There’s something about the news over on Gamespot (Link) of game developer Valve making their blockbuster title Half-Life 2 episodic that’s got ideas concerning convergence and distribution bouncing around in my head. As noted in the article, the concept isn’t new, it’s just taken on much greater significance. And so has their Steam online distribution system. I was going to post my first thought last night inversely relating this to recent ongoing changes in the film industry’s distribution system, but for some reason I’m thinking this is more important. Unfortunately, sleeping on it hasn’t helped, so I’ll just have to tuck it back away for now. I have a feeling this is going to wake up on its own.

via Wonderland

There’s an interesting story over on DailyTech reporting on a recently unveiled 3D image display technology. From their article (Link):

The Japanese National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) announced an exciting breakthrough in optoelectronics — a working three dimensional display. The display does not rely on any sort of optical illusion or disorientation. Instead, infrared lasers are aligned to converge and create small amounts of plasma. The plasma acts as a floating “dot” on top of the laser grid.

Sweetness. And for more, check out the AIST website (Link – English translation).

via Blue’s News

{Image Copyright © AIST}

Here’s another Chuck Norris Fact: “When Chuck Norris’ reputation comes under heavy fire, he puts away his fists, pulls a bazooka from his hip pocket which he throws in the trash along with the pocket lint, hunts down the leeching scum and unleashes a single roundhouse kick.”

Okay, maybe not in this case, because he’s defending his reputation by getting all tai chi on us – going with flow as it were – and responding by simply taking control by partnering up with Spreadshirt to let people design their t-shirts incorporating the now infamous “Chuck Norris Facts” (Link). There are probably a few corporations out there who could learn a few things from him (and I’m not talking martial arts here). I suspect the only reason for besieged companies to not do what he’s doing in this situation is that they don’t have faith in their own reputations or brand identities. They probably don’t have any sense of humor either.

via Boing Boing

{Image source: Spreadshirt.com}

Interesting post over on “What’s Your Brand Mantra?” that gets into issues relevant to both Design and social interaction. I’d suggest that it’s all related to Design, but the part I found most interesting from the interaction side of things were the comments under the “Connection” subheading. From the entry (Link):

We’re seeing this era of fragmentation come to a close, and the locus of connection is reforming on two very different levels: the physical world where brands like Starbuck’s are providing modern tribal gathering spots, and the virtual world where like-minded people can connect based on affinity instead of geography (like Slashdot.)

I’ve posted a rather long reply over there focusing on this excerpt, so you might want to watch the comments for more feedback.

via TP Wire Service

The title of this entry could perhaps describe the products, but to be honest, I’m thinking here of BusinessWeek’s coverage of Built NY’s well-received offerings; what they are, how they were developed, and the IP issues with which the fledgling outfit has to increasingly concern itself. Go read the story (Link) and most definitely look at the slideshow – with audio commentary (Link).

{Image Copyright © 2006 Built NY}