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I lived in Beijing for fifteen years and the pollution is one of the primary reasons I returned to the United States. The image above is what the city can look like both on a ‘clean air day’ and a polluted one. The image below is what I remember in downtown Beijing, on most days.  In fact, it seemed there were fewer and fewer ‘clean air days’.

NPR has done this investigation, which describes inside air quality being “…five times higher than the level considered safe by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.”  Listen to the story here as well.  NPR Beijing Pollution 12-7-11

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I’m often asked how I keep abreast of the changes in technology.  Interest is my number one response.  Ever since earning my Masters Degree in Media Studies from The New School, NYC, I’m fascinated at how people use technology.  So, in order to keep current, I snoop around, ask questions, read a variety of blogs [like Mashable for example], and I attend  conferences and/or present at them.

Here’s a good article for those seeking to find some new digital media resources. 45 of them in fact.

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Over the weekend I saw Martin Scorsese’s newest movie, Hugo. Set in 1930s Paris, an orphan who lives in the walls of a train station is wrapped up in a mystery involving his late father and an automaton. This is a beautiful movie with a tight story, very well cast and interesting to boot.  I highly recommend.

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Obama for America invited artists from across the country to volunteer their creativity to support President Obama’s jobs plan and the campaign. Now it is time to vote.  Luckily, you get 3 chances to vote. Here’s my favorite, from Julie, Seattle, WA.

I love this one because of the bold use of color, which draws the eye into the design [you’d see this one from across the street]. Julie has cleverly manipulated the typography to ‘work’ and communicate the idea of jobs and she placed the crane image perfectly to allow our eyes to ‘move’ through her design.  Julie also complimented the poster by repeating the iconic star [in blue] and allowed just enough of the blue, behind the red to peek out.  Was she symbolizing the ‘blue skies’ of new jobs coming to America?

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Brilliant design and functionality!  What more can you ask for?  I do love a nice cup of brewed tea, from loose leaves and this cup makes for an easy 2-step brewing process. Tilt the cup one way for brewing [the leaves have their own little compartment], then tilt the other way to strain and drink.

The mug has been designed to fit into your hands. Tipcup has this in several plastic styles and Uncommon Goods offers it in the white and black plastic.

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This little app Hey Tell allows you to use your phone like a walkie-talkie and leave small voice notes for your friends and family.   Sure helps when you are walking and want to send someone a text, just push to talk.  And it is FREE!  You can, of course, add on a little bit and get the ability to “push your voice” out to multiple people.  Could be handy for sending out reminders to a list of say, students.  Just saying.

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PressBooks is a new tool to let authors and publishers create books via WordPress and some other magic. Check out this video of Chris Brogan interviewing PressBook’s Hugh McGuire and then go sign up for an account.