Out of my Mind

So I just finished reading the first section of Daniel Pink's book, A Whole New Mind- why right brianers will rule the world. Can you believe 10 minutes after I finished reading the darn thing in the office break room- I lost it. I mean it completely disappeared, as in vanished into thin air.

This makes me question if right brained people will actually rule the world. I'm sure if I were left brained I would have intensely focused my energy on returning the book to it's rightful place in my backpack. Instead I was so inspired with the thought of ruling the world, I started gazing out the window again dreaming of this brave new world where artists and creative types could finally have our revenge on the people who make money. Only to rush back to my cube and presumably leave my book behind for some opportunistic late lunch taker- no doubt a fellow right brainer.

So as I try to recall my readings from memory, I want to reflect a bit on Automation, Asia, and Abundance. It was such a treat to read in print a thought that had been on my mind for a while but never quite organized. As someone who's profession has been phased out in this new automated world ( I was a travel agent for 10 years), I am especially thoughtful of skills of the future that can't be automated- yet. Hence, my new foray into education. I have met countless others, under 40 years old who have met similar automated job phase-outs. ; a mapmaker, an accountant, and a candlestick maker. Just joking on the last one.

Which brings us around to design. In theory, I agree with Daniel Pink that our design is becoming a much more critical requirement of our workplace skill set. His examples of how high end designers are now selling merchandise in stores like Target is a fair example of people's demand for meaning and feeling in their purchases. As our abundance has grown, our need for cheap utilitarian functionality has diminished and instead 0f needing a couch and coffee table, we need a designer living room set that defines who we are as a person. (This reminds me of Fight Club)

Yet I couldn't help wondering how the watering down of design is effecting our quality. If everyone is a designer, than does design mean anything? Sure you can plan your own honeymoon, design your own living room, do your own taxes, make your own website, but how effective will you be? What kind of quality can you expect? What happens when you take out the expert and are relying on your instincts? How does this effect instructional design?

When everyone thinks they can make an on-line tutorial, I can see where the need for an instructional designer may get phased out. Just like any other industry we must continue to prove ourselves show our results, and highlight expert advice, quality and results rather than mere functionality.

Sipping the Forbidden Starbucks in Beijing

Beijing, China,

Ancient manuscripts, sacred temples, centuries of tradition, oh and a Grande Latte, extra foam. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, but right in the middle of Beijing's most culturally significant landmark, the famed Forbidden City there used to be a Starbucks coffee store.

If the entire site was kind of kitsch, I probably wouldn't have been so surprised- but it wasn't. The rest of the palace and grounds are kept blatantly free of advertising, fuzzy characters, dinner shows, animatronics or any other annoying amusement schemes. In fact it's worth every penny to get a guided or audio-tour, otherwise you'll end up helplessly confused and undoubtedly lost in the 7,800,000 square feet complex.

Built in 1420 for almost five centuries it served as the home the Chinese Emperor and his cohorts and kin. Following the abduction and overthrow of the last emperor, Puyi in 1924, the palace was turned over to the new Republic of China and with a few bumps along the road, eventually became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. Today, the Forbidden City is the best glimpse back into the cultural, religious and political system that ruled China for generations.

Those palace walls that have stood for 500 years may no longer protect an antiquated system of government, but they do protect paintings, ceramics, and artifacts from the bulldozers of change that surround them. China is a country steeped in slumbering tradition that is moving to modernity at breakneck speed. Perhaps then, it was only appropriate to find a Starbucks in the middle of one of China's historic sites. Kind of a mashup of the country's conflicting past and present. The Chinese saw it differently though and following a popular campaign to oust the "Forbidden Starbucks", both the coffee company and the palace chose to part ways in 2007.

Working Girls of Vietnam

Nha Trang, Vietnam-

Vietnam has some charming people and boy, don't they know it. Actually, it's not just some charming people , it has loads of them. I've never felt quite so claustrophobic in a country as the two weeks I spent there but that's for another story.

I met these two girls while relaxing on the beach at Nha Trang, just north of Saigon. I say relaxing, but that's kind of hard to do in Nha Trang. Most of these lovely people, mostly girls, stroll along the turquoise surf using their charms and smiles to lure a naive tourist into buying one of the many things they peddle; bracelets, necklaces, hat, towels, umbrellas, you get the idea.

Of course this isn't unique. There are few beaches in the world this isn't practiced. Vietnam is a bit different though in that the girls just won't take no for an answer and eventually WILL wear you down with their outright, upfront, completely unsympathetic cuteness. Really, just look at those girls in the photo. How can you not pay a dollar to those two for some General Ho Chi Minh beer cozies.

The setup:

You (the tourist) spread your blanket, oil your skin, and lay down to catch some rays.

Along comes the cunning girl, all smiles with baby in tow. "Hello, where you from?"

"America! woo hoo!""

"Nice. I love Eminem. You want to buy bracelets?"

"No thanks. I don't wear jewelry."

The hook

The girl sits with you. Not a few feet away or behind but right next to you. Sometimes joined by other girls who witness the sting in progress and want to get in on the goods. Suddenly questions start flying like

"What's your name? Married? How many kids you have?" -- these three are required

"Where you stay? How long you here? You like Vietnam? How old are you? Favorite color?" "Want to buy bracelet?"

The close

I defy any of you, given the circumstances (again, look at the photo) to get annoyed at these people. In the end, you talk to them, you share a smile, you hold out and twitch and tell yourself - they will leave soon - but they never do. So, you buy a bracelet for a buck. They smile again, the inquisition is over and they move on down the beach.

In the end, it wasn't so bad. They made a buck, you got a bracelet, a twenty minute conversation with 3 smiling girls hanging on your every word, and a photo for the scrap book. So you cozy up with a good book under the golden sun, just as a small shadow casts over your face

"Hello. What's your name?"

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