Read: How We Decide

Just because you make mistakes does not mean you learn from them, and just because you’re smart doesn’t mean you’re wise. That’s why Jonah Lehrer sings the praises of metacognition (thinking about the way you think). Challenging the long held philosophy that humans should perpetually strive to be rational creatures, Lehrer states a case, with the help of psychological experiments and fMRI machines, that neuroscience has discovered the importance of our emotional and rational minds acting in concert. Some of the information in Lehrer’s book can be found amongst various TED talks and on WNYC’s brilliant Radiolab. The facts in this book are rich and the writing digestible. You don’t have to be a neuroscientist to read ‘How We Decide’ and some of the information may even seem intuitive, but the studies Lehrer has comprised reveal the interesting desires and patterns of our neural pathways. Lehrer’s over-arching objective is to make the populous aware of the cognitive process within oneself, which he sets out to prove will in turn lead to understanding. This cognitive awareness can be used to shed a light on everything from credit card debt and overwhelming shopping decisions to standardized tests and life threatening situations. Lehrer has received considerable praise for ‘How We Decide’ and was even featured in an interview on the Colbert Report.

posted by: Scott Starrett

Style Icon: Alice Dellal

Model, socialite, and it-girl Alice Dellal has caught the eye of the fashion world with her cutting-edge personal style. As the daughter of Brazilian model Andrea Dellal and granddaughter of British real-estate mogul Jack Dellal, Alice’s beauty and wealth are undeniable. However, she’s not just another heiress in a designer gown. Alice’s ability to create a style that is both high and low, smart and edgy, sexy and grungy all in one has put her front and center as the girl to watch during fashion’s 90′s grunge revival.

With her signature partially shaved head, Alice jumped onto the modeling scene with confidence. As quoted on Vogue.com, “I like my style. If people don’t like my hair, then they don’t have to book me.” But book her they have. Since 2006 Alice has been featured in multiple French Vogue editorials, modeled for Burberry and Mango Jeans ad campaigns, and replaced Kate Moss as the new face of Agent Provocateur. She has also been cited as the new muse/model to Alexander Wang, replacing Erin Wasson who has since devoted time to her own clothing line.

Alice Dellal’s look is everywhere. Hardcore combat boots, crop tops, exposed zippers, leather, and even side swept wavy hair. Take it from Alexander Wang himself, “Anyone can get all dressed up and glamorous, but it is how people dress in their off days, that are the most intriguing.”

Alice Dellal style from Alexander Wang and Proenza Schouler Spring 2009

by: Tricia Rock

Free State Brewery x Social Service League

Help support the Social Service League of Lawrence simply by having lunch or dinner at Free State Brewery Tuesday, February 17th. To begin its 20th Anniversary Celebration Week, Free State Brewery is donating proceeds from Tuesday’s sales to Lawrence’s oldest community service organization: The Social Service League. Raise a glass to the longevity of two stubborn institutions that help make Lawrence special.

To receive updates on happenings at the Social Service League join their Facebook group here. And continue reading for a more complete history of the organization.

Social Service League of Lawrence, KS
The Social Service League of Lawrence emerged out of the ashes of Quantrill’s Raid. Following the devastation, the Lawrence community formed a “League” to provide various supplies to families in need. Today the League continues this work, assisting Lawrence children, adults and families.

The League is an independent charity that relies solely on donations and on income generated through its thrift store. The League thrift store, 905 Rhode Island St, is run from the same location where the store began its operations over 145 years ago. The store is open to all shoppers, and offers clothes, household items, toys and other needed goods. Also, any person who expresses a need may come into the thrift store and fill up a bag of donated goods free of charge, no questions asked.

Store proceeds and donations fund a wide array of charitable activities. The League helps provide shoes, eye exams, and glasses to children within the Lawrence community. During the past ten years the League has provided children with 100 to 200 pairs of new shoes per year. The League also works in coordination with other local organizations to help individuals find jobs, get back on their feet, and support themselves and their families.

posted by: Tricia Rock

Cut&Paste 09: Digital Design Tournament

Cut&Paste Digital Design Tournament 2007 from Cut&Paste on Vimeo

Humans team up with machines to battle face to face in the Cut&Paste Digital Design Tournament. Designers meet in fifteen minute rounds with some prepared elements. Like most forms of expression, hip hop culture has officially infiltrated the world of design. In the glorified tradition of MC’s and B-boys, graphic artists take stage in front of large crowds to exhibit their skills on the fly. Design and battle are an odd juxtaposition, you can’t really judge style points on mouse clicks and key commands, but Cut&Paste is on its fifth year and running.

The event began in New York in 2005 attracting a fairly promising 800 person crowd…five years later the tournament has announced its 2009 world tour. With dates in North America, Europe, and Asia/Pacific, there’s a chance you may be within traveling distance to witness a visual communication battle of epic proportions. Most of the deadlines are fast approaching or have already passed, but it’s never too late to start practicing your freestyle graphics.

posted by: Scott Starrett

Cinema Style: Valerie and Her Week of Wonders

Victorian necklines, lace, gloves, sheer layers, and an endless supply of white cotton dresses. Valerie and Her Week of Wonders, a 1970 surreal horror/fantasy film out of the Czech Republic, takes you on a dreamy adventure and a fashion showcase. Although director Jaromil Jires does not allow the costuming to become a character of its own, the timelessness of the film’s fashion blends seamlessly to draw the viewer into Valerie’s burgeoning mind and body.

As we follow Valerie through her fantastical world in which nothing is ever what it seems, we are reminded of the collections of Fall 2008. Givenchy, Prada, and Stella McCartney to name a few. However, deriving from the Czech New Wave, Valerie’s whirlwind adventure captures not only ageless fashion but an artistic desire for freedom very indicative of its time and place.

by: Tricia Rock