15
Dec
2007
post modern? fuck off, i want to be post human
having been to a few of the james martin institute lectures and seminars this term I’ve been getting really interested in the idea that we may be approaching a singularity point in human development. technology is getting to the point that whatever it is that sucks about being a human, we have the power to do something about it.
take a look at Nick Bostrom’s papers and see what it’s all about!
It’s be really interesting to see where an interest in the post human condition will take me if I apply it to some architectural design work… lets find out!
28
May
2007
Burgernomics
i find this idea fascinating, it’s the modern equivalent of asking how many loaves of bread something cost
Big Mac Index
Burgernomics is based on the theory of purchasing-power parity, the notion that a dollar should buy the same amount in all countries. Thus in the long run, the exchange rate between two countries should move towards the rate that equalises the prices of an identical basket of goods and services in each country. Our “basket” is a McDonald’s Big Mac, which is produced in about 120 countries.
The Big Mac PPP is the exchange rate that would mean hamburgers cost the same in America as abroad. Comparing actual exchange rates with PPPs indicates whether a currency is under- or overvalued.
via the economist
while i was looking for a picture, i discovered that in different countries, Big macs have different recipes and calorific values. A US ‘mac has 540 calories and an Australian one has 48. (wikipedia)