Tuesday, January 01, 2019

How Does Banksy Make Money?

Fortunes made in the commodification of artworks. How does 'a non-traditional artist' deal with it all?
Published on Dec 31, 2018
Views: 207,667+
How does Banksy actually make money? Is Banksy the graffiti artist rich or is Banksy poor?

The street artist known as Banksy belongs to what is sometimes called the “Bristol Scene,” which includes creatives from different genres, notably music. You’ve probably heard of some of the artists that are or were part of this scene, including Massive Attack, Portishead and Tricky. Graffiti was also a big part of the scene, and while there were many artists around, the one you’ve all heard of is Banksy. His stenciling style is known all over the world, as are his attacks on the establishment and what he sees as human rights abuses. It’s said he was expelled from school as a kid, and took to the streets to paint on walls. No one is certain who he really is as he keeps his identity secret, although there is lots of speculation as to his real identity. But how does a disestablishment hero like Banksy actually earn a living? Welcome to this episode of the Infographics Show, How does Banksy make money?

SUBSCRIBE TO US -► http://bit.ly/TheInfographicsShow
at No comments:

US Strategic Command apologizes for 'poor taste' tweet

FOOK That: "Poor Taste"
Published on Dec 31, 2018
Views: 109,487+
The US Strategic Command apologized after a New Year's tweet was criticized for being in poor taste. The tweet was later deleted two hours after it was originally posted. CNN's Brianna Keilar discusses with The Situation Room panel. #CNN #News
at No comments:

THE ARMY’S MYSTERIOUS NEW 6.8MM CARTRIDGE || WARTHOG 2018

A history of the small-arms Munitions purchases that some might find informative.
Published on Dec 31, 2018
Views: 3,527
This video is made under fair use policy, also this material is made from public published domain for people with hearing and seeing disability
Soldiers will get a new rifle and round, but the Army’s small-arms acquisition record is hit and miss
BY DAVID E. PETZALhttps://www.fieldandstream.com/armys-...
at No comments:

Jonathan Pie On How The Rest Of The World Views America: Jonathan Pie's ...

It's a movie. Pie a la Mode
Published on Dec 30, 2018
Views: 10,288
It’s the US midterm elections and spoof news reporter, Jonathan Pie, is sent across the pond on the campaign trail.

Jonathan Pie's Trump Twitter Roast
Views: 250,000+
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A18debjXXXw
at No comments:

Experiencing The Worse Pollution In Years










  
  It's just not the ozone we really need TO DO something about - There's Particulate Matter
Keep in mind, the federal health standard for PM2.5 is the 24-hour average cannot reach or exceed 35.5 micrograms per cubic meter.
These are the forecast values for PM 2.5 for this first week of the New Year 2019
Air Quality PM 2.5 Particulate Matter
Monday 12/31/2018  102
Tuesday 1/1/2019     139
Wednesday1/2/2019   68
Thursday 1/3/2019      68
Friday 1/4/2019           69
 
Tuesday Forecast:
Alert: PM2.5 High Pollution Advisory in effect for Tuesday

Ozone 42 AQI
Max 8-hr Avg: 45 ppb


PM10 72 AQI
24-hr Avg: 97 µg/m3


PM2.5 139 AQI
24-hr Avg: 50.8 µg/m3




_________________________________________________________________________________
High Pollution Advisory Maricopa County Phoenix December 31 2018Yesterday, the last day of the old year was another High Pollution Advisory. 
PRESS RELEASE | Maricopa County High Pollution Advisory & Health Watch
December 2018
The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) is issuing a High Pollution Advisory (HPA) for fine particulate matter (PM-2.5) effective December 31, 2018 in Maricopa County.
PM-2.5 is made up of small particles (soot) found in smoke. ADEQ recommends that people limit outdoor activity while the HPA is in effect, especially children and adults with respiratory problems.
_________________________________________________________________________
Contact
Public Information Officer | 602-771-2215 (office) | 602-540-8072 (cell) | E- mail > 
_________________________________________________________________________
Air Quality Monitoring Locations & Cameras
  • ADEQ Statewide Monitors | View > 
  • Maricopa County Monitors | View >
  • Current Visibility in Phoenix Metro via ADEQ Webcams | View >

Sign Up to Receive Air Quality Forecasts

Receive ADEQ air quality forecast notifications by email or text | Subscribe >
_________________________________________________________________________
Background
High Pollution Advisory (HPA): Notifies the public that the level of an air pollutant is forecast to exceed the federal health standard.
Also issued on: 
  • December 23, 2018 for PM-2.5
  • December 24, 2018 for PM-2.5
  • December 25, 2018 for PM-2.5
Health Watch: Notifies the public that the level of an air pollutant is forecast to approach the federal health standard.
Issued on:
  • December 22, 2018 for PM-2.5
 
IN A RECORD-SETTING YEAR since 2012 
In August 2018 there were already 49 days here in Maricopa County that violated federal health standards 
PARTICULATE MATTER (PM10 and PM2.5)
The term “particulate matter” (PM) includes extremely small solid particles and liquid droplets that circulate in the air.
Commonly called dust, particles 10 micrometers in diameter or less (PM10) can be inhaled and accumulate in the respiratory system.
Commonly called soot, particles 2.5 micrometers in diameter or less (PM2.5) are responsible for visibility degradations such as the “Valley Brown Cloud."
High levels of PM occur when the air is especially stagnant or windy.
Sources: 
All types of combustion (motor vehicles, industry, wood burning, etc.) and some industrial processes cause fine PM (less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter).
Crushing or grinding operations and dust from paved or unpaved roads cause coarse PM (between 2.5 and 10 micrometers in diameter).
Potential health impacts: PM can increase susceptibility to respiratory infections and can aggravate existing respiratory diseases, such as asthma and chronic bronchitis.
Units of measurement: Micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3)
Averaging interval: 24 hours (midnight to midnight)
Reduction tips: WTF???
Stabilize loose soils,
Slow down on dirt roads,
Carpool 
Use public transit.
_______________________________________
Go after sources of emissions
> Reduce Industrial emission sources
> Impose fines for violations
> Reduce Toxic emissions from cars with internal combustion engines burning fossil fuels
>

_________________________________________________________________________________
Maricopa County Experiencing Worst Ozone Pollution In Years
By Will Stone   
Published: Wednesday, August 22, 2018 - 6:52pm
Updated: Thursday, August 23, 2018 - 11:06am
 
The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) provides hourly forecasts for air quality in certain areas of the state and issues HPAs or Health Watches when the appropriate conditions exist.
 
Observed Pollution Report Archives
Revised on: January 16, 2018 - 2:14pm
LINK > https://azdeq.gov/node/2204   

2017 

Phoenix 
2016  
Phoenix 
 
at

Monday, December 31, 2018

Rogue Columnist Jon Talton: He's Heavy On-The-Upbeat For Decade of Valley Metro Light Rail

After living on the transportation-smart East Coast for at least four decades, your MesaZona blogger just can't get over-excited or over-thrilled about light rail . . . there are just too many gaps, gaffs and goofs in the system. Here's Jon Talton's take and his coverage on the topic for your interest. Who asked for this?

Rogue Columnist - Ten questions about light rail, answered

 

PhxLRT2
It's the tenth anniversary of the completion of metro Phoenix light rail (WBIYB). I'll have a history of the project in a special insert of the Arizona Capitol Times. In the meantime, some common questions and answers.
1. What decided the route of the starter line? It was a combination of demand, available right-of-way, and cost. The line follows the route of the old Red Line bus, which was at 125 percent of capacity by 2000. This ensured ridership and a favorable outcome in federal funding (with an invaluable assist from the late Rep. Ed Pastor).
2. Why was it build at grade rather than as a subway or monorail? Cost. While both those modes — especially a subway — would have been preferable to street running, the funding was not available. The federal government once spent heavily for such subways as the D.C. Metro and Atlanta's MARTA (originally meant for Seattle), but that aid largely ended by the 1980s. Monorails also have the problem of controversy about being unsightly to some, although the Skytrain in Vancouver, B.C., part overhead and part subway, is highly successful.
3. Did Mesa almost miss out on light rail? Yes. The most conservative big city in America was especially wary of the project, and the starter line might have ended at McClintock Drive in Tempe. If so, it would have been very expensive to eventually build into Mesa. Mayor Keno Hawker played a leading role in securing city council approval of the line to Sycamore. This set the table for extending light rail deep into downtown Mesa under Mayor Scott Smith (now Valley Metro CEO). With Phoenix, Tempe, and Mesa on board, this helped the metro area rise in the competition for federal assistance.
4. How much opposition did the light-rail plan encounter? A huge amount. Phoenicians don't get out much, so they weren't aware of thriving modern systems in Denver, Dallas, San Diego, much less Melbourne. Conservative politicians, including in the Legislature, fought it and tried sabotage. They wanted all transportation money for roads and freeways and more sprawl. Opponents also included suburban developers, such powerful behind-the-scenes players as the Arizona Rock Products Association, the "Goldwater" Institute. Then there were the thugs who spread lies about the "trolley" being so slow one could walk faster than light rail, or that the catenary would be a huge eyesore, bullied supporters. Scottsdale wanted to preserve its exclusivity, so vehemently opposed the system. Some of these, who argued in bad faith, are the "bastards" in "We Built It, You Bastards" (WBIYB). They were among those who pressured the Republic to show me the door because of my support for LRT. The fight was worth it.
5. Who supported light rail? Political leaders such as Tempe Mayor Neil Giuliano, Phoenix Mayor Skip Rimsza, Hawker, majorities on the city councils (including Phil Gordon and Peggy Bilsten), and Pastor led the way. Behind the scenes were the city officials, such as now City Manager but then Transit Director Ed Zuercher, who attended to the scores of details to make the most complex engineering project since the CAP a reality. Majorities of voters in Tempe and Phoenix backed light rail. So did the Greater Phoenix Chamber. Finally, Michael Crow saw light rail's potential in linking the ASU Tempe campus with the new campus in downtown Phoenix. These were true visionaries, willing to stake political capital.
6. Why didn't the starter line go through Sky Harbor? In theory, this might have provided a sweet spot for passengers to and from downtown. But when the line was being planned, downtown was not what it's become, with more hotels, a new convention center, etc. Also, it would have required a costly and complex detour to thread the terminals. The PHX Sky Train, connecting with light rail at 44th Street, provides a much more elegant solution.
7. Did the starter line fulfill its ambitions to spur transit-oriented development? Yes, although the process has been much slower than in, say, Seattle, which opened its first line soon after Phoenix. Apartments are sprouting along the line that otherwise never would have been built. Density is increasing. The redevelopment of Park Central was keyed to light rail. So is the greater development in and around Roosevelt Row. And ASU's second-largest campus, downtown, was made possible by convenient train service. More needs to be done. Phoenix lacks the urban developers found in cities such as Denver. But more are coming. The new breed realizes that transit-oriented development can pay big dividends.
8. Is light rail safe? Yes. When the project was beginning, former Mayor Terry Goddard told me that poor people ride transit in Phoenix — the question is whether more than the poor would ride LRT? That's happened, especially during peak commutes, sports events, and with students going to and from ASU campuses in Phoenix and Tempe. Poor people still ride the trains, especially during summer. Those who are unaccustomed to transit can be uncomfortable. But crime and problems are rare (although some tell me the situation is more dodgy on 19th Avenue). Valley Metro needs more of a police presence on trains (Seattle has a transit police). But the train is my primary mode of getting around and I always feel safe. That said, the commons always are at risk, and keeping them clean and safe is everyone's duty.
9. Does light-rail expansion have a future in Phoenix? The metropolitan area is mostly car-dependent and destinations are highly (and inefficiently) decentralized. The Real Estate Industrial Complex keeps pumping our sprawl. And the original opponents helped by the Koch brothers are hoping to kill further LRT lines. This would be a historic mistake, especially for the south Phoenix and west lines. You can't fix stupid (car-dependent sprawl). But light rail has performed much better than expected. Phoenix desperately needs this transportation alternative and the infill it will bring, especially with climate change. A new chapter of political battles is opening. I hope the Phoenix City Council has the kind of visionaries it was blessed with in the early 2000s.
10. What would I like for light rail? I want a pony — LRT to 24th Street and Camelback and on to Scottsdale. Commuter rail to the farther suburbs (Seattle has the Sounder trains) with Union Station as the hub. I'd like to see the south line jog over to Third Avenue next to Union Station. I want more infill. We need more shade trees — many more shade trees — planted downtown and near stations. Greater frequency of trains. On a simpler note, the announcement for McDowell and Central should say, "Phoenix Art Museum, Burton Barr Central Library" rather than the amorphous "cultural district." Similarly, Roosevelt should be "Roosevelt Row arts district" rather than "arts district."
Ten years of success. Phoenix beat the odds and ferocious opposition and ignorance to create a civic good for generations to come. We built it.
at

Global Warming You Can See

O No! Say it isn't so! [another one from Axios.com
Boiling 2018 down to one story
This graphic by Harry Stevens led the Axios Deep Dive marking 30 years since Senate testimony by then-NASA scientist James Hansen alerted the country to the arrival of global warming. Data: NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies.
"The Story of 2018 Was Climate Change," N.Y. Times opinion columnist David Leonhardt insists:
  • "[N]othing else measures up to the rising toll and enormous dangers of climate change. I worry that our children and grandchildren will one day ask us, bitterly, why we spent so much time distracted by lesser matters."
  • Public opinion "is changing, and the weather seems to be a factor. The growing number of extreme events — wildfires, storms, floods ... — are hard to ignore."
at
Subscribe to: Comments (Atom)