Photo-book about technological improvisation in Thailand
On Kevin Kelly's Street Use blog, a review of an amazing-sounding photo book about technological improvisation in Thailand, called "Thailand -- Same Same But Different": "No cliches here. No lovely maids, palm beaches or grand temples. Instead Kalak captures odd moments of street use. Plastic chairs in alleys; traffic cone patterns. Even the locals are blind to their off-center beauty. Kalak has a keen eye for the way folks improvise. I think of this work as improv zen." Thailand – Same same, but different! (book) Improvisation in Thailand (review) (via Make)
the latest
latest episodes
What is Thailand, if not for its beautiful beaches and wonderful massages :)
My favorite bit of Thai tech is using a tree branch as a road flare to signal traffic about a broken-down big rig or bus. It'll generally be placed about 10 feet behind the immobile machine. Sometimes a seat cushion from the bus will be used. So watch out.
The buses will generally be pushed off to the side and mechanics will come fix the vehicle there, rather than have it towed to a garage. Passengers are simply picked up by the next bus on the route.
Mai pen rai.
I love this kind of stuff. Thrifty, inventive, wasteless.
NICE to see the drinks-in-plastic-bags! I've grown up used to it — but it's *such* an odd thing in the West.
Hangability factor is great (and kinda reminds me of how some people take fish home from the pet store), but puncture-proofness ain't so charming.
Funny, I've been exposed to a lot of this, and culturally, it's quite "normal" to me. Great to see what startling reactions it generates around the world, tho.
Colorful beach towels to frame street vendor goods is another one I can think of.
No wonder despite hardship, it's the land of 1,000 smiles — resourcefulness will do that to ya.
I took a photo of a street arch decorated with hundreds of old CDs in Bangkok. From a distance the nature of the decorations wasn't noticeable.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/aaaaaaaaa/2152778293
Not to detract from the Thai, but this post immediately reminded me of some old photos I saw of a Chinese homemade motorcycle.
This thing looks scary as hell, both to ride and to see ridden, but it's still an impressive machine. I found a photo online, but there are more out there somewhere:
http://www.utahmotorcycleriders.com/Pictures/crazy_homemade-motorcycle.jpg
This book, in the same vein, looks fascinating. I might have to pick this one up sometime to give me some ideas. Good adaptation and improvisation of parts always inspires me.
I also used to use a CD as a reflector on my bicycle. One day when I came out of the store and saw a guy trying to steal it. I stood right beside him and watched without saying anything and waited patiently for him finish untying it and leave.
It was an old Linux CD so I hope he found it useful.