Hello, from the past

Dear people who write research papers in the future,

I know it's hard surfing the web for 'ancient' data and blogs. But it must be entertaining to read some of it at least.

Your tools let's you go back in time and search through Big Data. Terabytes and terabytes of blog posts, twitter feeds, articles and search results... or is it Yotabytes?

I don't know about you, but it's fine over here. I hope it's going all right at your end too.

Cheers!

Sherif Maktabi - London - Wednesday 29th of February, 2012.

 

How people are ruinning my project and why I appreciate it

A small group of people damaged the Lebanon Would Be Better If wall. This time, I won't be able to save it. And I appreciate it.

To remove the bad, you'll remove the good. That's why the black mark will always be here. And will not allow anyone to write on 1/5 of the wall. Actualy, removing the black mark they made will earase the wall. Since the wall and the mark are made from the same paint.

A small group of people threw black paint on the Lebanon Would Be Better If wall on bliss street on Friday 17th of February 2012. This already happened before here. And I was able to save it with the help of the community.

Even if it's horrible. Even if it's made for personal benefits (which it is, you'll understand if you see the wall). Even if it's made with bad intentions...

I appreciate it.

Because the Lebanon Would Be Better If wall of bliss street, is not my wall. Nor is it Karim's wall. (I hope he agrees with me on this).

I vandalized private property to make this wall. I made it with good intentions.

And so today, someone has vandalized my work, and on the other hand I appreciate it.

The reason why I appreciate it is multi-layered.

Lebanon Would Be Better If works by making it easier for a community to share their thoughts, intentions, dreams and aspirations.Once they do so, it's not mine anymore.

It's the community's wall.

And so when a small group of people does this. It's an expression. It's a message.

If you read on Lebanon, and if you know about it's recent history, you will realize that people have different goals. And different intentions, good intentions, bad intentions.

This mark is an expression and representation of this. A representation of how complicated it is in Lebanon. But also, it has a deeper meaning, for me.

Margaret Mead says:

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

It takes a small group of people to change the world, and it always had. It takes a community to take a change into a culture and into beauty. However, it also takes, another small group of people, to ruin everything.

As we approach a hyperconnected world, with tools and knowledge open for all, reaching a better world has never been so accessible... However, it has never been, so complicated.

Sherif

 

IKEA Tabs Concept

A table doesn't have to be a flat surface. A table consumes a lot of space in the ever-smaller apartments of the post-crisis era.

And our lives at home still revolve around these tables. They are where we eat, where we play, where we meet... I want a table to be more flexible to simply follow our needs.

This is the skeleton of the IKEA Tabs concept table. It allows you to take advantage of the 3D space that the table consumes.

You can fit it in different types of stackable storage. In this case, translusent boxes.

The boxes fit right in.

And disapear.

You cover the table with multi-function Tabs. Think of the Tabs as Apps for your table. Different tabs have different functions.

When you don't need a Tab, or you just want to switch to use a cutting board Tab, just simply role it and hide it away in the box.

The storage are placed in locations that doesn't bother you.

It's very easy to switch functions with the Tab.

Hide away your letters, your keys, and even store your cutlery.

Slide away your rubish. Simplicity isin't dirty.

Place your large objects in the big box. Hide away your books, computer, bottles.

Your annoying phone can now rest in peace away from sight. Disconnect yourself, and focus on the people you are with.

And simply reach in when you need it.

 

What about IKEA?

Well, IKEA Tabs Store is a new market. It opens up the possibilities for people to customize their table. Most importantly, this is my idea for an IKEA version of the App Store. People can now come back to IKEA to buy new Tabs. Because Tabs can be board games, cutting mats, table mats, storage boxes, plates storage, puzzles, picture frames, drawers.... etc.

IKEA, if you are reading this, your customer service sucks.