Welcome to the ALR designletter, a semi-regular update on the activities at Another Limited Rebellion design, the world of socially conscious design, and beyond. As always we welcome your comments, suggestions, criticism or praise.
You are on this list because you have worked with, contacted, or have a personal connection to ALR design. The names on this mailing list will never be sold or given away. If you no longer wish to be on this list, just respond with "REMOVE" in the subject section and there will be no hard feelings. Back issues can be found on our web site in the ISSUES section.
ALR news
We have recently revamped our website to make it more accessible and flexible. If you haven't been there in a while, please drop by and tell us what you think: http://www.alrdesign.com
activism
The internet based Free Burma Coalition is working to bring democracy to Myanmar (formerly Burma) based on the anti-apartheid model used in South Africa. The country is currently run by a brutal and oppressive dictatorship that is known for its extreme human rights abuses, yet many multinational corporations (including Macy's and Bloomingdales) still buy and distribute products that are made there. Go to the website to learn more about the situation and how you can help: http://freeburmacoalition.org
The international ocean conservation organization Oceana (http://www.oceana.org/) has set up a special site devoted to their campaign to end destructive fishing practices at http://www.OceansAtRisk.com/. Go there now to learn more and send a letter to the president protesting the needless killing of endangered sea life.
environment
Dry cleaning utilizes a toxic chemical called perc (perchlotoethylene) which has been known to attack the nervous system and cause a variety of physical problems. Environmentally conscious cleaners have begun using a new technology called wet cleaning. It's main ingredient? Water. The difference is in the soaps and temperature controls which prevent the shrinkage of home washing. Wet cleaning has been shown to work on nearly all garments marked "Dry Clean Only". Go to http://www.greenpeaceusa.org/media/factsheets/wetclean.htm to learn more and then check the Professional Wetcleaners Network for a wet cleaner near you: http://www.tpwn.net/page4.html
politics
These days everyone knows that lobbyists try to sway the hands of politicians to their causes by a variety of means including campaign contributions. In the wake of September 11th these paid off in the form of subsidies being attached to bills for things as far removed from New York City as bison meat and ethanol production. One organization, The Center for Responsive Politics has attempted to follow the paper trail and show the correlation between the those who give and those who receive. To see whom your representatives are beholden to visit http://www.opensecrets.org/
(source: Mother Jones March/April 2002)
entertainment
Theatrical performance seems to have taken a back seat to other forms of entertainment like television, movies and video games over the years. But what theater can offer, that others do not, is an intimate connection between the audience and the performers. The London based Cardboard Citizens (http://www.cardboardcitizens.org.uk) is using this quality to it's highest potential by producing theater with, by, and for homeless and ex-homeless people. Along with creating a new play each year they also go into schools to provide education about homelessness and it's causes. The voice they offer is one that this marginalized group rarely has access to.
art
File under turning swords into plowshares...
At the end of Mozambique's 16 year civil war in 1992 1.5 million people were dead and the country was littered with weapons. Several groups set up weapons collecting programs offering much needed tools and building materials in exchange. But what to do with all the collected weaponry? The Núcleo de Arte artists cooperative in Maputo decided to change them from destructive tools into life affirming sculptures. Go to http://www.africaserver.nl/nucleo/ to see an online gallery of the work. (source: Christian Science Monitor 3/7/02)
education
With the goal of encouraging good writing, active reading and creative thinking The Dictionary Project is handing out free dictionaries to 3rd graders across the US. Starting in her home state of South Carolina, Director Mary French has managed to provide one for every student there and has begun her project in seven other states as well. They get by on small donations and volunteers who go into schools to hand them out. To help get the "word" out go to http://www.thedictionaryproject.com
human rights
The Business & Human Rights website (http://www.business-humanrights.org/) is an astounding resource for anyone doing research on or with an interest in the confluence of those two subjects. Run by an international human rights lawyer it's goal is not to proselytize but merely provide links to a wide range of materials from respected sources. Packed with articles from discrimination to globalization this no nonsense site is easy to use and even has an update page that quickly lets you scan the most recently added articles.
community
Clearly the idea of thinking globally and acting locally is central to the folks at the Institute for Local Self Reliance (http://www.ilsr.org). They have set up The New Rules Project to encourage the use of innovative public policy as a means to strengthen communities. They promote localism as an alternative to globalization and provide lists of laws and regulations already in place throughout the country as a template for what is possible. Go to http://www.newrules.org/ for inspiration.
media
One of the last places left for non-commercialized free speech is internet radio. Not only can individuals make their own programming with few of the constraints related to broadcast radio, but listeners have access to music and information that is not available anywhere else. However the US Copyright Office is considering enacting fees on May 15th that will make it all but impossible for individuals and small groups to afford to create online programming. Save Internet Radio.org (http://saveinternetradio.org/) has been set up as a clearing house of information on this topic and provides sample letters of protest to send to your congressional representatives. (source: Christian Science Monitor 4/7/02)
transportation
What began in 1984 as a one person protest of American support of the Contras has become a self-supporting international bike distribution operation. Each year Bikes Not Bombs (http://bikesnotbombs.org/) teaches some 200 kids in the art of bike repair and also ships thousands of bikes to Central American cooperatives where they are used for everything from transportation to pedal powered water pumps. The Boston based group is a model for community based action. (source: Mother Jones March/April 2002)
food
If you live in an area of the US where there is little access to organic produce and joining a CSA is not possible consider using Urban Organic a home produce delivery service. Originally limited to the New York area, they have recently expanded to nationwide delivery. Their weekly deliveries can be tailored to your needs and are reasonably priced. We were members when we were located in NYC and were very satisfied with their service. (http://www.urbanorganic.net/UO1/nationwide.asp)
bookshelf
This month we have a guest reviewer: Mim Scalin
You Are Being Lied To edited by Russ Kick
If you have ever had the nagging suspicion that the mainstream media, government agencies, corporations, etc. are not telling the whole truth, are changing the facts, are giving only one side, then this book is certainly for you. It will confirm all of your suspicions and give you additional ones. It answers some questions and raises others. I'm not sure "enjoyed" is the correct word for how I felt as I read the essays, but I did appreciate the big "Ah Ha!" I got as I read them. Don't be surprised by the format, this is a "coffee table" sized book. (Ed. Note: There is also an excellent companion site at http://www.disinfo.com)
nosh
If you are interested in becoming vegetarian but feel like you need some moral support and no one you know personally is a vegetarian check out Famous Veggie.com. As the name suggests the site list famous vegetarians and vegans (from Albert Einstein to Ziggy Marley) and while not all of them will be familiar you're sure to find a few that can be your new role models: http://www.famousveggie.com/peoplenew.cfm
in closing
Thanks for your time and feel free to contact us with suggestions for future issues, web sites to check out, or just to say "Howdy".
Thank you,
Noah Scalin, founder
ALR design
socially conscious graphic design
noah@alrdesign.com
http://www.ALRdesign.com