Biodoodling

[Colin]

http://www.shetnews.co.uk/newsbites/7787-biodoodle-this-christmas

 

Seriously, In this weather?

 

Seriously anyway?

 

Might be because I feel a little grumpy this morning but, do we actually pay people to dream up stuff like this?

 

If so, I think that some of the recent cuts have been applied in the wrong places...

 

Want to make a pattern in the sand?.  Go sunbathing..

 

Want to make a pattern in the grass?  Get the mower out.

 

Want to stack plastic bottles?  Go work for Tesco...

 

Do something useful.....

 

 

 

[shetlandpeat]

This goes on all the time, folks wnt to leave a mark of their visit or take something from that. When we have been out with the younguns over the isles we have built structures, made a mark or just take a picture. Encouraging folk to get up and out if they are able can only be good.

 

[owre-weel]

Nothing new, as bairns we used to write stuff on the sand, unfortunately it was daft stuff like SOS. I doubt if you did that now you would launch a full scale emergency. Funny how times and childhood innocence changes.

[shetlandpeat]

Now here is some,

 

http://cdn.viralnova.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/snow-art8.jpg

 

Link this will keep you fit...

 

Voice of experience?

Nothing new, as bairns we used to write stuff on the sand, unfortunately it was daft stuff like SOS. I doubt if you did that now you would launch a full scale emergency. Funny how times and childhood innocence changes.

 

I was up at the quarry on the hill out the back of our grannies house at 2 am taking pictures, only to be visited by the police and an ambulance. Was spotted taking some photos of my self with the "Dim" as the back drop to me sitting on the quary edge.

Edited December 24, 2013 by shetlandpeat

[admin]

And the award for the most miserable post of the year goes to...... Colin.

 

Seriously, if you don't want to get involved, don't. But equally, don't have a pop at those that do.

[Aaron Foord]

 

do we actually pay people to dream up stuff like this?

 

 

 

its a valid enough question....

Edited December 24, 2013 by Aaron Foord

[admin]

I suggest you guys take a look at the Back to Beyond website to familiarise yourselves with the project http://www.backfrombeyond.org

 

But the simple answer is no - Alice and Emma have put hundreds of voluntary hours to 'dream up' this 'stuff'.

 

A quick skoit at the website reveals a contact form. Might be a good way to get your questions answered - http://www.backfrombeyond.org/contact

[paulb]

maybe stay off the beach today. little windy. those beans are coming back.

[Ghostrider]

It seems a bit sad that folk need some sort of organised initiative to encourage them with something like this, its the kind of "foolishness" that is so much better (IMHO) when done randomly and spontaneously.

 

Unfortunately one (wo)mans "doodle" is another's "vandalism" or 'graffiti' which has (IMHO) put a good kybosh on allowing a lot of folk to feel anything of this nature is "acceptable".

[Ghostrider]

maybe stay off the beach today. little windy. those beans are coming back.

 

If you can find a beach to get on to today with this swell, you risk not leaving it alive unless you know it and how swells behave on it exceedingly well.

[Colin]

And the award for the most miserable post of the year goes to...... Colin.

 

Seriously, if you don't want to get involved, don't. But equally, don't have a pop at those that do.

 1st, Thanks for the vote..  Appreciated.

 

2nd, I wasn't taking a pop at people who indulge in 'decorating' the landscape and I understand that some people (just like dogs pissing on a post) need to leave some kind of 'tag' to demonstrate their presence,  I was taking a shot at the system that employs people to dream up idiotic schemes like this.

 

Cuts, as I suggested, may have been made in the wrong places.

[Scorrie]

Lighten up, troops.

 

Regarding the expenditure, I'm not too enamoured myself with chucking out public funds when we are in the poop.

 

But..... you could use the same excuse for shutting main libraries and museums.....

[unlinkedstudent]

 

 

And the award for the most miserable post of the year goes to...... Colin.

 

Seriously, if you don't want to get involved, don't. But equally, don't have a pop at those that do.

 

Are you saying we can't debate the idea at all?

 

I took your advice and looked on their website, which states:-

 

"The project, in 2013, has been funded by Scottish Natural Heritage, through their Community Grants Scheme and as part of the Year of Natural Scotland, with in-kind funding from Promote Shetland and the voluntary time of the musicians, poets and film-makers."  http://www.backfrombeyond.org/about

 

 

So, in answer to Colin's question, it would appear that we don't "pay" them per se but some funds (amount?) does appear to come from at least one organisation that we indirectly fund.

[shetlandpeat]

I pay for it too and am happy to do so. Keeping a mind busy as we get on is a good way to improve mental health, add to the going out and doing it, adds to physical health. It does seem anything to do with the arts or creativity here is met with uncreative responses of opposition. The arts are the first things that get hammered when we are told money is tight, yet it is proven that arts and crafts can be so good for the body, soul and mind. We teach our young to explore every opportunity yet scorn those who facilitate that.

 

Go out and play!!!!

[Colin]

I pay for it too and am happy to do so. Keeping a mind busy as we get on is a good way to improve mental health, add to the going out and doing it, adds to physical health. It does seem anything to do with the arts or creativity here is met with uncreative responses of opposition. The arts are the first things that get hammered when we are told money is tight, yet it is proven that arts and crafts can be so good for the body, soul and mind. We teach our young to explore every opportunity yet scorn those who facilitate that.

 

Go out and play!!!!

I've been out to play (a long time ago) and, as with most youngsters, I had an enquiring mind and didn't have to be 'directed'.

 

Furthermore, if stacking bottles, making patterns in sand and, making similar paterns in grass is 'creativity' then it is a a very low level and, if you are really creative, will do little or nothing to enhance natural skills.

 

Money is tight is a bit of an understatement and, if the truth be spoken, we CAN do without the 'arts and crafts brigade' who, in my opinion, are nothing more than a luxury and a drain on already limited resources.

Fine if we have the cash but, we don't.

It might also be worth noting that I consider my body and mind (I don't have a soul....) to be my responsibility and not the SIC's.

 

My point, in case you didn't get it, is that the SIC has closed public toilets, left Scalloway (and others no doubt) without a permanent street cleaner and sold off the Viking Waiting Rooms (plus loads of other stuff) but, regardless of where the funding(?) comes from, still manage to pay the wages of people who are not really necessary to the local population.

 

Like the Shetland Parkour Experience (big kids teaching little kids to be hooligans) it raised my eybrows to see that someone could get paid for teaching others to climb poles, walls and any other 'obstacles' they may come across.

 

If my Council Tax is put towards paying street cleaners, binmen, painters,gritter drivers and a whole host of other 'hands on' trades that make the pace work, then fine... I'm happy but, if my CT is put towards paying the wages of people who produce no tangible return to my quality of life then, I reserve the right to comment.