Live off the Land, a Prayer

Kenya

4 min read

In this masterpiece is a lesson for “last minuters” and modern architects who design without the foresight of user needs and experiences. (The dictator architect who believes in totally orchestrating human behaviour.)

However, the greater lesson I learnt was how to make the best out of any situation. (And certainly the protagonist, Monsieur Hulot does that!)

NAIROBI, Kenya, October 1, 2023/-- As a Changerian (Young Laibon) it’s only right and honourable to start today’s submission with a tribute to a great Cambrian (Old Patcherian), Roger Whittker (Fantastic whistler) who passed away recently aged 87.

🎶 Though death and darkness gather all about me

My ship be torn apart upon the seas

I shall smell again the fragrance of these islands

And the heaving waves that brought me once to thee

And should I return home safe again to England… 🎶

This verse of his timeless hit, The Last Farewell (1975) would serve as a good dedication to him. Since, he returned (laid to rest) safely in English soil.

I love reading biographies and watching biopics. Currently, I’m in the early process of authoring one. So in the last 3 months, I have had the privilege to watch notably Air (2023), a biographical sports drama based on the origin of Nike’s basketball shoeline, Air Jordan. This in addition to BlackBerry (2023), a Canadian biographical comedy-drama film that loosely narrated the rise and fall of BlackBerry.

Air was a delight, but, BlackBerry was average to my expectations.

Nike principles from Phil Knight's manifesto

Air was keen to reiterate the 10 Nike principles and one that stood out for me was Live off the land. What does it mean?

Use what you have, not what you think you need. This is based in reality on the ground where things might be murky, resources scarce, and outcomes uncertain. One ought to make the most of what’s in front of him or her.

After doing some research about the origin of this military-like doctrine, I found the premise of effectiveness in combat preparation. In it is a sort of an idea where supply chains have to be kept short, minimizing outside dependencies and allowing for flexibility.

During the Allied World War II effort, America had a home-front drive to mobilize its public will and show they were all in it together. This was represented by many taglines and one that I still remember is “Do with less – so they'll have enough!” A call to work together towards a common goal with limited resources, similar in nature with the mentioned principle.

In short, it’s making the most of what little you have. Being resourceful. That was what I had for you today, however, if you’re a bit adventurous and have time lets go on...

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Playtime (1967) directed by Jacques Tati

An artful, comic, appreciation and display of architecture in film. A must watch, for anyone fascinated with architecture. (It’s in French, I hope you have a Kenyan police friend who’s going to Haiti to help you with the translation.)

I won’t delve much into the plot, set design, and the beautiful cinematography. I will shed light on the relevant scene.

There's a restaurant scene starting in the middle of the movie, where there’s an opening night for an exclusive joint. The entire 50 minute episode is a satirical play of predictable and unpredictable human behaviour juxtaposed against the geometric design of modern architecture.

By watching it I was dazzled by the funny play that begins with an eager-to-please host, an architect who’s still directing work in an occupied space, the waiters with the ever-tearing clothes, bewildered patrons, an oblivious doorman, and an overzealous bouncer. In the built space, there is the always breaking air conditioning, flickering lights, and that impeding column right at the main entrance.

A scene that is still fresh in my mind, is where the waiters wing for each other with torn clothes, how the falling apart ceiling decors are used as props for part of an exclusive experience (private bistro) by a happy patron who merrily goes to play the restaurant’s host or conductor.

Even the live band cutting the show short from the ensuing chaos can't stop the music. La music! La music! Another patron, a lady, and an amateur pianist offers to play the piano to continue with the night's frenzy.

Truly, its nearly impossible for an architect to visualize the exact user experience (people in party mode are something!), but one can try!

We talk of teamwork, but, there's a scene where the waiter who was winged for all his colleagues all night (torn trouser, apron, damaged shoe) is asked for a final favour.

“Can you help me out?”

“My tie fell in the sauce. Mind lending me yours?”

“I'll give it back.”

With a sigh of relief, he obliges.

How the resourceful doorman maintains his composure and holds the doorknob of an invisible glass door (shattered a while by a tourist, Monsieur Hulot) How the many faux pas are treated as chic and in tune. It's a beautiful display of what chaos if managed is something to delight.

In this masterpiece is a lesson for “last minuters” and modern architects who design without the foresight of user needs and experiences. (The dictator architect who believes in totally orchestrating human behaviour.) However, the greater lesson I learnt was how to make the best out of any situation. (And certainly the protagonist, Monsieur Hulot does that!)

Sting like a bee or feint…

I want to end today’s submission with boxing talk. In life and business those who appear to thrive are mostly brawlers, fighting in only one-way and lacking of technique. This serves the urge of the average audience, where two people beastly beat the life out of each other and one emerges the ultimate winner.

There’s respect in taking this path as it’s seen as authentic. But that’s that. It’s limiting in its exercise and trajectory. It doesn’t mold the types of Mohammed Ali and Oscar De La Hoya. The two born of Black and Mexican heritages went beyond the stereotype and fought in an “American” or “Anglicized” way and the rest is history.

Always remember that mister luck plays a great role in our outcomes, but, we ought to put ourselves in the way of opportunity. Take the bull by its horn today and have a fantastic Sunday.

P.S Chris Tucker still has some juice.

By Phineahs Munene

email feedback to phineahs [at] wazomoja.com

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