Random Thoughts

From an article at Boing Boing:

A discussion thread on using shipping containers as housing on Making Light turned up a fantastic wealth of material on the subject (it turns out that the world’s imbalance of trade with China means that most ports have mountains of abandoned containers originating in China that no one wants to ship back there). Teresa Nielsen Hayden (who doubles as Boing Boing’s comment-moderator) did a round-up post organizing dozens of links thematically. Clicktrance ahoy! Link for more on this issue

(Photo credit: Naomi Schiphorst’s photo of student housing made from shipping containers in Amsterdam, found on Mimoa)

Now if we could just get shipping containers to be made out of wood instead of metal, this would actually be an awesome things to build with. If I had to I suppose it would be better than sleeping outside, but living in a metal box which becomes a faraday cage can not be healthy.

Metro parents against school uniform policy blog - wow - the power of the web harnessed for more speaking out. Love to see things like that. And it has even gotten a film produced about it.

I have mixed feelings about uniforms. Certainly there are many issues to be considered. I can see it benefiting certain things like kids that can’t afford the latest fashions not having to compete with those who has tons of money. I see a lack of free speech and expression which could make kids want to be group sheep that follow leaders and lack self expression much like the issues of clothing choices Germany has where free speech can land you in jail from wearing the wrong t-shirt.

I see huge debates about what is proper and what is not. I see issues with religious attire and more. I wonder what will come of the policy discussions.