Running Monks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--sJnZmvJis&feature=relmfu

Nike is probably one of the biggest names in the world. Founded in America, it now has roots everywhere, even in the most isolated places.  If i were to say monks, what is the first thing you think of? The first word for me is discipline.  The ad shows the traditional monk living areas and what people think of old japan.  The white painted kimono lady or geisha, the beds on the floor, the temple/ dojo style housing.  Most distinctly their robes, i think loose fitting red and yellow, white, or brown robes; not what is shown in the ad.  Three monks decked out in the newest of nike's running technology.  Technology bring specialization.  Nike has shoes, clothing, and almost lifestyles for each and every sport.  Monks run, so why not give them the best of running clothing.
They start the ad showing the moss on the ground, the wetness of the flora, the chirping of looming creatures; all to create a sense of isolation from modern culture. Why is it that nike has to spread its tentacles into the most peaceful of places? These monks do represent themselves well- complete discipline.  The only sound is an aura of light sounds or tones, the ominous trickle of rain, and their footsteps.

Things i noticed were:
synchronization
the color red
the shining sun, but the ad looks dark


Matt Noonan, Larry Ross, Alex Elchert, Kevin Duke

Conveniency is a Scary Thing!

This link Short Article describes the long and the short of where our life style is heading. Sure it must be pretty cool to have a remote that controls a big portion of your house for the article does say...

Teletouch, a program that...

• Runs on a smartphone
• Can dim the lights
• Turn off an alarm
• Or Double as a television remote.

But just think about the problematic issues that may occur in the long run. With the thought of a remote, one may think it's just a small little contraption and the question may be "So what is the problem?". For starters it's quite funny for this article displaying a little girl holding the device and the article starting off with "IT'S a couch potato's dream come true."

Hello! I see major neon signs flashing the word "warning". By commenting on both the article and the photo, a little child around her age shouldn't be thinking about the couch and holding a remote in her hand. At the time of day that's illustrated, she should be outside during soccer practice or in a sandbox playing pat-e-cake with her next door friend outside. Children shouldn't be effected by technological changes such as this and their child hood is at stake, risking health and possibly social problems. It's also a dangerous thought to know what children can now control in the palm of their hands.

Best Buy- Outdated World Commercial

This commercial shows how quickly technology is advancing. We don't have time to get used to something because a new one is already on the market. The guy getting the tv slaps himself in the face which gives the idea that new technology is a "slap in the face" because society can't keep up with technological advances. They run out of words to describe the new items because everything seems to be "new" nowadays. It was smart for Best Buy to come out with this program of buying back old products. This helps people not feel so bad about buying new things because they can still get some money for the old ones. Technology goes along with wealth too in this aspect. The wealthier people are able to keep up with the rapidly advancing technologies where as the people with a tighter budget find it wasteful to keep buying new products.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_W3kP6jaTXk

VW the force

I think that in the advertising market, the car companies produce the best commercials.  I mean, they have to. The economy does not push the sale of cars right now, and with the government bailouts for that sector these companies really have to try to sell their vehicles. Anyway, THE FORCE, is the Volkswagen new commercial for the 2012 VW Passat.  They show this kid, dressed up as Darth Vader, trying to control anything and everything in his house.  When he tries at the treadmill, the dog, washing machine, doll, and sandwich, and fails the true test arrives.  His own mother-ship, the 2012 Passat, comes into the drive way.  He focuses and the VW starts.  This technology, remote start, is what separates VW from other car makers.  Another way for people to be lazy, fend off cold, and be Americans.  That is the power of Das Auto.  These commercials push humor to appeal to the family in all of us.  The Passat is a true family vehicle and i'm pretty sure Darth Vader would agree, the force is strong in Volkswagen.

Thanks <3
Matt Noonan

Kia Soul Commercial

www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zJWA3Vo6TU
In the commercial for the Kia Soul we are first shown a scene of a futuristic war with warrior robots and flying warships. Death and destruction is imminent and everything is generally grey. then a bright green Kia Soul arrives and brightly dressed dancing hamsters get out of the car. music begins to play and dancing ensues. The warriors also begin to partake in the dance, and everyone seems to be having a good time. The creaotors of the add were trying to get the point acrpps to us that if we buy the Kia Soul it will bring new life to a depressing world, and you can escape the tragedies of your life when you ride around and bump music in your brand new Kia Soul.

Love,
Connor Clay, Emily McGuire, Taylor Craver, Chris Myers, and last but not least Melissa Clement

Team iLuminate

This possible primary source is a YouTube video, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5YSsbU75y0, about the dance group Team iLuminate. It is a clip about one of their performances on the show 'America's Got Talent', a competitive reality show about different talents in the United States. This source focuses on the use of technology in performance, dance, and choreography.

There are nine dancers in this group who work together to create shapes and patterns wearing iLuminate suites (wearable wireless lighting systems) in the dark. They partake in complicated partner work and tumbling as well as contemporary hip-hop choreography. Most times they are dancing in unison, however not all dancers can be seen at once. Their suits are being lit up and turned off at different times and in different places. The aspects of lighting, dancing, and darkness are repeated throughout the work. This could be symbolize the choreographer's struggle with cancer. Her strength (the lighting and dancing) prevailing through her sickness and therapy (the darkness). Another thing these repetitions might serve to represent could be her passion for dance despite the challenges it brought about later in her life (again the lighting and dancing vs. the darkness). The inspiration of the repetition of light vs. dark may even be unrelated to her sickness and dancing and could have a connection with something that happened in her childhood or to her family.

The themes of precision and teamwork are both apparent in this piece. The theme of precision is seen in the movements. All movements must be precise though out the dance, as much of the work is in unison with the down beat in the music. All of the dancers must be attentive to details including rhythms, counts, and sharpness. Teamwork plays a major role in the choreography as well. Relaying on one another to be there for spotting and partnering is essential to the success of the performance. It is also extremely important for the dancers to be aware of their spacing and formations, even though they are in the dark. The entire piece depends on the awareness that the dancers have of one another on stage so that the big picture comes together.

Another thing that stuck out in the video was the use of technology not only on the stage, but off. The computers and computer program used to choreograph for Team iLuminate was fascinating. It would be interesting to learn more about the computer programming system and how it works to make everything come together. I also noticed binary opposites in the clip. The use of the flashlight to introduce the group seemed out of place. With the theme of advanced lighting design running throughout the video (not only in the dance but in the theater and during the interviews) the traditional "flashlight under the chin" move stood out as an elementary source of lighting in the clip. The host of the show, Nick Cannon, may just be poking fun at himself, humoring the audience about how he is not as technologically savvy as Team iLuminate. This could, however, literally be "shining a light" on how quickly technology is advancing and sparks the audience's interest to wonder what could be coming next.

Finally, this video raised the following questions: How is technology affecting the art of choreography and dance? And why might the choreographer, Miral Kotb, have been inspired to choose lighting design as the major visual detail in her work?

Bailey Denzy

Alex McGee

Brianna Lockridge

Os'Sad Shaheer

Emily McGuire

Reversing ALS

http://gizmodo.com/5844786/deadly-progression-of-als-reversed-in-an-amazing-stem-cell-first?tag=science

Whenever someone is diagnosed with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease) it is essentially a death sentence. With most people with ALS dying in 2 to 3 years from when they were diagnosed, if it possibly the worst diagnosis that someone could receive. Though through medical advances and the use of controversial stem cell use, doctors have reversed the effects of ALS.

Stem cell research has and will continue to be a hot topic. Though if stem cells are able to reverse effects of one of the deadliest diseases, then what else could it cure?

Finally on a semi-related note Lou Gehrig might not have had ALS, the disease which bears his name. Brain trauma can mimic the symptoms of ALS and Gehrig was known to suffer multiple concussions.

Google Maps

In today's world, huge paper, folding maps aren't very convenient when you are trying to find your way quickly and not draw attention to yourself by holding a giant piece of wrinkled paper in front of your face. Google maps has made it easy to get directions. By simply typing in your starting place, your final destination and clicking "Enter" Google Maps is able to provide you with turn by turn directions and even tell you the mileage and estimated time of arrival. The ability to get internet access on smart phones increases the use of Google Maps by allowing people to use them not only on their computer but on their mobile devices as well.

I have never been good with directions, so Google Maps is a very useful tool for me. Though I don't have a smart phone I often find myself using Google Maps to get around whether I am using it on my computer before I go somewhere or when I am in a group of people trying to find our way using someone's phone. After coming to a new city and a new campus that I am not completely comfortable with yet I realized how much maps are a part of my everyday life and how technology makes it easy and convenient to use almost anywhere.

SportsCenter on Twitter

http://twitter.com/#!/SportsCenter

Twitter is advancing technology in so many new ways. It allows access to information and is a means of communication at all times from many different places. Twitter is an outlet for major corporations, organizations, companies, and businesses to expand. SportsCenter took advantage of this opportunity.

SportsCenter on twitter gives individuals a way to follow games, teams, and players even if they don't have access to a television. With over 1,400,000 followers, it is apparent that many sports fans depend on this means of communication to stay updated on what is happening in the sports world. This large number of followers also shows how popular twitter is in general and how social media really is a major part of many lives in this generation.

Chris Brown's Performance At The VMAs 2011

http://www.mtv.com/videos/misc/684909/yeah-3x-protect-ya-neck-teen-spirit-beautiful-people-live.jhtml#id=1668981

This video stood out to me because it was very technical, which in turn, made it pretty entertaining. If it wasn't for all of the different color lights, the mixture of music, and Chris Brown flying the video wouldn't have been as intriguing.

Take an old video performance, like The Temptations, for example. If you watch their video it is pretty basic. They're standing there in front of mics, singing and dancing. There is no color changing lights, no flying over the audience, and nothing really technical at all.

Not only is technology taking over phones and other electronics, it is taking over the music industry. For example, a DJ is no longer needed to mix music because they have computers for that. Another popular form of technology in music is autotone. Most rappers or singers use autotone in their songs now. Technology has definitely taken over music performances. Take Chris Brown's performance for example. A majority of people said he had the best performance and his was also the most technical.

Technology is taking over, slowly but surely.