… and points beyond

mostly about data

Browsing Posts in flat earth

Containers!

1 comment

Besides my love of tech, I have an unusual fascination with international trade, container ships, logistics and other big global systems that quietly hum along day and night. There’s a very nice render of a shipping container on my business cards.

I’m thrilled to stumble upon the blog of Ethan Zuckerman and his mention of a new BBC series “The Box” that is tracking a cargo container around the world for a year.

What is the current location and load of the box?

UPDATE: That link really is the current location. I was expecting to be disappointed, but since I first saw the page, it has indeed been migrating across the map toward its very first load, of whiskey.

Bunnie Huang’s tales from China illustrate the impact of globalization on individuals. Bunnie is making the Chumby, a digital device that’s left wide open for users to enjoy as they see fit. He sources the Chumby from Chinese manufacturers, with little hassle and great success, and has a lot to tell about the way Chinese factories operate.