Here's a quick mini-review of SocialCam, the new video sharing mobile app from the makers of Justin.tv, that came out a week or so ago. Generally it's great, and does what it says it will do with no fuss or difficulty. My main quibble with the otherwise excellent service is that you don't have the…
Category: Information Society
SMALLLab at MacArthur DML Conference: Games that Teach STEM Skills to Kids
One of the neatest exhibits I saw at the MacArthur Digital Media and Learning Conference this past week in Long Beach was a series of interactive learning games created by the SMALLLab group at Parsons. They have a bunch of neat simulations and games they created to teach various science, math and engineering principals…
Connecting Digital Learning Theory and Practice at MacArthur DML Conference
I'm currently in Long Beach, California for the MacArthur Foundation-sponsored Digital Media and Learning Conference. The DML is a three day gathering of about 500 academics, educators, nonprofits, techies, and funders focused on "fostering interdisciplinary and participatory dialog and linking theory, empirical study, policy, and practice." I.e. the event is intended to get folks who…
Quakers, Participatory Culture, and Our Mission in the World
A few weeks ago, I went to a really interesting talk by Wess Daniels on Quakers and mission at the lovely Friends Church of Berkeley. Wess is a doctoral student and a released minister from Camas Friends Church in Washington. I really had not idea what to expect, other than the fact that a cross-section…
TechSoup Global Contributors’ Summit: 250 Leaders Strategize on Using Tech to Address Global Problems
For the past two days I've been at the TechSoup Global Contributors' Summit at the Microsoft Campus in Mountain View, California. It's a really interesting gathering of a select couple hundred TechSoup partners, NGOs, tech industry folks and funders talking about how to connect the best technology tools to support the most worthwhile social causes. …
My elderly mom tries out the Prius electric/gas hybrid (video)
My sister rented a Toyota Prius hybrid electric-gas car yesterday and really likes it. Here's her giving our mother a quick lesson in driving the Prius. I think it's interesting how nervous mom is getting the thing started, but once she was driving for a couple of minutes, it just became another car to…
Director of “When Strangers Click” and “Food, Inc” on Second Life Talk Show February 6
Robert Kenner, director of the documentary "Food, Inc" and the forthcoming "When Strangers Click" is being interviewed on the Second Life talk show "Tonight with Paisley Beebe" on Sunday February 6 at 6pm PST. The short film explores how people are connecting with each other on the Internet, whether it be on a dating…
“Real Virtuality”: the Museum of the Moving Image Pixellates Reality with Mixed Results
The Museum of the Moving Image in Queens, is one of those New York cultural treasures that I've been hearing about for years and years and just never got around to visiting. First off, it's in Queens, which is still somewhat opaque and mysterious to me. Secondly, uh, it's been a busy 15 years. And…
“When Strangers Click” Doc on Love in the Digital Age Premieres Valentines Day on HBO
I am happy to announce that the documentary "When Strangers Click" is going to be premiering on Valentines Day, February 14, 2011, on HBO. Directed by Robert Kenner, director of "Food Inc," the film explores how people are connecting with each other on the Internet, whether it be on a dating site, a message board…
“Tron Legacy”: Eye-popping Effects, Glorious Soundscape, and Olivia Wilde
I saw the much anticipated "Tron Legacy" last night with several friends, in 3D IMAX. To get it out of the way, yes the plot is a lot of portentious, illogical, convoluted hoo-hah. Don't let it distract you. "Tron Legacy" is about ridiculously cool light cycle fights, hyper-animated disc combat, and the most beautiful program…