This is pretty cool. It's something I definitely will do once I get my personal tech geek to set up my wireless printer. I'd like to use it for my watermark on my photos--I've been trying to come up with one in my handwriting but it never really comes out right with the trackpad or mouse. At the same time, it's a little bizarre. If someone got their hands on it, they could forge your handwriting, you know? I mean, people can do that anyway, but it does bring into play some weird privacy issues.
Photosketch
This I hate. I mean, it's nifty, whatever, but it's pretty sketchy. Ha ha, get it? Anyway, it's just making it easier for us to fake our life experiences. I was talking about this with my dad the other day--one of his co-workers is getting married and they were talking about their quest for the perfect photographer. There's actually one guy who just takes all your pictures on a green screen and then photoshops you into whatever setting you want. WHAT'S EVEN THE POINT?!? It's stupid. I mean, yes, by all means, please photoshop out my little sister's zits on her high school year book picture. But to completely doctor your wedding photos? Get real. Literally.
Augmented Earth
*blinks* Hi, creepy creepy stalker-like technology. I'm a map. I'm pretty much fool-proof. Bite me. Kthnxbye.
10 Sites To Help With Music
This article did pretty much nothing for me, but only because it's pretty much my life. We could get into how stupid all of these services are and how the labels managed to screw themselves big time, ultimately causing their own demise and the complete revamping of the industry and how everything is going to be payment optional in a few years etc. etc. but that's a whole different discussion. By which I mean "rant".
Cyberpunk Whatever
I like how in the article they admit that to anyone post-1980's the concept of cyberpunk is basically just science fiction. Because that's all it means to me. That and people with way too much time on their hands. It reminds me of the book I wound up writing my senior thesis in high school on. Too much technology = the downfall of the human race, blah blah blah. It's just old hat at this point, for those of us of the Matrixian Generation.
Steampunk Month
Just goes to show you that any online community (*coughCULTcough*) can have their own month. Give me a freakin' break. And considering that the big Steampunk celebration is in Brooklyn on October 24th just goes to show how wrapped up in themselves these people are--that happens to be CMJ weekend, and anyone involved in the music or film business is pretty much booked solid. Nice move there, slick.
History Of The Internet
I'm pretty sure I've seen this before. It really wasn't anything I didn't know already, but that's because I majored in computer science in high school. Yes, I had a major, I went to nerd school, don't ask. You can tell from my enthusiasm on the topic, right? ...yeah, I really don't have anything else to say about it, other than I feel like they made us write a paper on it freshman year of high school. It was exactly as amusing then, too.
I have to disagree about subcultures. I don't think there's anything inherently wrong with them, and just because they may involve much of a person's life that doesn't mean its a waste of time. I definitely think I "waste" more of my time sitting on the computer reading about what other people are doing, than the people actually out there making new stuff and creating their own aesthetic "language" so to speak.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't even thought about privacy issues when I saw the video on Create your own Font, but I think you might be right. I've been told that signatures are pretty much useless these days, but what if someone could legitimately forge an entire letter/document and claim I had written it. Nonetheless, I still think the program is pretty cool and I'd like to try it out (and I guess, cross my fingers that no one else tries to use my font).
ReplyDeleteDefinitely use the create your own text for watermarking photos...I never even thought about that. What a great way to add a personal touch. It will definitely be better (and much more reflective of you as an artist) than the fonts that already exist.
ReplyDeleteI really like the idea of watermarking photos, and I also agree that it does bring up some basic privacy issues with forging signatures. For example, faxing signed documents--however, I think if it actually becomes an issue, simply instituting a requirement for double signatures would solve that problem (people don't sign in exactly the same way everytime). Also, implementing checks for digital traces or markers could be implemented.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny that people are interested in the photographer you mentioned...the one that takes your picture on a green screen and photoshops you into any setting you desire. Why aren't we satisfied with reality? People love to to pretend and fantasize, which is something we see in steampunk as well!
ReplyDeleteYou raise a good point with Steampunk month that now essentially anyone can make their own month, especially with an online following.
ReplyDeleteGood point about privacy issues with the creating your own font. What if someone took a piece of paper you wrote on and then turned it into... a font? And used it? Not really sure how far this could with privacy but you never know!
ReplyDeleteAbout photosketch, I dont really ever see this program really used in any other context than the novelty of making ridiculous photo montages. To me I cant really imagine anyone using it in a serious or manipulative way, but even if they do there is nothing in place thats preventing photoshop abuse now so I dont really see anything wrong with making the process more user friendly.
ReplyDeleteOn cyberpunk, I do kind of agree with you that the foundation of the subculture seems to be something sort of ubiquitous in mass culture, which defeats the purpose of identifying yourself as a subculture in general. I also still think theres too much differentiation between the ____punk groups. Theres no need for that degree of specialization when I can easily group the whole lot of them as a sci-fi fandom.
ReplyDeleteCyberpunk, yeah I think the sci-fi stuff can be a little repetitive at times. I'm currently reading "Dawn" by Octavia Butler which I think isn't too bad in terms of those novels, and, I might even venture out and say I actually like it. But typically I'm not a sci-fi kind of gal. So I'm with you on that one.
ReplyDelete10 sites, Angela - I definitely agree with you on the demise of music as a corporate industry. It's losing money fast and we can already get what we want (in fact any kind of media, not just music) free online - albeit "illegally" but still free. I'm banking on record companies not exisitng very much longer.
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