Aspecks would like to introduce our affiliation with I AM LDN Magazine, an enterprise focused on celebrating the vibrant arts, music, lifestyle, fashion, poetry and comedy that makes up London culture. The synergies with our own ethos here at Aspecks are obvious so keep an eye out for future collaborative events. I AM LDN is a trendsetter, an independent arts magazine, a philosophy, a fashion guru and a lifestyle, The magazine encourages a lifestyle based on knowledge, passion, humour and one that is deeply rooted in London’s style. I AM LDN documents observations of London Life and sometimes brings other cultures, arts and ideas to it’s readers attention. A magazine for urbanites; I AM LDN seeks to offer a fresh voice amongst all the corporate pillaging and celebrity madness. Consequently they offer creative people the opportunity to interact with an arts focused media publication that is not focused on the money. I AM LDN does it for the fun and for the love of it.

Look them up and check their website where you can find digital copies of their current issue and back-catalogue for your reading pleasure. Oh and as you can see above if you check out page 26 you will be able to see a nice feature on the Aspecks Global Citizen Campaign Competition.

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The devastation caused by the earthquake has led global society to rally round in such an extraordinary manner. If it was not before, Haiti (the poorest country in the Western hemisphere) is on everybody’s mind at the moment. The vivid extensive media coverage and availability of modern technology has ensured that global society has been able to rapidly coordinate a program of much needed relief through donations of cash and kind. This is a true testament of human empathy – Governments (like Senegal’s have even offered free land for resettlement), along with celebrities and individuals alike whom have also risen to the occasion after having been compelled to respond creatively and give generously. A new report by the Inter-American Development Bank estimates that the total cost of reconstruction from ‘the most destructive disaster of modern times‘ could be as high as $14 billion.

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Welcome to Aspecks 2.0. As we have done previously we took some time out to make improvements in preparation for the year to come.  Some might say that 2010 has only just begun and we are certainly looking to build on the progress that we have made by reaching out to wider audiences and creating the conditions for future success. We want to facilitate your participation in the Aspecks website. Registered users who show interest can contribute content to the site on their own terms. We seek a diverse range of people to broaden the dialogue and engage in the exchange of culture, knowledge and skills. Consequently, 2010 is the year of the Global Citizen Campaign.

More details on the campaign will follow shortly and of course we will continue to improve the website to make it a richer resource. Any feedback on your browsing experience and how it can be enhanced is always appreciated. This year you can look forward to a load of fresh content, additional features along with brand new original Aspecks t-shirts and sweaters. We are excited about the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead and we look forward to working with as many of you as possible.

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K’naan is serious. Make sure you check out his album Troubadour. The work he does as an ambassador for African culture and specifically a voice for Somalia in Hip Hop is unparalleled. We previously referenced his intellectualism in the form of his opinions in our piracy post but this shines more light on his depth as an artist. We know it’s cliche to say that you haven’t experienced a piece of music until you have seen it performed live, but it’s true in this case. See over the jump for footage and pictures  from his London show last week where ASPECKS was in attendance.

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Aspecks had the honour of meeting a rather distinguished global citizen the other night in the shape of the UK’s Foreign Secretary, the Right Honourable David Miliband MP. Mr Miliband has been the Member of Parliament for South Shields in the the North East of England since 2001 and is currently the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs. The Secretary of State’s credentials as a global citizen are not just reliant on his position either as he was born in London to a Polish mother and a Belgian father. Aspecks believes that we are all global citizens so we will be launching a campaign to promote this belief and to investigate what it means to be a member of global society.

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Anthropologists most commonly use the term “culture” to refer to the universal human capacity to classify, codify and communicate their experiences symbolically.  It is the way we cook our food, the way we dress, the music we listen to, it is the blueprint that shapes the way we see the world.  It has different meanings in different aspecks of our lives; hence we can talk about a Hip Hop culture, a Hindu culture, corporate culture, a gang culture etc. etc. 

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Dear Sir/Madam,

I hope you do not mind that I have sent this letter to other powerful bureaucrats and politicians. I am not sure who will be best equipped to deal with my request. I am writing because a I want a new passport. At the moment my passport says I am a citizen of ___________ but I want it changed. 

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