50 Serious Games for Social Change. Computer games designed to teach about social issues like public health, the environment, human rights and poverty. A very mixed bag here, but an interesting, emerging space to watch. (via)  ¶

Going Rouge. On November 17, Sarah Palin’s memoir Going Rogue: An American Life will be released. That same day, two senior editors at The Nation will publish Going Rouge: Sarah Palin, An American Nightmare, a book of critical essays on her background, policies, and relationship to the Republican Party. In addition to the title play, the book uses its cover type and photo treatment to good effect. (via)
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Graphic Symbols for Disaster Response. A standard set of symbols for mapping and other graphic coordination between Federal, State, and local agencies in the event of a disaster, natural or otherwise. A work in progress by the Federal Geographic Data Committee’s Homeland Security Working Group. Download for free as TrueType fonts.
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Publishers with a Purpose. “A group of online publishers who have pledged 5% of their total ad inventory to selected nonprofits and social causes, with the shared goal of making a difference in our neighborhoods and around the world by grouping together.” Some big, independent blog networks are doing this.  ¶

Peace, Love, and Geert Wilders. Two young Dutch designers, Pinar&Viola, sent this clean video re-edit of far-right MP Geert Wilders preaching peace and universal human rights. It's a stark contrast to his usual rhetoric, but also a compelling visualization of some parallel world where politicians stood up for things that matter.  ¶

Palestine, graffiti as peaceful act of resistance. A few pics from the Palestinian side of the West Bank barrier. More here from Banksy, circa 2007.
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re-nourish. Are you a graphic designer confused by all this sustainability hoohah? Re-nourish is a gentle introduction and lucid primer on greening your business and its product. It’s also up for a Cooper Hewitt People’s Choice Design Award (and is currently in second place.) A win would send a clear signal to the design community. Vote today!


Update 11/1/09: The voting is over and re-nourish has placed in the top three in the People’s Design Awards! They’ve released a statement about the awards and the implications for sustainable graphic design.  ¶

Melting Men. To highlight global warming, artist Nele Azevedo installed 1,000 ice sculptures of sitting men on the steps of Berlin’s concert hall. Since 2005, she has assembled the work in six cities around the world. Though each installation lives for only 30 minutes, images on the internet have circulated widely. The Berlin installation was sponsored by the WWF and coincided with the release of their report on Arctic warming.
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Shop. “Banksy doe not endorse or profit from the sale of greeting cards, mugs, photo canvasses or Tshirts. Images on this site are provided at high resolution so you can make your own, but only for non-commercial purposes, thanks.”  ¶