The Great Google-Green Day Mashup

Just had an interesting thought the other day messing around on Google Earth. The Green Day reference has nothing to do with music by the way. It’s what I am calling the time when we eventually stop living in ways that is damaging and disrespectful to the earth.

Google Earth. There you have it. Our entire planet in a test-tube. We can spin it around, poke at it and throw it up and down just like a new puppy. But too many of us have dropped the earth too many times. And you know what happens to the earth when you drop it too many times? It fades away. And us along with it.

I dont know if the main focus of green issues (the prevention of a potential tragedy) is connecting with people in their everyday lives. It’s not inspiring people, but it needs to. People have busy lives. That’s the reality. And it’s hard not to understand or relate to that.

With all the scaremongering, it feels as if soon we will be running around patching holes in a sinking cheese grater, and its our own fault. Thats not a ‘good thing’. People switch off. What smoker wants to hear or see what their lungs will look like at 80, if they ever get there?

That’s why I like Green Day. It gives you focus. It gives you something to work towards. Like the Olympics. Its our Babylon.

What is the image of Green Day? A planet breathing easy, with cultures and communities that live in respect of the earth. Healthy systems that work. A world living to its potential.

Whats the Mashup?

The global Google interface, without the human element, at first. An interactive version of David Attenboroughs ‘Planet Earth’ series. Run with the bison. Soar over the vast woodlands of Europe. Swim around an over-grown Manhattan Island. I Am Legend without the architecture, or the vampires.

Users can then skip on through time and witness the unfolding of the Human Experience over the millenia. Hunt with tribes. Witness the building of the pyramids. Walk with Jesus, if that’s your thing. Write the Book of Kells yourself. Fuck it its possible, why not?

So now you got Google Earth, Planet Earth and every Civilisation game ever built. This is giving me a good idea for an art project I had actually.

You then watch the unfolding reality of the human experience on the planet in fast forward. I am not talking about graphic world war two-like images of cows dying or chainsaws. More like a lung filling up with smoke. A beautiful landscape that ‘worked’, painted over. Our homes burning.

Then we focus. We fly around the world and witness the facts. We emerse ourselves in an interactive visualisation of the systematic destruction of our natural home. Follow the people and the causes working towards killing our addiction. Get involved. Donate your money and campaign for something you can see and interact with. Cheer them along.

Watch the green coming back to the cities. Watch previously endangered species being released back into the wild. Watch as the next President of America promises change on earth issues in his/her first address to the nation.

And at the end of our grand timeline, we have our day. When the earths systems and the human element are working in unison. That is our goal. That is why we get involved. That is why we check what we buy in shops. Thats why we vote on green issues. That’s why teach our kids about this epic earth. That’s why we make sacrifices. Thats also why we delve into the greatness that is all around us. Our Home.

Green Day is that day.

Mash-Uppers! Get to work!