Lots of people...
don't know...
what the hell...
is going on (spot the reference)
But it will all become clear on Tuesday:
Play again? (y/n)
Showing posts with label me. Show all posts
Showing posts with label me. Show all posts
16.4.09
Up A Down B Left C Right A Start
I have spent the day beautifying the office in preparation for next week's big brainstorm on gaming:
Lots of people...
don't know...
what the hell...
is going on (spot the reference)
But it will all become clear on Tuesday:
Play again? (y/n)
Lots of people...
don't know...
what the hell...
is going on (spot the reference)
But it will all become clear on Tuesday:
Play again? (y/n)
26.3.09
With a megaphone and nothing to say
Not a great start. But maybe I'll get better soon.
...hey, I've got an idea! Why not follow me and find out?
9.3.09
The Shoebox Full Of Gold.
You know how some people have little boxes of their most treasured possessions? Possessions so treasured, in fact, that they're prepared to entomb them and look at them only every five years, all the for the knowledge that they're safe? I know people who did/do that, and it struck me as odd. Aren't your most treasured possessions your memories, and all that stuff?
Not today. Today, I'm backing up my music. 32 Gigabytes of pure love. Flowing from the teetering shack-on-a-cliff of my laptop to the lead-lined underground supersafe safe that is my budget portable hard drive. And it feels so very, very good.
Should it?
The kind of thing that's taking place as I type this is something that conventional notions of transaction and value can't keep up with, and it's a little dizzying. The hard disk costs about 50 quid. Onto it, I am adding just over 5000 songs (many of them are hours-long mixes, fact fans). At an iTunesy estimate, that'd be, what, £4050? And once I copy my dissertation, and all my old uni-work (hey, it's important), we reach about £4051. Except it's just not that valuable, is it? It's mentally impossible for me to treat the thing as though it is. Is it right that we take a shoebox and fill it with gold?
In the future, that shoebox won't even be in our hands. We'll send our stuff off to some guy who promises that he'll keep it really safe, and we can come and look at it every now and then, and poke around it, and he won't look in it himself, honest. This is called The Cloud, apparently. We'll be carrying our treasures in invisible bubbles behind us, and it'll be impossible to lose them.
Sounds awesome. Sort of.
Oh, transfer's finished. My precious...
Not today. Today, I'm backing up my music. 32 Gigabytes of pure love. Flowing from the teetering shack-on-a-cliff of my laptop to the lead-lined underground supersafe safe that is my budget portable hard drive. And it feels so very, very good.
Should it?
The kind of thing that's taking place as I type this is something that conventional notions of transaction and value can't keep up with, and it's a little dizzying. The hard disk costs about 50 quid. Onto it, I am adding just over 5000 songs (many of them are hours-long mixes, fact fans). At an iTunesy estimate, that'd be, what, £4050? And once I copy my dissertation, and all my old uni-work (hey, it's important), we reach about £4051. Except it's just not that valuable, is it? It's mentally impossible for me to treat the thing as though it is. Is it right that we take a shoebox and fill it with gold?
In the future, that shoebox won't even be in our hands. We'll send our stuff off to some guy who promises that he'll keep it really safe, and we can come and look at it every now and then, and poke around it, and he won't look in it himself, honest. This is called The Cloud, apparently. We'll be carrying our treasures in invisible bubbles behind us, and it'll be impossible to lose them.
Sounds awesome. Sort of.
Oh, transfer's finished. My precious...
5.3.09
Doing what's right / Doing what works
As you well know, I've been spending a lot of time in the British Library recently. It's been a lot of fun, a gentle cuddle for my inner student. In the process, I've been writing a lot of notes - in pencil, mind! One of the beautiful things about the library is that they absolutely insist you don't use a pen in the reading rooms and moreover, people actually obey it because the library is geared to overawe you with the sheer weight of knowledge in the place.
That's quite the digression. A little philosophy and it could've been a Comstock. The point is that in the course of my note-writing, I came to the conclusion that going through all three letters of a-n-d is a massive pain, especially when you research a subject that actually includes lists.
So, naturally, symbolism stepped into the breach. Here's where the mundane dilemma lies:
The blighter on the left is an ampersand. Shift-7 will get you one, thus: &. It's the official symbol of and-ness. Most people know of it, a smaller proportion know how to draw it, and then there's a tiny number that actually do. To start with, I thought I'd be one of them... but look at that thing. It's shite! Typographers are foaming at the mouth. Now, there's no way I'm doing one of those retarded 'e' things, a single loop that just looks like nothing.
Instead, I soon switched to the chap on the right, something I'd seen a few art directors do. It's much easier, and it looks like I've done it with less effort which is also true. People who know something about motor skills might know about this, but I'm guessing that it uses more natural hand movements; two simple curves, and a line.
It's wrong. But it works.
As is starting a sentence with 'but', like I did above, and like the DM I receive every day does. In both cases, it's to create a 'natural' feel. The 'but' is conversation, the backwards-e-with-a-line is more reminiscent of well-used characters. They're not right, but they work. Where does that leave someone like me. Someone who, well, gets a huge kick out of being right?
I guess it's just not natural to be right all the time. And if that's a classic planner's defence, I don't know what is.
That's quite the digression. A little philosophy and it could've been a Comstock. The point is that in the course of my note-writing, I came to the conclusion that going through all three letters of a-n-d is a massive pain, especially when you research a subject that actually includes lists.
So, naturally, symbolism stepped into the breach. Here's where the mundane dilemma lies:
The blighter on the left is an ampersand. Shift-7 will get you one, thus: &. It's the official symbol of and-ness. Most people know of it, a smaller proportion know how to draw it, and then there's a tiny number that actually do. To start with, I thought I'd be one of them... but look at that thing. It's shite! Typographers are foaming at the mouth. Now, there's no way I'm doing one of those retarded 'e' things, a single loop that just looks like nothing.
Instead, I soon switched to the chap on the right, something I'd seen a few art directors do. It's much easier, and it looks like I've done it with less effort which is also true. People who know something about motor skills might know about this, but I'm guessing that it uses more natural hand movements; two simple curves, and a line.
It's wrong. But it works.
As is starting a sentence with 'but', like I did above, and like the DM I receive every day does. In both cases, it's to create a 'natural' feel. The 'but' is conversation, the backwards-e-with-a-line is more reminiscent of well-used characters. They're not right, but they work. Where does that leave someone like me. Someone who, well, gets a huge kick out of being right?
I guess it's just not natural to be right all the time. And if that's a classic planner's defence, I don't know what is.
24.2.09
Let's try this Slideshare thing
...with the presentation I did this morning. Went down okay.
I expect I'm preaching to the converted, but I'm still minded of a comment I received on Scamp:
"Researcher? There's no bigger waste of money. I'd cut that straight away"
I've got news for you, mister - 57% of people Somewhat Disagree or Totally Disagree with you. So there.
I expect I'm preaching to the converted, but I'm still minded of a comment I received on Scamp:
"Researcher? There's no bigger waste of money. I'd cut that straight away"
I've got news for you, mister - 57% of people Somewhat Disagree or Totally Disagree with you. So there.
18.2.09
got insight?
The APG Training Network kicked off last night, and what a night it was. The next generation of planning (us) seem pretty awesome, extremely friendly, and tenacious as Carol Thatcher in a jam factory (okay, that was rubbish and stale but what're you gonna do).
We had a talk from Jon Steel, superhero of planning and writer of Truth, Lies and Advertising, a bit of a bible on the old discipline. Oh, and he did got milk?, obviously. Like Moses descending from Mount Plan, he offered us idol-worshipping heathens ten insights into planning. A few that stuck out:
-Planning is logic and intuition in perfect harmony.
-Planning is born of anger. (grr!)
-Planning is a story.
-Planning is listening.
-Planning is about creating a sense of possibility.
Food for thought, there. And the structure of the presentation itself was something to think about. The ten-point list is a good way of making people listen as they know exactly how far through the presentation they are and aren't likely to get disheartened. They also provide something to make your notes around, and starting each section with the simple idea makes people want to hear more. All this was greatly aided by an inexhaustible supply of joyful anecdotes, that it would be a dream come true to match.
So cheers Jon.
Afterwards, Ben, Planning Partner at CHI introduced us to the group coursework - and it's a meaty one, got everyone's pulses racing - then plugged his very entertaining website. Cheeky monkey.
We had a talk from Jon Steel, superhero of planning and writer of Truth, Lies and Advertising, a bit of a bible on the old discipline. Oh, and he did got milk?, obviously. Like Moses descending from Mount Plan, he offered us idol-worshipping heathens ten insights into planning. A few that stuck out:
-Planning is logic and intuition in perfect harmony.
-Planning is born of anger. (grr!)
-Planning is a story.
-Planning is listening.
-Planning is about creating a sense of possibility.
Food for thought, there. And the structure of the presentation itself was something to think about. The ten-point list is a good way of making people listen as they know exactly how far through the presentation they are and aren't likely to get disheartened. They also provide something to make your notes around, and starting each section with the simple idea makes people want to hear more. All this was greatly aided by an inexhaustible supply of joyful anecdotes, that it would be a dream come true to match.
So cheers Jon.
Afterwards, Ben, Planning Partner at CHI introduced us to the group coursework - and it's a meaty one, got everyone's pulses racing - then plugged his very entertaining website. Cheeky monkey.
31.12.08
Tip of the Year
"You never know."
Generally, it's said when someone tries to sell you insurance, or when you can't decide whether to pack an umbrella.
But this sentiment is most true with people. And in the best way possible. If I were to digest my experiences from a year down into a single aphorism (yeah just the one, beat that School Of Life) it would be that You have no idea what 99% of people are like - and if you ask you'll be pleasantly surprised 99% of the time.
You might think that this is a comment on how adpeople are just so very interesting, dear, but that's missing the point. If anything its more interesting to hear stories from people who haven't polished them so effectively. They have truths that won't show up in ACORN - and the things we say and have have resonances that we can't predict, but should view a little more optimistically than we do. Could anyone have guessed that people would go mad for a drumming gorilla?
Nor is this an industry point. It probably goes without saying that in a business that starts and ends with the human psyche it's negligent not to have an empathic streak for those people you share your reality with - but in our disconnected world, I believe you'll find yourself a much higher existence in sharing situations with others, without necessarily waiting for them to share with you.
I have a few resolutions, but my prime one is to put these thoughts into practice in 2009. I'll let you know how it goes.
Generally, it's said when someone tries to sell you insurance, or when you can't decide whether to pack an umbrella.
But this sentiment is most true with people. And in the best way possible. If I were to digest my experiences from a year down into a single aphorism (yeah just the one, beat that School Of Life) it would be that You have no idea what 99% of people are like - and if you ask you'll be pleasantly surprised 99% of the time.
You might think that this is a comment on how adpeople are just so very interesting, dear, but that's missing the point. If anything its more interesting to hear stories from people who haven't polished them so effectively. They have truths that won't show up in ACORN - and the things we say and have have resonances that we can't predict, but should view a little more optimistically than we do. Could anyone have guessed that people would go mad for a drumming gorilla?
Nor is this an industry point. It probably goes without saying that in a business that starts and ends with the human psyche it's negligent not to have an empathic streak for those people you share your reality with - but in our disconnected world, I believe you'll find yourself a much higher existence in sharing situations with others, without necessarily waiting for them to share with you.
I have a few resolutions, but my prime one is to put these thoughts into practice in 2009. I'll let you know how it goes.
26.12.08
In Which Your Reporter Inadvertently Creates A Mini-Meme
Happy Christmas, one and all! This is going to be very quick as there's lots to do in the Interested house.
--
You get what you deserve when you try and overstretch your social circle, don't you? I ended up at a party where I knew the grand total of one person. We all know that these situations are totally awesome, because it's equally true that nobody knows you.
Hanging on to the one person you know is utterly out of the question - they didn't bring you there for your barnacle impression. So what's a researcher to do?
Research. D'oy!
"Hey, nice to meet you. So if you could be an animal, which animal would you be?"
"Hmm, like anything?"
"Sure, I haven't made the rules for this yet"
"Okay...aaaaaaaa... lion!"
"Nice! Best answer I've heard all night! What's your name?"
A cheetah. A lemur. Then they got better: animals with reasons. Extinct animals. Fictional animals. A nice little game to play to let people open up.
The payoff came when I was in a conversation with some I'd just met, and someone I hadn't met came up and asked them The Question. It had begun to spread itself, taken on a life of its own.
Not everybody wants to be 'on' when they're outside work, but it certainly pays to consider the power of what we're doing, and the idea that the noble art of 'stimulating conversations' can go beyond the bottom line.
What animal would you be? Probably not a turkey.
P.S: Mary's on the Twitter: "Joseph's looking at me funny today. Probably impossible to keep this one schtum any longer".
11.12.08
Why I Blog
With thanks to Mr. Northern for his introspective inspiration. The meh-ness of this list should in no way cloud the awesomeness of his.
Because it seems like fun
Because it looks like work
Because having something of one's own to nurture and grow is so fundamental to humanity, even if it's basically a kind of Tamagotchi for smartasses
Because it has made me view the world through inquisitive eyes. It helps me derive greater wonder from the stimuli of life
Because you can be really pretentious if you're tempted to
Because Jaffe Juice said I should.
Because potentially it can make you important
...and for now, because it makes me feel important
Because it's quite nice to feel connected to a wider thing
Because looking/feeling like a reporter has and will lead me into fun situations
Because there's something about being within e-touching distance of some of the greats, that makes me just slightly aroused
Because blogs have given me so much entertainment, that if I can find just one stupid flash game to share with everyone I'll feel like some sort of cosmic balance has been restored
Because its the only medium where people let you get away with communicating in list form
Because it seems like fun
Because it looks like work
Because having something of one's own to nurture and grow is so fundamental to humanity, even if it's basically a kind of Tamagotchi for smartasses
Because it has made me view the world through inquisitive eyes. It helps me derive greater wonder from the stimuli of life
Because you can be really pretentious if you're tempted to
Because Jaffe Juice said I should.
Because potentially it can make you important
...and for now, because it makes me feel important
Because it's quite nice to feel connected to a wider thing
Because looking/feeling like a reporter has and will lead me into fun situations
Because there's something about being within e-touching distance of some of the greats, that makes me just slightly aroused
Because blogs have given me so much entertainment, that if I can find just one stupid flash game to share with everyone I'll feel like some sort of cosmic balance has been restored
Because its the only medium where people let you get away with communicating in list form
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