A brief, if very enlightening article (from way back in 2004) on Harvard Professor John Stilgoe, who teaches a class in “exploration” (as stated in the article). It strikes me as less exploration and more of understanding the messages that are broadcast to us by things we encounter everyday – the critical understanding of form, function, and in a large part, advertising.

Read here: The Eyes Have It (Professor Teaches A New Way Of Looking At Things)

Having been in the employ of an advertising agency for the past four years, I’ve come to understand that all advertising has been designed for some effect. The shape of a Coke bottle, the hidden arrow in a FedEx logo, the smell of fries from McDonalds. They’ve all been designed – for you. Understanding this can radically change your perspective on the world.