1. Ever since I started listening to Clare Press' podcast on sustainable fashion 2 or 3 years ago, I have been obsessed with the worlds of bioplastics and bio-inspired design so this episode of Abstract: The Art of Design that I watched on Netflix today, was especially interesting to me.
I believe that nothing we create will ever be as sophisticated as the designs that already exist in nature, so we should always just strive to mimic it as best we can. The episode, titled Neri Oxman: Bio-architecture starts off by introducing MIT media lab as a place to design strictly for the future - "If you're making something that's applicable to the world today, here, you're too late." Then, we're introduced to Neri Oxman - a woman whose history of dabbling in both medical sciences and architecture, along with her inherent sense of wonder, has landed her in the famous lab. She takes us to Tel Aviv, to Caesarea, to Walden pond, and through the process of making the Aquahoja Pavillion, a stunning installation made out of a 3D printed bio-material.
She talks about how there should always be a shift, a flow from one domain to another - art, science, engineering, and design. She talks about how to know you're doing something right (the signs are discomfort and loneliness) and many other things. I can see myself returning to this video periodically in the future, whenever I need a little jolt.
2. For anyone who's been pressured in the last few weeks, by their friends or acquaintances on social media to send a mail to the Environment Ministry requesting a withdrawal of the new EIA draft, this is a quick explainer video that sheds light on why so many are jumping on this bandwagon. It explains the aspects of this draft that's been drawing flak. In short, the draft is detrimental to an already suffering environment. Here's the slightly longer version.
3. Noel is back with another episode of EBTP that is equally, if not more, entertaining than the first one (which is saying a lot). He starts off the episode by contemplating about the future of F1. It's not what it used to be, and it may never be what it is now. From big and bad 8-cylinder engines, we've shifted to 4-cylinder, eco-boost ones. The batteries are becoming bigger and the motors smaller. Most major car manufacturers are not even in F1 anymore. With such important changes, come the important questions. What is the spirit of driving in F1? Is it the rudder of using a manual shift gearbox? Is it putting your life on the line every single race?
A few minutes into the episode, he moves on to a more light-hearted discussion of the drama that's unfolding this season. With Ferrari kicking out Vettel, Racing Point is eyeing him to race their brand new car to victory. With Ferrari being under fire from the FIA for cheating, and Redbull performing okayishly well only, Racing Point might be on their way to beat these big boys to the top. But it's not all rainbows and flowers for RP. Renault is demanding an investigation into their car that's extremely similar to last year's winner, claiming that they're using parts that's not designed by them. Also, before they can sign Vettel in, they have to make the decision to kick out either Lance or Sergio because unfortunately it can only be a 2-person team. Lance is the son of the part-owner of the team and Sergio brings in a ton of money with him, so it's bound to be a dramatic exit either way.
