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08.19.15
Michael Bierut + Jessica Helfand | Audio

Over the Rainbow


Michael rejoins Jessica after a trip to New Zealand, where he was pleasantly surprised by a couple of things. One was the Flag Consideration Project to replace their national flag, now emblazoned with the Union Jack and the Southern Cross:
When I heard they were doing a competition to design a flag, I sort of winced a little bit and thought, this can not end well. Having seen the submissions, I am struck by the fact that when something is well run and people are all doing it in the spirit of optimism and good will, you get some really interesting results.

I can’t even imagine what would happen if they had such a competition in the United States. It would be as chaotic as our national elections.
He also discovered the charm and utility of the selfie stick:
There’s something really interesting about taking a photograph of yourself but being in control of the camera.
Also mentioned:
  • The long list of forty finalists for the New Zealand flags
  • Video: What Makes a Good Flag Design
  • Ryan Beavor’s unofficial Donald Trump 2016 logo
  • Steven Heller on the Confederate flag and the swastika
  • Time cover featuring Oculus Rift inventor Palmer Luckey and 37 memes based on the image

    Thanks to Blurb for sponsoring this episode.

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