Day 21: TV and Computer

I was thinking about the way we use computers as compared to television in terms of creativity and learning... What is "Edutainment"?
TV is passive because information is being delivered to us. However a computer can be passive or interactive. I believe we need to use computers differently than TV.






"Computers will not live up to their potential until we start to think of them less like televisions and more like paintbrushes. That is, we need to start seeing computers not simply as information machines, but also as a new medium for creative design and expression."
     -Mitchel Resnick, MIT Media Labs

New Box Of Crayons

Today I bought a brand new box of 64 Crayola Crayons, and there are so many new colors that did not exist when I was a child, and other colors that have been retired or have had their names changed. I am fascinated!

I have decided to choose one color each day, and allow that color to create a drawing. (See next blog for this first drawing.)

History:

In 1903 Crayola introduced 8 different colors: Black, Brown, Orange, Violet, Blue, Green, Red and Yellow.

By 1957 there were 48 colors: including "Purrsian Blue" which was changed to :Midnight Blue" in 1958, and "Flesh", which was changed to "Peach" in 1962 - partially as a result of the Civil Rights Movement.

In 1971 there were now 64 colors: including "Indian Red" which was changed to "Chestnut" in 1999 because many people thought it was offensive to the Native American people.

By 1989 Crayola was up to 72 colors with the inclusion of fluorescents.

80 colors by 1980 and in 1992 several colors were retired: including "Orange Red", "Orange Yellow", "Raw Umber", "Grey Blue" and "Maize". These colors were replaced with such colors as "Vivid Tangerine", "Cerulean", and "Fuchsia".

In 1993 Crayola introduced 16 new colors that were named by the public: including "Asparagus" and "Macaroni and Cheese".

Today there are 120 colors with new colors like: "Inch Worm" and "Wild Blue Yonder".

Info from: http://www.crayola.com/colorcensus/history/chronology.cfm

Did your weekend include passion?

I promised myself I would paint, and I did! It's amazing how saying something out loud forces me to stick to it.

Friday: I chose to paint, instead of run - sometimes we need to forgo one passion for another. I chose the greater or two goods. (Unlike this upcoming election - where sometimes I feel as if I am forced to choose the lesser or two evils).

Saturday: I ran 5.5 miles AND I collaged. I took the paintings I had left drying in the garage, and I cut them up and began collaging. Not done yet. PLUS, took my daughter to get her hair done for the Homecoming Dance - she was happy. It's so pleasant in my house when the teenagers are in a good mood. Then I had dinner with good friends. I got to engage in four of my passions!

Sunday: Today is just beginning, but my plan is to continue collaging and paint on top of the collage. I also get to run with a friend and decorate the house for Halloween. (I was going to say, "I have to decorate my house for Halloween", then I decided that if I look at it as a "get to" instead of a "have to" than I am choosing and I win!)

Did your weekend include passion?

Where inspiration comes from...

You never know what is going to spark your creativity...

The other day at the grocery store, I noticed that "Kleenex" has some really cool new tissue box designs. So cool, in fact, that I feel inspired to paint. When I think about all the effort it takes to set up the easel, get out the paints, and make the time to paint, I am discouraged. But, just like exercising, I know from past experience that I WILL feel better after.

My promise to myself, and my own sanity...

This weekend I will make time to paint.