore. Latex fake skin was used to both adhere it & to build up the wound. Red makeup around the edges helped it look a little more realistic. I bought a set of crappy 99¢ fangs to finish it off.

It was crazy enough to make people give me a second look, & it was a bit of twisted fun.

Lotus Meditation - Visual Inspiration for the Spirit

In addition to The Monkey Buddha Visual Archive, I've now started a YouTube page: Monkey Buddha Vids.

This is my first upload- an animation I made in 2005, using Vue 3D software, with the purpose of uplifting the spirit.

I wanted to create a simple, yet illuminating vision of certain metaphysical & spiritual insights:

• The lotus flower, rising toward the sun from the muck beneath the water, traditionally symbolizes the soul's journey toward enlightenment.

• Gnostics were a tradition with the idea that the physical world is a sort of prison of the spirit or light body.

• Using inward examination & an attitude of awakened consciousness, one can recognize the impermanence & fundamental immateriality of the world we experience.

• Through meditative practice, one can also cultivate an expanded awareness & calmness amidst the chaos of life.

• We are part of a reality with relatively infinite expanse, intricacy, & possibility.

When I was in my early 20's I had a near death experience, where my normal consciousness fell away. Instead of the black of sleep, though, I experienced what I can only compare to the idea of 'Clear Light' consciousness, from certain Buddhist teachings. The experience was just all-encompassing white light. It wasn't Heaven, in the sense of a place with spirits. There was no objective forms or ideas at all. Nothing, but a space of white light. It completely changed my perception of reality and the mind.

What does the mantra "Om Mani Padme Hung" mean?
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_does_Om_Mani_Padme_Hung_mean

Explanation by the Dalai Lama:
http://www.sacred-texts.com/bud/tib/omph.htm

Here Comes "Hurricane Sandy"

I live in New Jersey- which I've always considered to be a relatively stable location, in terms of natural disasters.

The only major events are hurricanes, where flooding is a major problem. When Hurricane Irene came through, the wind wasn't bad, but my basement got flooded almost knee-deep. Right now, I'm in the beginnings of Hurricane Sandy, which is basically engulfing the East Coast.

The one thing that's guaranteed when a storm like this is coming, is that people go crazy stocking up on supplies.

My Dad, Big Paul, is a supermarket manager & has great stories about the madness before a storm. Last nite, he was telling us that someone asked to buy bales of hay from a Halloween display. This is in the city, by the way.

I'm not going crazy stockpiling goods. I just make sure I have plenty of containers & buckets of water, and some food. If the power goes out, I got candles, wood for the fire, & books to read. As long as a tree doesn't smash through my house or something else crazy happens, I'm just planning on staying calm & riding it out.

Here is "Third World Skeptical Kid"'s take on 1st World disaster preparedness:

The Problems with Electronic Voting

Politics is a necessary aspect of civil society.

As much as people complain about it, democratic government (with all its political baggage) is currently the best way to run a nation.

Unfortunately, democracy is a messy affair. The most basic component of democracy is the vote itself. If there is doubt about the counting of the ballots, the whole system is thrown into question.

The problem is not with voter ID fraud by the voters, as GOP legislators in certain states would have us believe. The greatest danger to democracy is in the counting of the ballots.

Problems with electronic voting, or "e-voting", have plagued our country since it first started being used. If it wasn't for corporate and political corruption this problem would be already solved, quite easily.

I have been personally criticizing our e-voting problem since at least 2006. Looking back at the post below, I also recognized how the unfunded wars in the Middle East were an obvious economic liability:

Muonkey Buddha Archives, Jan 14, 2006 :

Disturbing Finds From the GAO

To eliminate most challenges to the veracity of the voting machines, you need just ONE absurdly simple feature. The fact that this hasn't been remedied yet is very suspect...


*Each vote should produce 2 paper receipts!!!*

• These receipts would be printed, once the voter verifies his choice.

• The voter keeps one receipt & the other one is deposited into the machine

• The receipt could have a bar code or QR code that could be scanned & visually compared if a recount is needed.

The argument has been made countless times - if an ATM machine can generate a receipt for each transaction, why wouldn't this be applied to something as important as a cast ballot?

I remember the voting inconsistencies during the 2008 election. Hopefully we don't see similar shenanigans this November.

It's difficult to convince people that votes actually matter if these kind of issues can't be resolved.

Truthout:

America's Media Just Made Vote-Rigging Easier 

This article is disturbing in its own right, but especially with the circumstances developing in this particular election:

Common Dreams:

Does Your E-Vote Now Belong to the Romney Family?

Player Hating on Romney

Romney seen through the glasses from "They Live"

from fusionanomalog

Last night was the 3rd & final debate between the 2012 Presidential candidates.

President Obama definitely showed the benefit of actually having the Commander-in-Chief job for 4 years. He sunk Mitt Romney's battleship on a number of occasions. Gov. Romney sweated & sputtered his way through numerous incoherent positions, as Obama schooled him on the proper way to handle world affairs. Romney didn't really give any substantial differences between his positions & what the President is already doing. 

To be fair, the debate was mostly bullsh*t... revolving around sucking up to certain Middle East countries & threatening other ones. There was no discussion of things like the Eurozone or the Mexican drug wars, which are huge foreign policy issues for the U.S. This is more due to the incompetence of Bob Schiffer as a moderator than the lack of initiative by the candidates.

Of course, the cable news pundits continue to act like Romney didn't give embarrassing, piss-poor performances at the last couple debates. Every instant poll showed Obama winning, but commentators want it to be a tight race, keeping suspense (& ratings) high. Obama screwed up the 1st debate, so we'll have to see if bringing his A-game to the others can make up for it. Romney supporters choose to stay in denial about his inability to best Obama & refuse to admit defeat. Few people are admitting how bad Romney really comes off.

My own mind is made up, & there's simply no way I'll vote for Romney over Pres. Obama. I know the Long-Legged Mack Daddy is a flawed human being & I'm aware of his record. The job of President is mind-bogglingly difficult- a fact I could appreciate even when the walking disaster, George W. Bush, was in office. However, I've learned enough by looking at Romney's record (& by looking at the man himself) to see that he's not going to fight for the same priorities & values that Obama has at least tried to push.

Anyway, now I'm going to use this post to unload some Mitt material that I've bookmarked.  It's my way of expressing personal dissatisfaction with such a crappy candidate.

Google Image Search:

"Completely Wrong"

First of all, Mr. Romney is clearly an advocate of corporate power over people power.

"Corporations Are People, My Friend"

-Mitt Romney

Think Progress:

OOPS: Mitt Romney Calls United States A ‘Company’

His experience at Bain Capital certainly doesn't qualify him to handle the unique problems involved in running a country of citizens- who represent more than just the bottom line on a financial statement.

Village Voice:

Mitt Romney, American Parasite

Then, there's the fact that Romney refuses to release details of his tax plan & how he'll pay for all the crap he's promising, while still cutting taxes across the board...

Click Here 

for Details on Mitt Romney's Tax Plan

Despite the constant lament that there's no real choice between the 2 major parties, I vote because there are real differences between the candidates. Even a slightly different policy approach, on certain matters, could affect millions of individuals, the country, & the wider world. 

Yes, a vote is just a drop in a bucket, but enough drops can fill an ocean- or drive the policies of a nation. I also feel that by practicing my civil responsibility, I can comment on politics without looking like a total hypocrite. 

Of course there are serious problems with the voting system (which I'll post about shortly). However, I can't be a complete cynic, so I vote with the hope that my choice is being counted.

Finally, on a more humorous note, here is an awesome album cover & a video made for Mitt Romney's alter-ego, "The King of Bling" R-Money:

The video below is funny, but could be considered offensive (to people with no sense of humor) & NSFW, so watch at your own discretion:

seen on disinfo.com

The Sculpture Diaries: Landscape

I just finished watching The Sculpture Diaries- "Landscape".

It was a very insightful look at several man-made earthworks & megalithic structures from around the world.

Here is a YouTube playlist with the episode in multiple parts.

YouTube:

The Sculpture Diaries: Landscapes

Unfortunately there are translations on these videos, but it's still interesting to watch.


 
Most of the sites featured have cosmological significance.

They are aligned to the cycles of the sun & stars- such as the equinoxes and the solstices. Our ancestors were much more intimately connected to the cycles of nature. They also relied on the accurate tracking of seasons for agricultural & spiritual purposes.


Some of the most wondrous ancient large-scale constructions are examined, with refreshingly logical inferences as to their real purpose:

• Stonehenge: This well-known megalithic structure in England is most likely the remnants of a sacred area that was used as an astronomical timekeeping device. It's ritual purpose might have been related to seasonal fertility rites between the Sun & Earth. For instance, during the midsummer sunrise, the shadow of the standing stone penetrates the round enclosure of stones.

• Machu Picchu: The Inca city that was lost for centuries on a mountaintop peak in the Andes. There are many natural & man-made markers that refer to the surrounding mountains, and also the sacred sun.

• Stone Walls of Cusco: Another example of Inca engineering, in their ancient capital. The masonry techniques used to create these perfectly-fitted walls of irregular giant stones is still mind-boggling.

• Nazca Lines: Another Peruvian site covered with large geoglyphs that can only be seen by air. A very reasonable explanation was presented for these images etched in the Nazca plains. The lines and geometric forms were like signposts to show were water resources could be found in the dry landscape. I also wonder if the Inca perhaps had some sort of hot air balloon technology to float over the plain & see the images.

In addition to these ancient landmarks, the show also covered a few modern monumental works.

• Roden Crater: I've never heard of this site, built inside an extinct volcano crater in Arizona. However, it is absolutely amazing & encodes the same cosmic knowledge as the ancient archaeo-astronomical sacred sites. It was conceived by artist James Turrell, & is a profound expression of man's connection with the cosmos. I would definitely recommend watching this segment to get the full impression of its intent.

• Sun Tunnels: By artist Nancy Holt, these are simple concrete tubes laid at right angles in the desert. Their large openings are aligned to the solstice sunrises. Also, the holes bored into the sides allow the sun to create images of certain star constellations on the inside of the tunnels.

People have always strived to create art that outlasts themselves and their generations. Monumental earthworks or megalithic structures have the best chance to last for millenia- to be seen by other humans in the distant future. It's possible that thousands of years from now, people will look upon the sculptures in Mt. Rushmore, wondering who these men were & how they were carved into a mountain.

The best way to ensure that they can understand these enduring monumental works is to have them reflect a language that transcends any particular human culture or time. The best way to do this is to use the knowledge of the regular cycles of nature and the sky, which any civilization should eventually be able to re-discover.

Monkey Buddha Archives:

Ancient Cosmology

2012 Presidential Debates: Round 2

Factcheck.org: 

Factchecking the Debate

USA Today:

Fact Check :A Look at what Obama & Romney Said

Most people are understandably cynical towards politics & government, but they are still necessary aspects of society.

If politics is an inevitable part of being an active citizen, it's best to try to improve it. There needs to be a balance between institutions like private business & government. Neither one is inherently evil- but unscrupulous people can corrupt either system.

I try to avoid getting cornered into conceptual boxes when it comes to my political thoughts. Although I'm registered "Independent," I usually find Democratic priorities more agreeable. The GOP have gone off the deep end in certain areas, especially "social" issues.

However, their biggest fault is their mindless, unyielding party-line opposition to initiatives that could help the country & its economy. Their primary focus is to unseat President Obama by blocking everything on the agenda- regardless of the havoc it wreaks upon the rest of us.

Anyone who follows Congressional votes, & the battles waged since the 2010 midterm, knows that major legislation is not happening without the cooperation of the Republican-led House.

If you are conservative, you might be happy about the lack of government activity. However, it's therefore much too simplistic to blame the President for the nation's economic problems if Congress is not cooperating with passing jobs bills & effective stimulus measures.

President Obama has done a good job, in my opinion. He's been a business-friendly, centrist technocrat who has bent over backwards to compromise with conservatives- he's definitely not a hardcore socialist, or even extremely liberal. I'm well aware of his failings, the undelivered promises, (...close Guantanamo, end drone strikes, faster economic recovery, etc...) and the fact that he's a politician. I am also aware that he is just a man like everyone else. However, I generally agree with the gist of the legislation he's advocated & overall vision for how the country should be run. If anything, I don't think he's been forceful enough in pushing a "progressive" agenda.

Last night was the best that I've seen Obama in fighting back against the many nonsensical Republican policies & ideas that have dominated political discourse, for which Mitt Romney is now the standard-bearer.

To be fair - in the first debate, Obama was horrible. I really couldn't believe how much of a snoozefest it turned into. I knew everyone was going to declare Romney the winner, because of his borderline-obnoxious manic aggressiveness. He apparently activated the "fear" area of people's primitive lizard brains, overcoming Obama's futile attempt at measured reason.

After the debate last night, I watched & read the many analyses on various websites with their reader comments. I like to get a spectrum of opinions & perspectives, even if they're idiotic.

I thought that last nite Pres. Obama clearly overwhelmed Gov. Romney, stylistically & substantively. The President asserted himself as a thoughtful, responsible, yet tough, leader. This time, he didn't let Mitt Romney continue to be his usual douchebag self, without response. Do I think either of these guys have all the right answers?... of course not. However Romney has no answers to anything. His stated fundamental approach to economic policy is a 3-card monte game. There's no way he can 1) cut taxes 2) increase the bloated Pentagon budget, and 3) reduce the national debt, without crippling the federal government (which is probably the actual goal). It's absurd on its face.
 

It always cracks me up how government-hating politicians want to attain & maintain power within the government they think's no good. I guess it's about the idea of infiltrating something, to destroy it from the inside out. The problem is... if democratic government is severely limited, society becomes unbalanced, then financial & corporate power is free to prey on the people.

Even though the CNN poll showed Obama 'winning' the debate overall, I was baffled to see the pundits on the different stations were downplaying it. The low expectations for Mitt Romney are Sarah Palin-esque... while Obama apparently needs to heal someone on stage, then punch Mitt out to make an impression. I'm not sure if the media is trying to keep it a horserace, or if people are really that clueless. It's most likely both.
 
Anyway, I understand why Romney supporters would go into denial. As a candidate, Mitt sucks & so they can't let Obama have any slack whatsoever. For Team Romney, it's better to bullshit your way to imagined victory than to accept defeat. It shows the whole right-wing mentality of winning at any cost, even if it's at the expense of consensual reality & one's own common sense.

When Obama had a lackluster performance last time, his supporters universally acknowledged it & demanded better, for the sake of the national discourse.

This time, The President showed why he has been elected to one of the most difficult jobs on Earth. He handled Mitt as an intellectual, moral, and rhetorical inferior- which he is. Gov. Romney was left awkwardly stammering on several key moments, when Obama gave him an oratorical smackdown.

Mitt just never looks comfortable in his own skin, while Barry O. is usually the coolest guy in the room. I don't know if it's Romney's uncomfortable personality, the disturbing lack of empathetic emotion, or just the fact that he's an out-of-touch plutocrat who acts like a jackass... he just doesn't seem like a person who can relate to the average person's problems. Case in point, his recent comments about people, with no insurance, being able to get care in an emergency.

Romney "We don't have people who die because they don't have health insurance."

He has absolutely no clue how society works for most people... yet, he's going to be in charge of running the country?!? Let's hope not.

Don't get me wrong, I don't think Romney is totally incompetent. He surely wouldn't be as much of a disaster as Dubya was- or as some of the GOP primary contenders would be. However, the ultra-rich have already had a field day at the expense of society-at-large. These are Gov. Romney's base. Therefore, a vote for him basically concedes the Republic to his special moneyed interests, whose only goal is to reap endless profit from the people.

Presidential Candidates: Top Donors

There's still another debate to come, but I'm pretty sure I'll be sticking with "The Long Legged Mack Daddy" After the experiences of the last four years, he has undoubtedly learned lessons on how to govern effectively that will hopefully inform him if he wins a second term.

"Flower of Life" Drawings by Leonardo da Vinci

As a college student, I created a strategy game that would eventually become "Da Vinci's Challenge".

"Da Vinci's Challenge" 

Official Facebook Page

I was originally inspired for the game design when I saw the ancient pattern of interlocking circles, known as The Flower of Life. This symbol had been used in sacred art since Egyptian times, but was also studied by Leonardo da Vinci. I tried to make the game an expression of the fusion between art, science, engineering, and mysticism that Leonardo instilled into his work.

Secrets of "Da Vinci's Challenge"

Here are a couple studies of the Flower of Life pattern from da Vinci's notebooks. I've been familiar with these 2 drawings since I did my original research for the game:

  

However, I recently came across another example of a Flower of Life study by Leonardo, shown below. Supposedly, it's from the collection of work known as the Codex Atlanticus.

This pic was on a Tumblr blog, Passenger. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was an image I'd never seen before:

Da Vinci diagrammed 2 configurations (in the upper right corner) that are used in the game as "Secret Symbols" - the 'flower' & 'circle'.

Visionary Artist - Android Jones

There are many talented people creating visionary art, especially with the ever-increasing power of computer imaging software.

The Monkey Buddha Archives:

Visual Art

It's always cool to randomly come across people's amazing work, such as the creations of Android Jones:

AndroidJones.com:

Portfolio Art

This image, "Dream Catcher", conveys the sense of consciousness dissolving into digital & cosmic infinity.

 It's one of the many awesome images in his portfolio.


I tried to capture the same feeling in my "Digital Self-Portrait," that is featured on "Can You Draw the Internet?"

click image for hi-res

From The Monkey Buddha Visual Archive:

"A digital self-portrait
representing the mind integrating with &
transcending physical technology
through immersion into the realm of pure energy.
The Internet is the beginning of a conduit
into a non-local experience of consciousness."

Here is an Old Picture of Me... as the Cosmos

Yes this is a picture of me... and everyone else... back when our atoms were in other configurations throughout the cosmos.

We are all made of stars:

Cosmic Self Portrait 

This quote by spiritual teacher & extremely chilled-out dude, Eckhart Tolle, also expresses this basic unity with the rest of Creation:

A good friend of mine made me aware of Tolle & he has great insights into our situation here in the human form.

I saw both these pics on fusionanomalog

Frontline: The Choice 2012

Last night I was watching a Frontline documentary profiling the 2 Presidential candidates, President Obama & Mitt Romney.

It's an excellent documentary. I found it to be objective, giving accurate looks at the lives of both candidates with no partisan spin.

It should be required viewing for anyone voting this year.

Watch it online or find it on TV when it's on again.

Frontline: 

The Choice 2012

Having watched it with an open mind, there's still no way in hell I'd vote for Mitt Romney. His whole life, his mission has been to save the bottom line- saving money for rich investors at the expense of any other people who may get in the way.

The importance of Profit vs. Humanity is central to this election. If you think rich people should make more money, poor people should be left to fend for themselves in the streets, & public institutions should all be corporatized, then Gov. Romney's your man.

I never thought Obama was going to be a messiah for the country, but do I think he has worked toward improving the country in tangible ways. The problem is, like all Presidents, he's a cog in a soul-crushing bureaucratic machine. He & his most fervent followers were perhaps too optimistic in the hope that the culture of Washington DC could be quickly & permanently changed.

Most of the problems that people ignorant of the political process attribute to Obama are actually the result of an ineffectual Congress. America's low-information voters got whipped into a frenzy during the 2010 midterm elections & were sucked into the corporate-backed Tea Party movement. This faux movement, funded by right-wing special interest like the Koch Brothers, preyed on foolish people's frustrations & blind patriotism.

The Republican majority in the House of Representatives has openly done everything to block Obama's attempts at progress, with shockingly little regard for the effects on the nation.

The first Presidential debate was a snoozefest, with the idiot pundits declaring Romney the winner because he acted like an aggressive a-hole. After everyone fact-checked his bullcrap, it became apparent that Romney is a snake-oil salesman, who will say absolutely anything to get elected. He contradicts himself so much it makes the "flip-flopper" label given to John Kerry in 2006 seems quaint.

All politicians are masters of B.S., but Romney really is shameless in his lying during the quest for power.

There are a couple more debates & a few weeks left before America chooses the person to represent it's vision of the future.

Hopefully it's not handed to the socially-awkward billionaire corporate toolbag, but we shall see...

"Now" Clock

The past & future are illusions, constructs created & held by the mind.

There is only one true experience of time... the continually-unfolding, present moment of NOW.

This idea has been done in a wristwatch, too.

"World of Religion" Infographic

Most of the hatred in the world comes from a lack of empathy & understanding for people who are different.

Since religion is one of the most personal and all-encompassing aspects of a person's life, it easy to see how incompatible views between individuals or cultures could lead to animosity.

The first step in overcoming ignorance & fear is to objectively examine the things you don't understand. 
Infographics are are a great way to communicate complex concepts & otherwise incomprehensible data sets. The graphic below show the many belief systems around our richly varied world.
 If the fundamentalist's dream came true & all people were strict followers of one way of thinking, the world would be a much less interesting place.

I don't believe in dogma or ideology, & don't consider myself to be part of any religious organization. My religious practice is simply making the most out of every moment I am blessed to experience.

"God" or "Tao" or "The Universe"... has no religion.

Reality is created indiscriminately, without the judgements or labels used by the human mind to try to make sense of it all.

(Click the Graphic for Larger )

Thought is Free

I came across this cool graphic that speaks for itself, by BMD Design in France:

"THOUGHT IS FREE"

At least, for now it is....

Monkey Riding a Bicycle

Just a funny monkey picture to ride out the weekend...

More Political Madness 2012

To celebrate the 'World Series of politics', the start of the Presidential debates, I've updated this web album:

 Political Madness 2012

It's a collection of my favorite political graphics & art from around the web.

I'll comment on Mitt Romney some other time, but tonight I'm going to just watch the debate.
Then... I'm going to enjoy South Park's rendition of "Honey Boo Boo Child".

Thoughts & Art of Leonardo da Vinci

One of my first book reports in elementary school was on an autobiography I read about Leonardo da Vinci.

Ever since then, Leonardo's genius has probably been one of my biggest historical inspirations- in both my creative career & my life-long quest for knowledge about the world.

The game "Da Vinci's Challenge" was titled to reflect Leonardo's study of the Flower of Life symbol on the game board, but also is an homage to the legendary Renaissance Man.

I actually finished reading my very first e-book on my iPhone recently,

"Thoughts on Art and Life"

by Leonardo da Vinci

It was very interesting to read into the thoughts of such an insightful mind. However, some of the things he wrote about were kind of petty, for such a lofty genius. For example, he wrote several lengthy rants about how painting was superior to just about any other creative endeavor- ie. sculpting, poetry, music, etc. This is entirely subjective judgement, & I was surprised he spent so much time arguing the case for such a meaningless opinion.

Anyway, it was good read to get perspective on how his mind worked.

In 2003, I got to see an exhibition of da Vinci's drawings & notebooks at the Metroplitan Museum of Art. I soaked up the experience of being in the presence of so much of The Master's work.  It was something I'll never forget.

Here are some links with the amazing range of work by Leonardo da Vinci:

The Drawings of Leonardo da Vinci

Despite his pacifist nature, Leonardo designed some terrifying war machines for Italy's princes & dukes:

15 Da Vinci War Machines

Zoomable Hi-Definition digital version of the Last Supper:

The Last Supper

by Leonardo Da Vinci

New Scientist:

 The Real Leonardo was More Impressive Than the Legend

TED Talk about what Leonardo really looked like:

 The True Face of Leonardo da Vinci?

Finally, here's a video highlighting some of his revolutionary anatomical renderings:

Psychedelic Ape

This is what happens when a philosophizing ape looks too deeply into into his own existence,

 

The monkey mind disintegrates into boundless infinity....

seen on Ffffound!

"Da Vinci's Challenge" on Facebook

The "Deluxe Version" of Da Vinci's Challenge:

made using laser-cut plastics that look like copper & stone.

As a professional designer, I've been lucky to work on a wide range of fun & interesting projects.

In my creative career, the creation I'm most proud of is the award-winning strategy game I invented & developed as a senior design student at Rowan University.

It's called "Da Vinci's Challenge": The Classic Game of Secret Symbols" & I've posted about it alot on this blog.

The Monkey Buddha Archives

"Da Vinci's Challenge"

The design of the game board is a symbol known as 'The Flower of Life'. This pattern of interlocking circles has been around since the dawn of civilization. The Renaissance Man himself, Leonardo da Vinci, studied the Flower of Life's geometric form, which is why I named the game after him. There are many examples of The Flower of Life motif in art & architecture around the world. 

I am currently in the process of working toward creating digital version of the "Da Vinci's Challenge" game. I'd like to have at least an iPhone app developed, so I am trying to get a Kickstarter campaign together to raise funds for the cost. 

To get some presence in the digital world, through social media, I recently started an official Facebook page for the game. I will use it to post reviews, pics, & interesting info related to "Da Vinci's Challenge".

If you are on Facebook, or know people who are on it, click the link below & please give the page a Like. Spreading the word about & sharing the link that would be helpful, too! 

 

 Official Facebook Page:

 "Da Vinci's Challenge"

(The page is public, so anyone can just close the log-in window if it pops up.)

Hopefully I can the ball rolling before the end of the year, so I will be posting updates here & on the Facebook page regularly.

Reversed Logos

This is the last of my "Logo"-themed posts for the night...

I came across this article featuring clever and well-executed corporate logos - designed in the style of a competing company!

They are all very well done & are probably amusing to most design geeks, such as myself.

Here is a Flickr set, & below is a link to the artist's website:

Brand Reversions

by Graham Smith

 

Honest Names for Snacks

Since I started on a logo & branding kick with my Microsoft post, here's a humorous look at what snacks would be called... if their brand names were honest.

Honest Names For Our Favorite Snacks 

 I love anything mint....

...but Cheetos are friggin' gross. That really is an accurate description.

Microsoft's New Logo - Blah.

The first 'real' PC my family bought in the early 1990's was a crappy machine running Windows 3.0 with DOS.

Ever since those days of primitive computing, my disdain for Microsoft products has only increased.

Thankfully, in college I began using Apple computers for my design classes. Now, I use Macs for work & home, and I also recently bought an iPhone. My digital experience is now wonderfully seamless & hassle-free, in a way that was unimaginable 10-20 years ago.

Although I avoid using Windows computers like the plague, I wanted to comment on the new Microsoft logo that was recently unveiled.

What Do You Think of Microsoft’s First New Logo in 25 Years?

Don't worry, I'm not going to waste too much cyberspace saying alot about it.

Basically, the new branding is predictably lame, uninspired, boringly corporate, & just 'blah'... like the company itself:

Yeah I understand how it relates to "the company's shift of focus from the classic style to the tile-centric modern interface."  It's still bland & completely lacks any soul.

The latest iteration above, though it's modern-looking, sucks the little sense of whimsy or originality out of Microsoft's corporate identity:

 

Although I appreciate simplicity in design, "simplicity" & "design" are things that Microsoft has never done well.

The original Microsoft logo, below, might be the craziest... & therefore the coolest-

 

The Conveyor Belt of Life

Don't let this happen to you.

Jump off the conveyor belt & try to live a little on your own terms.

Take a deep breath & appreciate this moment in which you are alive... while you still have the opportunity.

Our Story in 2 Minutes

One of the wonders of modern technology is the ability to easily visualize scales of time and space that were previously unimaginable.

Monkey Buddha Archives:

Scales of the Universe

This is a video made by a high school student that takes the viewer on a trip through the history of the Universe, culminating in our recent human history.

It's a great visual expression of the rich cosmic & historic legacy that all of us human beings have inherited.

Our Story in 2 Minutes

Interview with Alex Grey

This weekend my brother sent me a link to this interview with the master visionary artist, Alex Grey:
 

Reality Sandwich

Nets of Being: An Interview with Alex Grey

The article describes his unique style of art very well:

"Grey's work features a rare alchemy of science and spirituality, 

where anatomically precise human bodies interweave 

with profound kaleidoscopic mystical experiences."

Alex Grey & his transcendental visions have inspired me for many years. His work never stops instilling a sense of wonder about the profound mysteries of reality & the human body.

The Monkey Buddha Archives:

Alex Grey

I had the privilege to talk to him & his wife Allyson after one of his multimedia lectures in Philadelphia back in 2005. It was amazing to meet someone whose work I admired so greatly. 

He signed the picture, called "Painting", at the top of this post, which I still have it on my desk at work.

Monkeys vs. Bears

 I saw this classic Stephen Colbert rant on my Facebook feed, about the dangers of monkeys intermingling with bears - nature's 'godless killing machines'.

Colbert Report

Bears Eat Monkey

 

 

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Bears Eat Monkey
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire Blog Video Archive

Then on Picture is Unrelated, I came across this crazy animated GIF with a cymbal monkey surrounded by angry bears. It made total sense to post these 2 items together... so here they are!
 

       

Happy Artists

 from FFFFOUND!

I recently saw this article on Neatorama about a study suggesting that artistic people are happier with their careers than workers in other fields:

ScienceShot: 

"Starving but Happy"

Any profession that allows a degree of creativity will be rewarding on some level. 

I feel fortunate to have a successful career in graphic design, because I've always loved observing & making visual art.

However, I also try to venture into other types of projects for the sake of creative exploration. An artist with a wide breadth of vision can express ideas through any medium.

Despite the long history of disturbed artists, expressing one's inner vision & bring forth new things into the world is a joyful & fulfilling experience (...for those of us who are not completely crazy).

Classy Chimp Painting

Not much to say about this, it's just awesome.

This is how I feel when enjoying a holiday...

 Seen on Cheezburger