Netflix has turned into Hulu
Calling itself the “world’s leading Internet TV network,”…
via Netflix nets $870 million in Q1 revenue, now has 26 million streaming worldwide | The Verge.
I also have noticed that in their ads during Slate’s podcasts, the podcasters are emphasizing television over films. This is wise because Netflix’s streaming library of television shows is much, much better than it’s library. In fact, that’s what my family and I tend to use it for: television. Which means Hulu has a chance to steal me as a customer — it just needs more content, and to have a Wii app.
From luxury to necessity
New Rules for the New Economy.
“Sophisticated media technology first creates desires for luxuries; then technology transforms those luxuries into primary necessities.”
The atavistic need to consult the village seer or soothsayer transformed into the ever-with-you screen/screens.
Robotic grading of essays
Scaling College Composition | Inside Higher Ed.
Watters objects to the idea of robots grading essays.
Audience in college composition courses is already artificial — students know that no matter what the essay focus is and no matter who the imagined audience is, their real audience is the faculty member (or whoever is going to be grading the essay). And as much talk of “discourse communities” faculty engage in, most students are still only focused on the grade. They aren’t in the class to be writers — they are there to pass that course and get on with what they’re real major is.
Since that is the case, what’s the big deal about heightening the artificiality of the situation?
I don’t know — I’d love to see some studies related to this. My gut tells me that even though both situations are artificial, the human one is still better. But my point here is that much of the writing that students do in comp courses is totally artificial.
Apple screens on the silver screen
Apropos of that post (which observes that all the cool gadgets in films these day are Apple products): the other day on the bus I looked up from my iPhone and watched a few seconds of the guy in the seat in front of me watch a film on his iPhone that showed a guy watching something on an iPhone. That was way too meta of a moment, but I’ll be honest: it was kind of hard to look away and focus back on my iPhone.
Plastic surgery = social signaling
Those of us without the money for cosmetic surgery find it odd when the rich engage in it in a noticeable way. Yes, one can point to all sorts of psychological reasons as well as the American cult of youth to explain why they do it. But one thought that occurred to me: perhaps we’re missing the point. What’s the use of expensive cosmetic surgery if no one can tell you had it? Oh, sure, if you get in your twenties or thirties to smooth out a nose or whatever, the point there is to be unnoticeable. But what if visible plastic surgery is also about social signaling?
Perhaps part of the reason why it doesn’t make sense to use is that we’re looking it at it through a standard aesthetic lens. The rich, especially the nouveau riche, have often embraced the ugly as a way of signaling their wealth.
I’m sure it’s a combination of factors. But social signaling could be one of them. Of course, I don’t know for sure because I’m not wealthy.
The Information: A History, a Theory, a Flood
I haven’t begun reading it yet, but I’m struck by perfect the title is. And especially how perfect it is for our times.
Best Buy needs to reduce its’ product stock
I said essentially this same thing on Google+ a while back. So I agree with Farhad except I think he’s wrong about the only 1 model approach — there should be three models for each category: one low-end with no frills, one medium-end with better specs and more options, and one high-end with top specs and all the options. That means there’s still more choice than Apple, but not a bewildering array of choices.
Has Kindle Killed the Book Cover?
Has Kindle Killed the Book Cover? – Entertainment – The Atlantic.
No.
Will it?
No.
Wm’s Twitter stream- morriswm: @reubencollins Pack some caffeine in case you need to drive her home at midnight. And keep the stuffed animals/blankies in the tent. May 18, 2012
- morriswm: @only_blk_guy Cool. I'll shoot you an email when I'm less buried w/craziness. May 18, 2012
- morriswm: @only_blk_guy Let's have lunch in June, and I'll bring you one. We'll do a tasting. May 18, 2012
- morriswm: Now available in the @dunwoodycollege bookstore. (this is for @only_blk_guy) http://t.co/ZbemMgP4 May 18, 2012
- morriswm: I think I finally have time to peek at the new @dunwoodycollege Graphic Design studio on my way out. May 17, 2012
- morriswm: RT @jesskry: Commencement is our superbowl. #higheredlive (and our Oscars). May 17, 2012
