Sheron Long's Blog, page 46
February 11, 2013
Technology in Everyday Life: Plug Away or Pull the Plug?
Are we too plugged in?
© Thinkstock
How Plugged In Are You?
Think about the technology in your everyday life.
Do you go on dates with your smartphone?
Do you excuse yourself to go to the restroom and check your email?
At a coffee shop or airport, do you try to get the seat nearest to the outlet?
In line, do you immediately pull out your smartphone for something to do?
Do you think your smartphone makes you smarter?
If you answered “yes” to the last question, then you must disagree with a quote circulating the Internet. Attributed (incorrectly) to Albert Einstein, it states that, when technology surpasses human interaction, there will be a generation of idiots.
A series of photos accompanying the quote show people engaged so intently with their smartphones that it brings up an interesting issue: Are we all too plugged in?
Are our devices a...
February 7, 2013
See Differently: “Blind Sight” Photography Contest
Sea limpet by legally-blind photographer Bruce Hall
© Bruce Hall. All Rights Reserved.
Creative Inspiration Is Born from Seeing Differently
The OIC story on the Creative Process of Blind Photographers provided rich creative inspiration and a definitive “yes” to the question:
Can we see without sight?
The many talented blind and visually impaired photographers who are working today are experienced in seeing differently. They use touch, smell, hearing, memory, and other sensations to “compose” their images and sense the timing of their subjects.
These artists believe that the image comes from within, not from the “outside.” And they prove—beautifully and creatively—that, often, a blind person can have a very clear vision.
Seeing Is about Much More than Sight
These imaginative artists inspired deeper thinking about...
February 5, 2013
Bike Designs Shine with Creative Imagination
So many different styles of bikes!
© Thinkstock
A good bicycle is such a clever, simple vehicle.
I was appreciating the brilliance of bike designs as I was riding the other day. That is, until my chain popped off. And my back started hurting from bending over the handlebars awkwardly.
Oh, I see! Time to get a new bike!
So with this opportunity, I went online to investigate the possibilities. Obviously, a bike should be designed so it is comfortable and easy to use, but it should also reflect creative imagination.
Here are a few I’ve discovered.
A Creative and Flashy Design
Ben Wilson, a designer in the United Kingdom, playfully combined a push-pedal bike with a simple car-shaped neon outline to create this Articar.
Ben Wilson’s Articar
© Ben Wilson
I like that you can recline instead of lean over the handlebars.
I also like its unique presence. I...
January 31, 2013
Life’s Challenges on a Football Field
CSD Quarterback Carlos Lopez
© CSD
Reaching Goals Beyond the Goal Line
Football is in the air. The Superbowl sportswriters are dissecting the matchups, the 49ers and Ravens are practicing their trash talk, and the multi-million dollar commercials are ready to debut.
But before getting lost in the hoopla, take time out for a story about the real value of football. Meet the CSD team, known for facing life’s challenges and reaching goals in an inspired and inspiring way.
Friday Night Lights
Richmond High School vs. CSD of Fremont, CA.
Oilers vs. Eagles.
Some folks are questioning the CSD first-year coach’s decision to play Richmond in this non-league game.
Richmond is ten times bigger in student body numbers and downright scary in player depth and bulk.
CSD has only 19 players on the roster; some team members play offense and defense.
The CSD...
January 21, 2013
Lessons from Sandy: How to Avoid a Second Disaster
Donations of tools: helpful or costly after a disaster?
© Thinkstock
Making Good Choices—Will You Give a Hand? Or the Shirt Off Your Back?
Hurricane Sandy tore through the Northeast nearly three months ago. While Congress debates aid funding, millions of people are donating to the victims. Are they making good choices? What choice would you make? Take our poll.
Nonsensical Donations
You probably didn’t choose the last answer in our poll. But these are real items that supposedly well-intentioned people donated after different disasters. Obviously, the victims didn’t ask for them.
Instead, those absurd items needed to be stored or transferred somewhere else. That took time, effort, and money away from helping the victims. Dealing with heaps of unwanted items like these is what relief teams call the...
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