The World of Wireless

I'm sitting in my apartment with two TVs playing simultaneously. One is running non-stop sports, the other is showing ABC's Good Morning America.

Is any if this information necessary or useful? Or is it simply entertainment? While I ponder this question, I think back about what I was doing before the TV screens turned on -- I was reading the New York Times.

There was a special section on University life, and it got me back to thinking about the experience in college. I'm still in college now, but it's a much different experience because I have a full-time job. Anyway, I realize now that while I was in college I was able to expand my horizons for thought and pursue my interests.

After graduation I looked for and found a job, but I find a lot of the jobs out there not intellectually stimulating enough for me. I know I'm not alone, but when you get paid a lot for what you do -- no matter what it is -- it's hard to leave it for something you enjoy if it pays less.

What reading the paper, or a book, allows us to do is to think. I don't do much thinking while I watch TV, so that's why TV as regular habit doesn't allow us to grow. We can be intrigued by a news program or compelling drama, but at the end of the day, we really don't have to think very much to use a TV. A computer, on the other hand, requires us to think if we are *producing* -- that is if we are making or creating something.

I've been spending a lot of money lately -- probably as a means of coping from my girfriend moving to LA. We're going to try to keep our relationship growing, but i've had to find things to do since she's not around during the weekends.

I'm picking up skateboarding again. I must have spent hours trying to figure out what I needed to do to fix my skateboard -- which is a bit wobbly. At first I thought it was the wheels, so I ordered a new set of bearings. Then I needed to order a skateboard tool so that I could easily tune up my board. Then, I bought a bottle of bearing lubricant fluid (which got good reviews on Amazon), and the finally a book on fixing a skateboard.

Is this a midlife crisis? I don't think so. I think it's just a attempt to reconnect with the simple things in life that provide me enjoyment. Also, as I explore ways in which to make education more engaging, I believe (believe-it-or not) skateboard (meachanical and chemical) engineering are things that can engage a greater interest in the sciences.

So, back to my original thoughts on extra TV screens. Despite the ability to watch several screens "at-once", I belive that having multiple forms of video input are analagous to having several gauges as a pilot. You don't stare at one instrument exclusively -- rather, you scan each one at a time. Therefore, you pay attention to one thing you need to do (fly), but are able to update yourself on the overall situation by checking your feedback displays.

I believe this is a similar way of keeping up-to-date with current events and happenings. Video becomes used more as a feedback mechanism rather than purely a passive entertainment device.

New New Media

It's been awhile since I've posted. I have a few minutes before rehearsal to jot down some of my thoughts, so here goes...
On Monday, I attended an overview of different Silicon Alley companies sponsored by NYSIA -- The New York Software Industry Association. I've been involved with the group for about 7 years now. I'm always inspired by hearing stories of successful start-ups, because I know it isn't easy.

There is a lot of activity in the social media, video, and advertising metric space. Also, digital asset management. I'm familiar with a lot of these areas, but I haven't been programming in awhile, so I haven't been building any apps. But, not to worry -- I'm going to pick it all up again.

Web 2.0 seems to me to be all about allowing people to become their own content service providers. The fact that I now have my own website -- hooray! -- and am adding content right here and now shows how mobile this new wired world has become. I'm not even typing this entry at work -- I'm at a publicly accessible terminal at a school. I get to be "citizen journalist". No more needing to get a job as a newspaper reporter. "Just Do It".

So, what can I share with you, my dear reader? Well, let's start out with the companies that I heard presentations on Monday: Vfinity, Motionbox, some company with that begins with a "U" that I can't remember. Stand by...here's the link to the info:

http://www.nysia.org/special_features/article.cfm?pid=431

Last King of Scotland

I saw the move "Last King of Scotland" last night. Intense film. The pace went a little too fast and I wasn't able to relate as closely to the main characters. One weblog review on the NY Times website agreed with my interpretation.

HyperCard

Since starting the MA program for Educational Communications and Technology at NYU, I've been thinking a lot about my tool of choice. Back in the early 90's I was very interested in HyperCard. Here's a link to an excellent Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HyperCard

Working My Way Back to You Babe

Ok. I don't know why I have 70's music on my mind. It isn't even disco! But, I think the point is that I need something to write about that doesn't mean anything in particular ... it's all stream of consiciousness.

If I had an iPod I wouldn't have this song on it. Because I don't know who sings it or what the real name of the song is. However I can always Google. Well -- gotta go (to work!).

Multimedia Gulch

I'm living/working in the midwest part of Manhattan. Living the dream of "producing" "educational media" -- whatever that is. Actually, I love theater and independent film and have made my living the last 12 years doing software development-related work.

I've always wanted to to write educational software, but unfortunately there's not a lot of money there. (I.e. it's not in high demand). Currently trying to get into grad school at NYU to study it even more. Not sure how I will make a living doing it, but willing to take a leap of faith.

This is the first entry of my new weblog. I've always been pretty good at writing essays. Just haven't had anyone besides my high school English teachers and TAs read my stuff until now...

This 'blog is dedicated to multimedia -- the convergence of text, audio, video, animation, graphic design, etc. etc. etc. "Multimedia Gulch" was a term originally meant for an area in San Francisco South of Market Street where a lot of new media firms on the West Coast were born. After the dot-com crash of 2000 - 2001 the first new media gold rush ended.

And now, 5 years later, there's this company named "Google" that's out to change the world. I'm here in the Midwest side of New York City hoping to be part of the next "insanely great" thing...digital convergance deja vu!