The first presentation was on the cultural significance of the “fixie”, or fixed gear bike – light weight, one speed, no free wheel (pedals cannot be stopped while bike is moving), often only one or no brakes. (see the Wikipedia page here). The pure form is used in track racing, less exotic ones (originally hand assembled from available parts) became symbolic of New York messengers, then hipsters, and now of a more widely spread culture, including quite a few Stanford students. “Fixies”can now be purchased in all formats from “pure” to including brakes, and even gears concealed in the rear hub (if you are in the culture, you may hiss).
The second was on a startup named Radian (description here), which produces a nifty camera addition that allows time-lapse and scanned photography. The culture is of course people who like photography. Each year this course costs me money since I discover a product I need, and this is my 2013 investment.
The third was Cloud Nine olive oil (Elegance and Sophistication). This is a small family owned and run business in Monterey county California, that produces very high grade olive oil. The presentation included not only samples to taste, but detailed instructions on how to properly taste olive oil. Website here.
The fourth was on the Brompton folding bicycle (here) and concerned with the environmental advantages of such transportation. This is an expensive, but extremely high grade machine that easily folds and unfolds to an amazingly small and easily carried package. It was demonstrated by a person from a bicycle store, who claims that at one time he felt a bit uncomfortable riding it in public (small wheels and frame, etc), but now loves it so much he doesn’t care what other bikers think about him—he feels sorry for them because they don’t have one.
Another good day!
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