The Story of Stuff

This is probably the most delightful video I’ve seen in at LEAST two days. It talks about the environmental and social impact that occurs at each stage of the production/consumption of goods. It’s cute and funny and personable, but it also goes remarkably in-depth into the issue of, as Annie Leonard calls it, ‘Stuff’. This little video covers where it (stuff) comes from, how it’s processed, how it’s consumed, and how it’s discarded – things that are easily forgotten in that intial flush of excitement after purchasing a new little ipod or trinket. It makes me very guilty about my own obscene, unnecessary collection of random stuff. Just last night, for example, I bought seven sheets of handmade artisan wrapping papers from Papyrus. Why? No reason other than they were pretty (they really are so incredibly pretty) – and now they are sitting on my shelf as glaring, accusatory reminders of my own role as significant contributor to society’s manic, superfluous consumption of ‘stuff’. Sigh. http://www.storyofstuff.com/

A Day in the Life of a Reference Librarian

AL Focus, the media arm of American Libraries magazine, has produced a series of funny videos for National Library Week. This one, featuring what it’s like to work at the reference desk, is genius: Hope you chuckle as much as I did!

jump start

Have you ever been so enthralled by a book that when you finished it, everything else seemed to pale in comparison? I have.  For the past two or three months I have started a few books and not finished a single one.  Normally, I am not so fickle when it comes to reading but I simply cannot get excited about any of my selections.  In late January, I finished an incendiary piece by Christopher Hitchens in which he presents a case against organized religion.  If you have read any of Mr. Hitchens’ work, you know that he might not always be right, but he sure brings his A game in a fight. (Hey, that rhymes!)  I tried to read a book by noted humorist John Hodgman, a piece of popular history about the 6 most historically signicant drinks (beer, wine, tea, coffee, liquor and soda).  I also cracked open some old favorites in hopes of sticking with a book, no luck.  Don’t get me wrong, none of these books were bad, or poorly written, I just couldn’t get interested in any of them.  I can’t take this much more.

a little slow

I cannot believe I’ve never heard of PowerPoint Karaoke – and it’s been around for some time. This has to be one of the best ideas I’ve heard of recently.

Join us for Bringing Human Rights Home: A Panel Discussion on Human Rights in the United States

Maria Green, Assistant Professor at Brandeis University’s Heller School for Social Policy and Management will moderate a panel discussion with guests Martha Davis, Northeastern University Law Professor; Wendy Pollack, Director of the Women’s Law & Policy Project for the Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law; Eric Tars, Human Rights Attorney for the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty; and Cathy Albisa, Executive Director of the National Economic and Social Rights Initiative.

Thursday, April 3, 2008

Noon

333 Curry Student Center

Watch the following video too!