Imagine this: an online social network that you can customize to your liking. No fees, no rules, no information disclosed against your will. Sound dreamy? Well it’s in the works!
A few nerdy computer guys put their brains together to come up with Diaspora, a network consisting of open-code, free software that allows you to set up your own server, make your own hub and fully control the information you want to share with the world. They liken the network to Facebook- it has the similar little games, walls and chat. However, unlike Facebook, Diaspora wont share your privacy with everyone.
So far, the creators have raised $23,676 from 739 backers for their project on Kickstarter. Show your support and follow them on Twitter @joindiaspora!
Archive for May, 2010
944 Magazine
Tuesday, May 25th, 2010
944 is a hip, lifestyle magazine with city centric editions published in places such as Dallas, Miami, LA, Phoenix and San Fran. They did a little Q&A on Billy Jealousy founder Pat Parsi asking for the latest trends in skincare (products addressing aging skin concerns), favorite night spots (Joule Hotel and Belmont Hotel, both in Dallas) and so on. To check out the magazine and read the actual Q&A visit, www.944.com/magazine
Men’s Health Award: Best Face Wash
Monday, May 24th, 2010
Billy Jealousy’s White Knight: Gentle Daily Facial Cleanser won Best Face Wash in the 2010 Men’s Health Grooming Awards. Check it out in the Men’s Health June 2010 edition, page 167! It’s our first product to win two magazine awards.
The Allure of the Automobile
Monday, May 10th, 2010
The High Museum of Art in Atlanta, GA is featuring an exhibit on custom-made cars as works of art, focusing on the cars fine forms as well as their historical significance.
There is a total of 18 cars on display- the most notable being the rare 1938/1939 Porsche Type 64, which was donated by Porsche. Having this car in the show marked the first time in history that the shell of this Porsche has left Germany.
Design relevance and automotive pedigree unite to show the evolved styling of elite street and concept cars. Guest curator Ken Gross, an automotive historian and former director of Peterson Automotive Museum, offers extensive background on each car while Ron Laboco, the High’s Curator of Decorative Art and Design, approaches the cars as singular works of art.
The Great Oom
Tuesday, May 4th, 2010
Robert Love delves into the interesting life of yoga guru Pierre Bernard (born Perry Baker in Leon, Iowa) in his book, The Great Oom.
Bernard was one of yoga’s earliest promoters who went on to become a hypnotist. He performed extreme stunts, such as having pins pushed through his cheeks and earlobes and a hatpin pushed through his tongue- all while in a trance. As a result, he gained a lot of attention from wealthy San Francisco residents, and he achieved a rock-star status among his female followers, which eventually led to charges that he had conned and enticed a young woman.
Ultimately, the charges were dropped and Bernard moved on to the Vanderbilt family and established a yoga center on an old Nyack estate. His yoga center was a success, until the Depression came along.
Bernard went on to use the riches he made from yoga to start a chemical company, an airport, a semi-pro baseball team, and a trained elephant act. When Bernard passed away in 1955, yoga was moving mainstream. Love credits Bernard with changing public perception of yoga from self indulgent exoticism to healthful normalcy, but this colorful, wild tale reminds us that money is America’s true religion.