Archive for the 'OUTER DIMENSIONS' Category

The forgotten pearl of rock: Devolution

Published on 23 April, 2010 in FILM AND VIDEO, OUTER DIMENSIONS and SOUND OF MUSIC. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , .

DEVO / Devolution / devo, inc.

We have always admired DEVO. A fine pop group writing tunes based on their “Theory of Devolution” (which has never really been explained — yet we will). Devolution is the band’s music-making concept. Each album follows a particular theme, the live shows accompanying this theme with outfits, motion graphics and a particular artstyle which excites us to this day. DeVo evolving over the years from isolated art students into elder statesmen of a movement (one which never quite took) has a touch of melancholy. Gigging their new 2010 album, we find they still really f*****’ rock as they did here:

For further research, see their official website or a video on DEVO’S GEAR inside UFO, or some recent photos via last.fm event pages:

DEVO



Now, why not try contemplating this youtube video with Mark Mothersbaugh. If you’re game, check out the entire? conspiracy starring DeVo, TiVo and BOB.

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The forgotten pearl of saving life as we know it: The Mushroom.

Published on 3 March, 2010 in BLINDED BY SCIENCE, FILM AND VIDEO and OUTER DIMENSIONS. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , .

MYCELIUM / Fungi / mushroom

As fantastical as it may sound, nature really did create neural networks, exposed in ancient beliefs, Hayao Miyazaki movies (Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle) and more recently Cameron’s Avatar. In actual reality this network is made up of mycelium (fungi, mushrooms) and can nourish the hungry, heal the sick, make bad people good and save the universe. Now this is serious, folks, pay attention. If you don’t have much time, jump to 8 minutes into this video and listen to the six ways mushrooms may save the earth:

Experience this excellent talk on saving mankind by mycologist Paul Stamets
via TED (below) or on YouTube (mobile-compatible).


FUN GUY DR. STAMETS ON TED #258

Fungi will break down toxins, turning them into simple sugars and carbohydrates. It will cure disease like H1N1 (known as Swine Flu in the USA) and the common cold. It can also do things like save all of humanity. Mycilenial wizard Paul Stamets explains how mycelium (fungi, mushrooms) was integral in our evolution and can be utilized to save the earth. His talk on TED is a concise 15 minutes of pure amazement, spanning from the beginning of earth until the crisis of contemporary man and of course some pretty far out things as you can imagine with any talk about mushrooms.

Much of the fungi thrives only in the Old Growth Forests of the Pacific Northwest, USA. We need to act fast and preserve these forests. More information was found on Save Our Old Growth dot org. This is some fairly random silliness:

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The forgotten pearl of St. Valentine’s Day, 2010: The Year Of The Tiger

Published on 14 February, 2010 in BLINDED BY SCIENCE, FILM AND VIDEO, OUTER DIMENSIONS and SOUND OF MUSIC. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

14 FEB 2010 / Year Of The (Metal) Tiger / st. valentine’s day

Today, the 14th of February, 2010 is but a Hallmark Holiday in the United States and abroad some like to call Saint Valentine’s Day. In ancient (3500 yrs+) Chinese astrology, this is the first day of 寅 (The Year Of The Tiger, 14 Feb 2010 – 2 Feb 2011) which tends to come around every 12 years and more specifically every 48 years to get the same animal/elemental match — this year is the Metal Tiger. The Tiger symbolizes courage and fearless protection. We are going to need a lot of courage this year and luckily we’ll have it. Props to the ancient Chinese!

Les Paul and Mary Ford performing
HOLD THAT TIGER
from the 1953 “The Colgate Comedy Hour” tapings:

Not to digress, but honestly, isn’t this another amazing moment from Les Paul and wife Mary Ford? “Here kitty kitty kitty, here kitty kitty!” We love them. Les Paul is well-known for inventing the electric guitar and composing many standards musicians play today, but he also invented a tiny little thing that was to become massively important: MULTI-TRACK RECORDING! The first to put sound on sound, overdubbing, constructing layers of guitars and Mary’s vocal harmonies. He passed away last August 2009 at the age of 94. He was playing gigs that year!
If you are unaware of this genius, music, technology and history buffs alike really must watch the documentary “Les Paul: Chasing Sound!” by John Paulson and James Arnts. (that links to hulu.com which is only available in some countries- we are deeply sorry, try searching elsewhere). If you love music you will throw your arms around him. If you are a guitar player you will throw yourself out a window. Happy Valentine’s, Mary, Les and Tigers everywhere!
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