Staggering Statistic of the Day

Over the past century, world water withdrawals have increased almost twice as fast as the world's population. (Tomorrow's Markets, World Resources Institute, p. 37)

We at CSL firmly believe that Project Live Small can effectively combat both the water withdrawals and the overpopulation problem now plaguing our planet.

Water is perhaps out most precious resource, and when no human measures taller than four feet, we will have much more of it. Smaller people will drink less water and also use less water while cleaning smaller dishes and washing loads of smaller laundry. Furthermore, overpopulation problems will decline as smaller people build smaller homes, drive smaller vehicles, and generally take up less space on the planet.

A Closer Look at Capsule Hotels

Several weeks ago, we listed capsule hotel rooms as one of the ten ways the Japanese are already living small. Thanks to one intrepid traveler, we are now able to take a much closer look at these tiny living accommodations. While you enjoy the video, don't forget to consider how much larger a capsule hotel room will seem in the future, when the human population tops out at four feet.

Live Small Ring Update

We've had a growing number of people asking us where they can purchase Live Small rings. Well, we are pleased to announce that the second production of those most coveted stocking stuffers will be arriving in time for the holidays.

We ordered a much larger quantity this time around, but you still shouldn't waste any time. The first batch virtually flew out of here, and we are unable to promise that the second batch won't do the same. Reserve yours today!

Remote Control Car Out-Performs Mini-Cooper

Some small living skeptics believe switching to an energy efficient car means sacrificing performance and power behind the wheel. Recently, however, a young fellow named Andy Moore effectively laid to rest such claims when he pit his remote control car against a BMW Mini Cooper. Despite its exponentially smaller size and its electric (as opposed to gas) power source, the tiny HBI-Nitro3 left the full-sized Mini Cooper in the dust:



With the economy in turmoil, electric and hybrid-electric vehicles are finally getting the attention they deserve, but we still have a long way to go. The automobile of the future will, of course, still be much larger than the HBI-Nitro3, but it will also be much smaller than the Mini Cooper, since it will be designed for people who are less than four feet tall. 

With smaller size comes greater fuel economy, and we at CSL are eagerly anticipating what the major automakers have in store for us.

Duckpin Bowling

Looking for an enjoyable weekend activity? Give duckpin bowling a try! Before you hit the miniature lanes, however, you ought to know how duckpin bowling differs from traditional ten-pin bowling.

Whereas a ten-pin bowling ball can weigh up to sixteen pounds and must be held by its three finger holes, a duckpin bowling ball weighs only two to four pounds and has no finger holes at all. On account of the smaller balls, duckpin bowling pins are more squat than traditional pins. And finally, because duckpin bowling is more difficult than ten-pin bowling, bowlers get three balls per frame instead of two. (Even with the extra ball per frame, professional duckpin bowlers typically score in the mid 100s [out of 300], while professional ten-pin bowlers score in the high 200s [also out of 300].)

We at CSL endorse duckpin bowling as a most delightful recreational activity that will stand the test of time. After all, the great Babe Ruth (pictured left) was an avid duckpin bowler nearly one hundred years ago; and in the future, when all people measure less than four feet tall, they will surely turn to the more reasonably sized duckpin bowling. Ten-pin, with its unmanageable sixteen pound balls, will be reduced to a mere relic.

The World's Narrowest Home

In a house that measures only one meter wide at its narrowest point, Helenita Queiroz Grave Minho of Madre de Deus, Brazil, lives comfortably with her husband, their three children, their dog, and her husband's sister and mother.

Living narrow is an important part of living small, and we at CSL commend Mrs. Minho for her ingenuity and her initiative. Now just imagine how much narrower and smaller our homes could be if we were all two feet smaller.

Full Article (Portuguese)

Jello Biafra: A Live-Small Visionary

Three years before Honey, I Shrunk the Kids hit the big screen, the Dead Kennedys released the song "Shrink" on their final album, Bedtime for Democracy. Written by lead singer Jello Biafra, "Shrink" highlights various ways in which smaller people would have a positive impact on the world. Biafra notes, for instance, that there would be less overcrowding, fewer traffic jams, and more food and resources to go around. 

Though the height-reduction machine that Biafra envisioned will probably never be realized, thanks to recent breakthroughs in genetic engineering we are just around the corner from achieving the same results: smaller people, less overcrowding, fewer traffic jams, and more food and resources to go around.

Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989): A Live-Small Manifesto

The 80s were good to Rick Moranis. He was happily married, and had hits with such films as Ghost Busters (1984), Little Shop of Horrors (1986), Space Balls (1987), Ghost Busters 2 (1989), and Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989). The 1990s, however, were a different story. In 1991 Moranis' wife succumbed to liver cancer, and in 1992 he decided to reprise his role as Wayne Szalinski in the box-office flop Honey, I Blew Up the Kid. From there things didn't get any better. In 1997 Moranis again reprised his role as Wayne Szalinski--this time in the straight-to-video Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves. The final nail in the coffin? Perhaps.

Although the second and third installments of the Honey trilogy certainly mark the violent downward trajectory of Moranis' film career, the first deserves more careful attention. If there's a lesson to be learned from such a delightful family film as Honey, I Shrunk the Kids--and we at CSL believe there is--it's that living small, though sometimes alienating, is the most economically responsible way of life. For proof, one must look no further than the scene in which the kids stumble upon a cookie in the yard, or the scene in which Nick Szalinski finds himself floating in his father's bowl of Cheerios. Their reduced height makes the food appear immense, more than a single tiny person could eat in a lifetime.

To be sure, the height reduction featured in the film is extreme and entirely unrealistic, but the central message is clear: reduced height means less food, which in turn means less money and less waste.

World's Smallest Clamshell Cellular Telephone

Living small means small gadgets, and the Pantech C300 is an excellent example:



The C300 has all the features you could ever need (instant messaging, MMS and text messaging, a camera with 4x digital zoom, etc.), and it costs well under $100. But the best part? It weighs in at just over 70 grams and measures only 3.4 x 1.7 x 0.8 inches!

Mini Ship-in-a-Bottle

Ever wish you could reduce your carbon footprint while at the same time satiating both your desire to live small and your love of all things maritime? Now you can!

First, replace your old light bulbs with compact fluorescent ones. Second, peruse the video below to learn how to turn those old bulbs into mini ships-in-bottles. Keep at it, and you'll be well on your way to recreating famous fleets and naval battles throughout history. Whatever your fancy--the Spanish Armada, or perhaps the Battle of Naupactus--the only limit is your imagination. (And, of course, the number of old light bulbs you possess.)