January 2, 2016
Blessing Each Other
So Rabbi Haim Ovadia did something really creative and beautiful.
He had each of us turn to our neighbor and put our hands over each other's heads and recite the blessing from the Torah:
"May G-d bless and guide you.
May G-d shine his countenance on you and be gracious to you.
May G-d turn his countenance toward you and grant you peace."
The gesture of brotherhood and caring for each other was very, very nice, and I got to meet someone new in synagogue today.
People need people...and we need G-d.
Somehow it makes everything better. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
November 7, 2015
Don't Know When I'll See You Again
Apparently, he was one of the founders of the shule.
This grey headed, stooped man walks slowly forward carrying a small oxygen tank with wires dangling in his jacket and to his nose.
The man stands on the dais and says:
"I am 91-years old, and the doctor says I have this, that, and the other thing, and I am terminal.
It was very hard for me to get here today in my condition, but I wanted to speak with you all.
I have lived a good life, but not an easy life.
My life was a rollercoaster--at one time I had six cars and another time just one car, for the most part I had enough money, but never a lot of money.
Now, I ask myself what is really important.
When I have shortness of breath then nothing seems so important anymore--and it is the simple things that really count.
My son called the other day to tell me that he is being given more responsibility at work--not just his teaching responsibilities anymore--and he won't have time to call so often anymore.
So while I've studied and explored all facets of thinking from Shintoism and Buddhism to communism and socialism, in the end, I realized that I have the Torah and am a just simple Jew from Fez.
I wanted to be here with you today to ask you all for your forgiveness so that I can go on as I am very sick and am terminal.
I don't know when I will get to see you all again." ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Don't Know When I'll See You Again
August 22, 2015
Synagogue Time
Usually, we like to go a little later so that basically we are there for about an hour and a half of services.
That's about my attention span and then I start to get claustrophobic and antsy.
(BTW, some friends that go to Church told me that they have the same experience.)
But the last two weeks something changed...(no, not me).
Last week in Maryland, we went to synagogue and the people were standing in front with the Ark open and I thought wow they are way ahead and are finished with Torah reading and are putting the Torahs away already.
But after a moment, I realized they were only just taking out the Torahs for the weekly reading, and we were actually earlier than usual.
When I inquired in synagogue why they were behind schedule, I learned that to get people there for more of the services, they had decided to start later.
Ah, it's a trick!
This week in Florida, I went to the Chabad shule and we were running late (hey, it's vacation) about 10:45 and thought shule would almost be over, but they were just in the morning prayers still, and there wasn't even a minyan yet.
Two places, two synagogues, two weeks and they are changing the start times...
Seems smart from their perspective to try and get people there and for more of the services, but for the people who just want to come for a certain amount or parts of the service, isn't this just going to cause people to come even later in an endless cat and mouse game.
Start later, come later, start later, come later...
I'm no Rabbi, but how about a serious focused service--ONE solid hour (plus)--full of REAL kavanah (concentration), meaning, and sincerity, and everyone comes on time?
Start on time, come on time--really pray (no talking please)!
And still plenty of time for socializing and bonding after services at the yummy Kiddish.
(Source Photo: here with attribution to Brian Smithson)
Synagogue Time
August 19, 2015
Part 2 - Birds Of A Feather
In my May 30th blog, G-d is Good, (Some) People Not So, I wrote about the accused Rabbi Jonathan Rosenblatt of the RJC, the now known "Sauna Rabbi," who the New York Times disclosed about having some unorthodox and usual practices of getting naked with children and young adults.
Yesterday in the New York Times, I read the follow up to the story that Dr. Donald Liss, the Chairman of the Board, overruled the board who demanded that Rabbi Rosenblatt leave the synagogue, and now many of the board members are resigning over this travesty of justice and members are leaving the synagogue to start break-away prayer services.
At the end of my last blog on this subject, I wrote: "One last thing I will say, there are others in that community that were involved."
One of the others involved, guess who?
Yes, the Chairman of the Board who overruled the community and is protecting Rabbi Rosenblatt.
I grew up in Riverdale from the age of 10 when my family moved from the upper west side of Manhattan. I attended SAR Academy, the local yeshiva. My family had many lovely friends in this community and we attended the RJC where we were members for over 20 years.
Dr. Donald Liss significantly older than myself and my friends growing up frequently invited us to his house in Riverdale to "learn" Torah and for Shabbat meals, although the learning frequently turned into talk and banter and "wrestling." Dr. Liss, as a doctor of rehabilitative and sports medicine, claimed great interest in my physical fitness as a youth and my practice of martial arts. He started to run and workout with me and my best friend and this at times lead to more "wrestling" matches.
Later Dr. Liss provided me a Summer job in his and his brother's practice at Englewood Hospital. Dr Liss was quite well off and took advantage of me that my family was less so and I needed a job. He provided me the opportunity to work out there in their "gym" during lunch and then when I would change in the locker room, he would invariably show up to talk with me.
Other times, he invited me to go on vacation with his family to the Poconos to babysit his kids. I remember one particular time, I went running on the trail there, and he came. When we got back to the house we were staying in, he dropped all his clothes in the kitchen area in front of me and his wife and totally nude just started talking.
Other times, when I would work out in my apartment in Riverdale with weights or stretching for karate, even during the day, Dr. Liss would show up. And he would also invite my friend and I to his home to lift weights and more "wrestling".
As I got older and smarter, I realized Dr. Liss's behavior was not normal, and his interest in my workout and my Torah learning did not seem innocent any longer. I stopped getting together and taking his phone calls. His calling, hang-ups, and messages increased.
I met Dr. Liss one last time to put an end to his harassment, and I confronted him that I thought despite his being married with kids and his professing of religion that he had abnormal tendencies, and I wanted him to stay away from me. He pretended to be shocked at my allegations as a Jewish man who sat towards the front of the synagogue and was learned.
When I moved to DC, the only contact I had from Dr. Liss was when he tried to friend me on Facebook, which I promptly cut him off.
That Dr. Liss would now protect Rabbi Rosenblatt and overrule the wishes of the Riverdale Jewish Center is a Chillul Hashem and travesty of justice.
Every word in this blog is true, and I hope it helps the community and the victims to get over this tragedy and desecration of G-d. The good people who wish to grow up and pray without unwanted advances of some sick individuals hiding behind many veils of religion and family deserve their community back.
Part 2 - Birds Of A Feather
June 20, 2015
Look How Great Magen David Is
It is the symbol of the Jewish people and of Israel (it is center on the Israeli Flag, the Degel Yisrael), and dates back at least a 1,000 years.
Magen David Sephardic Congregation is also the name of our wonderful new synagogue in Maryland.
As the amazing picture above shows, the Magen David actually can represent every single letter (24) of the Hebrew alphabet.
As such, Magen David truly represents what a Jewish synagogue is and should be:
1) INCLUSIVE -- As every Hebrew letter is found in the Star of David, so too the synagogue is a place where every Jew, no matter Ashkenaz or Sephardic, Chasidim or Misnagdim, Orthodox, Conservative, or Reform--everyone is welcome and part of the greater family and community. The synagogue is a place we go to connect with our fellow Jews, where we respect and care for each other--our brothers and sisters, and where we Kibitz, laugh, and share of our selves and our heritage together.
2) HOLY -- The Magen David is holy as the religious symbol of the Jewish people and representing all the hebrew letters as in the Torah and the Ten Commandments. Some also believe in a Kabbalistic or mystical symbolism to the points of the star. Similarly, the synagogue is a place of holiness, and the Mikdash Me'at or small Temple (until the Holy Temple is rebuilt on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem). It is the place we go to sacrifice to G-d and a central place where we can do good deeds for our fellow man.
3) PRAYER AND LEARNING -- The Magen David represents the Jewish people, who are known as a people of the book. And the Magen David with all the Hebrew letters can represent all the Bible, prayer book, and wisdom of our sages. Prayer and learning is central to our faith and service to G-d. Similarly, the synagogue (and Yeshiva or Jewish school) is the center of our religion where we go daily and on Shabbat and holidays to Pray and learn Torah.
Magen David is an absolutely beautiful and meaningful symbol for who we are and what our synagogue ought to be. ;-)
(Source Photo: here with attribution to eshevbooks)
Look How Great Magen David Is
June 9, 2015
See The World Through The Eyes Of Others
See The World Through The Eyes Of Others
May 10, 2015
@Manna Food Center
"Fighting hunger and feeding hope in Montgomery County."
There were huge bins of food that had been donated and collected from various organizations and charitable people.
A group of us from the synagogue, Magen David, met at the center.
We checked the dates on each item to ensure the food was not expired and still good to eat.
We sorted the food by type into different boxes, crates, and shelves.
There was areas for cans, pastas, cereals, pantry items, and more.
The area that had the most stuff when we were done sorting...you guessed it--the junk food like cookies and chocolate--sort of unfortunate, but probably a comment on our times for what people actually buy and eat (despite all the calls for healthier eating and living).
There was one area specifically where we placed food for kids who don't have enough food for the weekends (when they don't have the school lunch program etc.), and they come on Fridays and fill their backpacks with milk boxes, crackers, and other things they can easily take home with them.
This really made me think about the dire straits that some families are in and especially the impact on the children.
G-d, no one should go hungry, and it was nice to see that people donate and volunteer to help, but still why in such a rich country like ours is there still so much hunger and need? ;-)
(Source Photo: Dannielle Blumenthal)
@Manna Food Center
April 11, 2015
Happy Chametz Time Again
Thank you to Congregation Magen David for a wonderful end of Passover party.
The family, new friends, music, singing, dancing, and food made for a truly joyous evening.
Happy and thankful for the opportunity to be a part of it.
Now counting up to Shavuot and the giving of the Torah.
The Jewish people rock! ;-)
(Source Video: Andy Blumenthal)
Happy Chametz Time Again
January 5, 2015
Comfort In Mourning
"May the Almighty comfort you among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem!"
The experience of sitting Shiva is humbling, being in mourning, sitting on a low stool, unshaven, and with torn garb, and reciting the words of the Kaddish (mourners prayer) out loud.
"...May He who makes peace in the high places, grant [in his mercy] peace upon us, and upon all Israel, Amen."
But more than anything, I have been overwhelmed by the outpouring from so many good people in the community.
People have come to pray with me, tell me wonderful stories about my dad, and generally share with me in my mourning for him.
I have been truly taken by the many people who have come both in good health, but also from people that were blind and with everything from broken arms to walking canes and to those who called thinking of me while they themselves are sick or even wheelchair-bound.
People have shared their own stories of grief to let me know I wasn't alone, and they brought food so I definitely wouldn't be hungry.
Others have told me how wonderful my dad was as a friend and in the community, how he made people smile and was always in good spirits (even perhaps when he had good reason not to be), and how he did so many good deeds (some that were known and many others that were not).
I have been amazed how people stay not just for prayer services, but take the time to really talk to me, to give selflessly and generously, even from their own busy family and work lives and schedules.
Some of the people I know from the community, some just knew my dad, but I realize how these good, giving people are really worth knowing as human beings--not because they were my dad's friends or gave to me at this time of mourning, but because they are truly spiritual people, who just desire to do some good in the world--like my dad who did this for others (and how he taught me all my life and especially as a child).
I hope that this time of mourning is not just one of finding comfort and healing, but also a re-awakening of my own feelings for community, spirituality, and selflessness.
I have much room for personal growth for myself, but also many role models around who have set the bar very high. Also, my dad has left some VERY big shoes for me to fill. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Comfort In Mourning
January 2, 2015
Eulogy For My Dear Father, Fred Blumenthal
My father was a deeply religious man and he was a tzadik (truly righteous person), and his passing yesterday on the Jewish date of Asara B’Tevet (the 10th day of the Hebrew month of Tevet) is a portrayal of his very belief system and of him as a servant of Hashem, always.
On Asara B’Tevet, over 2,400 years ago, the Babylonian Emperor, Nebuchadnezzar laid siege to the holy city of Jerusalem leading months later to the breach of the city walls and then on Tisha B’Av to the destruction of the Jewish temple.
The synagogue to my father was the surrogate for the Jewish temple, and he went everyday like a soldier, morning and night, to pray and serve G-d. In fact, some his most joyous moments, when I was a kid, was when we went together and I sat at his side in shule.
To my dad, he loved Hashem, his family, and the community and was devoted to them in every way.
Religiously, my dad not only went to synagogue to pray, but went regularly to multiple shiurim (Torah classes) during the week, served years ago on the Chevra Kadisha (Jewish Burial Society), did Bichur Cholim (visiting the sick), gave charity all the time, and made a beautiful Jewish home with my mother, Gerda Blumenthal, for us first on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, then in Riverdale, New York, and finally in Silver Spring MD.
My dad and mom loved Riverdale where we lived for over 20 years, yet when my wife and I and our children moved here to Silver Spring to make our home and work for the Federal government, my parents uprooted and moved here within the very same year to be with us.
No matter the hardship, my dad would do whatever it took. When he and his brother and sister (Sid and Ruth) and their parents (my Oma and Opa) fled the Nazi’s in Germany and made their way through Italy and England and ultimately to America, my father lost all his education, was interned on the Isle of man, and worked selling goods on the streets to help his family survive.
The Holocaust deeply scarred my father, who was only a child when it happened, and interestingly enough these days, Asara B’Tevet is also the general Kaddish Day (memorial) for victims of the Holocaust, many of whose martyrdom is unknown.
When interned, my father got very sick with a high fever for many days, and one day, the fever broke, and my father awoke and said to his family, "Today we are going to get our visas to America"--and that is exactly what happened.
Miracles followed my father as well as his devotion to family…he worked for decades, as manager, in ladies handbags. Yet due to competition from overseas, the company finally closed, and my father was without a job, and my Bar Mitzvah was coming up. Even though out of work and not knowing when another job in that economy would present itself, My father believed and said, “Hashem will provide” and that we would still have the big event bringing me into my religious manhood as a Jew. It was a beautiful event and my father did get another job from a neighbor who sat right across the aisle from us in Shule who happened to have, a handbag manufacturing company.
I remember my dad working extra hard to put me and my sister Roz through Yeshiva, college, and even graduate school. I remember him coming home from work and then going out again to work Bingo nights for the school to help them out.
Despite tough economic times, my dad insisted that he pay for me to go to karate classes, which he knew I loved, and always put aside allowance money for me and my sister and then the grandchildren.
For years my dad taught me to always do what was right, follow the Torah, and my conscience…he was the ultimate role model for me as a good, decent human being.
When my mom was so sick with Parkinson’s disease, first at home and then at the Hebrew Home, my dad was again there like a soldier, all day long, every day, to sit with her and care for her with no thought at all to his personal needs or health. My mom passed away less than a year ago on January 13, 2014 (the 12th day of the Hebrew month of Sh’vat).
I remember so many wonderful times together from Shabbat meals and holidays, and celebrations like my wedding to my wife Dossy and Bat Mitzvah’s of our children, Minna and Rebecca and my niece’s, Yaffa. As well as challenging times, when one of us was sick in the hospital and my dad was there with me, again multiple times a day, to comfort me and help me—with no thought of himself.
As a parent, I could go on and on about my dad, but he was also a good friend to so many of you in the community and he loved to talk with you, tell jokes, pray with you, have a meal with you, join with you at the shule dinner and so many other community events.
Manfred Blumenthal, my dad, was a true servant of G-d and a loving father and grandfather who would and did do anything for us, including saving the life of my very wife, who had gotten ill a number of years ago.
Even though I would argue with my dad, I always knew he was right about things, and he would guide me no matter what.
Now today, I stand here next to his casket…devastated at the loss.
I love you dad, we all love you and wish you peace, happiness, and countless blessings in the afterlife. You gave us everything and you deserve to be rewarded by the Almighty in heaven together with mom and your loving parents, Simon and Hilda Blumenthal.
I cannot say goodbye, just see you later where we can all stand together in heaven before Hashem!
Eulogy For My Dear Father, Fred Blumenthal
December 21, 2014
Graduation Day
And in only 3 1/2 years...record time, while she worked an internship too.
With a major in communication, please G-d she will go out as the keynote speaker said, "the glue that mends broken dialogue" in society.
Communications comes from community...from marketing and branding to public relations and diplomacy, communications is key in everything we do from vetting ideas, innovating, decision making, teamwork, and even social media.
Lots of luck in your future and may Hashem bless you in all that you do.
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Graduation Day
April 26, 2014
Luxury Survival
Interesting underground survival shelters by Vivos--and they are built for luxury.
With everything from cushy entertainment theater rooms, indoor swimming pools, upscale kitchens and bathrooms, gyms, and stocked with clothing, bedding, toiletries, survival gear, and food and medical supplies for a year--this is for planning to survive and thrive.
They have dual generators, multiple water systems, airtight nuclear biological and chemical filtration systems, and medical and dental facilities.
This is communal living for 80-5,000 people. Shelters are co-owned--and it costs about $50,000 for an adult and $35,000 for children. Vivos will also make you a private shelter, but obviously this is a more expensive option.
Is this an insurance policy for you and your family to protect against the ultimate catastrophes or is this simply preying on people's worst fears?
You'll have to decide for yourself--and in the end, it's a gamble either way. ;-)
Luxury Survival
November 11, 2012
Reaching The Victims Of Disaster
I watched on TV, a congressman from Staten Island talk about the complex response to Hurricane Sandy--in particular, how people whose homes were flooded and were without power could not contact authorities for the help they desperately needed.
Going on two weeks after the storm, the Congressman explained how engineers and architects were in turn going door to door to find out who needed help and what could be done--but this was slow and cumbersome.
Today, I am reading in Bloomberg BusinessWeek (30 Oct. 2012) about an organization that "matches volunteers with people affected by disasters."
Recovers.org does this by establishing local recovery sites for communities (e.g. townname.recover.org) on a subscription model.
By establishing recovery sites to manage relief efforts--without waiting for government or aid groups--recovers.org enables self-sufficiency for communities in the face of disaster.
Moreover, by working at the grassroots level and going straight to neighborhood organizations such as houses or worship or community centers to serve as site administrators--those who know their community and who needs help--Recovers aims to bypass the "red tape."
The recovery sites they establish, include features for:
- Searchable volunteer database that matches skills of volunteers to needs in the community
- Disaster Dashboard that aids in information sharing between victims and responders
- Donation mechanism where 100% goes directly to the areas affected, rather than to a relief organization
Recovers is the brainchild of someone whose own home was destroyed in a tornado in 2011, and who understands the logistical chaos that can ensue without proper recovery coordination on the ground!
I like the idea of this community Recovery portal for coordinating relief efforts through volunteers and donations, and see this as complementary to the formal FEMA DisasterAssistance.gov site for applying for various forms of assistance and checking claims.
Still though, the fundamental problem exists when you have no power--you can't logon to recover.org or disasterassistance.gov--you are still cut-off and in need of help. So it looks like we are back to the drawing board on this one again.
As a vision for the future, we need the ability to establish remote wireless charging generally-speaking for all, but specifically for communities struck by disaster, so they can call out for help and we can actually hear them and provide a timely respond! ;-)
Reaching The Victims Of Disaster
June 23, 2012
A Boy Whose Name Is Light
Recently, I inspired by an award-winning documentary that I watched on Netflix called Praying With Lior (2007).
The movie is about the development and spiritual maturation of a Jewish child with Down Syndrome to his Bar Mitzvah (and a few years past).
As a young child, Lior Liebling is comforted by his mother, who is a Rabbi, who teaches Lior to pray and sing to G-d.
She holds him and they share an amazing bond both maternal and spiritual that never leaves Lior.
Unfortunately, the mother has breast cancer and passes away when Lior is only 6.
Right before his bar mitzvah, Lior goes to his mother's gravesite and clings to it saying, "I miss you," and then breaks down in tears that I could feel or imagined rising up to the heavens itself.
Lior is deeply loved by his family--father (also a Rabbi), stepmother, and 3 siblings--who play, engage, teach him, and learn from him as well.
Lior means light in Hebrew, and Lior brings light to everyone he meets--inspiration to overcome challenge, deep love of G-d and community, and faith that his mother is watching over him.
Lior makes it to his bar-mitzvah--and becomes a proverbial Jewish man--he says the blessing, reads from the Torah, celebrates with his family and loved ones, and even gives a speech on the importance of Torah.
At the celebration, he goes over to another retarded girl, and says something about how she is special and that "I am going to marry you."
I watched this young man, Lior, pray with a rigor that I have not been able to do for some time, and I was inspired not by the words he said, nor the song he sang, or even the cheer he brought others, but rather I think I was moved by the simple sincerity and purity of his heart.
Lior didn't want anything, didn't have an agenda, wasn't trying to do anything to anybody, he was just a soul that reached out to others--loving them, hugging them, kissing them, and yes, praying with them--often actually leading the services.
One of Lior's classmates that was interviewed said that everyone has a test, and Lior's is an incredibly difficult one--but he is succeeding extraordinarily by not only surviving with his disability, but also showing others the way.
Thank you Lior for being such an amazing inspiration to us all--may you go from strength to strength and someday reunite with not only your heavenly father, but also your mother who awaits to sing and pray with you in great joy again.
A Boy Whose Name Is Light
June 3, 2012
Celebrating Israel's Birthday
The Israel Scotts Tzofim Friends Caravan--are teenagers who are entering their senior year in high school--here they sing a modern day version of "Hallelujah."
Hora DC is an adult dance group--here performing the classic Fiddler on the Roof, "If I were a rich man."
If was a beautiful Sunday with lot's of spirited joy celebrating Israel's 64 birthday.
And we hope and pray for many more--with peace and security for all.
(Source Videos: Andy Blumenthal)
Celebrating Israel's Birthday
August 27, 2011
Social Media, Fulfilling Our Every Need?
Social Media, Fulfilling Our Every Need?
April 29, 2011
A Place for Answers
First there was Wikipedia and now there is Quora.
A Place for Answers
March 11, 2011
Power To The People
Power To The People
March 4, 2011
Balance, Not Brute Force
Balance, Not Brute Force
November 5, 2010
Turning Consumerism Into Collaboration
I’m sure you’ve noticed that we are historically and fundamentally a consumerist society.
We spend a lot of time and money shopping and buying things—many of the things that we buy, we acknowledge that we don’t even need—just check your attic lately? :-)
Many compulsive buyers have even self-proclaimed themselves “shopaholics.”
Aside from being somewhat obsessive compulsive in the way we treat buying and owning things, we tend to be pretty wasteful in buying and throwing out things, often from individualized, single use servings—think fast food, as one example.
The result, according the Environmental Protection Agency (per WiseGeek), the average American produces 4.4 pounds of garbage a day or 1,600 pounds a year (and that doesn’t include industrial waste or commercial trash).
On the flip side of all the tossing out we do, are “hoarders” or those with the tendency to keep lots of things, often piled high in every corner of their homes and offices; there is even a show called by the same on A&E television dedicated to this.
So we shop a lot, spend a lot, buy a lot, and then consume it, hoard it, or toss it. And we do this with enormous volumes of things and in ridiculously rapid cycle times—for example, how many times a week do you find yourself in the stores buying things or then taking out the trash generated from it? (I can practically hear the lyrics of the Hefty commercial playing: ”Hefty, Hefty, Hefty—Stinky, Stinky, Stinky…”)
Overall, it’s a crazy system of conspicuous consumption driven by perceived needs for materialism, highly refined and effective marketing and advertising techniques, and people’s feelings of relative deprivation.
Yet despite these, there is movement underway to change from a society obscured by habits of personal ownership and consumption to a more healthy and balanced approach based on sharing and reuse.
And this is approach for sharing is happening not just in terms of personal consumption, but also in terms of our organizational use of technology, such as in service-oriented architectures, common and enterprise solutions, virtualization, and cloud computing.
We see change happening as a result of the huge financial deficits we have piled on individually, organizationally, and as a nation; the depletion of our vital natural resources (including concerns about our future energy supplies and other limited raw materials like precious metals etc.); and the fear of pollution and the poisoning our planet for future generations.
An interesting article in Wired called “Other Peoples Property” (Sept. 2010) talks about how we are moving finally toward a model of sharing through peer-to-peer renting sites like at www.zilok.com (with 150,000 items listed including cars, vacations, tools, electronics, cloths, and more) and other swapping sites for books, CDs, video games, etc. like www.swaptree.com. Of course, Zipcars and property timeshares are other fashionable examples of this new way of thinking!
Further, the article references a new book by Rachel Botsman called “What’s Mine is Yours: The Rise of Collaborative Consumption,” about how we are moving to a new consumption model that emphasizes “usefulness over ownership, community over selfishness, and sustainability over novelty.”
With new technologies and tools there is more opportunity than ever to share and reuse, for example:
- Online repositories of goods and advanced search capabilities provides the ability to find exactly what we are looking for.
- Embedding everyday items with microprocessors, networking them, and aiding them with geolocation, enables us to get self-status on their presence, health and availability for use.
- E-commerce, electronic payment, and overnight shipping, gives us the ability to have the items available when and where we need them, and we can then return them for someone else to take their turn to use them.
If we can get over the stigma of sharing and reuse, perhaps, the day is coming when we can think of many non-personal items more in terms of community use and less in terms of mine and yours, and we’ll all be the richer for it.
Turning Consumerism Into Collaboration