Sensational Shapers 2012 - Uniqlo

The fashion world has historically been dominated by a few cities. There are four big centers in the fashion world, London, New York City, Milan and Paris. London and Paris have been intertwined with London often anglicizing Parisian trends. New York City emerged as a fashion center in the 20th century. Milan reclaimed some of Italy's past glory in the eighties. Since then, many shops and designers have emerged to emulate these centers. Now that communication and images can so easily spread around the world, fashion shops tend to copy with greater speed and then tweak it to match their region's cultural tendencies. This has led to major competition with the four traditional fashion centers and other cities have emerged as fashionable in their own right. Places like Los Angeles, Rome, Chicago, São Paulo, Sydney, Barcelona and Tokyo all have some claim to fashion trendsetting.

For years fashion and power have gone hand in hand. The Sun King, Louis XIV pioneered high heels in his powerful reign. While men usually don't wear high heels anymore fashion still follows the power. In today's terms that means money follows the cash. As the United States is still, even in the rockiest of times, a place with unprecedented discretionary spending power fashion has made its way to the power.

Unfortunately, for the vast majority of us, basically only excluding those outside of haute couture and those that can afford to shop at Neiman Marcus, the fashion world has appropriated hipster styling. Minimalist chic and casual prêt-à-porter on a budget are so en vogue right now. In America this market has been dominated by three main shops. First, the homegrown store from Philly that we know is simply a front for world domination, Urban Outfitters. Then there is the Swedish store called H & M. Lastly, there is Zara, a Spanish outfit. Then there are a bevy of knock-offs and wannabes that follow suit. Now one of the minor fashion centers is exporting their hipster trendy wares to where the money is.

Uniqlo, a Japanese based hipster/hipster curious friendly boutique shop has had stores in Manhattan since 2005, but they have an aggressive strategy to increase their revenue in the United States (and in China). With effective marketing to an eager public Uniqlo is poised to become a household name in 2012 and really shake up the trendsters fashion shopping routine. However, the real reason that Uniqlo is a Sensational Shaper of 2012 is how they might aid or stop the growing threat of the United Republic of Urban Outfitters.

IKEA has been working diligently to stymie the U.R.U.O. Owls have sided with the enemy. Quebec has kept UO's unwanted advances at bay for now. As Uniqlo steps up it could tip the balance one way or the other. If Uniqlo were to form some sort of alliance with UO it would be disastrous. It is possibly that even so valiant a champion such as IKEA might not be able to stop the combined forces of evil. If that were to happen, IKEA might have no choice but to turn to the dark side for some help, the London based hipster hawker, Topshop. Stay tuned for more Sensational Shapers and keep your eyes on Uniqlo, they'll be making a big shake up in 2012.

Texas welcomes You to see Yu Darvish

In a continuation of the globalization of sport, Yu Darvish, a star of Japanese Baseball has signed with the Rangers for the 2012 season. The Rangers had been reeling with the losses of Cliff Lee and C.J. Wilson. Many were wondering if the Rangers could maintain pace and win another pennant and maybe make it over the hump and win the series. If Darvish turns out to be able to justify his $60 million dollar contract the Rangers could push again for the pinnacle of baseball.

Darvish has a good fastball and is a lot more animated than most Japanese players. He is more Lexus than Toyota. His flash and panache should translate well in the MLB. THe Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters received over $50 million in compensation just for the privilege of talking from the Rangers. While that is a good chunk of change, we doubt if they can persuade someone from American to come to Japan to play with that amount of money. C.J. Wilson won't be joining their ranks any time soon.

Hokkaido has a partnership with MLB's Arizona Diamondbacks, who were not in the running for Darvish. The Diamondbacks will have to deal with the retirement of Craig Counsell this year and will look to replace his odd batting stance this year. We here at the Leibnizian Ramblings suggest looking at retired players to come in and make a splash. Here are our top five batting stance replacement recommendations:

1. Mickey Tettleton - laissez faire stance

2. Alvaro Espinoza - hands too far apart stance

3. Dwight Evans - knees a'knockin' stance

4. Phil Plantier - lazy sitting down stance

5. Julio Franco - crazy bat forward, can still play in his eighties stance

Ikea is once again on the move to stop the United Republic of Urban Outfitters

There are many hipster and hipster curious types in Asia, especially in the Chinese middle classes and all over Japan. But, in India the country has yet to reach the point of cynicism required to mutate tweens and twenty-somethings that have taken a page out of Peter Pan's playbook of never growing up into the hipster that destroys community. Bollywood's brilliance and vibrance makes sure that people cannot sink to the level of depravity that creates hipster breeding grounds. It makes IKEA's decision to open in India an unique one then.

We all know that IKEA has given up the profit motive in order to save us from the impending evil that will come through the creation of the United Republic of Urban Outfitters. It made us ask why India? Why now? Well, India is outpacing much of the world in growth and it may soon knock the Chinese out of the number two spot in the game of Economic power simply by their enormous growth potential and a lack of state mandated family planning. With growth and the economic prosperity that often follows comes the natural tendency to become cynical and ironic to the point that a word cannot be uttered without a sarcastic hue blanketing the syllables. So IKEA is taking a preemptive strike against the possibility of UO making inroads into India. Hopefully through the power of Bollywood and IKEA this populous country will not fall prey to hipsterdom.

The Swami Army bringin the Bollywood

Australia has just handed India its 6th straight defeat in cricket today. The Swami Army cannot be happy about this.

So most of the readers are going to say, hang on a minute, what's cricket. It's a game with a ball and some wickets that is played by gentlemen at often stodgy settings. Then they'll say, "Leibniz you're being condescending if you think we don't know what cricket is". Of course you do.

The Swami Army however are looking to shake up the high brow affair down under. They're bringin the Bollywood to cricket. A bunch of Australian born Indians have grouped to gether to bring a little local flavor to their favorite bowlers.

It's fun to see Bollywood where ever and whenever. But it's more fun when you see it at places you wouldn't normally associate with bright colors and impromptu singing. It got us thinking, where would we like to see Bollywood make an unannounced visit to?

I think a Bollywood musical number would do wonders for the Senate hearings. One can only hope all that love would seep out into the senators themselves.

I think a Bollywood dance would spice up the emergency room lobby and heal some people even before they get to the doctor.

Who wouldn't love to see Guru Dutt standing behind the counter at the DMV?

2012 Sensational Shapers - Xi Jinping

Last time on Sensational Shapers we profiled Marine Le Pen, leader of the National Front in France. This time we move east to Xi Jinping, the vice-president of China and the presumptive heir to Hu Jintao, China's General Secretary and President. Because of China's increasingly important role in the world, Xi Jinping is a Sensational Shaper of 2012.

While Xi Jinping is open about market reforms and takes a sharp stance against corruption he is not a figure likely to toss the baby out with the bathwater. In other words, he is staunchly a Chinese Communist. China has growing fears about an Arab Spring occurring in the Middle Kingdom and does not want a repeat of 1989's Tiananmen Square. It is for this reason that Xi Jinping has targeted universities for indoctrination of the Chinese way.

According to the Telegraph Xi Jinping is strongly encouraging universities to maintain a social harmony. This is to ensure that the burgeoning and increasingly more politically astute middle class of China to keep from dissenting. So Xi Jinping sees that Chinese Universities are places to ensure that Chinese men and women get the proper training to maintain the status quo in China. He has also encouraged university officials to monitor lectures by the young teachers in these universities to ensure that no disharmonious words are spoken.

China's recent clampdown on social media networks has proved their jittery stance in 2011-2012. The fear is that more and more riots and protests over official corruption will teeter the public sentiment against the ruling party. Anger and unrest simmers inside of China at a time when American sentiment is becoming ever more perturbed at Chinese power. It could be that China has two fights on its hand this year as Xi Jinping takes control - one with internal forces and a possible dawn of a new cold war with America. While the latter is probably a drastic exaggeration of the tensions between the two nations, the scarce resources that both countries are competing for could spark something akin to a cold war. And if the Republican primaries become more populous in nature than they already are, China will be someone that the candidates are likely to rhetorically whip with as much glee and adulations as President Obama.

For these reasons alone, Xi Jinping would be a Sensational Shaper in 2012. But, the continuing influence of China is being felt all over the world as Chinese businesses are beginning to do more business in the emerging markets from Latin America to Africa and to the Middle East. As the Middle Kingdom once again assumes its post as a major player in world economics, Xi Jinping could be a major figure in what some analysts are calling the dawn of the Asian Century. This firmly cements Xi Jinping as a Sensational Shaper of 2012.

Walking the wall before the apocalypse

Saxony Line I-XI

Last time on the thought stream that is the Saxony Line we talked about drugs and some possible solutions, albeit somewhat incoherently. In it we made a vague reference to the Great Wall of China. Many have traversed the Great Wall in its long history. But today we bring you a chance to help someone do it for a good cause.

Chloe Dace is trekking the Great Wall to raise money for Childreach International. Childreach International has worked with children in Tanzania, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Cambodia and Bangladesh. Here is a link for you to check out if you are so inclined. The idea behind the 200 kilometer walk is to raise enough money to help some children out. You can do that by going here. She's going in June of this year.

Which brings us to our next point, if you would like to experience something cultural in China you best do it soon. China's historic and cultural sites are coming under pressure from expansion in the name of economic growth. Even the wall that Ms Dace is going to traverse for charity is not immune. The BBC says that the Wall is not immune from erosion or unauthorized development. So, if you want to see it before it is either torn down or commercialized with Chinese versions of McDonald's go now. If you go after there are the McDonald's don't eat the Cat Stew - it's poisoned.

Also, Venice is sinking into the ocean. Go now.

And if that wasn't bad enough, you have until December 21, 2012 to do it because afterwards everything will be a big pile of rubbish.

Man poisoned by cat stew

Long Liyuan, a Chinese Billionaire and official died on December 23, 2011 after eating some bad food at a local hotspot named Bajia Hot Pot City. He and two friends were gathering for the midday meal where pork ribs and a delicacy, cat stew were ordered. Upon tasting the stew one of Long's friends remarked that it was too bitter. The other said that bitterness was good for you. Long ate the cat stew. The three were then rushed to the hospital because of the bad meat.

Officials initially questioned the restaurant and held the owner because they suspected tainted cat meat as the culprit. But, Long's family was not convinced. They put pressure on the police and offered a $16,000 dollar reward for the truth. Now that truth has come out. One of the associates that had dined with Long has been detained for poisoning the soup with Gelsemium Elegans, a common plant used to commit suicide in China. Huang Wen, the accused had apparently embezzled money from Long's company. He has now settled that account in a murder most foul sort of way. Though it may seem improbable, PETA might have gotten to Huang Wen. They are powerful propagandists...

The Continuing Gold Rush Problems in Krgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan looked promising as the only former Soviet state in Central Asia to rid itself of a strongman through election. Better still, there was gold in them hills. Foreign mining companies from as far flung regions as Australia and Canada came rushing in and everything pointed to a strengthening of the Krygyz economy. But, a spill of cyanide in 1998 and an incident involving a horseback mob threatening mining supporters in 2011 have left chilling vestiges lingering on this promising country. This is a bit of speculation but, Urban Outfitters has been looking to carve some of the stan territory for itself to create the United Republic of Urban Outfitters, so they cannot be ruled out as having a hand in this. God help us all if they get ahold of that copper and gold. They'll make mind control owl necklaces and turn us all into hipsters!

Seriously though there is a wealth of semi-precious and precious metal under the ground in Kyrgyzstan and if done ethically, it could really help the country. Of course there is danger in more developed countries exploiting a lesser one. John Paul Getty once said, "the meek shall inherit the earth, but not its mineral rights". This is not the positive, ethical stance Kyrgyzstan needs from corporations. But, if the country can keep corporations from acting in predatory ways the citizens of Kyrgyzstan can really benefit from the boon that this would provide.

First, copper is going to continue to be in high demand as a staple in computers and electronics. Having a capable mine available to provide for this demand would help the economy immensely. In Kazakhstan, its neighbor to the north the GDP per capita is five times higher, thanks in part to Kazakhstan's friendly stance to foreign investment to tap the oil fields. The Kumtor Gold mine in Issyk Kul Province (near the Krygyz border with China) accounts for 9.4% of the countries GDP and half of its industrial output. Since opening in 1997, the mine has produced more gold bullion than Belgium has in its reserves. Basically, there's a lot of gold in them hills.

But corruption and xenophobia has kept the needed foreign investment at bay to foster the growth of industry. If the Krygyz government and its citizens can figure out a way to work with foreign corporations their boon could be as large as Kazakhstan's. It would also be beneficial in the struggle to keep the United Republic of Urban Outfitters from carving out a piece of their territory inside of Kyrgyzstan.

How Hanoi has made Sepp Blatter feel the pinch

The Vietnamese Football Federation (VFF) has just been crushed by its own nations club teams. For the past decade the VFF has been charged by nearly every football club and football fan as being corrupt. Match officials have been bought and sold. Relegations are often signs of honest clubs and promotions and championships are signs of well placed bribes. This has left football a mess in Vietnam. Finally the clubs have had enough of it and all 28 revolted. Seven teams left to form a new league. The VFF panicked and called an emergency meeting to get them to come back, offering to make small concessions. When the 28 clubs came to meet with the VFF all 28 owners demanded a change and got it. The monopoly of power the VFF holds is gone. So why is Sepp Blatter shuddering?

Vietnamese football operates in a political climate that is dominated by the ruling Communist party. Revolutions like this are unheard of in this country. But, the corruption was too much for everyone to handle. If 28 teams can stand up to this kind of oppression what's stopping some of the major European federations from finally walking out and forming their own, or teaming up with UEFA? It would be terrible for the game, but worse still for Blatter. Mr. Blatter would then be forced out of power, which might be good for the game. But, this may just be wishful thinking.

The succession of Kim Jong-Il at Georgio's Oven Fresh on East 55th street in Cleveland, OH

Hanover Line I-VI

Last time on the glorious Hanover line of thought we spoke of suburbanite indoctrination by evil corporate geniuses at Urban Outfitters. Moving from the glacial pace of UO's propagandism towards a high-speed one, we move from Philadelphia headquarters to Pyongyang. Recently, Kim Jong-il, the supreme leader of North Korea passed away. While he is still being mourned in North Korea and other places like Tehran, Mogadishu, and Scovill Avenue in Cleveland, OH, the rest of the world now focuses on Kim Jong-un, the Great Successor in North Korea and his impending control of the country. On a side note, while Scovill Ave may be the second most dangerous neighborhood in America according to these guys, I must say the risk is well rewarded when ingurgitating some subs at Georgio's around the corner on East 55th street (as Kim Jong-un has been wont to do). But, moving back to our topic...

At this time of great peril, I think that we ought to look at some succession scenarios for the young lad Kim Jong-un. In random order I give you some succession scenarios:

The Elagabulus scenario: Kim Jong-un could come to power and follow Elagabulus' order of business. He could replace the religion of North Korea and become its high priest whilst hosting dinner parties using whoopee cushions for entertainment purposes. When that proves to be futile he can declare a popular figure to be dead to gauge reaction from the masses and the generals. Sadly for Elagabulus this ended in his and his mother's death at the hands of the Praetorian Guard.

The Charles VII route: Kim Jong-un, a leader of a divided Korea looks fairly similar. Charles VII did not have control over much of France at the beginning of his reign and controlled neither Paris, the capital, nor Reims, where the kings of his family were crowned. Later in his reign he lost control of his empire to his son, which eventually caused him to grow mad. He died lonely in his death bed while his reign was overshadowed by a woman.

The Emperor Modi line: Kim Jong-un, whose kingdom is suspiciously close to the descendants of the Mongols could opt for this route, though he already has about a half a week on old Modi. Modi, the last of the Jin dynasty was crowned during the Mongol attack, but was killed 20 minutes later.

The Sayid Khalid bin Barghash of Zanzibar route: Kim Jong-un could spark a 38 minute war with an international superpower and be deposed, resulting in a life on the lam only to return home to die peacefully.

All of these options are open to Kim Jong-un, or he could be like his father and be a parasitic vulture and continue to cripple millions of North Korea. His choice.

Constant defense and Payroll tax

Hanover Line I-II

With all this talk of chicken tax and irony and more tax it got me thinking about governance and politics. Specifically, American governance and politics. Incredibly, a two-party system designed to check and balance each other is working by checking each other. The bicameralism is even working really well right now with House Republicans blocking the Senate. Fair play to the defensive maneuvering! Cheers.

However, while I'd like to be optimistic about the incredible defense we have seen in the past year by both sides of the aisle I have to admit that it has all been rather dull and unimaginative. Democrats propose one thing, Republicans block it, Democrats get angry and complain loudly. Republicans propose another thing, Democrats scoff and block it, Republicans cry foul. There's little agreement on any topic these days in Washington, which is fine. We should have these debates. Single party domination has never worked. Just ask the continually growing China. Their united front has not worked one bit.

Poor tasting jokes aside though, the recent blocking of the payroll tax extension by John Boehner and company in the House after the Senate passed it 89-10 is incredible for all the wrong reasons. The argument that the two month deal simply pushes the problem down the road to be dealt with later is 100% true. By only passing the two month deal the American government will have to deal with it again, in two months. However, if anyone truly believes that is why they are going this course they are not doing their due diligence as concerned American citizens. The move is completely political, meant to bend the left side of the government to their whims.

The political and economic environment of the times demands short-term fixes. Of course, a one-year deal is better suited to the American public because it provides stability. However, a two-month deal is infinitely preferable to no deal at all. When constant posturing and political maneuvering replaces actual governance the legislative branch must accept temporary deals. Unfortunately, many of the Tea Party Republicans are showing a lack of wisdom. Compromise in methodology is not a compromise in ideology. Everyone agrees on this one, left, right and center - the payroll tax needs to be extended to help Americans. In this climate, temporary fixes might be all that is achievable. That's pragmatism. Anyone remember it?

All this blame however should not be shouldered by House Republicans. The disagreements go too far now and politics has become increasingly nasty. I wonder though if politics has always been this nasty but because of the internet more people have a forum. 295 years ago I, a famous and well-versed philosopher would have the ear of all of Europe, but would the mere blogist (I understand that the term is blogger, but I think blogist has a better ring to it)? Everyone can comment on everything now and spew unthoughtful responses at the speed of their typing fingers. But, this digression distracts me from the task at hand, heaping coals upon the heads of the legislative branch of the United States. Where was I?

Oh yes, the House Republicans are not the only one to blame in this. While this obstructionism is coming from them this time the response of many Democrats has not been helpful. Why are the Democrats and Republicans unable to get along and work out legislation these days? Because they are too busy with populist demagoguery. This is a populist move to drum up anger in the Tea Party wing of the Republican base. Unfortunately though the loss will be for people of all bases...

However, all this negativity is nonsense. Eventually, the tactic will work or fail. Because of the importance of this tax break the extension will happen. Then both sides will take credit for pushing the deal through and we'll throw a parade. Undoubtedly, somebody will protest the parade. In a strange and ironic twist though, the protesters will then be occupied by other protesters. In all of this active protesting there will be a lot iPod, iPad and Android app creation dealing with the measuring of angst and depression. Somebody will pick up on this and get funded to do research on the connection between legislative gridlock and seasonal depression. Researchers will pay people to participate in the study, pumping money into the economy. Drug companies will design the correct drug for the condition, creating jobs, thus pumping money into the economy. Lawyers will sue the drug company for creating a drug with a unreported side-effect, creating wealth and most importantly distracting the American public from the continuing political stalemate in Washington. A win for everybody!

Crumbled blueberry scone and Libidinous Goans

Saxony Line I-II

In my research today I learned that nullification is a form of body modification where one voluntarily removes a body part. I simply have no optimistic estimation of this. Therefore, nullification is simply out as a topic to continue this glorious Saxony Line. I also wonder what Gerhard Richter is doing, trying to nullify everyone with his blurs.

Gerhard Richter was in the news today. He, or rather the dangerous nullifying blurs that he is known for, are on display at the Tate Modern until the 8th of January. All my friends in the UK that have a penchant for daredevilry should go and scope this out. So long as I keep all of my limbs in tact, I must admit that I do enjoy a good destabilizing force in modernist fashion coupled with post-modern ruination. It goes excellent with a shot of brandy sunken into an espresso with a blueberry scone. For the full effect pour the brandied espresso on the sauce and crumble the scone into the mug. Perfect ruination.

All this talk of scones and espresso has rather perked up my appetite. Apologies for that sidetrack. Onward the glorious Saxony Line of thought!

The thing that I wanted most to discuss today was this show at the Vadehra Art Gallery in New Delhi called Picasso-Souza. There is a mess of cubism and pre-cubism and post-cubism doodling hanging on the walls by two artists, one well known (Pablo Picasso: Fumear a la cigarette rouge) and one not so well known (Francis Newton Souza: untitled, head of picasso). Fair play to the Hindustan Times on giving me the heads up on this one. It was a lot easier to read things about Earth in Heaven because of the whole time difference.

Obviously Picasso is a master and I like cubism, maybe not as much as its offshoots sprinkled with a little bit of Surrealism, but I like it. I even checked up on this guy Francis Newton Souza. He's from Goa, India and was a leader in the Progressive Artists' Group of Bombay. I checked out some of their work too. Good stuff. Anyway, this isn't really a critique, I don't feel I've got the chops to critique Picasso. Especially since he knows where I live upstairs.

I will say this though, Conor Macklin , comparing the two said, "The two had a lot in common." He then summarized what they had in common: being "competitive" and "iconic". I get that. Neither forgot their roots, Spain for Picasso and India for Souza. Good so far. Both led artistic revolutions, one in Europe and the other in India. Spot on. But then he says, "they were both criticized - Picasso for his anti-war works, and Souza for his erotic ones." What?

I don't know the back story of Souza enough to know why he painted erotic paintings. Maybe it was only to paint erotic paintings, but sometimes art has a deeper meaning. The Saxony Line of thinking marches on towards a different path than researching the deeper, more secret meaning to Souza's concupiscent caricatures. (If you know it post it here on a comment please). But at first blush the director of Grosvenor Vadhera Gallery in London equates a pacifism stance with a horny one. Read it in the headlines. It's all there. None of this is made up. Enjoy the art!