Very cool article over on the New York Times (Link) discussing emerging trends in televised viewing (“television” is becoming such a dated word, isn’t it?). Highly recommended reading.

I found the article via a post on Seth Godin’s blog (Link). As I’ve previously related my exasperation at Marketing’s general lack of interest in venturing into online 3D spaces, what he had to say was no surprise to me. From his blog entry:

He was not only not nervous about the Net, but he was uninterested in hearing about how it might be a threat.

I figure this is either “Ignorance is bliss” or it’s “The Arrogance of the Entitled”. Or maybe it’s just a poker face.

Never heard of it. But courtesy of an entry on Networked Performance (Link), I’m now aware. From the post:

Ars Virtua Gallery and New Media Center is looking for works for our inaugural show. The theme of this show is “The Real” and will be exhibited on the grounds of Ars Virtua which is located on the border of Butler and Dowden in Second Life.
…
Letter of interest due: March 14; Opening: April (TBA)

Ars Virtua, huh? Registered to the same person who registered website “Factory Noir” (Link) which has a single page saying “Another Fine Idea Stolen by Factory Noir”?

I’ve not seen this mentioned on the Second Life forums but I wonder how enthusiastic the response will be (it does have “ars” in the name which which is a nice marketing touch). More importantly, who will it showcase? Not sure I’d be interesting in submitting anything to someone who claims to steal ideas.

There’s an excellent post over on Terra Nova (Link) concerning a documentary (in progress) about Chinese “gold farmers”, people who make a living playing videogames by earning virtual loot which is then sold for real money via sites like eBay. The topic isn’t new. I’ve posted about it previously; most extensively in a post over on the SL Future Salon website (Link).

What is new are increasing reports of racial tension in these online worlds; the most recent being a report of South Korean gamers targeting Chinese “opportunists” breaching unspoken rules of game etiquette (Link to article on Joystiq). The Terra Nova entry puts a new light on this issue. From the post:

In watching the video, I am most struck by the intertwined empowerment/disempowerment that is occurring simultaneously for these Chinese workers. Their lives in these virtual worlds are brighter, but yet their interactions with American players (and associated slurs) are a constant reminder of their inferior socio-economic status.

This is a fascinating and important topic imo, so be sure to read the Terra Nova entry as well as the comments. They’re always excellent.

To help put some of this in perspective, you might also want to check out the Subtopia blog entry (Link) discussing Mike Davis’ book, Planet of Slums. The pictures alone tell the story. But having been in some of the worst slums in both South America and Asia, I can honestly say the pictures don’t communicate half of what the reality is.

I mentioned this sort of thing not too long ago and have been thinking about how to make a wearable version for years. That “thing” is the |yt_A device; aka the distance touch generator. From the project website (Link):

|yt_A is an artwork, an instrument and a translation medium in one. It is a flexible structure that can transmit haptic information on a distance: when the structure is touched on one site, the touch will be visible and touchable on another.

Conjugal visits will never be the same.

via WMMNA

I discovered a link to a nice-looking trailer for the French film “Renaissance”. I’ve always liked black & white film so I’m partial by default (I even have a stash of it in the fridge for when I someday get around to filming something again).

I found this over on the CGChannel site last night where they make the obvious comparison to “Sin City” (which I blogged about when it was released – Link). Only this reminds me of Paul Gulacy‘s work.

Anyway, it’s worth seeing (Link). And check out the rest of the website as well by clicking on “Entrez Danz Le Site”. It does that irritating pop-open/maximize browser window thing, but the design is worth the bother imo.

{Quick edit: This is interesting. From the Paul Gulacy site (which I’ve never seen before):

Gulacy made his initial mark on the art world while at Marvel comics during the Kung Fu craze of the 1970’s with Master of Kung Fu. Gulacy’s work on that title inspired legendary film director Quentin Tarantino to say “Master of Kung Fu …hands down my favorite comic book.”

That maybe explains why Tarantino changed his mind about digital filmmaking after directing a segment of “Sin City”. Gulacy’s work has a fluid quality that’s captured in the film adaption of Miller’s comic.}

{Images Copyright © Onyx Films / Millimages / Luxanimation / Timefirm Ltd / France 2 Cinema}