Blog Archives
Mo’ Cameras, Mo’ Problems
Philosophically speaking, it’s hard to argue with the eternal wisdom of The Notorious B.I.G., as highlighted in the title of their hit song, “Mo’ Money, Mo’ Problems.”
Enter surveillance technology:
(Nest)
At its core, the Nest Cam IQ shows how the company’s evolved from one that makes a fancy recording device into one that makes an intelligent robot—one that’s always watching, and always learning, about the goings-on in your home.
–Arielle Pardes, “Nest’s New Security Cam Keeps a Sharp Eye on Your Smart Home” on wired.com
Am I the only person who, after reading the above statement, is a bit terrified at the casual nature in which people are reporting and seemingly embracing technology that’s evolving closer and closer to the point of robotic consciousness and control over our most private space as private citizens?
The only thing more surreal, for those with any interest or curiosity with science-fiction and evolving surveillance technology, is if you were gifted a Nest Cam by your biological big brother.
Actually, what continues to be mind-blowingly surreal, is that people are excitedly big brothering themselves.
Jimmy’s Daily Planet maintains a very pro-innovator stance, which includes technological advancements and big, wild ideas. However, in equal measure, this blog has also always stood very firm in exercising necessary caution when it comes to embracing new inventions simply because something is branded new. The Nest Cam falls into that all-important Cautionary Category. There may be positives with the Nest Cam, but there are too many negatives at this point concerning personal privacy vs. potential advantages in the initial cost-benefit analysis.
Westworld, anyone?
Happy Monday
While we can’t always change what happens to us, we can change the way we see what happens to us.
This blog post, taking its place on the weekly Happy Monday circuit, has one purpose. And that purpose is to creatively showcase how we all have the incredible power to look at a situation from a completely different angle (or series of various angles) at any given time, thereby giving that moment a fresh perspective and outlook.
I’d like to say it’s as easy as 1-2-3.
Except, it’s pole vaulting, so it’s not easy at all. However, the views are spectacular and well worth it, particularly when you let someone else do the whole pole vaulting thing with a GoPro camera.
Here’s to getting over the challenges of this workweek…perhaps with a bird’s-eye view?
Have a Better Week Than Last Week.
Yes, You Can(‘t)
What does it mean to be a creator in the year 2017?
One of the metrics for defining a particular generation is by identifying its creators and innovators. The individuals who dare to see the world in a vastly different light than his or her peers are the ones who set the stage for how people to see the world in the future. The reason why my childhood was different than my parents is due to people who innovated something that was currently in existence or to people who created something brand new out of thin air, so to speak.
For my childhood, the name Steven Spielberg instantly comes to mind.
For the children of 2017 and beyond, who will alter the way they see world?
The same culture-shifting giants, like Steven Spielberg, will certainly lead the pack like the past. That’s a great thing. However, with technology constantly evolving and occupying more parts of our daily lives, our culture is witnessing a sea change, of sorts. The bar for influencing large populations has transformed in dramatic fashion.
And each new social influencer, according to YouTube sensation Casey Neistat, continues to change the way we see the world through one phrase:
“Do what you can’t.”
(FYI – A couple four-letter words are spoken in this fast-moving montage video)
So, do what you can to do what you can’t…
In other words, record a lightsaber battle while skydiving and post that epic awesomeness on YouTube.
Jimmy's Daily Planet 