Quando me perguntam há quanto tempo eu trabalho com artes gráficas, eu costumo dizer: “desde a época em que Ctrl+Z era chamado de ‘começar tudo de novo’”.
Comecei no finzinho dos anos 80, numa era quase jurássica da criação. Nada de tablet, nada de mouse… era eu, a prancheta e a gloriosa caneta de nanquim — que, diga-se de passagem, borrava ou pingava tinta exatamente nos últimos traços do desenho, quando já não dava mais pra refazer sem chorar. Cada traço era feito com a precisão de um cirurgião… e o nervosismo de quem sabe que não existe “desfazer”.
Aí vieram os anos 90, e com eles a tecnologia invadiu a vida do artista gráfico. Conheci o lendário CorelDRAW 3. Aquilo parecia coisa de outro planeta! Você clicava, arrastava… e as coisas obedeciam! Era basicamente magia digital.
Mas calma, não era tão simples assim.
Pra salvar o trabalho, entrava em cena o poderoso disquete de 3,5”. Um dispositivo com incríveis 1,44 MB de espaço — ou seja, cabia um arquivo… talvez. Se tivesse muita sorte e pouca resolução. Quando não cabia, era aquele ritual: “Insira o disco 2”. Parecia que eu estava produzindo um filme de Hollywood em capítulos.
E claro, sempre tinha aquele momento emocionante:
“Será que salvou?”
Porque o disquete tinha personalidade. Às vezes ele simplesmente decidia que não queria mais viver — e levava seu trabalho junto.
Depois veio a evolução: o CD regravável! Aquilo sim era luxo. 700 MB!
Eu me sentia o dono de um data center. Gravava, apagava, regravava… até o CD começar a falhar misteriosamente e virar um belo objeto decorativo.
E então… o futuro chegou. O pen drive. Pequeno, rápido, confiável… e fácil de perder. Porque nada supera a tecnologia de colocar um arquivo importante dentro de um objeto menor que uma bala e depois esquecer onde colocou.
E enquanto isso, a tal da “nuvem” era tipo história de ficção científica. Algo que você ouvia falar, mas parecia tão distante quanto carro voador. Hoje em dia, se a internet cai, a gente já entra em crise existencial.
Resumindo: eu comecei desenhando à mão, passei por uma fase em que salvar um arquivo era uma aventura digna de filme de ação, e hoje trabalho num mundo onde tudo está a um clique — ou a um bug — de distância.
Então, quando alguém pergunta desde quando eu trabalho com artes gráficas, eu respondo:
“Desde quando salvar um arquivo exigia fé, coragem… e vários disquetes para compactar uma arte do Corel.”
The Historic Flood of May 2024 in Rio Grande do Sul: When Water Changed Everything
In May 2024, the state of Rio Grande do Sul, in southern Brazil, experienced one of the most dramatic chapters in its history. What began as days of continuous heavy rainfall quickly turned into an unprecedented disaster, leaving cities submerged, families displaced, and deep scars that still resonate today.
The Begining of the Disaster
The Aftermath
The rains started in late April and intensified in early May, with extremely high volumes falling in a short period. In some regions, rainfall reached the equivalent of months — or even a third of the annual average — in just a few days.
This excess water caused major rivers, such as those in the Jacuí, Taquari, and Caí basins, to overflow simultaneously, worsening the situation. Lake Guaíba, in Porto Alegre, reached historic levels, surpassing records set as far back as 1941.
A Disaster of Unprecedented Scale
The flooding quickly spread across nearly the entire state. Around 95% of municipalities were affected, highlighting the magnitude of the disaster.
In total:
Approximately 2.4 million people were affected
More than 600,000 were displaced or left homeless
Over 180 people lost their lives
In addition, thousands of homes were destroyed, entire neighborhoods disappeared underwater, and essential services such as electricity, water supply, and transportation collapsed.
The Causes: More Than Just Rain
Although the intense rainfall was the immediate trigger, experts point to a combination of factors behind the tragedy:
Climate phenomena, such as El Niño, which increases rainfall in southern Brazil
Disorganized urban growth, with occupation of risk-prone areas
Lack of planning and maintenance, including insufficient flood control systems
In other words, it was not just a natural event — it was also the result of human decisions over time.
Devastating Impacts
The effects of the flood were felt across nearly every sector:
Social
Families lost homes, belongings, and in many cases, loved ones. Improvised shelters had to accommodate thousands of people.
Health
Water contamination and lack of sanitation increased the risk of disease.
Infrastructure
Highways were destroyed, bridges collapsed, and even Porto Alegre’s airport was flooded.
Economy
Agriculture, commerce, and industry suffered billions in losses, directly impacting the state’s economy.
Environment
There was loss of biodiversity, displacement of wildlife, and degradation of natural areas.
Response and Solidarity
Amid the chaos, a powerful wave of solidarity emerged. Volunteers, NGOs, companies, and government agencies mobilized to rescue victims, distribute aid, and begin rebuilding efforts.
Despite the emergency response, full recovery remains a long-term challenge that may take years.
Lessons for the Future
Studies indicate that extreme events like this may become increasingly frequent. What once occurred every 50 years could happen much more often.
The 2024 disaster sends a clear warning: it is urgent to invest in urban planning, resilient infrastructure, and effective environmental policies.
Conclusion
The flood of May 2024 was not just a natural disaster — it was a turning point in the history of Rio Grande do Sul. Beyond the numbers, it represents interrupted lives, forced new beginnings, and the need to rethink the future.
If there is one takeaway from this tragedy, it is this: extreme events are no longer exceptions. They are a warning.
And it is up to us to decide whether we will learn from it.
This video contains aerial images from Google Earth of the cities in the Taquari Valley before and after the major flood of May 2024. See more in my Youtube Channel:
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