John Thackara

John Thackara|Essays

This is Not an Object

Well, I know these things “look” like objects, but that's because you have not read a new book called Nonobject about the design philosophy of Branko Lukic.

John Thackara|Essays

Green Issues in Communication Design

Why do companies get environmental awards for polluting less, even though they are still polluting?

John Thackara|Essays

Jellyfish Farm

Scientists warn that most natural seafood could disappear by 2048.

John Thackara|Essays

In the Air of Madrid

Our world is awash in eco information, but starved of meaning.

John Thackara|Essays

Look — Or Connect?

In a photography and book project called Shelter Henk Wildschut documents found shelters. Perhaps we should not judge these images by what they make *us* feel, but by which they cause to connect, with the people they portray.

John Thackara|Essays

Is an Environmentally Neutral Car Possible?

The future of the car has been electric for what? Five years now? Ten? The answer is 110 years. The new Riversimple, makes us look again at the feasibility of the electric car.

John Thackara|Essays

Of Popes, Pixels and Micropayments

For the Popes of culture and media, who met last week for the third Avignon Forum, a shallow cultural scanning is a reprehensible downside of “culture for everyone.”

John Thackara|Essays

A Tale of Two Trains

High-speed transportation systems in Norway vs. India: One step forward? Or two steps back?

John Thackara|Essays

Unplugged, But Not Alone

I was snooty in suggesting, in my comment on Doug Rushkoff's new book, that he should get out of the city more.

John Thackara|Essays

Design Steps to Heaven

I recently visted Luzern, in Switzerland, for a workshop at the oldest art and design school in Switzerland, Hochschule Luzern. My host, Andy Polaine had asked me to set students in the first semester of the MA Design, a challenge.

John Thackara|Essays

Leave Nothing But Footsteps

“Take nothing but memories” Kalack concludes “and leave nothing but footsteps”.

John Thackara|Essays

A Lesson from Cornwall

I've always loved lichen. I found this one in Cornwall’s Biodiversity Action Plan and chose it as a beautiful asset that already exists in the county.