Myfesto {a behavior manifest on literate responsibility}, or my insights of the last years on the human paradox root dilemma.
– Can the Designer be simultaneously a Tree Hugger and a Book Lover?
– Is Universal Human Rights fair (enough at least…)? Does it really support cultural diversity, traditions, etc? Does it deal with equity with cultures that rock hit to death sinners (lapidation), or practice (women) excision, based on the their principles and believes of truth, pureness and health? Isn´t it (Universal Human Rights), as such, an unilateral conceptualized list of principles?
Based on that and on other many dilemmas I have been writing some “confessions” which are the basis of this present manifesto.
I, the Designer, confess:
I support the free software idea/movement, but I usually forget the hundreds of persons (e.g., software engineers) who have hard and difficult lives, are homeless, commit suicide, steal, etc., because they can’t get a job…
I support that Design should be made with love, passion and truth principles, but I still use my rhetoric skills to convince clients and customers about not only the projects I do believe but also about those I don´t—or without a deep engagement with the brief and the needs…
I find “compadrios” an abomination but I use my academic pedigree, or friends position influences, to get advantages and bypass bureaucratic steps on some occasions… when I need, for example, urgent medical opinion and support and go to public hospitals…
I advocate many times my ambitions are social and cultural, but I got mad when my salary is not credited on schedule…
I blame my everyday life small difficulties but I use to forget that there are people that go out in the morning and when they come back their family, home and street don’t exist anymore…
I support the idea of utopian anarchist alternatives solutions, but I use to forget that already exists feasible realistic alternatives…
I support those who write eloquent manifestos, but I often forget those who carry out practical measures…
I like to bust the ADs but I usually forget that the Advertising Industry does “allow” magazines to sell and survive…
I am concerned with environmental problems but I often forget that my washing machine destroys water with the detergent components… or that I did buy the first iPod, the second iPod, the third iPhone…
I am committed with new energy searches and advances, but I use to forget the Borneo deforestation or to support Greenpeace appeals and requests…
I use to feed my dog with Royal Canin, but I use to forget that there are children that have to eat collected garbage (literally) as the only diet alternative…
I support animal free circus but I usually forget there are the ikizukuri, foie-gras and monkey-brains diets or little mice injected with cancerous cells…
I find violence in prisons irrational and disgusting—and so it should not be allowed—but I usually forget to sign International Amnesty Association petitions…
I find that farmers complaints and requests are pertinent, and I support that we should buy local agricultural products, but I still buy books from Amazon!
I blame football “players” for the non-sense $132 million transaction of Cristiano, but I usually forget the $140 million Pollock’s No. 5, of 1948, one…
I’m able to give away the profits of my Colored Notebooks sales to NGOs… still I can afford meals on restaurants, my house loan, make skiing abroad on winter vacations, pay the fees of private school…
I support the idea that Designers should be activists—on politic, social, economic and ecologic issues—but I usually forget that already are many politicians who are brilliant designers…
I often talk about the need of free speech—among friends and colleagues… however, many times, I do have afraid to blame power in public…
Horácio {Tomé Marques}
First original: 2004