"Small in Size, Big in Attitude"

Are you aware that the average motorcycle weighs several hundred pounds and is designed for someone between 5' 8" and 6' 0"? Clearly, full-sized motorcycles will be unmanageable for the future rider--someone who measures between three and four feet in height.

The average pocket bike, however, weighs well under 200 pounds and can comfortably accommodate someone who stands between three and four feet tall. In other words, pocket bikes are well equipped to stand the test of time.

Enjoy the video below, which shows people between three and four feet performing amazing feats on pocket bikes.

Rally in Rittenhouse

We are thrilled to report that our Philadelphia chapter's Rally in Rittenhouse last Friday was a wonderful success.

Despite the rain, we saw quite a turnout from Philadelphia Live Small supporters, both young and old. We also met scads of Philadelphians who were interested to learn more about our organization.

Perhaps most importantly, thanks must be extended to our group of young Live Small supporters. Because of their efforts, even in the rain, we were able to adjourn at three o'clock without a single informational booklet left to hand out.

Please enjoy the pictures below.


Jim B., Sharon, and Ronnie showing their support.


A handful of our informational booklets.


Lisa, a young Live Small supporter, conversing with an intrigued passer-by.

Young Live Small supporters Leah, Robin, and Percy speaking with an interested pedestrian.

Project Live Small around the Web

We are pleased to report that, less than a month after launching our blog, Project Live Small has started generating attention throughout the blogosphere. Even the science community has taken notice.

Over the past few weeks, our articles have been featured on Bowling Course and Rick Moranis. And just yesterday Hank Campbell, the founder of Scientific Blogging, wrote an extensive article about Project Live Small and the Live Small movement.

Mr. Campbell even offered a ringing endorsement of Project Live Small in the comments section of his article. "If it's for the advancement of science," he wrote, "then I am all for making the average height of people four feet."

We would like to extend our sincerest thanks to Mr. Campbell and all other Live Small supporters who have helped raise awareness for our cause.

Six Small Stocking Stuffers

For those of you now--or not yet--engaged in last minute holiday shopping, allow us to provide you with several stocking stuffer ideas, all from fredflare.com.



Clockwise from top left: fashion origami ($12); yesterday's news colored pencils ($10), made from recycled Chinese newspapers; 3-D doodle kit ($10); diy pinhole camera ($22); tattoo bandages ($9); and mini robo vaccuum ($20).

Staggering Statistic of the Day

The average American gives away or throws out about 68 pounds of clothing each year. (Global Clothing Industries)

A large part of living small is smartly managing what little space you probably have in your small home, with its small bureaus and closets. A Live-Small savant will only purchase what he knows he has adequate room to store.

Of course, this will not be so great a problem in the future, when all people are less than four feet tall. Smaller people wear smaller clothing, which will mean using less fabric to make clothes. An added bonus: clothing will certainly be far less expensive (think GapKids instead of Gap).

Karl Lagerfeld Living Small(er)

Fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld has recently taken several steps toward living small. He told German weekly Die Zeit, "I have moved to a smaller house in Paris, and I don't fancy having as much staff now."

The 75-year-old has even purchased a quaint historic home in Lake Champlain, Vermont, where he plans to shoot the next Chanel campaign. Mr. Lagerfeld called the home "not giant," and commented, "I love it. It's very Emily Dickinson...In fact it's almost Puritanical. For me it's a new form of modesty."

Clearly Mr. Lagerfeld understands that one needn't be small in order to live small.


Spiegel Online, via Fashionologie.

Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

As it's about the time of year when people across America bring home a tree for the holidays, we thought we should offer our recommendations on what sort of tree to purchase.

The National Christmas Tree Association (NCTA) reports that Americans buy between 25 and 30 million live trees each year. Clearly, many people still prefer to buy a live tree. While the fresh pine smell is undeniably pleasing, the mess caused by falling needles is not. And though the NCTA makes a good argument for the benefits of live trees over artificial trees, they're hardly an unbiased source.

We at Project Live Small recommend purchasing an artificial tree, preferably something in the four-to-five-foot range. Artificial trees are neither biodegradable nor recyclable (NCTA's main criticism), so you won't want to throw it out. Ever. Just think of it as an investment for the future. The small artificial tree you purchase this year might be the very same tree that your under-four-feet-tall descendants crowd around, delighting in Christmas cheer for years to come.

Project Live Small Salutes Edward Gorey (1925-2000)

Of Edward Gorey's many uniquely illustrated books, The Gashlycrumb Tinies: or, After the Outing (1963) is doubtless his most famous and most resonating. In it, he tells of twenty six "tinies" (one for each letter of the alphabet) who suffered twenty six unenviable demises. Though the world Mr. Gorey imagined is indeed a macabre one, it is also a world in which people are a good bit smaller than they are in our world today. And for that, he deserves our respect and gratitude.

Mini Home Office

From Vienna-based design studio Creative Industrial Objects comes the CI desk--the perfect all-in-one home office for the person under four feet tall. Read the full description below.

A multi-functional home office on wheels, in its handy size and elegant shape, adapting to the flexible working habits of the individual at home or in the office. Through a 180-degree turn of its top, it unfolds into a small workstation for laptop users. The smooth contours of the desk cube in fact reveal the delicately inbuilt wooden drawers that open to the front and sides. CI desk provides mobility and a practical working space for any busy individual.


Creative Industrial Objects, via Impact Lab.

Young Man Living in Little Tikes Playhouse

In an implicit endorsement of Project Live Small, twenty-year-old Aaron McLeod spent thirty days and nights living in a Little Tikes playhouse this past summer.

Though the playhouse was equipped with two computers, two webcams, and a microwave, among other things, McLeod issued several complaints during his stay: that he began to smell after a few days; that rain managed to permeate the playhouse; that he didn't sleep very well; and that he suffered occasional leg and stomach cramps. It is also worth mentioning that McLeod relieved himself in a bucket, which his mother had to clean everyday.

These complaints might seem to demonstrate flaws in the Live-Small lifestyle, but we can assure you that McLeod would have had far fewer complaints if he had asked Project Live Small to provide more suitable--but still plenty small--living accommodations. In fact, if McLeod were less than four feet tall and his tiny living space were equipped with a small shower and sink/toilet, he might have decided to extend his stay indefinitely!

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