nostalgic modernism  

I think it looks swell
I'm happy with my Kartell Cart.
I had thought of buying a low ESU, but it was expensive and not on wheels. I have a storage closet behind the TV, so the cart makes it easy to move.....and it TV is secure on the shelf with a nut and bolt.
Very high tech (Oh and thanks for the Bennington info....very much appreciated!)

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Cheers DC, its allways good to read considered thought.
Its a pretty basic point I wanted to make, that all our sentimentality is at odds with the spirit of modernism. We love our lovely chairs and things so much that they aren't good servants anymore.

Sound basic thought is always the well spring...
of any worthwhile insights about philosophical issues.
Philosophy not sprung from sound basic thoughts is metaphysics and the world really does not need to know how many elephants can be imagined standing on the head of a pin.
Thanks for sharing your insight.

Would it be fair to say that...
Would it be fair to say that design: architectural, product, etc., at its most basic is a response to something, be it physical need, a constituency or anything else that you care to name.
To HP I ask, what is the prevailing sentiment I've heard lately said of Australia: "A Resident for President" does that still have currency?
And yes our problems will continue on for many a generation here in the colonies, but it is somewhat heartening or disheartening I suppose that it is 422 days and counting to 1-20-08

I think how people relate to...
I think how people relate to objects after production is its reality, the concept and the development is hidden from the user. I'm sorry I'd type more but I've just voted and left my glasses at home so after reading through the senate ticket I'm effectively blind.
Many Australians have a deep fear of presidential style government, Westminster means a lot here.

Let's draft...
Let's draft Eva Zeisel for President in Australia! *(Can't you just see the commercials? An old European grand-dame saying "Let's throw another pot on the Barbie"
Or maybe Vladimir Kagan

I meant 422 days until...
I meant 422 days until 1-20-09, the 08 was I guess, wishful thinking or a Freudian slip, but it is definitely 421 long days until January 2009.

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conservatives out + rose socialists in throughout the whole country, Kyoto will be ratified and our troops will pull out of Iraq, filthy industrial relations laws will be repealed and the primeminister has probably lost his own seat !!!!!
PS we don't have Presidents, we are similar to Canada and the throw another shrimp cliche is about as far removed from reality as 10 gallon hats and ranches.

I understand you don't have...
I understand you don't have Presidents, I had however heard the slogan "A Resident for President" several times in relation to Australia and wondered if had gotten any traction. Apparently not.

One other thing
with respect to ten gallon hats and ranches and I certainly mean no disrespect to our enlightened brethern from the state of Texas. But I had the fortune or misfortune to go to the far east with a trade group who drew members from all over the country, with a large contingent of members from Texas in the eighties and again in 2003. In fact we were one of the largest groups from the US to travel in China in the 80's and on both occasions at very dignified dinners, whenever the group from Texas would be recognized from the dais this group of people would all rise up hoot'in and hollering and waving giant ten gallon hats in the air, clapping, whistling and screaming. To a man, not one of them on either trip ever passed on the chance to boast about the size of their hobby ranches and or how many head of cattle they ran then or at some other time. Whether they were telling the truth or not, I have no way of knowing, but to judge by the numbers that claimed ranch ownership, one would think there was no other industry but cattle in Texas.
In fact it was the first experience in 1983 with this group that kept me away for 20 years. And this was not a trade group of ranchers and farmers but rather, supposedly, very professional people with advanced degrees from institutes of higher education. So yes sometimes short hand stereotypes do apply. All in all it was rather embarassing and crystallized the vision of the "ugly American" in my mind that a lot of the world has of us. I do agree though that the 'throw another shrimp on the barbie" was more the Australian tourist board and Paul Hogan trading on his then current popularity and no one I know that ever went to Australia, myself included, ever believed that Aussies walked around offering to throw shrimp or anything else on a barbie or any other cooking device.