The wonders of modern technology and a little elbow grease (digitally applied of course). 8slices is now available on amazon. Check it out.

I'm happy to announce that I finally finished editing three years or so worth of free verse into a snappy little 111 page manuscript that is now available for free download (digital) or purchase (analog).

8slices

Finally, a book (non-digital) that I contributed to comes out. It is an outgrowth of the work done by the Networked Publics cohort during the '05-'06 academic year at the USC Annenberg Center for Communication (now defunct). It is available from MIT Press. No, no royalties for me, but it is interesting stuff. And maybe provides the necessary kick in the rear to finish writing my book on the analog to digital conversion. Always more to do...

There are that many examples of a single person pretty much defining a genre or talent or expertise. You've got Tiger Woods...and well, I'm blanking on anyone else who just dominates and defines.

Don LaFontaine, the king of voiceover work, passed today. God speed.

So, did you watch the opening ceremonies? I didn't watch them "live" (whatever that means in a time-shifted, multiple time zone media broadcast environment), but after a minor tivo disaster, did manage to record and watch them. I purposely avoided any news stories on the ceremonies as I wanted to be surprised. Not sure why...not like I don't see spoilers for the F1 races more times than not.

I expected spectacle. And got that in spades. Or in humans in boxes. And everywhere else. As usual, the Chinese solve a problem (this time creative) by throwing bodies at it. 15K or so in all. Zhang Yimou was essentially told, "ok, here's a blank check, make us proud." Interesting to see what a brilliant mind can do with an unlimited budget.

If you haven't seen it, find someone who has a recording and watch it. Try to ignore the inane commentary (especially the China "expert") and focus on the sensory experience. And the sheer numbers. It is one of the most beautiful public performances I've ever seen. Highlights for me would be the drums and the type machine. But the whole thing was just stunning. Now to figure out what aspects I can crib for my next project. Might as well stand on the shoulders of giants...

Many have opined as of late that water will be the next crisis consumable. Thankfully here in Los Angeles we're ahead of the curve and will be turning to treated sewage to quench our thirst. Once you get over the bile that starts to creep up your throat, there certainly is opportunity in them thar waters (pun intended). Like most everything in these times, technology will drive the solutions. While the obvious areas will be in filtration and purification techniques and hardware, I'm betting that "softer" approaches will be where the money is. Solutions that individuals can implement wrt conservation and substitution rather than trying to make a better RO filter.

Think of it as a variation on green. More blue. Or aqua.

Marc Tuters and Todd Richmond

This "living book" is an attempt to discuss viral media with an eye towards the ways that virality can be leveraged (or not) for the Open Education Resources movement. Comments encouraged.