Ylliks

Living in New York creates some of the same problems for younger people as in the Netherlands. One of them is affordable housing. Sure, there’s always renting a place, but for some owning a house is a must-have. But with prices rising it’s becomming increasingly difficult to find a nice space for yourself. Not any more.

Introducing the Loft Cube. This stylish prefab gives you a ready-to-go living space which you can suit to your own needs. According to the manufacturer you can personalize it as much as you want. But what’s even more interesting is the way they designed the floorplan. By a combination of movable panels and some multi usage of installed uttilities (water tab that can be used in both kitchen en bathroom, showerhead can also be used to water the plants) they prove that with a little inginuity you can make excellent use of available space, creating numerous possibilities.

Original via Gothamist

In my most recent post I’ve commented on Google, Microsoft and Yahoo’s decisions on their business dealings in China. Jason Calacanis (CEO of Weblogs Inc.) made an interesting point on his blog about Google’s decision and why he’s all for it. Especially this line hit home:

“ If our goal is to spread democracy in China the quickest way to do that is to make some short-term compromises. Drawing a hard line is the easy, intellectual route to take, but it’s hopelessly naive. Rolling up your sleeves and investing in a market that could collapse or kick you out is, in fact, the courageous route.”

Makes you think.

China has always been an intriguing country, not just because of the vastness of the country, the language, history, cuisine or society . Ever since the Socialist government of the country has decided to open up their markets for non-Chinese companies, it has become interesting for companies as well. Companies have tried to gain acces to a market that has potentialy more than 1 billion customers. Needless to say there’s alot of money involved.

But doing business in China is different because of its politics. Microsoft had to take down a blog, Yahoo had to give information and Google has to modify it’s search page. And not surprisingly there have been numerous articles written against these policies (even by own employees). But why is this a surprise? Why does it come as a shock? Don’t people know that’s what companies have to do?

Don’t get the wrong impression. Freedom of speech is a right that every person on the planet should have. And the fact that certain governments (who are there for the people in the first place) censor that right is appalling.

But it’s what companies have to do to keep on doing business in certain countries like China. Or North Korea. Or Iran. You have to get with the governments program or you’re out. Simple as that. And as soon as a company goes to China (or any of the other countries for that matter) they know this is going to happen. Same as for doing business in Europe, the US or any other free market economy, as a company you have to play by the rules. Pay your taxes. Keep to the law. Same goes for China, only the rules are more strict. And sometimes even morally wrong.

So protesting now is a little late (although it never hurts). These companies have already decided they’re gonna do whatever it takes to succeed on the Chinese market. They decided they’re gonna live with the moral implications of working with a government that takes away human rights from their citizens. They decided that on the moment they said: “Let’s get a presence on the Chinese market”. It was bound to happen. Keep on questioning and protesting this business strategy but don’t be surprised. It is the cost for doing business there.

I often wonder how well people know themselves. Whenever I see the episodes of Idols with the tryouts I get confused. Many times there’s someone who can’t sing to save their life and shows it by not keeping any tone at all while raping a classic. The jurors gasp for air from the terror their ears have to endure and in no uncertain terms tell the contestant he or she, well, sucks. Then he or she comes out, all in tears that “a dream didn’t come true”. Then there’s a loving mother who sticks her face in the camera, claiming that her child does have talent and they’ll show the world! And although everyone has one or more talents, it’s clear to everyone who’s watching that that contestants particular talent isn’t singing (or keeping tone for that matter).

It’s understandable that everybody wants to be special. We all want to be admired by our peers. Knowing that you are something others never or only a few can be gives us a sense of superiority. It gets us attention. Attention that we crave of receiving. And some seem to crave for attention so much, they delude themselves into thinking they’re something they’re not. And it doesn’t help that relatives and friends support those delusions (how well intended those feelings are).

Because it can be ridiculed. It’s what programs like Idols thrive on. The best watched episodes are those first couple where the talent is seperated from the (sometimes very) untalented. And it’s that group that people are watching for. Seeing that someone makes a complete fool out of themselves on national television. Not the ones that come up and clearly go out to have a little fun with being on the tv, but those who’s hearts are crushed by the rejection. Those who have told themselves that they could sing. Believing it so by the support of friends and family who, because of their loving feelings towards him or her, support thier misguided search for fame. They are used. Used for being a bit ignorant about what they can or can’t do. Used to get good ratings.

And that can be avoided. It may not be on national television, but there can be numerous situations where someone is in way over their head and they end up being disillusioned, hurt or crushed. Knowing what your strengths are is great. Knowing what your weaknesses are is even better. If you want to become something realy bad, sure you can work hard at it. Determination can get you real far. But even determination can’t give you a certain talent. When you’re afraid of hights, you’ll never be a pilot or climber. When your hand trembles you’ll never be a surgeon. When your voice sounds like a combination between a rasp and meatgrinder you’ll never be a singer. When you’re not 5″11 you’ll never be supermodel.

We all have our strong and weak points. Everyone has talents. Getting to know them is getting to know yourself. And when you know yourself it’s easy to figure out which dream to pursue. And to live the dream.