Net(works?)

Forums....to me they seem to be going out of style, but still prove to be popular. I find that they are most prevelent in specialty areas - those seeking help with an issue and those able to answer and vice versa. It turns out to be an online community because everyone is helping out each other. I personally often turn to www.fatwallet.com where current deals and promotional codes and coupons are offered. This sort of "place" would not exist if everyone didn't give and take in cycles.

Interactive Literature

I searched to find some examples of interactive literature and found that many of the search results come up with flash narrations of stories. I clicked on: http://www.marrowmonkey.com/chroma/00.html

I found that it is an interesting way to deliver a story or message. Not only is the narration important but the fact that the user is engaged in the story by clicking and following the narration through both sound and animation or pictures.

The Marrow Monkey story ended up being somewhat odd, but I couldn't help but watch and find out what was coming next.

Personally, I relate interactive literature to children's media. More and more the technology to aid children becomes prevelent. Ex: Leap frog books, new video games that incorporate stories with game activities.

Are we the "New Hollywood"?

With costs decreasing in camera and editing equipment for the average consumer, we are now able to become our own indie filmmaker.
I found an article by Marc Davis writtin in 1997 discussing "Garage Cinema" and the "New Hollywood" which is Hollywood and Sillicon Valley merging forces. Davis' ultimate dream is that the average consumer could have access to stock footage to implement in film which would cut the costs of producing a film. The whole article is an interesting look on the future of cinema and the consumer.
Take a look:
http://garage.sims.berkeley.edu/pubs/pdf/pdf_599AB179-D346-4374-8F0AE11D9D76EBEF.pdf

Tamagotchi to Nintendogs

The interactive "game" of Nintendogs looks like it is going to overshadow the Tamagotchi market. Will they become the trend of middle schools that tamagotchi did?. With color technology and bigger screens and the ability to interact with other "'dogs" as well as voice recognition, the Nintendog is sure to take over the 'gotchi market.

Here is an article that goes more in depth about the innovation of Nintendogs:
http://lostgarden.com/2005/06/nintendogs-case-of-non-game-that.html

Cyborgs

I've been looking into some articles about cyborgs and the future of our race & technology...here's some interesting finds:

Human evolution at the crossroads:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7103668/page/5/

Interactive look at Humans, before and in the future:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7348103/

The rise of "Digital People":
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/5386726/

Blogging

I blog not only for this class but for myself as well. I began my blog in June of 2004 to sarcastically share my frustrations of work and other every day woes to my friends and family. It proved to be a success as I tracked the people clicking on it and those telling me that they looked forward to my next posting. As I headed off to school my postings became few and far between, a huge no-no for bloggers. It really is difficult to come up with new material on a weekly basis. Even Professor Hanley has confessed that he has trouble updating the Meatball everyday.

I think blogging is a great way to share stories and information with the community, friends, and family. Some even rely on blogs for news rather than turning to news stations or online news sites. We must still remain skeptical of the source and validity of all information.

I predict blogs will continue to escalate. Soon we will be asking the question, "Who doesn't have a blog?"

Surveillance

I'm neutral when it comes to the topic of surveillance. I think it has the potential to be both good and bad depending on the situation. The bottom line is that it is inevitable that it will always be a part of our lives. I thought I'd post a few links to people who are both outraged and glad for the surveillance we have today:
http://www.notbored.org/the-scp.html --> opposed (heavily)

http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0311/feature1/index.html---> explores both sides

http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/cdnr/cdnr_winter0205.htm_---> surveillance used for health reasons