Overt technological change witnesses an enduring tradition
"In 2005, visitors packed into the expansive boulevard leading up to St. Peter's Square as Pope John Paul II's body was carried into the crowd for public viewing in the days following his death. Taken nearly two years before the iPhone debuted, the photo is striking now for its appearance straight out of another era.
For anyone who has ever been to a concert, the photo at bottom, taken Tuesday night as Pope Francis made his inaugural appearance on the Vatican balcony, seems almost ordinary. The two, taken together, reflect a world changing, even as some ancient traditions stay the same."
(Carlo Dellaverson, 13 March 2013, NBC News)
Fig.1 Luca Bruno / AP, The faithful gather in 2005 near St. Peter's to witness Pope John Paul II's body being carried into the Basilica for public viewing.
Fig.2 Michael Sohn / AP, St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, on March 13, 2013.
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Simon PerkinsSHARE
Skillset Academi+ supporting the Welsh creative industries
"Skillset Academi+ was first piloted in Wales from 2009 to March 2011, during which time the scheme assisted over 350 industry professionals by running 54 courses. Having used this opportunity, which was funded by HEFCW, the Academy has fostered new partnerships with experts and has proven a track record of targeted training appealing to a wide cross sector of the industry. In 2012, the second phase of training will be funded by the EU's Convergence European Social Fund (ESF) through the Welsh Government. ...
The impact of digital technology, combined with the recession, has increased the speed of change within the Creative industry, transforming the way in which we operate. The focus of Skillset Academi+ is to enable Welsh companies and freelancers to re-skill through high quality and flexible training that is entirely tailored towards real industry needs in this digital age.
The concept for this training programme draws on hard evidence produced by Skillset on the impact of the recession and changes in digital technology on the Creative Media sector in Wales. Recently gathered research shows which skills are needed to help companies and freelancers weather the economic downturn and come out the other side with a competitive edge.
The content of courses offered by Skillset Academi+ has been shaped by feedback from industry practitioners on priority skills gaps and training needs."
(Skillset Academi+)
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Simon PerkinsSHARE
e-topia: Urban Life, Jim--But Not As We Know It
"The global digital network is a whole new urban infrastructure—one that will change the forms of our cities as dramatically as railroads, highways, electric power grids, and telephone networks did in the past. In this lucid, invigorating book, William Mitchell examines this new infrastructure and its implications for our future daily lives. He argues that we must extend the definitions of architecture and urban design to encompass virtual places as well as physical ones, and proposes strategies for the creation of cities that not only will be sustainable but will make economic, social, and cultural sense in an electronically interconnected and global world."
(The MIT Press)
William Mitchell (2005), "E-topia", MIT Press.
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Simon PerkinsSHARE
Zelda Zine 1: a new digital age printed video game fanzine
"Printed video game magazines might be an endangered species these days, but it's not such a bad time for fan-made zines. While every other month we hear news of a different publication we grew up with limiting or eliminating its monthly issues, not all is bleak for people who like tangible content. ...
A printed zine like this remains relevant in today's digital age by featuring content that deals with nostalgia and connections to past games. In fact, art and stories that capture players' unique histories and experiences with video games age gracefully over time.
Zelda Zine 1 has a certain timelessness that allows you to pick it up and experience it fresh, years after it was printed. It doesn't feel dated with tidbits of information about new modes or weapons or when the launch date will be when the game already came out months ago. It feels more like Link in Ocarina of Time, reverting to his younger self to discover that Kakariko Village is just as he left it. That is, the contributors' accounts and interpretations of the legend (both written and visual) will always remain in their minds as they now share them with the world on paper."
(Alejandro Quan-Madrid, 22 February 22 2012, Bitmob.com)
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Simon PerkinsSHARE
Universities provide access to communities of scholars and testimony for a student's experience among these communities
"Central to higher education is the way universities provide access to communities of scholars and testimony for a student's experience among these communities. Consequently, universities should explore resources for bringing people together, not, as some interpretations of 'distance education' suggest, for reinforcing their isolation."
(John Seely Brown and Paul Duguid, 1995, p.4)
1). Brown, J. S. and P. Duguid (1996). The University in the Digital Age. Times Higher Education Supplement (THES). London: 1-4.
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Simon PerkinsSHARE
