Archive for the ‘Estelle Gohil’ Category

Lost and found

Wednesday, July 7th, 2010


What is it: For the past four years, Lost & Found has been the seminal insider guide for culturally conscious people wanting to visit Melbourne. As a promotional tool, for three months they are offering a free hotel room—that’s right, folks, FREE!.  Applicants enjoy a double room at Little Collins Street Hotel (Branded separately as Lost and Found Hotel) where the room itself is tastefully designed as a showcase for Melbourne arts and culture. The kicker is that you get a personal concierge who writes for the Lost and Found Guide, so your own insider to help you wring the most out of your fleeting stay.

Why is it cool: While it’s not a particularly new idea (they based the idea on a Swedish hotel “Creator’s Inn) it appears that this is a brand marriage made in heaven: Tourism Victoria, local artisans and artists and the Lost and Found guide itself promise to genuinely give guests an immersive experience. It’s bang on brand for Melbourne, too, which is all about little hidden secrets and artisanal experiences, so very clever all round I reckon.

Where to find it: here!

Submitted by: Estelle Gohil

Docos gone wild!

Thursday, July 23rd, 2009

Slimy things did crawl with legs upon the slimy sea

What is it: The trailer for a new documentary about dodgy Japanese fishing practices re. dolphins.

Why is it cool: First, this is an interesting example of post Michael Moore documentary making, where everything is “sexed up” or some might say “dumbed down.” Does this overblown style make the film attractive to a wider audience or a bit creepy, or both.

Second, the content is genuinely horrifying. The sea is one of those areas that international pressure must be exercised so that we keep some of the endangered (and other) wonders we share as a planet. Hopefully this documentary will raise awareness and put some pressure on the transgressors.

Where to find it: The trailer is here!  and the film’s website is here!

Submitted by: Estelle Gohil

Green porn

Thursday, June 11th, 2009

I love animals too, not that there's anything wrong with that

What is it: Isabella Rossellini explains the extraordinary mating habits of marine creatures complete with inimitable sexy accent and puppet attire.

Why is it cool: It’s mental and really does make you bemused at the wild world of sea creatures. Art is all about looking at the everyday in a completely new way… this weird little series manages to make you wonder at nature and feel slightly grubby at the same time.

Where to find it: here!

Submitted by: Estelle Gohil

Homegrown

Thursday, August 14th, 2008

Harvested in your own backyard? It's more likely than you think!

What is it: Your Backyard Farmer is a new service operating in the northwestern US which is offering to custom install (and optionally maintain) an organic garden in the backyards of customers. Their service consults on the growing capabilities of your garden (given space, light, water considerations), and tailors planting to your household’s uses and tastes.

If you are interested in the slow food/ locavore/ homegrown food movements, there’s a great non-fiction book by novelist Barbara Kingsolver called “ Animal, Vegetable, Miracle

Why is it cool: The age of the 3,000-mile Caesar Salad is coming to a close, as petrol prices increase and personal sentiment shifts towards consuming more affordable, locally grown produce. Although a service like this capitalises on the “greening” of suburban thinking, it hits on a huge latent opportunity as more households look for ways to eat healthy and affordably. Ms. Kingsolver and her family demonstrate this opportunity.

What other business opportunities lie in wait out there? Beyond start-ups, what can the big corporates do, beyond simple greenwashing?

Where to find it: Springwise link here! Animal, Vegetable, Miracle here!

Submitted by: John Cucka and Estelle Gohil

Social activism in the digital age

Thursday, June 19th, 2008

Che Guevara

What is it: A brand new way to rustle up community activism and get the message through to the powers that be in a way that makes it attractive, easy, quantifiable (you know what they are spending your money on) and fun!

Why is it cool: We take great pride in being a green business, so it’s always great to see cool new efforts in this space. This particular effort highlights how the web can be leveraged to bring together disparate communities of shared interests in ways never possible (or at least, never convenient or affordable) before.

Where to find it: here!

Submitted by: Estelle Gohil

Brainmail

Monday, June 2nd, 2008

Your brain on brainmail

What is it: A regular newsletter you can receive by email with interesting tidbits about everything from Robot Skin to Virtual Strikes.

Why is it cool: Look clever at your next dinner party, win friends and influence clients. Or just look like a geek.

Where to find it: there’s an example here! You can sign up here!

Submitted by: Estelle Gohil