Monday, October 14, 2013

The Lorax [design inspiration where we least expect it]

Sometimes when college gets tough, I start to revert back to the simpler days. You know, the days of naps... and picture books... and Saturday mornings that consisted solely of cartoons. While working on renderings, I often turn on some mindless TV show in the background, for when the 'pinwheel of  doom' takes over my computer. This Friday, I took a 180 from Real Housewives and I watched The Lorax. The Lorax had a surprisingly beautiful message about the future of our Earth and the troubles that come from building over top of it.

For those of you who need a summary, here is my swiftest attempt at one (though I highly suggest you watch it!): Ted Wiggins is a 12 year old boy trying to impress a girl, who fantasizes about owning a "real tree," for which there are none in the completely synthetic town of Thneedville. Ted listens to the cautionary tale of The Once-ler's troubles from cutting down the forest in exchange for a seed.

Though the children's animated movie is a whimsical rendition of Dr. Seuss' book, it has a great message to everyone about the future of our Earth. Whether or not that plot summary made any sense at all, here are some beautiful and/hysterical quotes that have a great message for sustainable design- some more subtle than others. Enjoy!


"Ted: Do you know where you can get a tree, like a real tree?
Ted's Mom: Why do you need a tree? Its just.. sticks out of the ground and does what? I don't even know what is does. Look! We've GOT a tree! It's the Oak-a-matic. Three modes! Summer, Fall, Winter, and... Disco!"



"You gotta be kidding me! Do you really think people are stupid enough to buy this?"
--Our research shows that if you put something in a plastic bottle, people will buy it!"


Ted: Ya but... Nobody cares about trees any more!
Once-ler: Then make them care! Plant the seed in the middle of town where everyone can see! Change the way things are.  I know it may seem small and insignificant but it's not about what it is.  It's about what it can become.  That's not just a seed anymore than you are just a boy.

"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not."




Photo Credit: http://www.aceshowbiz.com/movie/lorax_the/photo.html

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