Interesting set of observations exploring the limits of omniscience and the sheer scale involved in watching an entire population. Failures in empathy lead to misinterpretation of anonymous rebellion in plain sight. Tolkien’s most potent and intimidating image of centralized surveillance, the Eye of Sauron atop a tower, taking in the whole world, has resonated with…
This project looks promising. I’ve donated the money I was going to spend on a haircut. We’re keeping our UI super simple. The experience is entirely sound and story: Writing + Voiceover + SFX + Music. With either a spoken word or a simple tap on the screen you can listen to the drama unfold…
A recent Pew study (Smartphone Ownership 2013) found that blacks were about 10% more likely than whites to own smartphones, and that young urban people regardless of income are very likely to own smartphones. (With older people, a smartphone is more of a luxury.) It’s little wonder, then, that phone-friendly Twitter has been such a…
These are shoe-holding racks at a local indoor play area, where I took my daughter and a friend for a few hours. Why buy six different rainbow-colored shoe-holding racks, if you’re not going to arrange them in the proper order? I really wanted to pick up the purple one and at least put it in…
Sample, improved lyrics: “An old man turned 98 /He won the lottery, and died the next day (from a severe paper cut from his lottery ticket).” Similar:If in question, have more GOOD than BAD? University of Georgia Student Journalists Walk Ou…My students and colleagues sometimes won…AcademiaBrother Stuck in the BathroomThe girl posted this story on…
Rewatching the classic Trek episode “The Conscience of the King,” which features a Shakespearean acting troupe. In one scene, McCoy writes a report on a wedge proto-iPad… …but in the very next scene Kirk scrawls on a piece of paper. This episode also features characters doing computer searches, using an exposition-friendly voice interface to call…
At least three journalists left NBC, after the network aired a tape of George Zimmerman, edited in a manner that substantially altered its content. Filed in Seminole County, the suit adds that “NBC News saw the death of Trayvon Martin not as a tragedy but as an opportunity to increase ratings, and so set about…
Jon Negroni creates a meta-narrative to connect every Pixar movie, using Boo as the still point in the turning universe. Every Pixar movie is connected. I explain how, and possibly why. Several months ago, I watched a fun-filled video on Cracked.com that introduced the idea (at least to me) that all of the Pixar movies…
The contrast between KTVU’s treatment of its triumphs vs errors reminds us of the difference between journalism vs public relations. Similar:Classroom collaboration marketplaceWhile I am uncomfortable with the whole …BusinessMy Minecraft-obsessed tween made this blocky foam pig at art camp. Next up: Stage Right summer musical th…AestheticsLoved seeing A Comedy of Errors @setonhillLoved seeing A…
Last week, the Fox-afiliated KTVU fell for a prank, repeating offensive fake names for the pilots involved in the crash of Asiana Flight 214 last week. [S]even-year veteran KTVU producer Brad Belstock closed his @producerBB Twitter account after his last Friday tweet just moments after the names were read aloud on the air by Tori Campbell.…
Francesca Borri writes of being a freelancer and a woman covering the war in Syria. (When my life gets hectic, a story like this helps me keep some perspective.) Similar:Bill Murray Admits A Painting Saved His LifeDuring a February press conference in Lo…AestheticsAdobe Shockwave interfereres with my system, blocks my attempts to remove it, and…
Is your Sunday feeling incomplete because you haven’t read anything about punctuation today? This explanation of the semicolon should help. You’re welcome. Similar:No, Dr. Seuss is not being "banned" or "censored" — but Dr. Seuss Enterprises is voluntar…It’s nothing new that Theodore “Dr. Seus…BooksBehind the art: The Westmoreland's 'Death of Elaine' beloved of staff and…
My wife is something of a hoarder. Now, as it happens, I have saved my half of the slip of paper that I tore so that we could write down each other’s phone numbers back when we were about 22, but she saves old catalogs and phone books (phone books!) from years ago. Sometimes, when…
So I’m not being selfish… this is a parenting strategy. Similar:You're not going to read thisI ask my students to contextualize links…BusinessAP Style: try to determine, and then respect, a source's preferences when it comes to…PersonalRussia Conspiracy Theories Trap Putin Malaysia Airlines MH17An old journalism joke suggests that, du…Current_EventsI just had some fun spotting a…
Next up: Stage Right summer musical theater camp starts Monday! Similar:The Girl's Obsession with Scottish History ContinuesWife: “What did you do with your bedshee…AestheticsMy daughter was five or six when she created the character “Moonbot” for the #steampunk be…https://youtu.be/GoWiNB_tlJ8 AestheticsThe heir to the throne of Gondor and and a scruffy looking nerf herder are handing…
Testing a tool to automate connections between iOS apps. Similar:More split-screen actinghttp://youtu.be/EGgeZWskEs8DesignNerd siblings are awesome siblingsMy 15yo wanted to show me Terminator 4, …HomeKirby Delauter SagaLet’s hope many, many more journalism st…HomeThe Declaration Of Independence, 240 Years Later (NPR)When in the Course of human events, it b…CultureI Canna Give Ye Any More Screens, Cap'n! The…
Similar:LGN Launches Quandary to Develop Ethical Thinking through PlayThe Learning Games Network, a non-profit…CultureMore #Blender3D practice. Additional details for a steampunk control panel. Just because.AestheticsThe Coronavirus Is Rewriting Our ImaginationsPossibly, in a few months, we’ll return …CultureAnother 10 sq cm of #steampunk control panel. Trying to add a subtle pattern to the light-…One of many…
Submitted revisions of 6 video tutorial scripts & drafted 5 more. Also, scored 3 boxes of leftover reception cupcakes and 1 of brownies. Similar:I had to act like I knew something about golf. There I am on the right at about :15.PersonalA snifter of brandy helps a supporting character deliver exposition & set up for…
Blogging this so I can find it when I teach my “News Writing” class this fall. People do like to prank journalists with fake names. In this case, the reporter did what you’re supposed to do — get confirmation — but sheesh. KTVU reports fake racist names of Asiana Airlines 214 pilots from NTSB intern…
I recently bought a new phone. since then, I have answered an incoming call in my car. It felt awesome. Similar:Habits for happiness: tips for looking on the bright side of lifeHabits for happiness: tips for looking o…PersonalWhat kids do when Dad won't hand over the iPod So I’m not being selfish… this is …EducationMaybe…