Saturday, November 21, 2009

“Honda’s design philosophy stresses function - KIVI-TV” plus 4 more

“Honda’s design philosophy stresses function - KIVI-TV” plus 4 more

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Honda’s design philosophy stresses function - KIVI-TV

Posted: 21 Nov 2009 08:30 AM PST

Honda isn't typically singled out for its design expertise. Instead, it is the fun-to-drive and rock-solid aspects of Honda vehicles that usually get top billing. But quietly, Honda has been capturing more and more international kudos for its leading-edge design work, and we were pleased to have the opportunity to meet with Nobuki Ebisawa, the corporate managing director and general manager of styling and design development, to talk about it.

Ebisawa stressed two simple and overarching themes for Honda design: dynamism and functionality. He said the company's designers still draw inspiration from the functional designs of the first-generation Civic and first-generation Accord that were drawn in the same nondescript design studio in which Ebisawa and his crew work today. And at the same time, they look back all the way to the 1963 S500 sports car to channel the dynamism that helps set the brand apart. 

Ebisawa is proud of what he calls "an unbroken chain of dynamism and functionality" that stretches from those earliest models through the legendary Acura NSX sports coupe of the '90s to the Honda Odyssey minivan that transformed its segment. He expects that the upcoming hybrid Honda CR-Z, which was shown in concept form at the recent Tokyo Motor Show, will draw on both aspects of the Honda personality. Functionality will be characterized by the fuel-efficient hybrid drivetrain, and dynamism will be expressed by the car's style and fun-to-drive nature.

While the exterior design of Honda vehicles has not always been highly praised, the interior of its vehicles -- and especially their instruments and controls -- have routinely been lauded around the globe. Ebisawa cites his group's intense study of the "man-machine interface" for this, noting that Honda has long relied on the philosophy "Man maximum, machine minimum" in its designs. This means that Honda's controls are intended to be intuitive, not intrusive: to help the driver, not to challenge the driver or to make a design statement for design's sake.

An example of this effort is the bi-level instrument panel seen on the current Honda Civic. Intuitive operation and instant recognition were keys in the design, and Ebisawa said that in the "layered construction," perceived space is enhanced and line of sight movement minimized to prioritize information. Special effort goes into achieving natural hand position and create buttons that are easily understood. Ebisawa believes that voice support is the next frontier in making things simpler and more functional.

Since 2000, said Ebisawa, Honda design execs made the conscious decision to add emotional appeal to the company's vehicles without compromising functionality. In keeping with the "man maximum, machine minimum" philosophy, space has been intentionally reduced for mechanical components, and interior space with long rooflines has been increased to maximize usable roominess.

The Honda CR-Z, which will be launched next year, will encapsulate all these ideas in a vehicle that is functional and emotional, dynamic yet pragmatic. It draws on Honda's long heritage while at the same time presenting a new face and a new heart. The CR-Z will also be the harbinger of even more fascinating products from the carmaker that was once best known for its motorcycles.

Tom Ripley Driving Today Contributing Editor Tom Ripley writes frequently about the auto industry and the human condition from his home in Villeperce, France. He is a big fan of the art world. 

Copyright (c) 2009 Studio One Networks. All rights reserved.

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Toby Ord's philosophy is one we all could learn from - Daily Telegraph

Posted: 21 Nov 2009 09:06 AM PST

By Jemima Lewis
Published: 4:58PM GMT 21 Nov 2009

Comments 12 | Comment on this article

Last night, a young man with long hair, ethnic jewellery and a name along the lines of Raindrop or Truth rang my doorbell after dark. Normally, in Hackney, the recommended response to nocturnal visits from strangers is to turn off the lights and hide behind the sofa until they go away.

But I was in a strange mood, so I answered the door. Stranger still, when he asked whether I would like to sponsor an impoverished child somewhere in the developing world, I did
not pretend to be just rushing out, or washing my hair, or so overburdened by charitable commitments that I simply could not afford to give away another penny. Instead I said, "Alright then," and signed on the dotted line.

For this I blame – or rather, credit – Toby Ord, the Oxford academic who has pledged to donate a million pounds to charity over the course of his career. Dr Ord, a moral philosopher, will give away more than a third of his £33,000 salary this year (leaving him with £20,000) and then 10 per cent of his income for the rest of his working life, which should tot up to around £1 million. He has also set up an organisation, Giving What We Can, to encourage other people to follow suit.

Dr Ord, 30, admits that his circumstances are well suited to frugal living. He and his wife rent a one-bedroom flat in the grounds of Balliol College; they have no children; and she earns a decent income as a junior doctor (although she, too, has pledged to give away everything over £25,000). Most importantly, he is a man of inexpensive pleasures: "The things I gain most from – spending time with my wife, with friends, listening to beautiful music, reading beautiful books – don't cost money."

It's all very well for academics, you may say. What do they know of the struggles and temptations of the rat race, who live so much inside their own cerebellums; whose minds are too lofty to hanker after fashionable clothes or fast cars; who require nothing but a handful of mung beans, a corduroy jacket and a library card to exist contentedly?

But the man in the ivory tower has a point. Anyone who earns more than the average national wage of £24,000 is, by global standards, a millionaire. The merest of our Western luxuries – a daily cappuccino, or a subscription to Sky Sports – could keep someone alive on the other side of the world. Most of us who are in work could make the adjustment necessary to dedicate a permanent sliver of our income to charity. So why don't we?

It's not that the British are lacking in philanthropic feeling. More than most nations, we are spontaneous givers: lobbing coins into collecting tins, forking out for raffle tickets, pledging money to television appeals. But unlike, say, the Americans – 80 per cent of whom regularly put aside part of their household budget for charitable donations – we find it hard to commit.

The ancient tradition of tithing, whereby everyone from the barefoot serf to the corpulent squire was expected to give away one tenth of their income, has fallen into disuse on this side of the Atlantic. This may be in part because we are already heavily taxed: in a way, an institutionalised form of philanthropy. Panic-stricken at seeing so much of our earnings siphoned off into the government coffers, we want at least the illusion of control over what remains.

Then, too, our notion of what constitutes a liveable income (for ourselves, if not for Joe African) has risen far above inflation in recent generations. It is almost impossible to feel comfortably off in a culture so saturated by the super-rich. A friend of mine was once invited by a multi-millionaire to have lunch on his vast yacht. As they sipped cocktails on deck, attended by discreet battalions of staff, the conversation turned to private jets.

"They're just so expensive," bemoaned the host. "We can only afford to go halves on one."

"I've heard that Roman Abramovich has two," said his wife, with a deep, covetous sigh. "How the other half live!"

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Let's talk philosophy, history, simplicity, Florida & big bugs - Quad Cities Onlines

Posted: 20 Nov 2009 10:01 PM PST

 TOTALLYRANDOMQ&A

It's a gloomy, clammy fall day -- a good time to be inside where it is warm and drinking something hot.

That's what Justin Teeter, 26, was doing Wednesday in downtown Rock Island. He was sipping coffee at Theo's Java Club, joking or debating with some friends. Occasionally, there was a trip outside for a smoke break or to the counter for a refill.

Mr. Teeter took some time to answer some questions about his life and his interests.

He grew up in the Quad-Cities and considers Rock Island his hometown. He recently graduated from St. Ambrose University with a double major in philosophy -- of the modern German kind -- and history -- of the early 20th century European kind.

He admits they can be considered obscure subjects, but he is drawn to philosophy.

Why? He can't really explain.

"The only answer that I can give you is that I simply found it as a calling," Mr. Teeter said.

Before he dies, he hopes to write his own book on philosophy.

But, in the meantime, he is a substitute teacher for Rock Island-Milan and Moline school districts, doing whatever they need him to do. In his own time he said he sleeps, eats, exercises and reads philosophy.

"My life is very simple -- extraordinarily simple," Mr. Teeter said.

Q. What is the thing you are most proud of?

A. "I was the first person in my family to graduate from college."

Q. Favorite hobby?

A. Studying philosophy. "It's inexplicable. I don't know why, I just need to do it."

Q. Farthest you have traveled?

A. "The farthest I've traveled is Florida. A lot of old people -- and bugs, big ones."

Each week, The Dispatch and The Rock Island Argus sends a reporter out to interview a Quad-Citian found at random. Look for Totally Random Q&A, Mondays in Neighbors.



We need more philosophers in government, says academic - NEXT

Posted: 21 Nov 2009 10:54 AM PST

As UNESCO activities marking the World Philosophy Day come to a close in Moscow and St Petersburg, Friday Ndubuisi, an associate professor of philosophy at the University of Lagos, speaks on the need to involve more philosophers in policy making in Lagos State for the Mega City project of the state to be achieved.

This year's theme explores the relationship between philosophy and the dialogue of cultures. What are your views on the Lagos quest for mega city status?

A lot of things have been going on in Lagos State, especially since (Governor) Fashola came into power. He has done a lot of things on the positive side; it's just that he met a lot of challenges. He has been handling some of these problems, even though that people have been critical of his mode of operation, especially in the area that have to do with illegal structures. Those structures had to be pulled down, but the only thing is that were adequate alternatives created? If you look at the construction going on at Tejuosho Market, you will say, 'Oh! It's worth all the trouble.'

And now, after the construction, will the traders that were displaced be given priority? Will they be able to afford the amount of money involved? There are critical things that must be achieved if you are talking about mega city. Issues like electricity and water cannot be over emphasized. You cannot address the issue of environmental sanitation without water. Many parts of Lagos do not have water, so one should have expected him to address the issue of water. The road works are okay, and also his attempts to control traffic. It's just that some of those traffic officials deployed on the roads are not well trained.

Some residents have accused local government leaders of not complimenting the efforts of the state government. What is your view?

I am not sure that they are doing as much as (Governor) Fashola is doing. Obviously they are two different set of people and Fashola cannot dictate to them, but one would expect that he will be able to urge them on so that they will follow his footsteps.

The local governments are preoccupied with a lot of politicking, and sharing money, and so on, which is unfortunate. If the local government officials were doing as much as Fashola, Lagos would have transformed.

Do you think we need more philosophers in government, and how do you think they can contribute to effective leadership?

If you look at the western world, you will see that the western world was essentially transformed by philosophers. Germany that was able to produce the greatest philosophers had them restructure their political and economic system. In the United States, their system of principle of pragmatism is deeply rooted in philosophy. In the early days, people like Aristotle were invited to advise leaders on the intricacies of government.

Any country that really is interested in development should be able to have enough philosophers in the policy making organs because a philosopher aims to see beyond the present, and emphasize human element.

The approach of a philosopher to an issue is different from others, and I believe that any government that is interested to serve the people should be able to include a number of philosophers.

Since philosophers appear not to be actively involved in the government of the state, what attempts have the leaders of the Philosophy Department of Unilag made to contribute in an advisory role to the administration of the state?

Personally, I have hosted a lot of people who are engaged primarily on public relations for the state government. They come, and we offer them our opinion issues that have to do with governance of the state. But government is such that you don't just start writing memoranda and sending to government that might not be attended to. What we do is to offer our opinion when we have the opportunity of either the electronic or print media.

At the departmental level, I am not sure of any kind of unified effort to advise the Lagos state government on how to move forward. You don't offer advice when you are not consulted, so if they need our opinion they should contact us.

Any nation that wants to move forward should emphasize teaching and imbibing philosophical culture because philosophy has a comprehensive view about man and the world. When you have a good plan, it makes execution easy. So my advice is that the Lagos State government should make use of thinkers.

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Will Palin's book tour jump-start a political movement? - Biloxi Sun Herald

Posted: 21 Nov 2009 12:55 PM PST

In the first few days of a cross-country book tour to promote her memoir, the former Alaska governor's supporters have greeted her with a populist fervor unmatched in Internet-age Republican politics.

From her first stop last week in Grand Rapids, Mich., to Saturday's lunchtime book signing at the Washington, Pa., Sam's Club, thousands of people have lined up for hours, often in the cold, for a few moments in Palin's presence.

Since she stepped down this summer as Alaska governor, Palin has been cagey about her plans. But with her campaign-style bus and adoring crowds reminiscent of her vice presidential bid, her swing through red zones of bluish states — Indiana, Pennsylvania and Virginia — has appeared to be something more than a book tour.

While it's too early to call it a campaign, Palin's brand of common sense conservatism crackles with the energy of a burgeoning political movement.

In "The Way Forward," the title of the final chapter of her memoir, she says that her persona and her political philosophy are based on common sense that were last espoused by Reagan, her political idol. The role of government, Palin writes, "is not to perfect us, but to protect us."

Some, like Doug McKinnis, see Palin's political philosophy as a stand against what he describes as "government control, dependence on the government and loss of liberty."

McKinnis, a 48-year-old commercial pilot from Palin's Alaska hometown, Wasilla, was visiting his mother in Pennsylvania when he learned that Palin was signing books. He dropped by the Sam's Club with his "Alaskans Love Sarah" sign.

"The way I see things going in our country, there are two lines," McKinnis said. The line he waited in outside the Palin event represents "liberty, freedom, independence and a constitutional government."

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