I know… it sounds like a relic from the 70s or something, which it actually is. But obviously it’s one of those ideas that even gain relevance over time.

As we now hear Starbucks will be closing more than 600 stores in the US alone, which probably no one will even notice because they have more then 10,000 of them over here.

That said, I have to add that I really feel for the 1000 people losing their already underpaid jobs. But it also shows that there is not unlimited demand for ever the same products. I admit that it gereally makes sense to have chain stores in some respect. But it also makes traveling (and living) so not exciting at times, because it kills cultural particularities.

Her comes a sermon by Reverend Billy, founder of the Church of Stop Shopping, getting the word out to the masses on Fox Biz News:

“Capitalism isn’t necessarily the same as Freedom.”…eat this Sister Rebecca! Although my favorite part is when he says that their coffee “isn’t that great”. That’s a good one.

So you can argue if Rev. Billy is taking it all a bit too far, or if Rebecca Gomez has ever given anything she said a thought - at all. Yet, one thing is for sure: supporting independent businesses is a thing we could probably all agree on.

If you do, then you can start on Sunday by showing up in New York’s East Village:

AuH2O is not only local and independent - it’s fashion with an attitude. Kate Goldwater (hence the name: Au=gold H2O=water) is a feminist, a friend of the environment, a soccer player and a sweetheart. Learn more about her store, her fashion and herself on her new blog: blog.auh2odesigns.com and come out for fashion coffee and music this weekend. I’ll be there…

This is a double post also published on tapmag.

We just finished working on an online adaption of the 2007 series of club features originally published on Slices DVD magazine. If you subscribe to our podcast on iTunes you will automatically download all four features as soon as they are released online.

Check the full feature with map here and ask me for the embed code if you wanna put it on your mySpace or blog.

So I was just watching a repeat of the Colbert Report on television today. Will Smith was there, promoting his new Movie Hancock. The story is a little lame. It’s fun at the beginning but gets really pathetic at the end. As you might expect from Will Smith it’s kind of a failure, even for a summer movie. So I can tell you what it’s about without even spoiling a great movie experience. And yes, I have to admit that I’ve seen it.

It’s basically the story of a desperate superhero indulging in alcoholic beverages. So this guy hates his job - but keeps doing it anyway - to the point that the people of Los Angeles wish him to New York City because he usually leaves a big mess every time he’s on a mission. Finally he meets this publicist played by Jason Bateman who wants to help him gain popularity by (among other things) talking him into voluntarily going to jail .

So much for the neat idea and fun part of the movie. I’ll leave out the part in which they find out that the publicist’s wife is actually also a superhero and they both get mortal because of their physical closeness and all that crap.

So the reason for this blog entry is the funny but plausible question that Colbert poses:

The movie is opening shortly before the 4th of July. Is this possibly a metaphor for the USA using their superpowers but messing up so everyone gets mad at them?

Good point! Will Smith wouldn’t approve, though… what a sissy!

Both Mr. Smith and the American government should probably sit down with Joan Jett and take on a little of her attitude - or better yet: do a good job!
(This goes for both summer movies and foreign policy.)

This is a double post also published on tapmag.