Archive for July, 2008

Vodafone’s folding girlfriend

vodafone foldup girlfriendIn a recent Vodafone ad shown on Australian TV, a guy going on a trip decides he wants to take his wall map with him so he neatly folds it and puts it in his pocket. He then decides to take his computer, his TV and then his CD collection (including a large cabinet). He neatly folds them up one by one and puts them in his pocket. Just as he’s almost out the door he looks at his sleeping girlfriend, then comes back, folds her up and puts her in his pocket too. Vodafone uses the slogan ‘Take your world with you’ for this ad.

Is this commercial not just the slightest bit insulting to women? Firstly, he takes his girlfriend last, almost as an after thought. She is perhaps the least important of his essential accessories? Secondly, is that all she is? An accessory? The intended implication is that he is taking everything he loves with him but this seems to relegate her to the status of an object on a par with a computer or a TV. Vodafone might not have meant to be sexist and offensive but they have ceratinly managed it. It may provide an insight into the subconscious of the guys that create ads like this. The CGI are impressive and the concept is clever, but the bottom line leaves a lot to be desired.

Watch the full commercial here:

Aint that the way it is?

July 30, 2008 at 5:41 am Leave a comment

Vodafone’s folding girlfriend

vodafone foldup girlfriendIn a recent Vodafone ad shown on Australian TV, a guy going on a trip decides he wants to take his wall map with him so he neatly folds it and puts it in his pocket. He then decides to take his computer, his TV and then his CD collection (including a large cabinet). He neatly folds them up one by one and puts them in his pocket. Just as he’s almost out the door he looks at his sleeping girlfriend, then comes back, folds her up and puts her in his pocket too. Vodafone uses the slogan ‘Take your world with you’ for this ad.

Is this commercial not just the slightest bit insulting to women? Firstly, he takes his girlfriend last, almost as an after thought. She is perhaps the least important of his essential accessories? Secondly, is that all she is? An accessory? The intended implication is that he is taking everything he loves with him but this seems to relegate her to the status of an object on a par with a computer or a TV. Vodafone might not have meant to be sexist and offensive but they have ceratinly managed it. It may provide an insight into the subconscious of the guys that create ads like this. The CGI are impressive and the concept is clever, but the bottom line leaves a lot to be desired.

Watch the full commercial here:

Aint that the way it is?

July 30, 2008 at 5:41 am Leave a comment

Vodafone’s folding girlfriend

vodafone foldup girlfriendIn a recent Vodafone ad shown on Australian TV, a guy going on a trip decides he wants to take his wall map with him so he neatly folds it and puts it in his pocket. He then decides to take his computer, his TV and then his CD collection (including a large cabinet). He neatly folds them up one by one and puts them in his pocket. Just as he’s almost out the door he looks at his sleeping girlfriend, then comes back, folds her up and puts her in his pocket too. Vodafone uses the slogan ‘Take your world with you’ for this ad.

Is this commercial not just the slightest bit insulting to women? Firstly, he takes his girlfriend last, almost as an after thought. She is perhaps the least important of his essential accessories? Secondly, is that all she is? An accessory? The intended implication is that he is taking everything he loves with him but this seems to relegate her to the status of an object on a par with a computer or a TV. Vodafone might not have meant to be sexist and offensive but they have ceratinly managed it. It may provide an insight into the subconscious of the guys that create ads like this. The CGI are impressive and the concept is clever, but the bottom line leaves a lot to be desired.

Watch the full commercial here:

Aint that the way it is?

July 30, 2008 at 5:41 am 2 comments

Vodafone’s folding girlfriend

vodafone foldup girlfriendIn a recent Vodafone ad shown on Australian TV, a guy going on a trip decides he wants to take his wall map with him so he neatly folds it and puts it in his pocket. He then decides to take his computer, his TV and then his CD collection (including a large cabinet). He neatly folds them up one by one and puts them in his pocket. Just as he’s almost out the door he looks at his sleeping girlfriend, then comes back, folds her up and puts her in his pocket too. Vodafone uses the slogan ‘Take your world with you’ for this ad.

Is this commercial not just the slightest bit insulting to women? Firstly, he takes his girlfriend last, almost as an after thought. She is perhaps the least important of his essential accessories? Secondly, is that all she is? An accessory? The intended implication is that he is taking everything he loves with him but this seems to relegate her to the status of an object on a par with a computer or a TV. Vodafone might not have meant to be sexist and offensive but they have ceratinly managed it. It may provide an insight into the subconscious of the guys that create ads like this. The CGI are impressive and the concept is clever, but the bottom line leaves a lot to be desired.

Watch the full commercial here:

Aint that the way it is?

July 30, 2008 at 5:41 am 9 comments

The cost of piracy

For me, the cost of video piracy is that every time I watch a video, I have to endure a tedious warning message. I find these warnings very annoying; you often can’t skip past them and they get very repetitive. For all the shortcomings of old VHS tapes, at least you could fast forward through the dross. How necessary are these warnings? Most people don’t pirate but we’re all subjected to the warnings every time. Does a warning deter people who pirate or watch pirated copies? I very much doubt it. The usual warning that piracy will kill the Australian film industry falls on deaf ears; it could (with a few exceptions) stand being put out of its misery.

The issue of copyright extends to all digital media, of course not just to video. The copying of software, audio and video has become commonplace. Big production companies are constantly complaining about file sharing, peer to peer networks etc. There is evidence that file sharing of audio tracks actually promotes sales. I personally would be much more likely to purchase or (legally) download a whole album if I’d had the opportunity to listen to a few sample tracks. Copyright laws have simply not kept pace with the digital revolution. Laws that might have worked quite well with more traditional forms of media don’t translate very well into the digital world. Digital media is so well suited to copying suffering no degeneration in quality after unlimited successive generations, unlike analog forms. The growth of the internet has made sharing files extremely easy.

It is understandable that production companies aggressively protect their incomes. If piracy and file sharing were allowed to erode sales to a high degree, producers couldn’t survive. Never the less, these companies have incredible financial and technical resources. Surely the responsibility for protecting digital products from unauthorised copying falls to them.

There is surely a difference between individuals sharing a few files and organised criminals mass producing illegal copies. When 13 year olds are prosecuted for downloading a few MP3s, there has to be something wrong with the system.

July 27, 2008 at 5:46 am 4 comments

What’s in a Meme?

classic monster movie montage What is a meme? Wikipedia defines it thus: “At its most basic, an Internet meme is simply the propagation of a digital file or hyperlink from one person to others using methods available through the Internet (for example, email, blogs, social networking sites, instant messaging, etc.). The content often consists of a saying or joke, a rumor, an altered or original image, a complete website, a video clip or animation, or an offbeat news story, among many other possibilities. An Internet meme may stay the same or may evolve over time, by chance or through commentary, imitations, and parody versions, or even by collecting news accounts about itself. Internet memes have a tendency to evolve and spread extremely quickly, sometimes going in and out of popularity in a matter of days. They are spread organically, voluntarily, peer to peer, rather than by compulsion, predetermined path, or completely automated means.” Sounds interesting? Read more

Jenny at Multifarious Mushrooms has tagged me, so this meme is in response to her post.

Here are my 4 things

Four jobs I’ve had:

  • Art teacher
  • Computing teacher
  • Web designer
  • Jazz guitarist

Four movies I can watch over and over:

  • Metropolis (a previously undiscovered uncut version was recently discovered in Buenos Aires. Read more about the lost footage here. I can’t wait to see it.)
  • Nosferatu (original version)
  • King Kong (original version)
  • Jurassic Park

Four places I’ve lived:

  • Sydney noth
  • Sydney inner west
  • Sydney south
  • North Coast NSW

Four TV shows I love:

  • Dexter
  • Underbelly
  • Gordon Ramsay, kitchen nightmares
  • Q & A with Tony Jones

Four places I’ve vacationed:

  • Tasmania
  • Cairns
  • L.A.
  • MN

Four of my favorite dishes:

  • Balmain bugs
  • Lobster sushimi
  • Beef Wellington
  • Thai Penang curry

Four sites I visit daily:

Four places I would rather be right now:

  • Tasmania
  • Cairns
  • L.A.
  • MN

People I tag:

July 20, 2008 at 1:46 am Leave a comment

What’s in a Meme?

classic monster movie montage What is a meme? Wikipedia defines it thus: “At its most basic, an Internet meme is simply the propagation of a digital file or hyperlink from one person to others using methods available through the Internet (for example, email, blogs, social networking sites, instant messaging, etc.). The content often consists of a saying or joke, a rumor, an altered or original image, a complete website, a video clip or animation, or an offbeat news story, among many other possibilities. An Internet meme may stay the same or may evolve over time, by chance or through commentary, imitations, and parody versions, or even by collecting news accounts about itself. Internet memes have a tendency to evolve and spread extremely quickly, sometimes going in and out of popularity in a matter of days. They are spread organically, voluntarily, peer to peer, rather than by compulsion, predetermined path, or completely automated means.” Sounds interesting? Read more

Jenny at Multifarious Mushrooms has tagged me, so this meme is in response to her post.

Here are my 4 things

Four jobs I’ve had:

  • Art teacher
  • Computing teacher
  • Web designer
  • Jazz guitarist

Four movies I can watch over and over:

  • Metropolis (a previously undiscovered uncut version was recently discovered in Buenos Aires. Read more about the lost footage here. I can’t wait to see it.)
  • Nosferatu (original version)
  • King Kong (original version)
  • Jurassic Park

Four places I’ve lived:

  • Sydney noth
  • Sydney inner west
  • Sydney south
  • North Coast NSW

Four TV shows I love:

  • Dexter
  • Underbelly
  • Gordon Ramsay, kitchen nightmares
  • Q & A with Tony Jones

Four places I’ve vacationed:

  • Tasmania
  • Cairns
  • L.A.
  • MN

Four of my favorite dishes:

  • Balmain bugs
  • Lobster sushimi
  • Beef Wellington
  • Thai Penang curry

Four sites I visit daily:

Four places I would rather be right now:

  • Tasmania
  • Cairns
  • L.A.
  • MN

People I tag:

July 20, 2008 at 1:46 am Leave a comment

What’s in a Meme?

classic monster movie montage What is a meme? Wikipedia defines it thus: “At its most basic, an Internet meme is simply the propagation of a digital file or hyperlink from one person to others using methods available through the Internet (for example, email, blogs, social networking sites, instant messaging, etc.). The content often consists of a saying or joke, a rumor, an altered or original image, a complete website, a video clip or animation, or an offbeat news story, among many other possibilities. An Internet meme may stay the same or may evolve over time, by chance or through commentary, imitations, and parody versions, or even by collecting news accounts about itself. Internet memes have a tendency to evolve and spread extremely quickly, sometimes going in and out of popularity in a matter of days. They are spread organically, voluntarily, peer to peer, rather than by compulsion, predetermined path, or completely automated means.” Sounds interesting? Read more

Jenny at Multifarious Mushrooms has tagged me, so this meme is in response to her post.

Here are my 4 things

Four jobs I’ve had:

  • Art teacher
  • Computing teacher
  • Web designer
  • Jazz guitarist

Four movies I can watch over and over:

  • Metropolis (a previously undiscovered uncut version was recently discovered in Buenos Aires. Read more about the lost footage here. I can’t wait to see it.)
  • Nosferatu (original version)
  • King Kong (original version)
  • Jurassic Park

Four places I’ve lived:

  • Sydney noth
  • Sydney inner west
  • Sydney south
  • North Coast NSW

Four TV shows I love:

  • Dexter
  • Underbelly
  • Gordon Ramsay, kitchen nightmares
  • Q & A with Tony Jones

Four places I’ve vacationed:

  • Tasmania
  • Cairns
  • L.A.
  • MN

Four of my favorite dishes:

  • Balmain bugs
  • Lobster sushimi
  • Beef Wellington
  • Thai Penang curry

Four sites I visit daily:

Four places I would rather be right now:

  • Tasmania
  • Cairns
  • L.A.
  • MN

People I tag:

July 20, 2008 at 1:46 am Leave a comment

What’s in a Meme?

classic monster movie montage What is a meme? Wikipedia defines it thus: “At its most basic, an Internet meme is simply the propagation of a digital file or hyperlink from one person to others using methods available through the Internet (for example, email, blogs, social networking sites, instant messaging, etc.). The content often consists of a saying or joke, a rumor, an altered or original image, a complete website, a video clip or animation, or an offbeat news story, among many other possibilities. An Internet meme may stay the same or may evolve over time, by chance or through commentary, imitations, and parody versions, or even by collecting news accounts about itself. Internet memes have a tendency to evolve and spread extremely quickly, sometimes going in and out of popularity in a matter of days. They are spread organically, voluntarily, peer to peer, rather than by compulsion, predetermined path, or completely automated means.” Sounds interesting? Read more

Jenny at Multifarious Mushrooms has tagged me, so this meme is in response to her post.

Here are my 4 things

Four jobs I’ve had:

  • Art teacher
  • Computing teacher
  • Web designer
  • Jazz guitarist

Four movies I can watch over and over:

  • Metropolis (a previously undiscovered uncut version was recently discovered in Buenos Aires. Read more about the lost footage here. I can’t wait to see it.)
  • Nosferatu (original version)
  • King Kong (original version)
  • Jurassic Park

Four places I’ve lived:

  • Sydney noth
  • Sydney inner west
  • Sydney south
  • North Coast NSW

Four TV shows I love:

  • Dexter
  • Underbelly
  • Gordon Ramsay, kitchen nightmares
  • Q & A with Tony Jones

Four places I’ve vacationed:

  • Tasmania
  • Cairns
  • L.A.
  • MN

Four of my favorite dishes:

  • Balmain bugs
  • Lobster sushimi
  • Beef Wellington
  • Thai Penang curry

Four sites I visit daily:

Four places I would rather be right now:

  • Tasmania
  • Cairns
  • L.A.
  • MN

People I tag:

July 20, 2008 at 1:46 am Leave a comment

What’s in a Meme?

classic monster movie montage What is a meme? Wikipedia defines it thus: “At its most basic, an Internet meme is simply the propagation of a digital file or hyperlink from one person to others using methods available through the Internet (for example, email, blogs, social networking sites, instant messaging, etc.). The content often consists of a saying or joke, a rumor, an altered or original image, a complete website, a video clip or animation, or an offbeat news story, among many other possibilities. An Internet meme may stay the same or may evolve over time, by chance or through commentary, imitations, and parody versions, or even by collecting news accounts about itself. Internet memes have a tendency to evolve and spread extremely quickly, sometimes going in and out of popularity in a matter of days. They are spread organically, voluntarily, peer to peer, rather than by compulsion, predetermined path, or completely automated means.” Sounds interesting? Read more

Jenny at Multifarious Mushrooms has tagged me, so this meme is in response to her post.

Here are my 4 things

Four jobs I’ve had:

  • Art teacher
  • Computing teacher
  • Web designer
  • Jazz guitarist

Four movies I can watch over and over:

  • Metropolis (a previously undiscovered uncut version was recently discovered in Buenos Aires. Read more about the lost footage here. I can’t wait to see it.)
  • Nosferatu (original version)
  • King Kong (original version)
  • Jurassic Park

Four places I’ve lived:

  • Sydney noth
  • Sydney inner west
  • Sydney south
  • North Coast NSW

Four TV shows I love:

  • Dexter
  • Underbelly
  • Gordon Ramsay, kitchen nightmares
  • Q & A with Tony Jones

Four places I’ve vacationed:

  • Tasmania
  • Cairns
  • L.A.
  • MN

Four of my favorite dishes:

  • Balmain bugs
  • Lobster sushimi
  • Beef Wellington
  • Thai Penang curry

Four sites I visit daily:

Four places I would rather be right now:

  • Tasmania
  • Cairns
  • L.A.
  • MN

People I tag:

July 20, 2008 at 1:46 am 7 comments

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