Outsourcing produces negative economic consequences and is even exploitative, but for us at FOBBDeep, it allows us to let the folks, we respect as writers, bless the readers with their presence.  Today we have Miss Kristia, reppin’ Doorknockers, droppin’ science about that new-new: going green.  If this is your first time reading her words, make sure to hit up Doorknockers. -Ninoy Brown

Many people I meet consider me “environmentally-conscious.” I thought I was doin pretty good, then I did this activity called the Ecological Footprint. It’s a survey where you are asked about everyday things you do - how long your showers are, whether or not you compost, how much you recycle, what kind of foods you eat - and it tells you at the end how much of the earth’s resources you’re using up.

The activity tells us that there are 2 hectares available to each human being in the world. Yo so tell me why my co-workers and I completed it we all found out that we were using 6-8 hectares each. What you find is that when people who live in the West (North American and Western Europe) take the test, we’re usually using far more of the world’s resources than other folks.

I seriously encourage you to take the activity. Even for the treehuggers, it’s enlightening to be reminded of how much of an impact your everyday actions have. When you go shopping for those new stillettos or kicks, you’re not just contributing to fucked up labor standards, meanie corporations, you’re also using up natural resources. Water is needed to make practically everything from plastics to dyed fabrics.

So here I am, I use cloth napkins (99cent bandannas to be exact) in my house, I recycle like a muhfucka, but I’m still wasting so much. I mean 7.72 hectares?! Goddamn. So that’s it, I decided. We goin green yo. All or nothin. I live in the U.S. for now but still, what things can I do in the meantime? Well here’s a small list of shit I’ve changed this week since doing the Ecological Footprint…

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Back in elementary school, field trips to the California Academy of Sciences were numerous.  This was a spot where I was able to get in geek mode and wild out on sea life, insects, dinosaurs, and all that science stuff that I really wish I could understand.  Even though my undergraduate degree comes from the social sciences, you can still catch me intrigued by nature shows on Discovery Channel and Animal Planet.

Last year when I found out that the CAS was getting a makeover, I started buggin’ waiting for it to reopen.  The wait is nearly over as the doors are open to the public beginning this Saturday, Sept. 27.

Aside from the living roof, indoor rain forest, and albino alligator, the exhibit that I’m eager to peep is the new aquarium, which is a recreation of the Philippine Coral Reefs (pictured above).  The reefs in the Philippines are known to possess some of the most diverse coral species, yet 70% have been destroyed with only 5% considered to be in excellent condition (Wikipedia represent).  Global warming has a part to do with it, but blast and cyanide fishing have messed up a good chunk of the reefs.  Local fishermen have to feed the fam, but it is the industry that perpetuates this type of fishing to continue.
You must learn:

Depths of Destruction: Dynamite Fishing Damages Philippines Precious Coral Reefs

http://www.pusod.org/reef/

To find out more about the CAS: http://www.calacademy.org/

Spot’s free.99 on opening day.

-Ninoy Brown

Happy Saturday.

(Click pic to watch video)

The climax of the video hits at about 1:53, when Spencer breaks it down

*Edit, YouTube video was taken down.

-Ninoy Brown

If you know the politics of San Diego, then you got the double meaning.

SD fam, make sure to stroll out:

And make sure to pick up the album and cop some carne asada fries for Bam and Phatty.

-FOBBDeep

Over a week has passed since the RNC, but the elephants still continue with their hater mentality.  Even one of the biggest haters, Karl Rove, is asking the McCain camp to ease up on its hating.

Jay Smooth was on point with his vlog about the Republican Hater’s Ball.  Make sure to peep it.

But, the best critique of all this mess comes from BK rapper, Maino, with my current anthem, “Hi Hater”.  Acknowledging the symbiotic relationship with the hater, Maino lets folks know that the hater is a motivational force.  As a suggestion to Barack, keep brushing the haters off, but send a smile and a wave towards their direction and show these cats that you the boss.

The video for the remix featuring T.I., Swizz Beats, Plies, Jadakiss, and Fabolous:

-Ninoy Brown

Looking through old yearbooks are a trip.  Stumbled upon some classic pictures from two fellow FOBBDeepers:

Mark - Class of 1976

Mad Merc - Class of 1970

I really should have been studying the past hour or so.  Now I’m off to the Exact Change Tour.

Feel free to waste some of your own time:  http://yearbookyourself.com/

-Ninoy Brown

During McCain’s Thursday night acceptance speech at the RNC, he was trying to showcase the “C” word as being the center point of his campaign.  The word being “change” and not the other word McCain has been known to call his wife.  This was clearly an attempt to undermine the theme of “change” in Obama’s campaign.  With it being absurd that change can come about from the elite, meaning is lost from the word.

For those glossy-eyed progressives caught up in the Obamania, there should be a realization that even in this campaign, change will not come about through a single politician. Proper institutional and social change grows from grassroots organizing, even if the Reeps would like to tell us otherwise.  It really is up to the people to work collectively and challenge the system.

With “change” becoming the buzz word of the moment, it becomes necessary to really reflect on what the word means.  On Bambu’s latest release, Exact Change, he breaks down the real notion of change as a community involved.  With the monetary second meaning of the title, it speaks to those tough times where were down and out, using exactly all we have to pay for a loaf of bread.

Bam sent me a copy of the album the other day, and I must say that this is his dopest release thus far.  The album is laced with production from the likes of Sabzi of Blue Scholars, Illmind, Amp Live, etc.  As usual Bambu brings a critical voice meshed with an LA swag flow.

One of the many standout tracks is “Quit” which features production by Illmind, where Bam tackles the new age studio gangsters.  Geologic provides an acapella at the end of the track.

Bambu - Quit feat. Geologic

If you’re in the Bay this week, roll out to Exact Change Tour show at Cafe Du Nord and pick up the album:

-Ninoy Brown

How ironic is it that almost immediately after McCain uttered those words, the camera went over to this guy?

If you don’t get it.

-Ninoy Brown

(Insert obligatory Eli Porter quote here)

Being that a few days have already passed, intentions to make a post about the Nike+ Human Race began to wane.  But upon making the daily blog rounds the past couple days, I saw little mention regarding the event that was boasted as the largest global run.  This was a reminder of the empirical fact that most bloggers tend to be lazy and out of shape [1].

2/3’s of FOBBDeep, Mark and myself, took part in the 10K run in Los Angeles, running from Exposition Park through Figueroa St to Washington Blvd to USC and back.  Beginning at 8:31:08 pm and with 12,000+ in attendance, Nike demonstrated how easy it was to sell $30 dry fit t-shirts.  As much as it was meant to represent global human unity, it was basically a free commercial shoot for Nike, where the extras paid to work.

Not to forget, the underlying theme of post-racial politics that was presented through the double entendre name of the event: The Human Race.  Nike wants us to forget the exploitation of third world countries, since we are all one anyways.  Kumbaya!  We can now all hold hands and eat granola together while we wear Nike products.

Okay, that’s enough cynicism, even for me.

Real talk, a grandly organized and fun event took place.  As a matter of fact, Mark lost his mobile and the human race came through to return it.  If this wasn’t a display that we should not lose faith in the human race, then I don’t know what is.  At the closing, Kanye performed for 45 minutes, even blessing the participants with an exclusive new cut.  Common came on midway through Yeezy’s set for “Get Em High” and did three solo tracks.  Even though he rocked the stage, just one word of advice to Kanye: Follow the lead of the runners you performed for and start running; your breath control needs hella work.

And don’t think I didn’t represent:

“Obama for mankind” -Young Jeezy [2]

To end: As a unit FOBBDeep = perhaps the most physically fit Fil-Am/Hip-Hop/political/pop culture blog posse.

[1]Actually, this might just be true for Hip-Hop blogs
[2]Problematic gender politics belongs strictly to the quoted rapper.

-Ninoy Brown