How do sad lamps work
Treatment - Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
A number of treatments are available for seasonal affective disorder (SAD), including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), antidepressants and light therapy.
A GP will recommend the most suitable treatment option for you, based on the nature and severity of your symptoms. This may involve using a combination of treatments to get the best results.
NICE recommendations
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends that SAD should be treated in the same way as other types of depression.
This includes using talking treatments such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or medicine such as antidepressants.
Light therapy is also a popular treatment for SAD, although NICE says it's not clear whether it's effective.
See the NICE guidance, depression in adults: treatment and management.
Things you can try yourself
There are a number of things you can do to help improve your symptoms:
- try to get as much natural sunlight as possible – even a brief lunchtime walk can be beneficial
- make your work and home environments as light and airy as possible
- sit near windows when you're indoors
- take plenty of regular exercise, particularly outdoors and in daylight – read more about exercise for depression
- eat a healthy, balanced diet
- if possible, avoid stressful situations and take steps to manage stress
It can also be helpful to talk to your family and friends about SAD, so they understand how your mood changes during the winter.
This can help them to support you more effectively.
Psychosocial treatments
Psychosocial treatments focus on both psychological aspects (how your brain functions) and social aspects (how you interact with others).
Cognitive behavioural therapy
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is based on the idea that the way we think and behave affects the way we feel. Changing the way you think about situations and what you do about them can help you feel better.
If you have CBT, you'll have a number of sessions with a specially trained therapist, usually over several weeks or months. Your programme could be:
- an individual programme of self-help
- a programme designed for you and your partner (if your depression is affecting your relationship)
- a group programme that you complete with other people in a similar situation
- a computer-based CBT programme tailored to your needs and supported by a trained therapist
Read more about CBT
Counselling and psychodynamic psychotherapy
Counselling is another type of talking therapy that involves talking to a trained counsellor about your worries and problems.
During psychodynamic psychotherapy you discuss how you feel about yourself and others and talk about experiences in your past. The aim of the sessions is to find out whether anything in your past is affecting how you feel today.
It's not clear exactly how effective these 2 therapies are in treating depression.
Read more about psychotherapy
Antidepressants
Antidepressants are often prescribed to treat depression and are also sometimes used to treat severe cases of SAD, although the evidence to suggest they're effective in treating SAD is limited.
Antidepressants are thought to be most effective if taken at the start of winter before symptoms appear, and continued until spring.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the preferred type of antidepressant for treating SAD.
They increase the level of the hormone serotonin in your brain, which can help lift your mood.
If you're prescribed antidepressants, you should be aware that:
- it can take up to 4 to 6 weeks for the medicine to take full effect
- you should take the medicine as prescribed and continue taking it until advised to gradually stop by your doctor
- some antidepressants have side effects and may interact with other types of medicine you're taking
Common side effects of SSRIs include feeling agitated, shaky or anxious, an upset stomach and diarrhoea or constipation. These symptoms should improve after a few weeks. Check the information leaflet that comes with your medicine for a full list of possible side effects.
Read more about antidepressants
Light therapy
Some people with SAD find that light therapy can help improve their mood considerably.
This involves sitting by a special lamp called a light box, usually for around 30 minutes to an hour each morning.
Light boxes come in a variety of designs, including desk lamps and wall-mounted fixtures. They produce a very bright light. The intensity of the light is measured in lux – the higher lux, the brighter the light.
The light produced by the light box simulates the sunlight that's missing during the darker winter months.
It's thought the light may improve SAD by encouraging your brain to reduce the production of melatonin (a hormone that makes you sleepy) and increase the production of serotonin (a hormone that affects your mood).
Sunrise alarm clocks, which gradually light up your bedroom as you wake up, may also be useful for some people.
Who can use light therapy?
Most people can use light therapy safely.
The recommended light boxes have filters that remove harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, so there's no risk of skin or eye damage for most people.
However, exposure to very bright light may not be suitable if you:
- have an eye condition or eye damage that makes your eyes particularly sensitive to light
- are taking medication that increases your sensitivity to light, such as certain antibiotics and antipsychotics, or the herbal supplement St John's Wort
Speak to a GP if you're unsure about the suitability of a particular product.
Trying light therapy
Light boxes are not usually available on the NHS, so you'll need to buy one yourself if you want to try light therapy.
Before using a light box, you should check the manufacturer's information and instructions regarding:
- whether the product is suitable for treating SAD
- the light intensity you should be using
- the recommended length of time you need to use the light
Make sure that you choose a light box that is medically approved for the treatment of SAD and produced by a fully certified manufacturer.
Does light therapy work?
There's mixed evidence regarding the overall effectiveness of light therapy, but some studies have concluded it's effective, particularly if used first thing in the morning.
It's thought that light therapy is best for producing short-term results. This means it may help relieve your symptoms when they occur, but you might still be affected by SAD next winter.
When light therapy has been found to help, most people noticed an improvement in their symptoms within a week or so.
Side effects of light therapy
It's rare for people using light therapy to have side effects. However, some people may experience:
- agitation or irritability
- headaches or eye strain
- sleeping problems (avoiding light therapy during the evening may help prevent this)
- tiredness
- changes to your sight, including blurred vision
These side effects are usually mild and short-lived, but you should visit a GP if you experience any particularly troublesome side effects while using light therapy.
Pricing, Benefits, and How to Use
Share on PinterestShould you invest in a SAD lamp? Here’s what you should know.We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process.
- Best adjustable SAD lamp: Carex Day-Light Classic Plus Light Therapy Lamp
- Best UV-free SAD lamp: Northern Light Technologies Boxelite
- Best portable SAD lamp: Circadian Optics Lattis Light Therapy Lamp
- Best SAD lamp for leisure: Flamingo Floor Lamp
- Best affordable SAD lamp: TaoTronics Light Therapy Lamp
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), now known clinically as major depressive disorder with seasonal patterns, is a condition that causes sadness or depression when the seasons change.
It most typically occurs during the fall and winter, when days become short and exposure to sunlight decreases.
It’s most common in women and young adults.
Counseling, therapy, and medication may all be effective for this condition. Light boxes — also referred to as SAD lamps or light therapy lamps — are another option that can reduce symptoms and provide relief. They work by replicating natural daylight.
Symptoms of SAD
There are two types of SAD: wintertime and summertime. SAD affects people differently, but the symptoms may vary based on the type of SAD.
Symptoms of wintertime SAD include:
- daytime fatigue
- difficulty concentrating
- feelings of hopelessness
- increased irritability
- lack of interest in social activities
- lethargy
- reduced sexual interest
- unhappiness
- weight gain
Symptoms of summertime SAD include:
- agitation
- difficulty sleeping
- increased restlessness
- lack of appetite
- weight loss
In severe cases, people with SAD may experience thoughts of suicide.
Treatment options for SAD
Counseling and therapy are treatment options for both forms of SAD. Some people may also benefit from medications such as antidepressants such as fluoxetine (Prozac) and bupropion (Wellbutrin). People experiencing SAD should speak to their doctor about which medication is the best course of treatment.
Light therapy can also be used as a treatment for wintertime SAD. This involves using a specialized light box or visor for at least 30 minutes each day to mimic natural light. Light therapy should only be used under a doctor’s supervision and on approved devices. Other light-emitting sources like tanning beds, are not safe for use.
Another type of treatment is a dawn simulator which uses a time-activated light to mimic the sunrise as a way to help stimulate the body’s clock.
Adopting some healthy lifestyle habits can also help minimize SAD symptoms. This can include:
- a balanced diet with lean protein, fruits, and vegetables
- exercise
- regular sleep
A SAD lamp uses light therapy to replicate sunlight and trick the body into thinking it is the warmer months and trigger the body to release serotonin.
The light produced by a SAD lamp is measured in lux. A lux is a measurement of light intensity combined with area. A SAD lamp should offer a brightness of 10,000 lux. The viewing angle of a lamp should allow it to be positioned above the eyes and at a slight downward angle to minimize glare.
Typically, SAD lamps or lights should be used for 30 minutes to an hour. They can be used at any time of the day although they are usually used first thing in the morning.
SAD lamps are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Some research shows that light therapy can help improve seasonal depression, even with as little as 20 minutes of exposure. Although the FDA doesn’t regulate SAD lamps, Healthline’s medical affairs team still every pick and brand, diving into medical credibility, the company’s reputation, and its business practices.
We chose the options on this list based on the following criteria:
- Intensity: All the picks on this list have at least 10,000 lux, the standard intensity for effectiveness.
- Reputation: Each SAD lamp we feature comes from a reputable brand that doesn’t make egregious health claims.
- Price: We were mindful of different budgets by including options from various price points.
- User reviews: We chose only highly rated options that current users love and don’t have any major complaints about.
Pricing guide
- $ = under $100
- $$ = $100–$200
- $$$ = over $200
Best adjustable SAD lamp
Carex Day-Light Classic Plus Light Therapy Lamp
- Price: $$
- Features: flexible stand, 2 light settings, glare-free for eye comfort
- Size of light panel: 15.5 x 13.5 inches
- Who it’s best for: anyone looking for a customizable lamp that can work well in any space, at any angle
- Lux: 10,000
This lamp has a large surface area of 15.
5 by 13.5 inches. It generates 10,000 lux and projects light in a downward motion — this helps keep it glare-free no matter how it’s positioned.
The lampstand is adjustable, so chances are it will be comfortable to use no matter your height or chair type. Users say the lampstand doesn’t wobble and that the lamp reaches full lumens quickly for maximum benefit.
Pro
- large surface area
- glare-free
- adjustable
Cons
- pricey
Shop now at Amazon
Best UV-free SAD lamp
Northern Light Technologies Boxelite
- Price: $$
- Features: full-spectrum UV-free light, 5 different height levels, adjustable
- Size of light panel: 12.25 x 17 inches
- Who it’s best for: those who like to sit further away from the light source (it’s effective at 14 inches)
- Lux: 10,000
In addition to features such as 10,000 lux and a large surface screen, this SAD lamp is designed to last.
Many users rave about it 7 or more years after purchase.
The lamp includes long lasting fluorescent bulbs and is UV-free. It also features five different height levels and is easily adjustable. Note that it weighs 11 pounds and is heavier than many other lamps.
Pros
- UV-free
- long lasting
Cons
- heavier than other options on our list
Shop now at Amazon
Best portable SAD lamp
Circadian Optics Lattis Light Therapy Lamp
- Price: $
- Features: 3 brightness levels, fixed position, one-touch operation
- Size of light panel: 6 x 15.75 inches
- Who it’s best for: those who want their light to blend in a little better with their decor
- Lux: 10,000
If you love the look of modern decor, this lamp may be right for you. It features 10,000 lux of LED, UV-free, full-spectrum white light. It also boasts three brightness levels, so you can uptick or downtick the amount of light you receive.
Many users prefer LED to fluorescent light because it lasts longer. This lamp has a small surface area and a fixed position, which doesn’t allow for adjustment. Even so, it may be great for small spaces or as a lamp for travel.
Pros
- stylish look
- UV-free
- 3 brightness levels
Cons
- much larger than other options
- may not be everyone’s taste
Shop now at Amazon
Best SAD lamp for leisure
Flamingo Floor Lamp
- Price: $$
- Features: adjustable, rotating head, taller than most
- Size of light panel: 7 x 13 inches
- Who it’s best for: anyone who’s looking for a little more versatility in where they can get their light therapy
- Lux: 10,000
This 46-inch-tall lamp is a great option for those who want to position their SAD lamp near a treadmill or glider. It also fits neatly into corners for use while reading or watching TV.
This floor lamp provides 10,000 lux of full-spectrum, UV-free, LED light. It’s also glare-free and adjustable. Users love the sturdy design and long lasting light bulbs, which typically last for about 5 years. Assembly is required.
Pros
- UV-free
- full-spectrum LED light
- glare-free
- comes with long lasting light bulbs
Cons
- assembly required
Shop now at Amazon
Best affordable SAD lamp
TaoTronics Light Therapy Lamp
- Price: $
- Features: timer, 4 brightness levels, memory function
- Size of light panel: 5.5 x 5.5 inches
- Who it’s best for: anyone looking for a compact option and doesn’t mind sitting closer to the panel
- Lux: 10,000
While this portable option has a smaller screen size than recommended, it still delivers a good value for its size and cost.
Designed for on-the-go use, this lamp provides 10,000 lux and one-touch controls.
Pros
- portable
- one-touch controls
Cons
- might be too small for some users
Shop now at TaoTronics
| Price | Who it’s best for | Considerations | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carex Day-Light Classic Plus Light Therapy Lamp | $$ | anyone looking for a customizable lamp that can work well in any space, at any angle | adjustable, but always faces in a downward position to reduce glare |
| Northern Light Technologies Boxelite | $$ | those who like to sit further away from the light source (it’s effective at 14 inches) | adjustable and has a larger light panel so you can sit further away |
| Circadian Optics Lattis Light Therapy Lamp | $ | those who want their light to blend in a little better with their decor | blends well with decor but has a fixed position and doesn’t adjust |
| Flamingo Floor Lamp | $$ | anyone looking for a little more versatility in where they can get their light therapy | light angle is adjustable but not the height |
| TaoTronics Light Therapy Lamp | $ | anyone looking for a compact option and doesn’t mind sitting closer to the panel | compact, but you have to sit closer to the light panel since it’s smaller than others on the list |
SAD lamps simulate sunlight, which helps trigger the brain to release serotonin, often called the feel-good hormone.
Studies show that using light therapy during periods when daylight hours are short can help adjust your circadian rhythm, the body’s process for regulating your sleep-wake cycle. This is beneficial for improving mood and reducing symptoms of depression.
Light therapy has become an accepted practice for alleviating SAD and other conditions such as:
- jet lag
- dementia
- circadian rhythm sleep disorders
There are many lamps and light boxes marketed as SAD or light therapy lamps. Not all of these products are effective or appropriate for this use.
The FDA doesn’t regulate SAD lamps, so it’s important to buy one that provides enough light and is designed to treat SAD.
Here are some features to look for:
Safety
- Don’t get a light box that’s designed to treat skin conditions. These devices aren’t meant to treat mood disorders and they won’t be effective.
- Make sure the lamp filters out ultraviolet (UV) light and is labeled UV-free.
UV light can damage your eyes and skin.
Specs
- The lamp should generate 10,000 lux of cool-white, fluorescent light. An output of 10,000 lux is approximately 20 times greater than the light output generated by most indoor lighting. Lamps with less lux may need to be used more often than brighter ones.
- Opt for a glare-free lamp or a lamp that can be positioned at a downward angle that reduces or eliminates eye glare.
Size
- Look for a lamp with a light surface area of around 12 by 15 inches. The larger the surface area, the higher the lux. Larger lamps also provide you with the option of moving around more, so you can be farther away from the lamp without compromising its effectiveness.
- Smaller lamps aren’t as effective and may need to be used more often for longer sessions. That said, you may wish to purchase a second, smaller lamp if you travel a lot. Your doctor can provide individualized lamp use guidelines.
Personal style and needs
- Think about what activity you would like to do while using the lamp and purchase one that will accommodate that purpose.
For example, light boxes have been shown to help with jet lag. So, if you travel frequently, you may want to choose a small, portable option. - Lamp styles vary. You may be better off getting an attractive lamp that matches your décor so it can stay in position for use. For maximum benefit, you’ll want to use the lamp at least once daily, so having it out and easily accessible can be a plus.
- Don’t start using a SAD lamp without your doctor’s approval: This is especially important if you have a diagnosis such as bipolar disorder, glaucoma, or lupus.
- Always get the green light from your doctor if you’re taking prescription medications of any kind, including antipsychotics and antidepressants: Remember that some prescription medications and over-the-counter supplements can make your skin photosensitive, requiring an adjustment to your use of the lamp. These medications include lithium, some acne drugs, and St.
John’s wort. - Use the lamp daily: You can use it until daylight hours increase.
- Experiment with time frame: Many people benefit from as little as 20 minutes of use. Others require 60 minutes, which is typically considered the highest exposure you should get.
- Consider when to use it: Many experts recommend using a SAD lamp first thing in the morning. Your doctor might also recommend that you use it during the day. Keep in mind that more isn’t always better. Overuse of a SAD lamp can produce insomnia or other side effects.
- Follow manufacturer recommendations for the position: Your lamp should come with recommendations for how close you should position yourself to it. This is very important, as your distance from it will affect the lamp’s lux capacity.
- Position the lamp so that it’s providing you with downward light: This will ensure that it doesn’t shine directly into your eyes.
- Talk with your doctor about how to best stop using the lamp: It may be most appropriate for you to wean yourself off slowly. Spending time outdoors, especially in the mornings, can help this process.
Although light therapy is helpful for people who bipolar disorder, you should consult with a doctor before introducing it daily. A medical professional who is familiar with your physical and mental health history will be able to help you figure out if light therapy is a good option for you.
Some studies show that SAD lamps can help boost mood and alleviate symptoms of seasonal depression, but they’re not a substitute for proper mental health care. If you feel that your depression is severe or you experience any of the following symptoms, it’s time to speak with a healthcare professional. You should check in with a doctor or mental health professional if:
- You feel sad and hopeless nearly every day.
- You no longer experience pleasure in hobbies or activities you used to enjoy.
- You can’t sleep or are spending too much time sleeping.
- You’re feeling irritated and annoyed nearly every day.
- Symptoms are interfering with your quality of life.
- You’re gaining or losing weight unexpectedly.
Keep in mind
If you have thoughts of suicide or self-harm, you should call 911 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.
Can SAD lamps damage your skin or eyes?
UV light should be filtered out of SAD lamps, so they shouldn’t damage your eyes or skin. However, light boxes used to treat certain skin conditions do emit UV light, so you should be sure that your light box is designed to treat SAD.
Can SAD lamps increase vitamin D levels?
While some people have found that SAD lamps can increase vitamin D levels over time, there’s not enough research to confirm this.
A 2007 study investigated whether patients with cystic fibrosis and short bowel syndrome were able to absorb vitamin D through commercial portable ultraviolet lamps.
The study found that the lamp increased or maintained circulating vitamin D levels in the winter months.
However, other studies have shown that for light therapy to be used effectively to increase vitamin D levels, it needs to produce UV light, which most SAD lamps do not.
According to the FDA, UV lights can cause damage to the skin and should be used with caution. Long-term exposure to UV rays can also cause premature aging and skin cancer. If you’re using UV lights on your skin, you should speak with your doctor first.
How bright are SAD lamps?
The recommended brightness for SAD lamps is typically 10,000 lux.
How long does it take a SAD lamp to start working?
The University of British Columbia found that people can start to respond to light therapy within a few days and you should see improvements within 2 weeks. Be sure to speak to your doctor if your body does not respond to a SAD lamp after 2 weeks.
Is there anyone who shouldn’t use a SAD lamp?
You should avoid using a SAD lamp if you have an increased sensitivity to light.
This may be due to:
- macular degeneration
- a connective tissue disorder
- lupus
Interested in other resources for mental health?
We’re here to help. Explore our evidence-driven reviews of top providers, products, and more to support your physical and emotional well-being.
Seasonal affective disorder can often be alleviated with proactive lifestyle changes. These include:
- going to bed early and waking up at or near dawn
- going outside for extended periods of time, especially first thing in the morning
- avoiding substances that can adversely affect your ability to sleep, such as alcohol
- eating whole, nutrient-rich foods
- exercising
Seeing a mental health professional and taking antidepressant medications, as advised, can also be beneficial.
Major depressive disorder with seasonal pattern, previously known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD), is a condition caused by lowered exposure to sunlight or a change of seasons.
Women and young adults are most affected by this condition.
Using a SAD lamp, also known as a light box, can help alleviate symptoms, boosting your mood.
SAD lamps can be effective when used as a solo treatment or combined with other forms of treatment. Either way, always use these lamps under a doctor’s supervision.
Electrolux Color Passion Collection – Weekend Ukraine – Kommersant
Electrolux brand is one of the few manufacturers of household appliances experimenting with its appearance. She has long declared war on white (the experimental line of technology is called: War on White) and regularly releases models of a wide variety of colors. And we are talking not only about colors, but about drawings and ornaments, which is almost never found in the field of household appliances. The latest proposal of this kind is the Color Passion collection. It includes four already existing models: refrigerator, washing machine, dryer and dishwasher. Each can be released in four versions: "dark gold" (deep gold), "spicy orange" (orange spice), "green frost" (frosted green) and "velvet lily" (velvet lilla).
Already by the names it is clear (although marketers know how to come up with a story from scratch, but in this case it is rather true) that the color options are rather tricky. The colors turned out to be quite rich, unbanal, and the patterns covering the work surfaces are complex, but at the same time unobtrusive. Gina Gonzalez, one of Electrolux's leading designers, created the colors and patterns. No sooner had the collection appeared than it was immediately noted by experts. Design trend research agency Nelly Rodi used Color Passion to illustrate the "Alternative" trend, which focuses on environmentally responsible behaviour. The collection got into this story, firstly, because the models participating in it are as environmentally friendly as possible, and secondly, thanks to their design. Drawings and colors are close to natural, and researchers from Nelly Rodi believe that the desire to bring signs of wildlife into the house is the main trend of recent times.
www.electrolux.
com
Metaphys Hono lamp
The Japanese brand Metaphys is well known in the West. Interested parties are closely following all their new products, knowing that the Japanese will not let you down and will certainly come up with something interesting. Indeed, whatever Tiyake Murata does - from radiators to hole punchers - everything he does is invariably stylish, simple, but with a deep inner meaning. One of the most famous models is the UZU vacuum cleaner, a cordless, completely unlike a vacuum cleaner and inhumanly beautiful, which was named one of the best technical novelties of the past year by Wallpaper magazine. Now everyone is raving about another novelty presented at the just-past 100% Design Tokyo. Hono's informal name is "a lamp that thinks it's a candle". Actually, what else is left for her to do if the designer designed her in such a way that she works on the principle of a candle. Hono has no wires (which already distinguishes it from a lamp), the lamp runs on batteries.
To light it, you need to touch the top with a magnetic "match", and to turn it off - just blow. And in the process of work, the built-in LED lamp trembles a little and flickers like a candle light. It will not replace full-fledged lighting, but it will come in handy as a local light source: you don’t need to connect it anywhere, you can easily move it from place to place, while Hono gives an unusual light with an intimate bias.
www.metaphys.jp
New from Kyouei Design
If Metaphys prefers a rational style, with elements of irony, then their compatriots Kyouei Design develop another trend no less characteristic of Japanese designers - naive romanticism. Their things are always touching, and therefore a little sad, like, for example, a lamp made of balloons or cups, which are forever connected by handles in inseparable pairs. Actually, this is what makes them noticeable against the general background: emotional things that speak the language of feelings have been very much in demand lately.
The last two objects (both made of white ceramics) surpassed all the previous ones in touchingness. The Topography Soup Plate (which might be mistaken for a dog bowl, but it's not) is made in the form of a closed mountain range with a valley in the center. "Pour soup into your plate, fill up a dry mountain lake," the designers suggest. your plate." Agree, touching idea. Might work with kids. The umbrella stand also refers to nature, but in a more straightforward way. A protrusion that communicates with it is attached to the bottom of an ordinary basket. If you fill it with earth and plant flowers or grass, in the future they will be fed by rainwater flowing from umbrellas. Although, in order for the flowers to receive water uninterruptedly, you need to live in a rather rainy climate. But it doesn't matter, you can water them on purpose. The main thing is that the umbrella basket has turned from an uninteresting object into a kind of natural oasis.
www.kyouei-ltd.co.jp
Design Academy Eindhoven Alumni Exhibition
The school in the small and uninteresting Dutch town of Eindhoven (with the Bavaria factory as its main attraction) is one of the best in the world.
It was completed by Tord Bontier, Hella Jongerius and many other well-known designers, both Dutch and not. Therefore, any exhibition of works by students or graduates becomes a significant event that attracts journalists and "bounty hunters" from agencies and design factories. The one that took place at the end of October presented the theses of 150 graduates of 2007. The annual event was superimposed by the fact that this year Design Academy Eindhoven is celebrating its 60th anniversary, which means that everything is organized on a special scale. The exhibition at the giant deWitteDame, a former Philips factory, was one of the highlights of Dutch Design Week. Impressive was not only the quantity, but also the quality of the work. It can be seen that for the most part, mature designers who have something to say come out of the school. And, most importantly, with an invariable sense of humor, characteristic of all local designers, which, apparently, is instilled in this school, because it cannot be called a national feature.
Recent students worry about what it is now customary to worry about: environmental problems, overconsumption, the separation of things from their nature, the lack of emotional contact between people and things, etc. They struggle with it in the most amusing ways. Safely Dangerous Kitchen by Jonathan Ben-Tovim, similar to kerogas, is a parody of our ideas about home safety. Jan-William Bosch's portable wardrobe Subcase and Alexander Tranter's Compact Life chest of drawers, which can accommodate a chair, deck chair, table and other things that are necessary in the house, speak of modesty and the ability to live compactly. Liz Lefebre, with her mummy-wrapped vacuum cleaner The Aestetics of Domestic Sound, is trying to fight the noise produced by household appliances. And so on in the same vein. At the moment, the work of graduates is nothing more than prototypes. But it is possible that soon we will see these or similar creations of graduates in the collections of large stamps. In addition, The Design House is about to open in Eindhoven with the help of the academy, where they promise to show, discuss and sell Dutch design non-stop.
Then, you see, not only beer lovers who want to taste Bavaria directly at the place of production will come here.
www.designacademy.nl
Sad thoughts out loud. Sorry, too many words.
Pretty photos of pretty faces are, of course, nicer. I myself would be happy if there was nothing but them.
But here, for example.
Some kind of almost ecological aunt asks if we have an entomologist and an ornithologist in the reserve who want to cheat in August on some expedition. For some reason, he is interested not with the help of various forms of communication with the reserve intended for this, but through mutual acquaintances. It’s good that the aunt doesn’t know how to work with information, and therefore she doesn’t see any addresses of the reserve available on the site, no forum there, no form for contacting the site administrator, no this community, no group of the reserve in contact, where this is the announcement about entomologist and ornithologist has long been hanging.
It's sadder that an aunt who declares herself to be very "environmental" doesn't understand how absurd it is to offer third-party hack-work to the staff of the reserve in August. during the field season. When each employee works for three. (No, perhaps, this is in the cameral season for three, and in the field season for all five). When he, this employee, is not only for a day, but it happens that he cannot be freed even for an hour. But that would be fine too. She's an office manager, how would she know.
The saddest thing lies elsewhere. The fact that the aunt is very offended by the fact that her excellent information was not appreciated. The fact that the aunt never doubts her competence and the right to judge what exactly is more meaningful for the employees of the reserve to do.
But even this could be overcome, is it worth it to be upset because there are separate aunts in nature? And in this place, it is no longer sadness that begins, but universal longing, for this aunt is very typical of our current life.
It is these aunts and uncles, who have never been biologists, who have never worked in any nature reserve, who draw information exclusively from official publications and the fact that "the smoke of a fire creates comfort", so they begin to infiltrate more and more into the affairs of reserves and , alas, to influence these matters.
Perhaps this is my personal mistaken impression. I would be glad to hear the arguments of knowledgeable people that this is not so. But I see this picture.
There are those who work (or have worked) in nature reserves and, strictly speaking, only they can imagine what kind of work it is. How many such people? Let's take deliberately inflated figures, let it be 100 people. multiplied by 100 reserves. Total 10 thousand. I won’t even count the percentage of the total population of the country, so everything is clear. Even if all these 10,000 did nothing but shout about the reserves at the top of their lungs, no one would have heard them anyway.
And they, as a sin, just do not like to scream. And even more so they do not like the chorus. That is why they ended up in the reserves.
What other ways are there to learn about the life of nature reserves? Well, books. Right now I'm making a selection of books about nature reserves for the biological science pop library. And the picture is also sad, comrades. Yes, there are such books, and there are absolutely wonderful ones among them. Only now all of them were published either in ancient times and are now unknown to anyone, or they were published in tiny editions in regional publishing houses, and again unknown to anyone.
At the risk of running into another wave of photographers' wrath, I will say that the photographs, even if they are the most beautiful and high-quality, are not about that. Yes, they can convey what glorious little animals and flowers live in the reserves, and what marvelous landscapes there are. But they do not convey (and do not seek) what the work of an employee of the reserve is.
Not physically, not in any other way. What they believe in, what they worry about, what is important and dear to them, for which they are ready to risk their health, relationships with loved ones, and sometimes their lives.
Should I continue?
When there are our conditional 10 thousand people living in reserves (1% of the country's territory, as you know) and living in reserves. No one knows and, in general, no one needs. And what is the most annoying - incomprehensible to anyone and very poorly controlled. For example, they issued an order from a distance - not to work on weekends. And they do work. And how can you keep track of them all if they deliberately climbed into the most inaccessible places in order to blatantly violate labor laws there?
And on the other hand, there is a whole army of near-ecological aunts and uncles, active, toothy, who do not doubt their rightness and even, sometimes, love for “nature”. They are visible, they are open and transparent, they play by the rules.
