Randall Howard

Does Climate Change Put You to Sleep?

Well, perhaps I have the answer for that …

On Saturday, I had the very good fortune to hike through an amazing wilderness reserve and research centre, named rare with London-based artist and filmmaker David Buckland who has created Cape Farewell as well as several naturalists who interpreted this wonderful reserve.
The experience was a special one for me, beyond the great outdoors and the people I was with.

Firstly, I love the outdoors, and this is the first time I’ve really been out in nature (the rough ground being a bit of a challenge) since I recovered from a broken leg. So, Saturdy was like a new beginning.

Secondly, at the end, we had a chance to hear David Buckland talk about Cape Farewell and some of their programs. Here is how they describe themselves:

“Cape Farewell brings artists, scientists and educators together to collectively address and raise awareness about climate change. “

David, as a visual artist and film maker definitely has a unique approach. They take boats, with artists, educators and students into the arctic, many through passages that were, prior to the current warming trend, ice bound. The whole point is to engage all of the senses and make a big impact on the participants.

Those people, in turn, will come back as evangelists (or mavens) to spread the word through their social graph. And, for the next voyage in September 2008, for the first time 11 students from across Canada (one from rare) will be able to go and share this incredible experience.

In an age where more and more people feel somewhat disconnected from the natural world, this approach certainly has merit.

And, my comment about climate change inducing torpor was more dedicated to the older generation - the one already making the economic and political decisions that have got us into this situation. I suspect that, far from being detached and cynic, the young people will come back energized as agents of change in what may well be one of the most important “save the world” endeavours for the human race ever.

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Musings and Machinations

BLOG MANDATE

Technology is a passion.

I have, over the years, had the good fortune to work in researching key technologies, designing and building great products based on technologies, founding and growing great companies built around technology, and now investing (in a “hands-on” way of course) in great technology businesses.

I also happen to have a passion for the arts, the environment and entrepreneurism. And, in recent years, business models, approaches and systems coming from technology-based business, is starting to transform the social sector.

What used to be called philanthropy, is definitely becoming more business like and, in fact, the boundaries are blurring. Is innovative micro-lender Grameen Bank a charity or a profit making business? Well, to short change a long discussion, it is a bit of both. And, that’s what’s exciting about the new work of technology and the social sector. Rules are being broken, new businesses cannibalize old, and it is the human intellet, well applied, that wins the day.

BLOG APPROACH

I’m a pretty opinionated guy. And, I like nothing more than to share and debate those opinions. Feel free to give your (constructive please) feedback, insights or contrary opinion.

I will endeavour to flag opinion as that and to double check sources, but like everyone else, I’m fallible and will rely on you the alert reader to set me straight.

As well, to spice things up, I plan to invite occasional guest bloggers, who are people from my network that I feel could add value to the topics we are discussing.

Enjoy …

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Early 20th Century Avant Garde Music in the 21st Century

I just returned from an extraordinarily engaging concert hosted by Waterloo’s Numus, which featured New York-based and Austrian born Dorit Chrysler, who is one of the preeminent performance artists on the Theremin. She delivered on her promise to feature the broadest possible range from classical, avant garde, pop, jazz and even the “scary” music we often associate with this early electronic instrument. And, given the delicate body motions, almost like dance with fingering, the Theremin is indeed a very demonstrative instrument, at least in the right hands.

Preceding her concert, the stage was set with the showing of the 1995 film “Theremin: An Electronic Odyssey” which was an amazing background in itself. I’ve seen the instrument played at a distance before, but since it was created in 1919, it can be considered the pioneer of modern electronic music to which we all should pay homage. If you’ve never heard Dorit or even the Theremin, check it out!

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