The Green Revolution is here. . .Well, its starting to get here in America anyways, but its certainly been going on in other countries that have been more concerned with energy efficiency longer than the U.S.  Regardless, conservation is a good thing.  We can all use to do a little better, and we can all certainly learn from each other.

But going green doesn’t need to be “dorky” as is the developing stereotype. . .To dispel that notion, check out these these top 10 green architectures as rated by Inhabitat .  In this article we’ll count down 5 of the top 10 and finish up the other half tomorrow (Only one picture from each architecture will be shown, but you really ought to check them all out in the Inhabitat link).

Turning green never looked so good. . .

10.  GREENPIX Zero Energy Media Wall - Beijing

This 20,000 square foot wall can be seen up to a kilometer away on one of Beijing’s busiest road’s, and it is the world’s largest LED display. Collecting sunlight during the day, this wall uses the stored solar energy to put on a show at night.

9.  Cathedral of Christ the Light in Oakland, CA

Composed of glass, fly-ash and fsc-certified wood, this structure maximizes the use of natural sunlight and has been built to last over 300 years, even structured to withstand considerable earthquake activity.

8. California Academy of Sciences - California

This one is an artist’s rendering but it provides the best angle of the outside.  The California Academy of Sciences is an absolutely incredible structure, complete with indoor rainforest and the largest indoor coral reef aquarium in the world.  In total, this building “is currently the only institution in the world to feature an aquarium, a natural history museum, a living rainforest, a planetarium, and world-class research and education programs.”

7.  World’s First Energy-Generating Revolving Door - Netherlands-based Natuurcafe La Port

This revolving door may not look so fancy, but it actually generate a small amount of electricity every time someone goes through it!  It doesn’t necessarily generate a great deal of electricity (4600 kwh of energy each year), but each watt helps!  Even more so, we may very well be witnessing some of the first green technology that will be utilized in our not-so-distant every day lives!

6. Temple Built of One Million Recycled Bottles - Thailand

An estimated 1.5 million recycled bottles were used to build the Wat Pa Maha Chedio Kaew temple in Thailand.  Bottle collecting started in 1984.  Bottle caps have also been used to make mosaics.  The bottles are surprisingly durable, require little maintenance, and let beautiful rays of light cascade through, which also distributes warmth.

Well, those are the first five of these magnificent green architecture specimens.  Come back tomorrow and see the other five!

- IgniteTheMind

(donations welcomed)

 If you’ve never heard of Julian Beever. . .you have now.

And if you’ve never seen Julian Beever. . .

. .  .you have now.

Sure, nothing spectacular stands out about him. . .Of course, the picture makes him look a little goofy, and his name seems to tag along side of that thought.

Truth be told though, Julian is probably one of the most talented artists you’ll ever see.  His specialty is quite unique though: chalk drawings in public places.  As you’ll see however, he is so talented its quite unfair to label him a “glorified street artist.”  His skills are far beyond that. . .

Amazed? Its sure hard not to be. Even on this video (low quality at that), his illusions are absolutely mind boggling. . .Its no wonder passer-bys stand in awe.

But how does he do it? Its a well-calculated process. . .

Besides the extreme skill, unique creativity and attention to detail, what is it that really mesmerizes about Julian’s drawings? . . .Seems that its all about perspective.

Perspective is a curious thing. . .We all have one, and each one of our perspectives has been influenced by an innumerable amount of things: from culture to family and peers to personal experiences to intelligence in all its forms to religion/philosophies to government and the list continues.

And yet, rarely do we realize the extent of our perspective on a particular topic or issue until it takes something to shake it or open our eyes to it. . .In other words, our perspectives seem so natural and “correct” to us that it takes another perspective, often a different one, to help us realize our own!

So leave it to Beever and his drawings to amaze us. . .and to also give us a new “perspective.”

- IgniteTheMind

(News referred to covering dates primarily 12/08-1/09)

As the  prepares for new -elect , the  continues to  fluctuating  and a global   crisis.  It seems that no knows what is around the . It is a  time for everyone. . .

The is in turmoil as  continues to  the region.  And we’re still not ed with the .

The attacks are still  in the s of many.  And  can only wonder if will ever come to an .

Then there are the ies that touch people’s s.  From to to to , these are just a few of the many that  has , and surely there are many more around the .

But there is  in the .  For some will keep their  through  or  and for some even, it will come through /.  In the end, let’s hope it comes through so that we may all experienceing and .

Merry Christmas to all of you who celebrate this joyous holiday!

And with that, let’s keep it simple today. . .no politics, no world issues, no backbiting - just good ol’ wintry fun.

So here you go, some comical Christmas pics to keep the rest of your Christmas day merry!