Category Archives: Technology

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly … of the Infographic

Posted on by
1

Infographics are in right now. Our major Canadian news stations and papers – notably The Globe and Mail and CBC – use them to communicate information on a seemingly daily basis, bloggers and social media folk love them, and the business and professional world is increasingly using the infographic as a way to communicate to their employees and stakeholders. Some may say that this is a tool representative of our generation and culture, what with our need for information that is available instantaneously and understandable in minutes. Or a sign of our technological times – while in days past a graphical representation of information would have taken a painstakingly long period of time to create, we’re now able to use software and tools to create infographics quickly, accurately and easily.

Yes, some may say these things. But are they right? First, the idea of images being able to communicate complex or lengthy ideas has been around and appreciated for eons – as Ivan Turgenev wrote back in 1862, “A picture shows me at a glance what it takes dozens of pages of a book to expound”. Second, are infographics really that easy and accurate? For basic information – yes, I’m sure they are. However, for infographics seeking to explain the relationship between complex ideas or variables, I’m not so sure. While attempting to make this information clearer, infographics may have the opposite effect, making the connection between ideas or variables more difficult to grasp, or in some cases, leading to lost meaning.

The Common Good Forecaster

One example that both impresses me and leaves me slightly wary is The Common Good Forecaster. This interactive infographic, developed by the United Way and the American Human Development Project, allows users to graphically see how various economic and social conditions would change as educational outcomes change – for example, how increased high school or college completion rates can ‘forecast’ improved health outcomes (e.g. obesity or life expectancy rates), financial outcomes (e.g. poverty or unemployment rates), and community involvement outcomes (e.g. voting rates).

While the tool is neat and the results interesting, the methodological description of how this tool was developed calls the accuracy of the data into question. On a more philosophical note – can something as complex as the relationship between education and health, or education and community involvement, be captured in a series of graphs? And lastly on a decidedly political note – will those who hold the real power – policy makers – use tools such as these to make decisions regarding educational initiatives, or is the point to create awareness and advocacy for change at a community level? And if so – is such a technique effective, and will this tool galvanize those that need to be galvanized?

On a completely different note, I can’t think of infographics without remembering CBC’s coverage of the last federal election. While the graphical representation of voting results was helpful, the reliance on infographics and social media was at times annoying and distracting. It seemed at numerous points during the coverage that Peter Mansbridge was having difficulty reporting on the results while also keeping track of the various graphs and charts that were being thrown on numerous screens surrounding him – sometimes with the wrong information.

While the ability to communicate information in new ways is obviously a good thing, it seems to me that it’s absolutely pertinent to examine not just what is gained, but what might be lost as well.

–

Masthead photo courtesy of Steve Punter

Digital Fill – The Vancouver Riot Cam

Posted on by
Reply

This is something else. Want to get a sense of what it was like to be running around downtown while cars were burning and otherwise respectable citizens were turning bad like a wearwolves in the full moon? Take a look at this amazing 360 degree video project created by Northstudios360.com. The video allows you to move the camera to any perspective as you watch crowds ebb and flow. It feels so much like you’re in the middle of the whole situation that it is creepy. Click here or the photo below to experience it.

 

The UBC Lipdub is Awesome

Posted on by
Reply

On Friday, April 8 something amazing happened. I saw a lipdub made by world-changers at the University of British Columbia, where I work. And so did about 250,000 people who are part of the UBC or Lipdub or Youtube communities. You see, it’s a beautiful thing. I mean, when people and technology fuse with creativity, humour, public space, physical-feats, and shared organizational purpose, well, inspiring moments of community happen.

You know what? I’m just going to stop writi- … watch the video.

As a proud alumnus of Bishop’s University (the 2,000-student-anti-UBC) it is now my official duty to say things like “Nice video, but you know this kinda thing happens at Bishop’s every Frosh Week, right? We’re just not allowed to share it or Molson would sue us because of all the branded beer bottles in the shot…it happened before, when we invented lipdubbing in 1843″ or “I thought 50,000 people studied and worked at UBC – is 0.02% of the school in this video and, if it is, is this an acceptable level of engagement?” or “C’était un essai bon, bien sur, même si il n’était pas bilingue!”

Alright, I’ve served my alma mater well.

This experience moved me for many reasons. First, it’s so not UBC. Or at least how so many people think of this you’re-a number-not-a-name kind of institution. Second, since Bishop’s hasn’t officially recorded its lipdub yet, I enviously shared it with my parents (both UBC alumni) and, about 11 minutes after emailing it to my dad, they called me to share their elation about this brilliant new recruitment strategy.

Hmmm. Is it that? Perhaps recruiting new people with this sexy and social piece of new media was a part of the whole idea. The truth is, though, that this playful lip dup is a true reflection of how far UBC has come and where it is going. I don’t think that it’s a stretch to connect this supercool lipdub with the “Enriched Educational Opportunities” from Place and Promise: the UBC Plan. Because people who engage with their school like the ones in the video did were probably enriched by a small class experience, international learning, community service learning, meaningful undergraduate research, or experiential learning. And they’re way more likely to positively engage this community today and, probably, forever.

Well done, UBC. I felt enriched just watching the video! And it makes me proud to be a part of this place of mind.

2 // Heroin and Prostitutes

Posted on by
Reply

[This is the second piece in a multi-part series examining the city through the lens of the Green Metropolis, by David Owen]

Should Manhattan move to us?

When offered the magic wand which to transform Vancouver, David declined.  ‘Sweeping changes always leads to unintended consequences’, he says.  Omniscient decision-making led our cities to where we are today; GM’s 1933 Futurama city-building model based on the mobility of the automobile has made our communities unwalkable and heavily reliant on lifestyle-subsidizing oil.  Instead, incremental shifts in the urban environment can start to move our urban patterns to something approximating the densities of Manhattan.

Change, he suggests, happens most effectively because of economic hard times, inconvenience, or high costs.  A big reduction in aggregate greenhouse gas emissions of the United States have occurred as a result of the 2008 recession.  Public transit ridership was at an all-time high (a hefty 5.5% on average) when oil peaked at 4$US/gallon [1.05$US/litre].  New Yorkers drive less because it is more convenient to walk.

It is at this point that the book becomes still more compelling.  A frequently cited solution for climate change is the development of increasingly efficient technologies and renewable energy sources.  The Green Metropolis directs our attention to the Jevons Paradox to spoil this dream.

The Jevons Paradox was articulated in the late 19th century to explain why increasingly efficient steam engines were leading to more and more coal consumption.  This is because energy efficiencies are rarely translated into reduced resource consumption.  Rather, they are used to extract more performance from the same unit of energy.

For example: webpages are not significantly faster today because of increasing bandwidth, they are more content-rich.  The more efficient engines of the Toyota Land Cruiser of today does not use significantly less fuel than it used to; it now has a DVD player, more horsepower and a huge towing capacity.  The driver still only represents 2% of the vehicle’s total load.  98% of its power is still being used to transport the vehicle itself (albeit now containing personal media screens, a champagne bar and ultra-lux heated seats).

The other frequently cited solution to climate change debunked by the Green Metropolis are ‘market forces’.  As oil increases in cost, driving will decrease and the suburbs will be abandoned due to decreasing land values.  ‘Market forces also include famine and civil unrest’, Mr. Owen reminds me.  Personally, I am in favour of hybrid density over famine.

The book notes that driving a market-reactive, efficient car the same distance simply prolongs the moment until we have to start boiling dirt for oil (actually we already are). Market-driven efficient technologies will not have a long-term effect on our collective carbon outputs, but efficient cities can.

By this point the world is looking pretty grim.

I explain this feeling to David, and he points to Australian thinker Saul Griffin: ‘We need heroin and prostitutes: high cost, low-climate impact entertainment,‘ he paraphrases.  We need something that can occupy the day without necessitating a lot of extra energy inputs.  We have to stop hustling.  We have to stop collectively growing in size and desire.

Although not directly articulated, both the book and our conversation danced obliquely around this idea of no-growth; Manhattan is a dense, expensive, efficient place to dwell because it cannot grow anywhere but up.

[Look for The Extension of the Good Life, part three of this series]

Kinky Swingers or Awkward Teenagers – Who’s the Wii’s next target?

Posted on by
3

No, I didn’t come up with this title on my own. I had some help from the Globe and Mail. That’s where I discovered a new game that’s just been released by Wii’s We Dare game designers. I’d always associated Wii with things like Mariokart, virtual badminton or fun exercises. That’s when I saw this advertisement on the Globe’s site. Titled We Dare – Have a spicy evening! I gotta say, this game is way different than anything I’m used to seeing in the pages of PC Gamer. The trailer’s already got well over a million on YouTube. Impressive stuff. Have a look – seems there are all elements from spanking and “making out” to stripping. Make sense I guess – after all who doesn’t want to engage in a bout of competitive Wii fueled stripping after a tasty dinner party on a Friday night.

Yes. This is for real – at least I think it is. But as the title suggests – which community do you think the new We Dare game is looking to cater to? Kinky professionals or under-sexed teens of whom many Wii games have been traditionally marketed to? More importantly, aside from causing a viral stir online, how many games are these guys seriously expecting to sell? And what’s the deal with the “parental code” at the end? Would this preclude awkward teenagers from playing this game?

Welcome to the habitable community

Posted on by
Reply

Dear Planets,

This morning I arrived at work groggy. Sometimes that happens here on this planet when we Earthlings don’t get out caffeinated fix in the morning. As I propped open this morning’s newspaper, I saw a small blurb about your discovery. According to the CBC apparently, NASA’s Kepler mission found five potential Earth-sized planets that “may support liquid water — and so possibly life.” There were another 49 floating around out there that sit snuggly in human “habitable zones”.

I have to say, I’m very excited to make your acquaintance. After all, you have to understand, it has been particularly lonely out there thinking we were the only kid on the block. You have no idea how this informed our world view for so very long. Sure we always figured there were more planets like you out there, but we just couldn’t find many to prove the point. Now, all of the sudden there are five of you! It’s kind of like hoping beyond hope for one baby and out pops quintuplets.

Of course we should not forget to also acknowledge your cousins. The addition exo-planets (who happen to be not so habitable) that the Kepler mission found. They aren’t as cool as you, but they’re still kinda cool! In one fell swoop, we’ve doubled the number of planets we are tracking out there in the great beyond.

Pretty good work for one telescope that has been searching 156,000 stars in its field of view — about 1/400th of the sky — for signs of planets since September 2009.

Anyway, I know we’ll probably never meet in person. The scientists say its a very long way for us Earthlings to visit you. But I do want to say, as we commence our long-term and long-distance relationship, the pleasure is undoubtedly all ours.

Till one day in the future dear planets.

Sincerely,

Kurt

PS. If any of you are harboring any life on your distant surfaces, please let it know that we’re snooping around and they should signal hello if they have a chance.

Nanotechnology Secures Community

Posted on by
1

I have a compelling reason for you to watch Canada AM tomorrow morning. And the reason is Clint Landrock.

Clint Landrock makes small things that are having a huge impact at Simon Fraser University, in Vancouver and beyond. Not only is Clint married to friend of the ‘Boot, Erica Landrock, but his work with Nanotech Security Corp. is catching peoples’ attention within this big community that works with very small things.

Says SFU’s Public Relations department: “Imagine a hole so small that air can’t go through it, or a hole so small it can trap a single wavelength of light. Nanotech Security Corp., with the help of Simon Fraser University researchers, is using this type of nano-technology – 1,500 times thinner than a human hair and first of its kind in the world – to create unique anti-counterfeiting security features. The technology is first being applied to banknotes but it also has many more practical applications, such as authenticating legal documents, retail merchandise, concert tickets, stock certificates, visas, passports, and pharmaceuticals.”

Here is how it works:

Microscopic gratings composed of nanostructures interact with light to produce the shimmering iridescence seen on the Costa Rican morpho butterfly. The nanostructures act to reflect and refract light waves to produce the morpho’s signature blue wings and absorb other unwanted light.

The highly advanced wing structures are the result of many millennia of evolution, and only recently have Nanotech’s scientists discovered how to reproduce these structures reliably. While others have talked about the possibility of re-creating it, Nanotech has made this a reality.

Aside from being just a downright cool indication of human innovation and, quite possibly, a hopeful idea about the future of the planet, I really love the biomimicry of this invention. The company’s Nano-Optic Technology for Enhanced Security (NOtES) product stems from an idea originating in the purest form of nature – insects using colorful markings to identify themselves. Sometimes animals just have the best ideas. Human communities learning from ecosystems within our natural environment is a true reflection of how inventors like Clint might just be able to save our planet. No pressure though…

If you’d like to learn more about this supercool product you can check out The Province, Tech News World, Daily Planet, or visit Nanotech’s website.

Digital Fill – Nature by Numbers

Posted on by
2

Ok. So I was going to write something pithy about he current BC Liberal leadership race. But then my lovely redheaded partner pointed me on to this amazing site called Flowing Data.com. It’s all about data visualization and there I saw an amazing example of how one can connect math with biology in an incredibly visual way.

I’ve always been interested in math and physics (and especially astronomy). But due to the lack of a mathematically inclined mind (John Nash I most certainly am not), I’ve never been able to really “get” the subject. Unlike many, I don’t see beauty in pi  - just a long string of integers. Maybe that’s why this video is so interesting and inspiring. Kudos to Christobal Vila for creating such a beautiful little piece.

Nature by Numbers from Cristóbal Vila on Vimeo.

Digital Fill – Girl Talk Baby!

Posted on by
7

Ever gone to the club looking to get Jiggy with it? How about a decentralized dance party? This year during the Olympics many hundreds of Vancouverites came together to dance their hearts out in the streets of the Host City. They danced to the  tunes spouted by dozens of stereos spread throughout the crowd and all tuned to the same channels. It was quite the site (so crazy that at one point it descended into madness) and is well described in a great post by Gumboot correspondent Steph Bowen. During the dance party, one of the biggest hits – so I hear – was Girl Talk’s hour long mash-up of over 400 samples.

Girl Talk, aka Gregg Michael Gillis is a talented DJ. In 2007, Gillis was the recipient of a Wired magazine Rave Award and was awarded Time‘s Top 10 Albums of 2008. Now a new website has been developed aimed at revealing the mechanics of a brilliant DJ. The Girl Talk Mashup Breakdown displays all the samplings Gillis is pulling from and how and when they are integrated into each minute of his song. It gives you a terrific appreciation of the talent and ear for sound, beat, rhyme and lyrics a DJ needs in order to make his mix sound smooth.

Make sure to consider checking out the Mashup Breakdown when you have a moment! It’s pretty keen.

Professional Starcraft

Posted on by
5

On a small YouTube screen I am watching a Starcraft 2 game featuring TheLittleOne vs Sen. It is Game 2 of a multi-game tournament. Play by play casting is being provided by HD Starcraft, a young Korean American Starcraft fanatic based in the Westcoast of the US. HD has cast hundreds of games and has played a variety of the top Starcraft players on the North American servers. His comprehension of the game, players and units available is masterful. His voice rises and falls in excitement as the game play advances. Zerg drones mine the minerals and zerglings advance and withdraw in a masterful display of “micro” (Starcraft speak for small tactical movements of troops on a map to maximize their unit strengths against an opponent’s units’ weaknesses).

The ongoing monologue of color commentary charts the broad strokes of both macro-strategy. HD’s play by play could give some of the best hockey commentators a run for their money.

“Look at this, TLO is throwing down a ten pool – what is going on here?!” HD says, his voice rising in amazement as the game kicks off with a Zerg vs Zerg map.”Whooaa. What is going on here? TLO is going for a double geyser build. I am shocked and stunned”

I’m shocked as well. Years ago I would have scoffed at the idea that I could be as excited as I am by the play-by-play calling of a computer game (even one as great as Starcraft). But these days, while my fiance will watch Mad Men and other primetime hits on her computer, I’m glued to my laptop watching the top ladder game reruns of what most consider the best real time strategy games in history. I’m not alone.

Since its birth in 1998, the Starcraft franchise (who’s genesis came out Blizzard’s – the game’s developer – Warcraft series), has been drawing legions of fans. The game, case you are unfamiliar, features three races Zerg, Protoss and Terrans. Each of a plethora of different units with different capabilities, strengths and weaknesses. For example the Zerg’s zerglings are very fast ground units but are vulnerable to air attack and weak against units with more armour or if they are isolated. Players compete in a real time battle where they work to maximize their resource extraction (you mine crystals and vespene gas in order to buy stuff) and martial large armies to send them against opponents.

For a player like me, its amateur hour. I slowly use my mouse to click on different units to assign them to different tasks. When it comes to battles, lacking a comprehensive understandings of the strengths of individual unit types or the control to do anything with my units even if I did, I opt for the old Chinese tactic of subsuming my enemy with pure numbers. While this is fun for me, I’m not going to make it very high up the Starcraft ranking ladders or leagues (of which there are 5, practice, bronze, silver, gold, platinum and diamond).

While the game is played by hundreds of thousands here in North America and in Europe, the real heart land of Starcraft is Korea.

You’ve probably heard that its here that thousands of tournaments are battled out by professional gamers with thousands up for grabs in prize money. Many games are broadcast on cable TV much like professional baseball, basketball and football games here. According to a recent Macleans article, the top stars are worshiped by fans (similar to any other star athletes). According to a recent article in the Economist, one of the best players Lee Yoon-Yeol (aka Nada) is rumored to earn over 200K a year through sponsorships and tournament prizes. That’s a long way from Lebron James wage, but still in the realm of a C-Level hockey player.

Most are in their twenties or even late teens. They aren’t making 200K. a journeyman Starcraft gamer starting out his apprenticeship but possessing the requisite talent to climb the Starcraft ladder and find a place on a top team will start out making 20K. He will live in dorms with his team members, play Starcraft around 10 – 12 hours a day, playing numerous matches and undertaking drills to refine both strategy and execution.

This October, many of these Korean gamers arrived in Seoul to compete in the first ever Global Starcraft 2 League. Over the next week, players, including reigning champion Kim Won-ki (aka FruitDealer) will play a series of games to advance to the finals of the tournament, where they will play for an $87K first prize before an audience of thousands in the stands (and hundreds of thousands online). In the meantime, many are questioning whether professional Starcraft gaming can make the transition from the peninsula into the rest of the world. Will it work? The Economist recently weighed in on this:

Professional computer-gaming in the West has been around for several years, with outfits like the Electronic Sports League in Europe and Major League Gaming in America. But it has never taken off to the extent that it has in South Korea. Activision Blizzard thinks that will change as faster broadband makes it easier to broadcast games over the internet. The company designed Starcraft 2 with spectators in mind and has flown famous Korean players to America to play an exhibition match. GomTV, the Korean firm that runs the league, is providing English commentary on games and it has opened the tournament to any non-Korean player that can manage to qualify.

Advertisers are attracted by the ability of e-sports to target an audience with plenty of spending money; Sony Ericsson is sponsoring the tournament in Seoul. The average American gamer is in his 30s and well-educated. With sponsorship comes the money necessary to attract players to pursue computer gaming as a career, says Sean Plott (better known as “Day[9]”), an American player-turned-commentator. Intel recently sponsored a European tournament with a $15,000 prize pool. Perhaps the biggest obstacle to exporting e-sports to the West is a lingering belief that playing computer games is not a proper job—an idea that would no doubt sound familiar to pioneers of professional sports from tennis to snooker.

In the end while there are certainly some stigmas, the older I get the more comfortable I am embracing the viewership of what for all intents and purposes is a legitimate spectator sport. Afterall, if millions of people can find action, thrills, intrigue and interest in watching pro-golf, is watching pro-starcraft really all that different?