The open palm philosophy

In the time it takes for an idea to go from thought to acceptance societies and civilizations change, evolve, break apart. Many of the revolutions in history have not come at the point of a sword or barrel of a gun, but rather from the words, deeds, and creation of men and women striving to improve and better the world around them. The printing press, internet, flying, automotive transport, rail travel, the telegraph – all created by brilliant minds, some with an eye for profit, some just for the sheer hell of it, but all of them have left an indelible mark on society as a result of their conception.

One thing that allowed for their creation was the liberation of thought and deed. Through all the struggles to bring forth their babies the inventors, investors, and believers in these ideas were able to think outside the box and be allowed to give their creations wings to soar above the society they inhabit. In Soviet Russia, despite a general repression of the populace by the state, brilliant minds were loosed on the problem of manned space flight, and while it was not always pretty the results of their bold choices sparked a race with the Americans that culminated in the satalites, tele-communications, and Google Maps we all use and abuse everyday. Without the freedom to be creative none of this would have been possible, or at the very least would have taken far longer to come into conception.

So how does this apply to society as a whole? The lesson all societies learn is that by allowing people to think, rather than repressing these thoughts, great ideas come fourth for the betterment of mankind. Modern China learn this bitter lesson in the 1980′s as a result of the hugely tragic cultural revolution - allow the brilliant minds space to innovate and accumulate, and your nation will grow as a result. Of course China needs to improve it’s civil rights record, and still have hundreds of millions of peasent poor, but once the spark has ignitied the idea of interllectual liberty there is no going back, not without a lot of pain and suffering by the population at large.

In the end if you have an idea, a concept, a different take on the current staus quo you should never be afraid to allow yourself the freedom to explore them. If your society represses these concepts, ideas, and theories then find your voice, speak your mind, and show them the benefits. If you are fortunate enough to live in a society that already allows freedom of ideas, concepts, and theories then speak up for those who don’t – for only by allowing the flame of difference and interlectual curiosity burn bright can we find the next Einstein, Newton, or Burners-Lee.  Mankind has the brilliance to overcome any barrier, and by allowing an open palm philosophy of ideas and concepts we can all benefit with a better and brighter future.

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Orwell’s most famous paraphrase

“Everyone is equal, no-one is more equal than anyone else.”

No truer words have been misquoted in the entire history of humanity, and Animal Farm is definitely a cautionary tale of what happens when this idea gets misappropriated. In the entirety of human history the one continuous impulse has been for liberation, personal freedom; which in turn gets into the whole ‘I want my rights, give them to me now’ issue that arises when the oppressed shout as one. With rights come responsibilities, and this is the part that often gets missed in the whole equal rights equation. If you have rights then you need to understand that they come with responsibilities.

In all societies that have given it’s citizens rights it is usually the ones which have emancipated the most of it’s people that flourish and continue to grow holistically. No society in history has grown structurally by diminishing the rights of it’s people. Even when a society looks totalitarian, such as present day China, it only starts to grow and develop when the restraints on society are loosened. It is only be unleashing the more random elements in society that the wild ideas can flourish, and it is these ideas that spark the true growth in humanity at large.

A good case study is Germany in the 1920′s and 1930′s. In the 20′s Germany has a flourishing culture, both liberal and conservative. The industry conservative heart found the liberal culture difficult to handle, and when the crunch came in the 1930′s the industrial elite chose the hard lines of the Nazi regime over the softer lines of the liberal politics. In turn the general population accepted the curtailing of rights for various minority groups in the country, which in turn caused many of the best and brightest to flee to safer climes – such as Einstein to America. This in turn meant that the allies had a well spring of intellectual talent for the war effort, and they made effective use of it on the Manhattan project. In the end Germany paid heavily for it’s revocation of rights to certain groups, and the cost to the society as a whole took several generations to undo.

Ah, I hear you say, but what about my country? The place I call home. Surely I have all the rights and responsibilities any person could wish for? Well all I will say is look again. If there is one person who is disenfranchised unfairly (excluding prisoners etc), is unable to marry the person they are in love with (relations and children excluded), is unable to hold their own personal faith (or lack their of), or is unduly tarnished  by the state for their point of view then there is still room to fight. Of course there are going to be cases where the rights of a single person are outweighed by the needs of the many, such as pedeophilia, but these occasions should be used as a balwalk against tyranny, not to induce it.

In the end only be having equality for all, with the rights and responsibilities that entails can a society loose the shackles that burden it’s roots.  Freedom for all enables everyone to have a voice, to allow others to decent from that voice, and to be free to change that voice if they so wish. No-one is more or less entitled to their opinion than the next person, though there is right and wrong which can be proven. If you hold a view, the person next to you has the right to challenge it, but the responsibility to do it in such a way that you do not feel threatened or bullied into holding their’s. This is not equal opportunities, this is simple equality of everyone. No matter your skin colour, gender, sexuality, creed, political persuasion,  or ethnic background you are still an equal to me and the rest of the human race. That I may think you are wrong or an idiot is merely the window dressing that makes the world go round.

In the end the only way to stop the abject suffering of gays in Muslim countries, ethnic minorities the world over, women in many parts of the world, indeed anyone who is repressed is to recognise them as equal, in both rights and responsibilities. Stop the hate, stop the unjust slander of those you don’t understand, and accept them as equals in this world. Only then can firm foundations be laid of the betterment of all mankind. Equality is not for the minority, but for everyone, so no-one is more equal than anyone else.

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Andreea Retinschi aka WildRainOfIceAndFire

If you are looking for kick arse photography with a definite uber twist then Andreea is your girl. Her website and Deviant Art page are choc full of the most delicious fashion and portrait shots, and it is always a pleasure seeing her latest work on DA.  Personally I love how she goes beyond the surface of the composition, and looks at the intrinsic beauty of her subject. Her photography sings with a passion for her art form, and if you are looking for images which bring an added dimension to photography then her gallery should be your first stop. Oh, and she has a things for redheads. Rock on!





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Soul food

Let music be the dish of the day,
Your soul enraptured to the beat.
Open up your heart and mind,
Endless move your dancing feet.

Classical, lyrical, acoustic we,
Pulsating bass line all demanding,
That we set them eternally free.

So let your mind fill with aural bliss,
Max out the volume to ten,
Shake that tush to heavenly tunes,
And enter the musical zen.


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Newport (Ymerodraeth State of Mind)


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O Red 4th Anniversary

When I started O Red I had no idea where the podcast would go, though I was sure of one thing: showcase the best trance, dance, and electro music in a non-interrupted mix without any distractions from the tracks played. In the last four years the podcast has grown, matured, and as I have become a better DJ a serendipitous weekly jaunt into deep house and trance.

One of my key aims was, and is, to showcase new dance music, and over the years we have featured some of the brightest tracks around, often months before they hit the big time. It is always a pleasure showcasing hidden gems of the dance world, and it never stops bringing a smile to my face when I hear personal favourite tracks put into the mix of other DJs.

In the last four years as the dance music has evolved so has O Red. Originally my intention was to rotate between five or six different styles of music over the space of two months, with showcase mixes thrown in for good measure. In 2009, and into 2010, I have moved away from this approach, preferring to concentrate on deep house, trance, and chill out mixes. I will probably return to the more rotational style of the show in 2010/11, as there is so much wonderful tracks out there.

Personally it has been a real roller coaster at times, as I have poured a lot of time, energy, and perspiration into the mixes. I thoroughly enjoy doing the podcast each week, and it is always rewarding to me knowing the show has a worldwide listenership. From Boston to Dubai, Aman to Sydney, Helsinki to Cape Town we have has people clicking the world over, and with a strong presence on I Tunes the show definitely shows that dance music is much loved the world over.

So where does the show go from here? After the hiatus of the last two months the weekly show is back from next week, and with the 4th Anniversary three hour special mix this week kicking of proceedings the future remains bright.

Peace and happy listening.

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Michael Schumacher – mid term report

In many respects the return on the Kaiser to Formula One at the beginning of 2010 was always going to be interesting. Could he cut it? Would he return to his dominating form? Has he still got ‘it’? The answer to all these questions, and the myriad of other doubters and supporters inquiries, is simply the while yes he can still mix it with the current crop his three years out have surely cost him that dominating edge that he enjoyed previously.

In the first half the season he has not lit up the timing sheets, won a race, or even stepped onto the podium, and to those expecting a miracle it has be a divine disappointment. Yet, in the face of an impossible ask – if he became champion it would have been inevitable, if he screwed the pooch it would have been told you so – he has behaved in a relaxed and dignified manner. He has been good, though a little inconsistent. He may have not tub thumped his team mate Nico Rosberg, and his feel for the car is certainly questionable, but he is still consistently in the top ten, which in the current class of Formula One is no mean feat. To be fair to Michael he has struggled to find grip with the front tyres, and his usual attacking flair has been blunted by the new regulations.

To the doubters his return has lived down to all their expectations, his form proof that he has lost his edge, and dare they say his hunger. To his fans his determination, drive, and more relaxed approach to the sport is a sign that in 2011 he should be a stronger force. Personally I am glad he is racing, and I think that he will only get stronger once he has been able to bed in with the new regulations. In the end it can only be a positive for the sport he is still involved, and even if he is not the best, he is still a strong driver who adds a dash of spice to the sport.

For the form he has showed so far I think Michael deserves a B-, as while he has shown he can still mix it with the current crop of drivers he still has more to do to convince that he will be a force to be feared in 2011.

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Labels, brands, and the choices we all make

Somewhere between the end of the first world war and Coco Chanel’s raise to prominence branding, advertising, and fashion all came into the same orbit as one another. Since Chanel’s iconic fashions exploded onto a prosaic world many other brands, labels, and fashion houses have all got in on the act of creating an allure for themselves. Indeed, such is the name recognition of D&G, Gap, Chanel, Prada et al that to simply think of these iconic brands is to conjure up a sense of style and quiet smile of lust mixed in with either want or glee. Such is the power of marketing. Even the rebel fashion houses such as Vivienne Westwood and Jean Paul Gautier all get in on the marketing act, though these brands tend to subvert the idea of marketing for their own ends. What the big names do the rest of the highstreet is want to either copy, subvert, or re-engineer, and Primark, Tesco, Asda, New Look, Top Shop, and all the other low to mid-range fashion brands can more than hold their own on the branding and advertising stakes. Next, French Connection, and Marks & Spencers all have, or have had, excellent marketing strategies which sell an ideal to their customers.

So want makes this a topic of interest? Why discuss a subject that is patently obvious to anyone who walks down their local high street? For starters it effects nearly everyone of us; you may think you are a fashion rebel who merely flits between shop and boutique, but ultimately the power of the advertiser, brand, label, and magazine are far stronger than most people would care to admit. Fashion by its very nature is dictated by a small group of people, usually 12-18 months ahead of a particular season, with all the fashion magazines getting in on the act to promote the latest trend or style. Indeed, I would go as far as to argue that what you wear is actually very limited in choice, and unless you are consciously choosing to be a fashion rebel you are more than likely subconsciously, or not, being effected by all the branding, marketing, and sales techniques that the fashion industry is throwing at you.

Why does this matter, and more importantly why should you care? Intrinsically there is nothing wrong with fashion, on the contrary it is a creative industry that flourishes and brings fourths new ideas at it’s zenith; but, and this is the real sticking point, how often does the real innovation seep through to the high street? Most of what passes through the major fashion houses, high street brands, and online retailers has a recycled feel to it, a borrowing from the past to sell to the present. In my life time I have now witnessed this recycling first hand of 1990′s fashion, and I am sure you will all be able to either recollect fashion from your youth or know some who has remarked ‘I had that the first time around’. The crux of all of this is that marketing plays a powerful part in selling us this idea of what is ‘in’ and what isn’t, and the brands, fashion houses, and retailers all co-opt into this idea of recycling with minimal innovation.

All of that said, while this idea of recycling and rehashing is pertinent, it would be remiss not to also look at the wider picture. We are fortunate to live in times where we can all wear what we like, as modern society rarely has an set look or feel. Maybe this is the biggest irony of fashion in the 21st Century, the fact that no matter what is on trend or in style, the vast majority of people will generally buy clothing which suits their own personal tastes and ideas about themselves. This would answer the question as to why in an age of big advertising budgets, major brand names, and high street homogamy small boutiques, brands, and stalls flourish the world over. Those who want to buy easy fashion will shop at Primark, Marks & Spences, New Look et al, those with an eye for the trend will purchase Armani, Gucci, and Amanda Wakely, and then those who want to be edgy will shop at Spittalfields, the quirky boutique in town, or the online store they discovered last week. In the end personal choice is usurping the power of the marketer, and with the rise of the internet and social media it makes it easier for smaller brands and designers to break the mould without the huge marketing budget.

The age of the trend setter, of Vogue and Cosmo, and the celebrity stylist is on the wane, as consumers find more innovative and interactive ways to consume trends and fashion. There will always be a place for the celebrity couture, the bespoke dress, and the ‘in’ thing, but in many respect as the 80′s and 90′s generations start to become more dominant fashion consumers their me first philosophy will force the marketers to find new ways to appeal to their wallets. Brands are having to fight harder to win over the internet savy, fashion houses know full well that with limited spending power this generation will be more conscious of their own image rather than being a sheep following the shepherd, yet they also know that most consumers will buy on the power of cut price and clever ad strategy. Clever viral marketing, word of mouth, and hip celebrity placement are fast becoming the norm for the canny brand, and as the internet continues to make inroads into ad budgets from all other forms of media it has become imperative for marketers to make their adverts personally appealing, rather than a mass of blanket gender stereotyping. The explosion of retro fashion shops is also another key growth area catering to the desire for the personal, and the mining of the past to feed present tastes continues unabashed, thus ensuring that anyone who wants a quirk can find one.

Finally, this brings us back to the idea of choice, and whether we are truly innovators of our own look, or sheep consuming the fashion served up to us by the industry. The truth falls somewhere in between, for we can only wear what is presented before us by the retailers, yet with the multitude of shops and concepts to choose from defining your own personal look could not be simpler and more straight forward. There is no ultimate free will in fashion, rather a set of complex personal choices you have to make as you purchase each item for your wardrobe. Marketers hope to tap into this set of choices, assuming a lot about you as a person, and in the end while their influence plays a greater or lesser role on the end purchase, what is apparent on the high street today is that people are far more comfortable making their own choices across the range of fashion on offer, and brand loyalty is diminishing as much as choice is proliferating.

Ultimately fashion is growing beyond the idea of brands and labels, and will over the next decade probably evolve and splinter into a more personal and singular experience. Yet despite all of this we as consumers will probably still prefer the ease of the high street and mall, and as such there will always be the big brands and names who will provide both fast and personal fashion for us all. The rise of the smaller brands and boutiques will continue, though with the uncertain economic situation the likelihood is that there will be some much loved casualties along the way. The most important message, though, to come out of all of this is that you as a consumer have the power to make your own choices over your look and style, and as the idea of amorphous trends, personalised looks, and individual fashion takes a firm root the concepts you choose for yourself will be as valid as the next persons, no matter what the fashion industry or markets tell you. This is the age of individual fashion, and the industry is playing catch up to you.

In the end despite any limitations put upon the consumer by the high street, there will always be space for the personal touch, and if you look you will always find style and fashion to suit your personal taste, so get out there and explore.

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StarCraft II – Ghosts of the Past Trailer

If you liked the original, or just plain like a good story, then this will get your appetite wet for the biggest moment in games this year – that’s right folks, Star Craft 2 is out on the 27th July! Nearly a decade in the making this game threatens to be the new daddy on the block, and if you have not already checked out the website make that your next destination. Honestly, this game is going to be talked about for the next decade, so if you to know what all the fuss is about have a watch of the trailer and let your jaw hit the floor.

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Random Acts Milestones

In the next month Random Acts will celebrate several key milestones with the various projects we are involved with, and also be announcing a brand new project for you all to get involved with.

Milestone #1: Tigg-stock hitting 300,000 page views.

This may not seem like a lot in the grand scheme of things, considering that we have been running the account for 3.5 years, but on closer inspection it shows that we are actually achieving our goal of building our audience on Deviant Art, and are hopefully on track to hit the 350,000 mark by the end of the year. Currently Tigg-stock gets between 15,000-20,000 hits per month, and our aim is by this time next year to be averaging 1000 hits per day, as we want to share the goodness with as many people as possible.

Milestone #2: O Red’s 4th Anniversary

Things have been a bit quiet on the mix front over the last two months, but rest assured   O Red will back with a bang for the 4th Anniversary mix. The podcast has stuck firmly to it’s dance, trance, deep house, and electro roots over the last four years, and the future looks very bright for the podcast as we have plenty more goodness in the pipeline for you.

Milestone #3: Inspired turns one

Okay, so the current incarnation of the webzine is three months old, but the website has been going for just under a year. In anticipation of this we are looking to ramp up the amount of content we provide, as well as giving the webzine a spruce. Look out for special features in August relating to this.

Milestone #4: Random Acts turns three

This is the big one, and as such we will be hosting a get together in Manchester to celebrate three years of RA goodness. The details for this will follow in the next week, but as such I feel it is important that we foster a community spirit with all the wonderful people we have worked with and who have supported us over the last three years.

Finally…

The big new project.

I can’t disclose any finalised details at the moment, but we are in the process of working on a replacement for the Hub. As many of you know the previous incarnation has been shut down due to the change in circumstance on the host, so we are looking for a way to revitalise the vision behind the Hub and I will do a formal announcement around the 3rd anniversary celebrations. All I can say is that it will be a big project which will hopefully spur people to be creative.

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