A few weeks ago, I got a Media Beta Invite from a Social Media Strategist at Terpin Communications. They wanted me to check out a new company called Shapeways. I was informed that Shapeways is something that Philips is working on to bring 3D to reality. This is the pitch:

“Shapeways enables 3D artists, architects, product designers and consumers of all skill level to produce their 3D designs, reasonably priced, as physical printed objects easily online. Whether you want to create a new utensil, the ultimate toy or wacky piece of art, with Shapeways you can Do-It-Yourself (DIY) online. Users can create and modify their designs on Shapeways, or import from popular 3D modeling software In a few clicks, Shapeways checks whether the objects can be made and provides a real-time cost estimate. Within 10 working days, a tangible 3D product will be produced and arrive at the consumer’s home globally.” 

The image that you see above is a screen capture from my experience on Shapeways. I did not go through the entire process, because I don’t have anything to build right now. How could I? I didn’t even know this was possible! This would be great for people that wanted to pitch a new gaming idea or new character to represent a company for a more visual sale. That would bring characters to life before any mass production was even thought about. 

They have 4 materials to choose from to make your object, which are white, cream or transparent polycarbonates or acrylic-based photopolymers. Each material varies by finish, strength and heat resistance. While this is a great service for artists, we also have to think about these materials and how they will be effecting our environment in the future. Polycarbonate plastics are classified as #7 for recycling, but because these materials are chemically produced for long life and reuse, they are not recycled. So, they will end up in landfills….lots of small, cool characters will live well beyond our time buried in what I call “tellitubby” land a.k.a. the dump.

Tonight, I am having a cup and the little tea tab says, “Art is either plagiarism or revolution.” This is a statement made my Paul Gauguin, a lead Post-Impressionist painter who lived between 1848 and 1903. His revolutionary paintings, though rarely sold, may bring a price of $39.2 million.

Why is this important, you ask? Why am I talking about this?

For about a month, I have been looking for a particular piece of art to hang above my bed. Something that I would enjoy looking at everyday. I looked through all my old art history books and looked online for this painting. I couldn’t remember the name of the artist and I certainly couldn’t remember the name of the painting, so I thought I was out of luck.

Tonight, I know what that painting is - The Spirit of the Dead Keep Watch by Paul Gauguin. My little tea tab told me where to look. 

This ad, addressing Al Gore’s challenge to America, is set to run in The Washington Post, The New York Times and The Wall Street journal this week.

Visit this website to find out more: We Can Solve It

Al Gore’s website 

I think it is excellent that they have crazy Busy giving us his business ideas. His ideas are quite entertaining and a bit bizarre. I guess that is the point. These videos are posted on YouTube for a viral advertising effect and look…it is working.

The Watercone is the most effective invention that I have seen to get clean drinking water. Amazingly simple, portable and brilliant. The only problem now is cost, but I believe they are working to get these mass produced, so they will be more cost effective to provide to the villages that need them the most.

I just bought the book Design Like You Give a Damn: Architectural Response to Humanitarian Crises. The Watercone is described on page 285.