The Nature of Design: Ecology, Culture, and Human Intention

Book Description

The environmental movement has often been accused of being overly negative--trying to stop "progress." The Nature of Design, on the other hand, is about starting things, specifically an ecological design revolution that changes how we provide food, shelter, energy, materials, and livelihood, and how we deal with waste. Ecological design is an emerging field that aims to recalibrate what humans do in the world according to how the world works as a biophysical system. Design in this sense is a large concept having to do as much with politics and ethics as with buildings and technology. The book begins by describing the scope of design, comparing it to the Enlightenment of the 18th century. Subsequent chapters describe barriers to a design revolution inherent in our misuse of language, the clockspeed of technological society, and shortsighted politics. Orr goes on to describe the critical role educational institutions might play in fostering design intelligence and what he calls "a higher order of heroism." Appropriately, the book ends on themes of charity, wilderness, and the rights of children. Astute yet broadly appealing, The Nature of Design combines theory, practicality, and a call to action.

Customer Reviews:

fascinating and reassuring.......2007-09-05

Orr's book is a fantastic illustration of the current state of the world in terms of the relationship between technology, ecology, design and economy from a theoretical-philosophical perspective. He does not brush anything "under the carpet" and provides a very broad and deep understanding of our incompetence as a society saturated with consumption to deal with the consequences of our modern way of life. The best thing about this book, in comparison with other books in the subject, is first of all that it provides a highly engaging read, and second of all that it offers a very clear solution to our social and environmental problems - to live within and according to nature's limits. Orr's argument is convincing, not only because it is supported by many beautiful references, but mainly because it provides a very practical and honest pathway to the future.

Quite interesting..........2005-08-16

I didn't think I'd like this book as much as I actually did. It was informative, questioning, and thought provoking. Great for someone who knows little about ecological literacy but wants to know more. A good beginner's book for someone starting to realize the intrinsic value in nature.

Quo Vadis..........2003-10-29

One needn't read the blurb to know that DO is a professor. The writing style, the subject chosen and the way it has been treated, the examples given... all point towards a very advanced mind! The power of this book lies in the relentless power of the ideology and the prose to raise questions in the mind of the reader, and forcing the reader to reconsider some of his/her own beliefs and viewpoints.

The professor makes this journey even more enjoyable through his deliciously witty sarcasms and digs at the capitalistic society of today and its spin-doctors of advertising. Through numerous examples and penetrating questions, the writer clearly supports his point of view that humanity today is rushing headlong into the future, with a blind reliance on science and technology/forms of government/economic theories... and this faith he claims, seems to mirror an almost religious fervor. The writer clearly illustrates how humanity is increasingly trading its unknown future for short term gains of a few in positions of power to exploit those gains.

The book deals with the subject of designing the future with Nature in mind, and speaks of the nature of design. Quite a heavy book in terms of the ideas, though the writing is wonderfully simple and straightforward. But aren't the clearest minds with the most elegant and terse prose, the hardest to comprehend? Simply a brilliant book that is a must read, and replete with a wonderfully diverse reference list at the end.

Another service to life - opening the discussion again.......2002-06-08

Orr expands on some of the themes brought to the forefront in his last two books (Ecological Literacy and Earth in Mind). However, he highlights aspects critical to a sustaining culture that lie outside the boundaries of convential educational thought, and even outside the previous bounds of Orr's comprehensive vision of education.
He explains and argues for a continually expanded vision of 'education' again, and embeds this process in the larger processes of life; tirelessy showing that there are no boundaries between the two - and what this means for our place in the living world.
Chapters such as "Architecture as Pedagogy" represent some of his past work refined.
It is in the first half dozen chapters, however, that I feel he gets closest to the heart of the matter. In chapters such as "Slow Knowledge" and "Verbicide" he brings forth such elements as time, information, the speed at which we unite (or disjoint) them, and our relationship between such daily elements. I have been on a constant search for commentary on the implications of our relationship with time as it concerns sustainability. (Some of the best writing on it, that I've found is in The Sabbath by A.J Heschel and Spell of the Sensuous by David Abram). There is little written directly about this in the general literature, much of it not embedded in the concept of sustainability. The majority of it is also somewhat hidden in studies of religion, symbolism, and philosophy. Orr brings these relationships into the open and connects our perception and the design of our use of time directly to the ground. He never loses sight of the how such processes impact our prospects for a livable future.
He also contextualizes this relationship in the ever widening definition (largely thanks to Orr himself) of DESIGN - specifically ecological design.
These aspects are only part of this commentary however; other areas focus on the idea of wilderness, political economy, vocation, technology and human development.
David Orr's ability to connect such topics and contextualize them within the qualities of 'usefulness' is needed fundamentally.
He uncompromisingly subjects dominant current (and lesser-discussed, but possible) beliefs, paradigms, technologies and techniques, to the questions:
"What good is it, are they? How does it/do they influence us? How does it/do they inform our actions? Does this further our best intentions? How does this influence the prospects of life now and in the future?"

Never before has such scrutiny been so necessary, and I have found no more enlightening and pragmatic commentary than that offered by David Orr. This book should raise the bar for others in the many fields of sustainability to broaden, deepen and connect these concepts further, and soon.

Average customer rating:
NATURE OF DESIGN:ECOLOGY CULTURE & HUMAN INTENTION
ORR
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OKEOTE

Book Description

Discover the trade secrets that will make welding metal artwork easier! Welding for Arts and Crafts features 85 pages of easy-to-understand diagrams and simple, step-by-step instructions for creating some of the most attractive welded creations - from animals and yard art, to functional household items, to seasonal projects such as gift boxes, snowmen, heart-shaped tables, and more! No prior welding experience is assumed, making this book ideal for amateurs and hobbyists who want to learn how to create first-rate welded sculptures and welded furniture.

Customer Reviews:

Not very useful.......2006-04-17

I bought this book thinking it would show/describe common techniques for art related projects (some do's and dont's). Or even a bit on brazing (for welding with exotic meatals like copper and brass). Instead, it is just a step by step for several really uninspired projects. And then mostly tack welding. Not much serious welding.It does cover some very basic information on the different welding processes, but you can get that online for free. I would suggest saving up for weekend welding classes at your local community college. At least you will learn proper welding techniques from pros. You can then determine what equipment is best for you for your needs.

Welding for Arts and Crafts.......2005-08-02

I was very dissatisfied with this book. I was expecting a book that explained the idea of and how to do Arts and Crafts by welding. It gave very little information about which welder might be best and then a bunch of old outdated projects. I found this book mostly usless.

It does not hold up to the title.......2005-04-22

This book is not even close to be what the title suggests. There are just a few pages devoted to a very basic review of the various methods of welding. The rest of the book is about building projects based on welding techniques that are not explained in the book.

Not for beginners.......2004-02-13

I disagree with the editorial review's claim that no experience is required. While it is good at explaining the pros and cons of various types of welding equipment, it is mostly a craft project book. Setting up an oxy-acetylene torch with was a little intimidating for me,and this book was not helpful for that.

Not what you will expect........2003-07-11

I've reviewed this several times before, but it just never got posted. I used to feel that it was because amazon was keeping negative reviews to a minimum, but I see that others are agreeing with me now. I wish they would have posted my review years ago when I bought this. Perhaps a few people would have saved their money.

Anyways, the projects mentioned in the description are not all in the book. The heart shaped table and snowmen, for example, are not anywhere to be found. I told them about this but they never changed the description to reflect it. Not sure why. Sales reasons perhaps?

Also, if you are not a very skilled welder you won't get too far as there is no real instruction on welding. Many projects involve soldering or brazing. I've been welding for over 12 years and have never needed to do either of those to join metal.

I bought this book in 2003 and have yet to do anything with it but take it to work to show my friends how bad it was. The only project that comes to mind is lawn ornaments of dragonflies. The wings are made from hammering on disgarded MIG tips. Egad. Consider this fair warning.

Average customer rating:

Good book for developing a working vocabulary.
Great book despite the other reviews.
Welding Basics
Welding Basics
Little SMAW Coverage

Welding Basics
Creative Publishing international , and The editors of Creative Publishing international
Manufacturer: Creative Publishing international
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Do-It-Yourself | How-to & Home Improvements | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Household Hints | How-to & Home Improvements | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1589231392

Book Description

-Ideal for beginning to intermediate welders-outlines all of the major processes.

Customer Reviews:

Good book for developing a working vocabulary........2007-07-11

The book provides a basic footing in welding. I simply used the book to develop a working vocabulary before I began learning how to weld.

Great book despite the other reviews........2007-05-17

I thought this book was worth reading. Yes, I've read the other reviews that said it was too simplified and for idiots but for someone who has never welded, or like me has not welded since high school, it covers the basics. It gives a good comparison of different technologies (Oxy, SMAW, MIG, TIG and plasma) the pros/cons of each. No, this book will not teach you how to weld like a pro but it is a good starting point if you want to learn about the various technologies or trying to decide what type of welder you want or need to get started. The Welder's Handbook (Finch) is also a good beginner's guide.

Welding Basics.......2007-01-19

I bought this book for Christmas for my boyfriend. However the book didnt arrive in time but when he got it my boyfriend read it in one day and wants to try and weld together some of the stuff it shown. This is a very good book.

Welding Basics.......2007-01-09

This is a nice overview of the various welding methods. It provides the basic info you need in the beginning. From this point, you can get books with more detail on the specific method you need.

Little SMAW Coverage.......2007-01-04

My weld process of choice is Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW). Unfortunately, there is not nearly enough detail in this book to make it even marginally useful to SMAW welders. MIG, TIG, and Oxy/Acetylene are covered to far greater depth.

Since it was my own expectations that were not met, I went with a relatively neutral 3-star rating. This book might be just fine if your process is other than SMAW.

Artisan Welding Projects: 25 Decorative Projects for Hobby Welders

Average customer rating:

awesome book
Good ideas, Good photos, Poor technique
great present!
Artisan Welding Projects: 25 Projects for Hobby Welders

Artisan Welding Projects: 25 Decorative Projects for Hobby Welders
Karen Ruth
Manufacturer: Creative Publishing international
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Metal Work | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1589232801

Book Description

Artisan Welding Projects brings together project designs and complete directions for building 25 innovative, never-before-published metal-work projects. This book takes solid aim at growing numbers of amateur welding and blacksmith enthusiasts who are taking up the hobby as inexpensive yet full-featured welding equipment becomes widely available. It features the latest in welding equipment and techniques, and offers projects that are both practical and ornamental. It is the ideal book for budding art and craft welders, the largest growing segment of the rapidly expanding DIY welding market.

Customer Reviews:

awesome book.......2007-09-25

The nice thing about this book is it shows tricks and tips to make the metal shapes without having to have the expensive tools. The projects are layed out nicely and easy to follow. great book!!!!!

Good ideas, Good photos, Poor technique.......2007-09-17

This is a good book for ideas. It shows what can be done with lightweight steel stock and a few metal working tools. The pictures are high quality.

However, the projects are poorly done. In a book like this, I expected to see professional looking welds with nice regular beads. Instead they look like pigeon droppings - the sort of thing one might expect from a rank beginner. Nor is this just a matter of appearance, some of the welds just look unsound with poor penetration and fusion. There is no attempt to design the projects so that the welds are out of sight and these are not the kind of projects where the look of the welds adds to the overall appearance, especially since they are so poorly executed. Some of the projects involve scrolled flat stock. The scrolls are not done well. Curves are misshapen, the ends have flat spots from the bender and matched pairs are glaringly assymetric. All these problems could have been corrected by taking a just little more time with the work. Many of the projects leave sharp corners in positions where they could cause a nasty gash if one were to bump into them.

I am left wondering if the author actually knows how to weld and whether she would have any of these items in her own home.

great present!.......2007-07-02

I bought this book for my father as a gift for fatersday. According to him, this book is great! It is full of do-able projects, and the guidelines are easy to understand. The projects are interesting, and practical, and you can use the stuff you make in and around the home. A great gift!

Artisan Welding Projects: 25 Projects for Hobby Welders.......2007-02-20

Excellant book for hobby, craft or small job shop welders. Projects designs are easy to follow with a list of needed materials. Several of the finished products would make excellant extra income opportunities for a small shop. Absolutely nothing negative to say about the book.

Average customer rating:

Soldering, Brazing and Welding
Derek Pritchard
Manufacturer: Crowood Press, Limited, The
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Metal Work | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Welding | Engineering | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1861263910

Average customer rating:

Advanced Arc Welding (908)
Richard Hunter
Manufacturer: Boise State University
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Soldering, Brazing & Welding: A Manual of Techniques

Average customer rating:

Soldering, Brazing & Welding: A Manual of Techniques
Derek Pritchard
Manufacturer: Trafalgar Square Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 1852239913

Welding: Principles & Applications And Welding For Arts And Crafts: (2 Book Package)

Average customer rating:

Welding: Principles & Applications And Welding For Arts And Crafts: (2 Book Package)
Larry Jeffus
Manufacturer: Delmar Pub
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Science | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1401829341

Basic Fabrication and Welding Engineering (Longman Craft Studies Series)

Average customer rating:

Basic Fabrication and Welding Engineering (Longman Craft Studies Series)
Frederick Joseph Melhuish Smith
Manufacturer: Longman Higher Education
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Welding | Engineering | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0582424313

Average customer rating:

Kendra had a Slayer's Handbook and now you do too

You do not need to play the game to enjoy the core rulebook

Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Slayers Handbook (Buffy RPG)
C.J. Carella , and Timothy S. Brannan
Manufacturer: Eden Studios
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books
General | Graphic Novels | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books
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Vampires | Horror | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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Buffy The Vampire Slayer Revised Corebook (Buffy the Vampire Slayer Core Rulebooks)

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Monster Smackdown (Buffy RPG)

Angel RPG

Buffy Character Journal (Buffy the Vampire Slayer Accessories)

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Magic Box (Buffy RPG)

ASIN: 1891153897

Book Description

Buffy: Wait. Handbook? What handbook? How come I don't have a handbook? Willow: Is there a T-shirt, too? 'Cause that would be cool . . . -2.10, What's My Line?, Part Two Just found out you're the Slayer, and feeling a bit overwhelmed? Never fear, it's all right here in Technicolor goodness: the dos, the don'ts, the whys, the wherefores, even a few what's whats. There's also some notes from the Slayers' diaries, just in case you don't hail from Sunnydale. Study up-it's your neck on the line (literally)! The Slayer's Handbook is a supplement for the Buffy the Vampire Slayer roleplaying game. In it, you will find: Background on being a Slayer, tales of the Slayers and advice for Directors on using Slayers in their games New character creation ideas, qualities and drawbacks, and more character archetypes Guidelines for alternative settings in a Slayer-oriented game, including different places, times and histories Three ready-to-play mini-settings for Slayers of all shapes and sizes A complete Episode continuing the plotline begun in the BTVS corebook

Customer Reviews:

Kendra had a Slayer's Handbook and now you do too.......2004-01-17

"The Slayer's Handbook" is a supplement for the "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" role playing game. The inspiration, of course, comes from the episode "What's My Line?: Part Two," where Buffy was astounded to find out that Kendra has been reading the Slayer's handbook and demanded to know why Giles had not provided her with a copy. This version has not been passed down by the Watcher's Council but is the product of game designer C. J. Carella, writers Timothy S. Brannan and David F. Chapman, assisted by some able quotemeisters.

Included in the "Slayer's Handbook" includes background on being a Slayer, tales of the Slayers, and advice for Directors on using Slayers in their games. You will also find new character creation ideas, qualities and drawbacks, equipment, and more character analysis, as well as guidelines for alternative settings in a Slayer-oriented game, including different places, times, and histories. There are also three ready-to-play mini-settings for Slayers of all shapes and sizes as well as a complete Episode continuing the plotline begun in the "Buffy the Vampire Slayer Corebook." While the information is geared towards the role playing game, there is also a concerted effort to make sense out of the Buffyverse as revealed in the television series over the first six seasons. This is actually a good starting point, because the seventh season in general and the final episode in particular totally rewrites the rules for Slayers.

Be aware that these books go beyond the Buffy canon, but explicitly so. So while you get character information for the Chinese Slayer and the New York Slayer along with Kendra and Faith, but new creations such as the Reluctant Slayer, Dark Slayer, Slayer Heiress, etc. This volume also provides character type heroes (e.g., Rebel Without a Clue, Slayer Gunslinger), white hats (e.g., Wannabe Shaman), and sundry Hellworld critters (e.g., Behemoth, Flesh Rider). The back of the book contains character creation basics and updated tables for qualities and drawbacks, armor, combat maneuvers, and base damage.

Be aware that there are a couple of more supplemental volumes out there, "Monster Smackdown," that covers vampires, demons, and major villains from the show, and "The Magic Box," which explores the history of magic and supernatural in the Buffyverse. There is also a Corebook out for "Angel" as well.

You do not need to play the game to enjoy the core rulebook.......2003-06-28

At the beginning of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Core Rulebook," writer and designer C. J. Carella acknowledges that the reader of this volume could just as easily be a Buffy fanatic as a veteran of role playing games. Indeed, Carella considers it a safe assumption that anyone who gets to page 194 of this volume is a fan of the show (but he sees advantages for those who are not). Of course, I am the former, although I do remember an evening with college friends trying unsuccessfully to get me hooked on Dungeon & Dragons and my daughter and I have attempted the Buffy the Vampire CCG game a few times (I am happy just to collect the cards). Certainly, Carella has put together a gorgeous volume. On top of that, the role playing game, part of the Unisystem, might actually prove to be fun as well.

The "BtVS RPG" covers a lot of ground (by its own admission), from rules to stats to descriptions to backgrounds. There are eight chapters and an appendix: (1) "It's the Slayer's World, We Just Play Here" contains introductory sections, notes about role playing, a list of conventions, and a brief recap of Seasons One through Five of the television series (note, breakdown is by season rather than episode specific); (2) "Some Assembly Required" covers character creation and provides the game stats for the main characters as well as a gallery of Archetypes (e.g., New Slayer, Demon Hunter, and Former Vampire Groupie); (3) "Rules, Borders, and an End Zone" provides the rules of the game, teaching you how to play the game, when to use dice, detailing character development, and explaining the importance of Drama Points; (4) "Playing With Primal Forces" explains the upside and the downside of magic in the Buffyverse; (5) "Sunnydale After Dark" goes over both the favorite hotspots in and around the home of the Hell Mouth and the major Guest Stars of the show such as Joyce, Amy, Jonathan, etc.; (6) "Children of the Night" covers all of the vamps, demons, and other Big Bads from the show's first five seasons, providing such great details as character motivation (e.g., Glorificus wants to go home but Drusilla is just a "Whimsical nutjob"); (7) "Episodes, Seasons and Drama" is for the Director of the game and provides guidelines on how to create storylines and run games; and (8) "Sweeps Week" provides an actual adventure for the "BtVS RG" game, to be played with the Archetypes. Finally, the "Appendix" helps you hone your Buffyspeak and also provides useful charts and tables, a glossary, an index and conversion notes from other Unisystem games.

Christopher Golden, who has written some of the best "BtVS" novels along with the comic book and "The Watcher's Guides," writes the Foreword to this volume, which is basically a teaser for a role playing game. My son, who has considerably more experience with role playing games than I do, assures me this is fairly basic stuff and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" is a natural for this sort of fun. It is well established that "BtVS" is my favorite television show and I am fascinated by the details for the role playing game Carella has developed (e.g., the idea that guidelines are providing for "Breaking Things" tickles me). I also like the idea that playing the game can be developed in terms of Episodes and Seasons as well, providing a grand narrative structure to the fighting and biting. For those who love both "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and role playing games, this Core Rulebook as to be a treat.

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