If you’re into battleships and pirates in outer space, then you’ll be familiar with Uchuu Senkan Yamato. It’s had a seriously long anime run, since I watched it when I was a kid and totally loved it. There’s epic battles, beautiful princesses, brave heroes, and all of the usual that you come to expect with Yamato (even some singing). This one’s called: Yamato 2199 and here’s the preview courtesy of Bleeding Cool.
http://youtu.be/QreLPNsd1zw
If you’ve seen any of the creations by Hayao Miyazaki (Studio Ghibli), then you know that this poster totally takes his creative philosophy to heart. I found this treasure while cruising through Piccsy, and just had to log it into my memory banks as I share it with you. THIS is what makes creativity so much fun!
– Thanks luckyemperor for this awesome quote and poster!
Google is starting a campaign, You Are The Web – Take Action, that will show the world just what the web means to them. A lot of people, including me, feel very protective of the Internet and will do whatever is necessary to ensure that it stays as free as it’s always been. And this is no small feat when every government in the world seems to be taking pot shots at the Internet (through destructive legislation), or is just flat out trying to control it or shut it down. You can go to the campaign site to keep abreast of the latest politics that impact the Internet (like SOPA, PIPA, and CISPA to name a few), or you can use a social media channel to express your thoughts about the Internet with the intro, “The Internet is the power to…” along with the hashtag #OurWeb.
And to get a better view of what the Internet is made of, check out this graphic posted on the Google Take Action site:
Yes, WE are the web and we’re here to stay. Let’s keep our voices going long and strong! Remember, now the attention is on CISPA, but SOPA is still hanging around in the background, as is ACTA and TPP. Call or write your representatives and tell them that you stand with the Internet, and we’re not going to let you mess with our Internet! Avaaz, EFF, and Demand Progress have petitions for you to sign.
– thanks GIGAOM for the lead in to this story
I ran across this incredible story on Boing Boing, and thought that it should be shared to inspire other kids, young and old. Caine is a 9-year old boy who created his own cardboard arcade right next to his dad’s auto parts store. After only one loyal customer, Nirvan Mullick, fell in love with the fun pass (only $2), he decided to create a flash mob to help build the arcade’s clientele up.
Honestly, the details of this arcade are simply genius, and actually pretty amazing to have come from the mind of a 9-year old boy. He hasn’t forgotten a single detail, and even has security that verifies the fun card before you can play the games. It’s beautiful people like Nirvan who help keeps the dreams alive – especially for one lucky little boy named Caine. If you’re in the Los Angeles area, then go check out Caine’s cardboard arcade. Or see what’s up by checking in with Caine on Facebook or Twitter.
And while you’re at it, say hello to Nirvan, the wonderful filmmaker who not only makes some incredible animations like The Three of Us, but is actively involved in the 1 Second Film project and The Collaboration Foundation.
– thanks Boing Boing for this heart-warming story
It’s funny. I was hesitant to bring up this fascinating topic at first, because I didn’t think those uptight authority figures would understand. But then Guardian UK covered it, so…
We walk by them and rarely notice that there’s a whole other world right near us that just howls for us to explore it. The behind-the-scenes world sometimes is even more fascinating than the world up front. Probably because it’s doesn’t wear the nice facade that makes it respectable to its observers. It doesn’t care that it’s just a little bit dirty, or maybe even crumbled beyond recognition. It has a life that continues even after it’s long forgotten. It’s memories bundled up like a crumbled piece of paper that’s dated 1905. Is that even right? It’s history that you can touch. It whispers the secrets of its days, daring you to see much difference between that day and yours. Perhaps someone who looks just like you crumbled up that piece of history and tossed it aside like yesterday’s garbage. Not knowing that yesterday’s garbage is today’s treasure.
I found this pretty interesting sight through Twitter called Place Hacking, that is part of the PhD work of one Bradley L. Garrett. It’s about urban exploration, which is a modern extension of archaeology that seeks to know the immediate world around us in terms of its historical value. We probably don’t think much about the archaeological significance of tunnel systems that exist in cities around the world. But they are indeed part of our cultural growth that turned a town into a city. They tell the stories of the people who built them, worked in them, and even maintained them. Not everything in this world can be presented in a glorified form to the lenses of who we are. But everything in this world has an interesting story to not only tell, but to conserve. Here’s one guy who wants to do just that. Hacking in this context allows us to get to know what makes our immediate vicinity tick. Look all around and see how you can interact with your world to help preserve its history. There’s history everywhere.
Hmmm, what is that place? Maybe it’s time to find some like-minds and go explore the world behind the world. Just be careful. Some of those corners seem a little sharp, since it wasn’t built for fun or the public. And pick places that won’t cause a security risk for yourself or the place. Eyes are watching everywhere.
So, I was going through my daily Techdirt dosage when I came across a pretty cool video showing a new, non-traditional form of music distribution by Jack White and Third Man Records. Jack’s newest flexi-disc track, Freedom at 21, went up via helium balloons on April 1, 2012 – what an appropriate day! When you see a record group and musician continually entertain playfully thought-provoking ways to circumvent the mainstream, you just have to give it a spotlight. It might be nonsensical, but it sure does inspire you to go look up into the sky to see if you just might be lucky enough to spot one of these sky-blue balloons (ha ha, ninja style). Go check out more about the floating music launch on Third Man’s balloon site.
– Thanks Techdirt for this “uplifting” story!
I got a new music lead from a great friend and fellow muskateer, @GiseleNMendez, that I wanted to share, since this seems to be a day of music. And that’s a great thing because it is a creative catalyst that drives inspiration through the roof (I know that my mind flows with incredible music).
What do you get when you mix quirky, hypnotic beats along with some pretty playful lyrics? You just might get a Little Dragon that can lead you down the path to inspiration at a full gallop! Let your ears bounce along with a pretty happy beat, Shuffle A Dream:
http://youtu.be/-tE82Lw8G6E
I mean, seriously, how do you resist a song with a title like that? Though, it’s not at like like you’d imagine it would be about, since it kind of makes you think – as any good song should. Wow, the Swedes have put out yet another great band (and no, I’m not talking about ABBA). Let’s all say thanks to Gisele, who keeps finding great music for me to write to. 😀
And while you’re at it, listen to one of Little Dragon’s newest songs, Crystalfilm.
http://youtu.be/b7f_98Y7AxU
It’s always insanely amazing when a favorite show leads you to some new and incredible music. Well, this time Bones did just that. I haven’t been keeping up lately with the tale of Bones and Booth, but when I caught another crazy episode about twisters, I also heard the most amazing tune playing during the aftermath. Younger Brother is the psychedelic UK duo of Benji Vaughan and Simon Posford who plays under the Twisted Records label. Needless to say, I haven’t heard them play until the above song, Spinning Into Place, which gives that same feeling that you had when you spun around in place as a kid (and maybe even do now when you need inspiration – not that I’m admitting anything). But now I’m listening to their newest album, Vaccine, to get better acquainted.
Bleep if you like electronica. I know that I do! Another band to add to one of my fav genres.
Yes, it just never stops with this Congress. There has been a flurry of cyber-security bills that aim at national security, IP protection, and just about anything under the sun that is nefarious to them. Somehow, this Congress has a bulls-eye on the Internet, even after the global outcry on SOPA, PIPA, and ACTA (with TPP gaining steam). We’ve heard every excuse to support the creation of overly-broad legislation that can be used for the future into forcing the Internet to conform to physical laws that are actually stripping human rights that used to be protected by democracy. And now, we have another legislation that is seeing the light of day and making a lot of users worried (again): CISPA or the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act of 2011.
This bill is different from the others in that this one is about information sharing with the government – of our personal user data that these companies collect from us, willingly or otherwise. And what is scary about this one is that it’s tailored for companies (who already support it because it gets them off the hook), so there probably won’t be the same level of support from them (divide and conquer perhaps?) as there was during the SOPA blackout. But one thing doesn’t change, and that’s the Internet’s persistance in recognizing and banding together against causes that impact a free Internet. Considering that the US will already be implementing the ISP-approved six strikes copyright alert system (more here) in July, these additional bills seem to be covering ground that they already have (DMCA and many other law enforcement tools).
We’re already seeing that certain industries (entertainment and other IP-related) do not want to modernize their business methodologies because they are in the winning seat. Actually, they’re the only ones who are continually invited to the negotiations table when these types of laws go into planning. But it’s getting to the point that the entire world is tired of the way these games are played. Heck, even Chris Dodd let slip that there are backroom negotiations to restart SOPA.
With a broken legal system, it’s up to the people to keep their voices loud, strong, and lasting so that everyone knows that those games of old are not going to fly with the voting public anymore. Especially when it effectively strips us of our rights. It looks like it’s up to all of us, once again. I don’t know about you, but I’m really getting fed up with how laws are made and especially with this Congress!!!
Online Petitions Against CISPA:
Avaaz – Save the Internet from CISPA (which gained over 200,000 in just a day)
EFF – Don’t let Congress use “cyber-security” fears to erode digital rights
Change.org – Stop CISPA
This is a politics story, but it’s a good one. Just warning you…
I know that I keep saying that I’ll limit my talk on politics, but this is such good news (yes, a miracle even) that I just want to stand up and shout in joy. I’m not sure of what I’ll shout, but it will be happy. The NY Times came out with this glorious news that trade association lobbyists could lose their hold on over two million employees who work within the Executive Branch. No more gifting, no more partying. Hopefully a whole lot less favors, especially that stupid always-revolving door to future riches for key members.
I’m sure that all lobbyists feel that their job benefits this country, but is that even close to true in this day and age of Citizens United? Now I’m sure that this proposal will be vehemently opposed by a lot of people in the government, because they have such a comfy relationship that they don’t want disrupted. But when your information becomes so lopsided that you can no longer see reality, well, “Houston, we have a problem”. It’s going to be interesting to see who comes out in opposition from the government. We know that all the lobbyists will be whining, so no need to hear from them. Can we now have one aimed at Congress, please?
I for one can’t wait until we the people get to see the government working on CCTV, just like they want to do to the citizens. Seems only fair, doesn’t it?
btw – I especially love that delicious quote from the CEA saying this this proposal will lead to a “drastic dumbing down of government”. Do we really want to go there?
