I've been waiting for hard drives to be declared officially defunct. The new Macbook Airs seem to make that official.
Hard drives are an obsolete technology. They are unreliable, they have moving parts, they are prone to failure. Just like printers. An obsolete, dinosaur technology. We should get rid of them as soon as possible.
Problem is, I've been writing about this for three years. The Macbook Airs seem to validate it though.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Friday, July 29, 2011
Selena in L.A.
When I was in L.A., I thought it was interesting that Selena Gomez down there (San Bernadino, the hispanic community) fiercely regards her as one of their own - a hispanic singer - a Tejana, completely ethnic, something they're proud of, and completely representing this ethnicity, this culture. I always just saw her as a singer, Disney. Radically different representation down there.
Just goes to show you that different people see things different ways.
Just goes to show you that different people see things different ways.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Red light cameras being shut down in L.A.
Interesting:
http://www.mercurynews.com/crime-courts/ci_18561279?nclick_check=1
Contrast this to Albuquerque's red light cameras. Obviously the two areas are much different from each other. Albuquerque motorists *have* slowed down in response to these, which revealed the city's intent to make money off of these ... the city complained motorists were slowing down. L.A.'s municipality talks about how there's no conclusive data that their red light camera system saves lives, although I'm sure revenue is part of it.
Perhaps Albuquerque is just more blunt and honest about how they want to make money from them.
Still, I can't speak for L.A. It just strikes me as odd and interesting how they talk about saving lives. Also, L.A. motorists are not easily intimidated, hence the hoardes of people who just won't pay the tickets. A lack of a way for L.A. to enforce these contributes too, of course. But I chalk this up to vast differences in the cultural habits of each city. (i.e. L.A. is too big, Albuquerque is too easily intimidated, a poorer region, more likely to slow down because they can't afford. L.A.ites just say f--- you to anything establishment. Or more like 'I-don't-give-a-s--t' ...
http://www.mercurynews.com/crime-courts/ci_18561279?nclick_check=1
Contrast this to Albuquerque's red light cameras. Obviously the two areas are much different from each other. Albuquerque motorists *have* slowed down in response to these, which revealed the city's intent to make money off of these ... the city complained motorists were slowing down. L.A.'s municipality talks about how there's no conclusive data that their red light camera system saves lives, although I'm sure revenue is part of it.
Perhaps Albuquerque is just more blunt and honest about how they want to make money from them.
Still, I can't speak for L.A. It just strikes me as odd and interesting how they talk about saving lives. Also, L.A. motorists are not easily intimidated, hence the hoardes of people who just won't pay the tickets. A lack of a way for L.A. to enforce these contributes too, of course. But I chalk this up to vast differences in the cultural habits of each city. (i.e. L.A. is too big, Albuquerque is too easily intimidated, a poorer region, more likely to slow down because they can't afford. L.A.ites just say f--- you to anything establishment. Or more like 'I-don't-give-a-s--t' ...
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Star Trek sightings
The barber in the Clint Eastwood movie _High Plains Drifter_ is the Andorian spy from "Journey to Babel" ...
The cop in the Harry Hoo episode of "Get Smart" is the "Uhura's Crewman" iteration of the salt vampire in "The Man Trap" ...
... and the young cowboy, Billy, talking to the maiden in "The War Wagon", the John Wayne flick with Kirk Douglas, are none other than Charlie X, and Lieutenant Daras from "Patterns of Force" ...
The cop in the Harry Hoo episode of "Get Smart" is the "Uhura's Crewman" iteration of the salt vampire in "The Man Trap" ...
... and the young cowboy, Billy, talking to the maiden in "The War Wagon", the John Wayne flick with Kirk Douglas, are none other than Charlie X, and Lieutenant Daras from "Patterns of Force" ...
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Fette's Vette Latin mix
Looking for the Latin Mix of "Fette's Vette" by MC Chris. If you have it, please email me, or look me up on Google Plus ... I can't find this anywhere.
The Dickies - Killer Klowns
The Dickies' title track for "Killer Klowns From Outer Space". One of the silliest movies ever made.
Great track. The Dickies' theme is really quite extraordinary. Film is fun too, if you want to have a lighthearted Saturday night.
Great track. The Dickies' theme is really quite extraordinary. Film is fun too, if you want to have a lighthearted Saturday night.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
The Inside
I recently saw this show called "The Inside", created by Tim Minear of Firefly fame. It was pretty good. Parts of it were really good, in fact, it floored me. Wasn't used to seeing this kind of visceral tv on tv. At first glance I thought it was a British show ;)
But no, it was an American show, lasted for like 12 episodes. What I saw was Episode Four, "Everything Nice".
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=the+inside+everything+nice&aq=f
But no, it was an American show, lasted for like 12 episodes. What I saw was Episode Four, "Everything Nice".
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=the+inside+everything+nice&aq=f
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Friends With Benefits
Friends With Benefits is probably going to be a big moneymaker. I would see it, because of Mila Kunis and Justin Timberlake -- good pairing. It just smacks of big hit. Then again the kind of movie I am thinking is something made in 1999, like "The Wedding Planner" or "Just Like Heaven". Romantic comedies today are much too dark.
Google+ app for iPhone
Just downloaded the G+ app for iPhone. Two things:
a) I'm disappointed that there is no iOS-equivalent for visually moving around your Contacts in Circles;
b) Being able to upload photos from your phone is pretty cool.
a) I'm disappointed that there is no iOS-equivalent for visually moving around your Contacts in Circles;
b) Being able to upload photos from your phone is pretty cool.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Rebecca Black - "My Moment"
Rebecca Black's new single is here. Question is, will the kids like it?
The Internet crowd will hate it, I could've told you that already. But again, will the kids like it? This is what the producers are asking.
EDIT: I've seen the video, it's okay, a couple of sound snippets which sound vaguely like the auto tuned Rebecca, vaguely so ... which is intentional ... she seems perhaps a little stilted and awkward in those moments where she is trying to be spontaneous ... maybe she needs to go through a let-it-all-hang-out Britney phase ... I may be asking too much of her.
This song and she may be perfect for the Disney crowd.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cngKXRMjzu0
The Internet crowd will hate it, I could've told you that already. But again, will the kids like it? This is what the producers are asking.
EDIT: I've seen the video, it's okay, a couple of sound snippets which sound vaguely like the auto tuned Rebecca, vaguely so ... which is intentional ... she seems perhaps a little stilted and awkward in those moments where she is trying to be spontaneous ... maybe she needs to go through a let-it-all-hang-out Britney phase ... I may be asking too much of her.
This song and she may be perfect for the Disney crowd.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cngKXRMjzu0
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Google+ replacing Facebook
I have always had a problem with Facebook.
It just felt wrong.
Any place that restricts what you can do, restricts your movements, retricts your ability to control your own environment, smacks of a regime instead of an open democracy.
The mere fact that G+ recognizes a) you want to separate your contacts into groups, and b) lets you leave and take all your data with you, is *awesome*.
It just felt wrong.
Any place that restricts what you can do, restricts your movements, retricts your ability to control your own environment, smacks of a regime instead of an open democracy.
The mere fact that G+ recognizes a) you want to separate your contacts into groups, and b) lets you leave and take all your data with you, is *awesome*.
music video ideas for visual equivalent of beat matching
I once wanted to figure out a way to do video beat matching on the computer - that is, take the end transition from one music video, and not only audio-beat-match it to the 2nd video, but devise packages/templates for syncing the video, ideas for creative platforms ways to combine the two songs that the user plays with/stretches/customizes -- finding a visual way to transition them, musically-based. Finding visual elements of each of the tracks, as they already exist as the music video, and combine them / contrast them / play with them / have them interact with each other in the video space.
This can be done by separating them out into sub-windows inside the screen, have them play with each other against a black canvas (or some kind of animated / pattern canvas, anything really), or overlay them against each other in the same 100% space, in a way similar to, or inspired by, the music video for Coldcut + Hexstatic's Natural Rhythm.
EDIT: What these guys are doing is a lot more advanced than what I'm thinking -- they are taking bits of video, and making them visual representations of instruments, as well as having different shots "talk" to each other, rapid-fire, rapid-editing, as again visual representations of what's happening musically. But I got the idea in part from watching different clips interact with each other, in a musical vein. Wouldn't it be great to have two *tracks* do this with each other, as one song transitions from another?
Artists like EBN, Coldcut, Hexstatic, Negativland, already do stuff like this. But it would be nice to put this power in the hands of a user.
No doubt someone has done this or something like this ... and I just haven't researched it. Because I'm too busy seeing the creative ideas in my brain. That's the thing about artists: you have an idea, communicate it to people, someone else has something else they've been working on, you put your heads together and combine your efforts. This is the spirit of dj'ing, of artist culture. it's not about hoarding your ideas in order to make a quick buck. It's about combining your efforts.
If we're all working in separate nothing ever gets done. We are all selfish and competing against each other. Things happen much faster - indeed, progress occurs - when we are working together.
This can be done by separating them out into sub-windows inside the screen, have them play with each other against a black canvas (or some kind of animated / pattern canvas, anything really), or overlay them against each other in the same 100% space, in a way similar to, or inspired by, the music video for Coldcut + Hexstatic's Natural Rhythm.
EDIT: What these guys are doing is a lot more advanced than what I'm thinking -- they are taking bits of video, and making them visual representations of instruments, as well as having different shots "talk" to each other, rapid-fire, rapid-editing, as again visual representations of what's happening musically. But I got the idea in part from watching different clips interact with each other, in a musical vein. Wouldn't it be great to have two *tracks* do this with each other, as one song transitions from another?
Artists like EBN, Coldcut, Hexstatic, Negativland, already do stuff like this. But it would be nice to put this power in the hands of a user.
No doubt someone has done this or something like this ... and I just haven't researched it. Because I'm too busy seeing the creative ideas in my brain. That's the thing about artists: you have an idea, communicate it to people, someone else has something else they've been working on, you put your heads together and combine your efforts. This is the spirit of dj'ing, of artist culture. it's not about hoarding your ideas in order to make a quick buck. It's about combining your efforts.
If we're all working in separate nothing ever gets done. We are all selfish and competing against each other. Things happen much faster - indeed, progress occurs - when we are working together.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Internet Use Affects Memory, Study Finds
Why Remember When You Can Google? Internet Use Affects Memory, Study Finds nyti.ms/r37mA4
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Suzi Barrett / eSurance, Metamucil
Went on the Net looking for hits/info on the eSurance/Metamucil commercials girl -- turns out her name is Suzi Barrett:
(found her on a blog called "whoisthathotadgirl", as the result of a search for people talking about ads and commercials ... turned out to be right up my alley)
http://whoisthathotadgirl.tumblr.com/post/6824698941/q-who-is-the-hot-girl-in-the-new-metamucil
And here's another one talking about Suzi Barrett:
http://olioscourge.blogspot.com/2011/03/suzi-barrett.html
There's something about her ... not classically pretty in that conventional "sexy, alluring" way, but ...
(found her on a blog called "whoisthathotadgirl", as the result of a search for people talking about ads and commercials ... turned out to be right up my alley)
http://whoisthathotadgirl.tumblr.com/post/6824698941/q-who-is-the-hot-girl-in-the-new-metamucil
And here's another one talking about Suzi Barrett:
http://olioscourge.blogspot.com/2011/03/suzi-barrett.html
There's something about her ... not classically pretty in that conventional "sexy, alluring" way, but ...
Internet
Reddit is the hot new thing (actually has been for a few weeks). Digg has been relegated to has-been status. Too boring. Reddit is where all the activity is, it's the front of the wave.
Google+ was 30% of all Twitter topics last week.
Google+ was 30% of all Twitter topics last week.
Netflix / Torrents
Everything is streaming now. Netflix, HBO Go.
Torrents were just a stepping stone, it seems. An introduction into the world of pure digital. But the mainstream stuck with their televisions, which is to be expected.
Really, who wants to watch movies on their computer? You want to sit back, and be entertained by a tv, a large screen on a wall that delivers content to you. You want to be entertained. With a minimum of effort.
Searching for your own content takes too much work.
Torrents were just a stepping stone, it seems. An introduction into the world of pure digital. But the mainstream stuck with their televisions, which is to be expected.
Really, who wants to watch movies on their computer? You want to sit back, and be entertained by a tv, a large screen on a wall that delivers content to you. You want to be entertained. With a minimum of effort.
Searching for your own content takes too much work.
Monday, July 4, 2011
Local backwater crap
It took the Appliance Liquidators people five years to figure out that the phrase is "bare bones prices" ...
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Facebook is the new Myspace.
I knew Google+ would be hot ever since I read about Google Circles at SXSW.
This thing has been a long time in coming, we need it, we need choice, we need something better than the Facebook regime.
I have *never* been comfortable with Facebook, how it has always lumped all contacts together into one big pile. Ever since the beginning, I have wanted different groups of friends to separate out from each other. I have *always* wanted this.
http://m.zdnet.com/blog/networking/is-facebook-already-running-scared-of-google-/1224
See, I knew Google+ was big. I always sensed this. They were getting right what Facebook was getting wrong. And never addressed this. They were the oppressive regime, on their way out.
I knew Google+ would be hot ever since I read about Google Circles at SXSW.
This thing has been a long time in coming, we need it, we need choice, we need something better than the Facebook regime.
I have *never* been comfortable with Facebook, how it has always lumped all contacts together into one big pile. Ever since the beginning, I have wanted different groups of friends to separate out from each other. I have *always* wanted this.
http://m.zdnet.com/blog/networking/is-facebook-already-running-scared-of-google-/1224
See, I knew Google+ was big. I always sensed this. They were getting right what Facebook was getting wrong. And never addressed this. They were the oppressive regime, on their way out.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)