The Vapors

A lot of design blogs are re-imaging the Japanese flag in an attempt to show sympathy with what is happening there at the moment. This is quite understandable as we watch in absolute horror and sense that we in the west, and the Japanese authorities, are powerless to have any effect on the devastating results of a natural phenomenon. A natural phenomenon that has been made worse by a man made phenomenon. We all fear the devastating results that we suspect are just around the corner.

Many of these blogs are urging you to donate to the Red Cross campaign to help those that survive the tragic circumstances of an earthquake followed by a tsunami in, ironically, one of the richest countries in the world. The irony goes on to add insult to injury by the fact that this is a country that has felt the effects of nuclear devastation more than any other. This leads me to consider that if ever there could be a stronger advert for getting rid of nuclear power, then I don't know what it would be.

Unfortunately the same graphic designers that are re-imaging the Japanese flag, and whose hearts are in the right place, aren't discussing the politics of this, and that is a shame. The world right now needs strong visual voices that have the power to affect change. And it needs this much more than it needs sympathy.

Red Cross appeal
Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament