In New Communication Technologies last year, Jason Jason and I 'met' for the first time. On my enterage to the lecture theater, Jason Jason came up with the 'witty' nickname of 'Button Sash Guy'. Months following this, Jason Jason had come up with something different: Dr. Buttons. While in the same vain, and while he might not remembered the initial meeting, the nickname idea was still there.
Which makes one wonder: How can nicknames be created? Well it is possible that nicknames could have a rather interesting relationship with mindmaps. Hence, for this weeks post, this is what my idea for a creative use of mindmaps relates to.
An interesting use of mindmaps would be the ability to come up with obscure - yet factually relevant - nicknames. In the center of the mindmap would be the person's full birth name. Stemming out from this would be hobbies, likes, dislikes, interests, and various other things that can define a person. These bubbles are then extended further, with more specific things. Such as stemming out from Jason Jason, could be 'interests', which is then extended to 'Microsoft Flash' in a new bubble. Numerous extensions would be added, such as 'Captain Crunch' under 'likes'.
After this is all done, one could then start trying to make a nickname out of various bubbles, by combining them. In our example, 'Captain Flash' would be a plausible nickname for Jason Jason. Numerous nicknames can be derived, and then one has to pick the best/favorite nickname, and start calling the person by this nickname.
The strengths of nicknames derived from this method, is that the nicknames have actual meanings, and as far as nicknames go, considerable depth. 'Captain Flash' can have multiple interpretations, an alternate interpretation to the one mentioned previously, would be something relating to the speed of Jason Jason (Like The Flash).
Of course, this is a rather lengthy way to come up with a nickname for someone. However, it is a rather academic way of coming up with one. Plus lazy nicknames won't derive from this method, such as nicknames that are merely the person's name, with a slight modification to the ending (Barry = 'Bazza' 'Barro' 'Barratine', etc).
Also, one might then decided that a nickname that someone else has come up with, is better than the one they have decided upon. And that would explain the lack of 'Captain Flash', and the prominence in 'Jason Jason', when I refer to Jason Jason.
Captain Flash.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Saturday, March 20, 2010
3. Online Creative Writing
Free net based technologies have interesting potential for creative writing, especially that of comedy. For example, Twitter as an online writing tool could work quite well for short humorous one liners. While it may seem a bit odd, it could work quite well.
Google Maps as an online writing tool can work like how we used it in class, an interesting medium for creative writing. The main problem would with Google Maps is that it is quite annoying to use, and read. I mentioned numerous problems with Google Maps in my write up, and I think this is one of the biggest problems with Google Maps.
However I feel a Google Map story application for an iPhone or iPad could work rather well. This application would have stories that are tied into the locations, they could be small humorous stories that one can easily read on the go. It would be good if they alternated to. Stories can be used in multiple locations, and you would just need some system that would change the variables, i.e. the street names, or fast food joint. The online element would come in as you could have user submitted stories, and it downloads the stories from the internet. The application is essentially a Google Map/web browser of sorts, and the content is online. This is a creative way how these technologies could be used.
Google Maps as an online writing tool can work like how we used it in class, an interesting medium for creative writing. The main problem would with Google Maps is that it is quite annoying to use, and read. I mentioned numerous problems with Google Maps in my write up, and I think this is one of the biggest problems with Google Maps.
However I feel a Google Map story application for an iPhone or iPad could work rather well. This application would have stories that are tied into the locations, they could be small humorous stories that one can easily read on the go. It would be good if they alternated to. Stories can be used in multiple locations, and you would just need some system that would change the variables, i.e. the street names, or fast food joint. The online element would come in as you could have user submitted stories, and it downloads the stories from the internet. The application is essentially a Google Map/web browser of sorts, and the content is online. This is a creative way how these technologies could be used.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
2. Google Map Write-Up
My Google Map project is a rather interesting one. I wanted to create an entirely fictional universe, and use Google Maps as a method of delivery of this story. So while I could potentially write a book with these events, I thought doing so in Google Maps had numerous benefits. But, before going into these, I want to talk about the 'so what' of my project.
So What: This project is meant to show the capabilities of Google Maps as a medium to deliver fictional writing. Hence, I harnessed numerous positive things about Google Maps. For example, being able to write non-linearly, and have each piece play off each other as they create a universe, with elements multiple pieces use. Such as the stalker, Q, who is mentioned in numerous pieces. Another thing of note is that because there is no reading order of the pieces, it becomes a world of back stories and infilling. As what was mentioned in one piece, such as Xavi's parents divorce, is actually featured in another piece (I think this is a rather cool part of this medium).
I also could tie the stories into the locations on the map. There's a piece set at Xavi's school, that occurs at an actual school! The McDonald's piece, occurs on the map at an actual McDonald's!!! And so forth with the airport, and hospital psychologist etc. I also used some of the other capabilities, such as custom logos, links, and image imbedding. (I tried using lines and making shapes, but the problem there is that I didn't see any reason why this project needed it, especially judging that all I would use it for is small areas. The problem here is that when one zooms out, the size of the shape gets smaller and smaller. Hence I didn't use it.)
Overall, these are examples of how I tried to harness the capabilities of Google Maps to show what could be created in it, and show how it could be used as a storytelling medium. Especially the idea that small pieces contribute to an overall story/character, and that the pieces can be written in different styles. (There are 10 pieces total, in 9 different styles, which include formal letter, psychological report, blog post, diary entry, speech and first person narrative).
I find Google Maps really annoying however. It needs better functionality and more customisation. For example, when editing the text in a placemark, the actual window needs to be bigger. It's really hard to edit in the ridiculously small window. Another thing that could be improved in Google maps, is that size of the window when reading. It would be great if one could customise the width of that window, as at the moment, it is too narrow. Also sometimes my text is too large for the window, and it doesn't add a scroll bar to it, so it just overflows on the map, this is a bug I found. This is what annoyed me most about Google Maps.
In the future, I might use it as a medium to deliver my writing. I feel like the idea of using Google Maps in a way similar to my project is rather interesting, and something I might do in the future.
So What: This project is meant to show the capabilities of Google Maps as a medium to deliver fictional writing. Hence, I harnessed numerous positive things about Google Maps. For example, being able to write non-linearly, and have each piece play off each other as they create a universe, with elements multiple pieces use. Such as the stalker, Q, who is mentioned in numerous pieces. Another thing of note is that because there is no reading order of the pieces, it becomes a world of back stories and infilling. As what was mentioned in one piece, such as Xavi's parents divorce, is actually featured in another piece (I think this is a rather cool part of this medium).
I also could tie the stories into the locations on the map. There's a piece set at Xavi's school, that occurs at an actual school! The McDonald's piece, occurs on the map at an actual McDonald's!!! And so forth with the airport, and hospital psychologist etc. I also used some of the other capabilities, such as custom logos, links, and image imbedding. (I tried using lines and making shapes, but the problem there is that I didn't see any reason why this project needed it, especially judging that all I would use it for is small areas. The problem here is that when one zooms out, the size of the shape gets smaller and smaller. Hence I didn't use it.)
Overall, these are examples of how I tried to harness the capabilities of Google Maps to show what could be created in it, and show how it could be used as a storytelling medium. Especially the idea that small pieces contribute to an overall story/character, and that the pieces can be written in different styles. (There are 10 pieces total, in 9 different styles, which include formal letter, psychological report, blog post, diary entry, speech and first person narrative).
I find Google Maps really annoying however. It needs better functionality and more customisation. For example, when editing the text in a placemark, the actual window needs to be bigger. It's really hard to edit in the ridiculously small window. Another thing that could be improved in Google maps, is that size of the window when reading. It would be great if one could customise the width of that window, as at the moment, it is too narrow. Also sometimes my text is too large for the window, and it doesn't add a scroll bar to it, so it just overflows on the map, this is a bug I found. This is what annoyed me most about Google Maps.
In the future, I might use it as a medium to deliver my writing. I feel like the idea of using Google Maps in a way similar to my project is rather interesting, and something I might do in the future.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
1. Cliché.
Cliché paragraph:
One early September morning, as the wind whistled while the grass glistened with dew, the birds were singly cheerfully. In a nearby apartment, a Mexican man had just woke up from a siesta. This man's name is Jesus Lopez, and he is no ordinary man. Currently, Mr. Lopez was putting his sombrero on for a hard days work, while checking out the size of his massive gut in the mirror. Work was difficult for Mr Lopez, not only was he an illegal immigrant, but had eight children to feed. At the end of the day, it was hard for him to keep cool as a cucumber. Although with all due respect, he could work better if he had better synergy. But anyways, to make a long story short, it wasn't rocket science that this Mexican was putting 110% into back breaking work, almost 24/7. With all due respect mind you, this moment in time is mostly due to his lack of education, and his love of family. Beleive it or not, this caused him to get siestas only when he could, and he rarely had time to enjoy a taco. The hard life this man leads.
Reworked paragraph, removing clichés
Ebo ran to work, not because he was late, but because he enjoys the pleasure that exercise induced endorphin release brings. He stopped outside his work building, entered it, and headed for the stairs. Once in the stair well, Ebo starting thinking about his life whilst walking up them. His life is busy, yet is having a great time working hard as he basks in the joy that a university degree has brought his boyfriend, and himself. With no children, Ebo is a peculiar Mexican. Adding to this is his legal status in America. That is, he isn't an illegal immigrant. Ebo thought his life was rather droll, and unconventional. His nipples erected at this point, as they tend to do when he thinks this thought. But this subsided as Ebo reached his floor, and starting feeling so happy that he started to click his fingers. Ebo was also ecstatic about his lunch, Sushi. Sushi that his professional American football playing boyfriend bought for him. How nice of he.
One early September morning, as the wind whistled while the grass glistened with dew, the birds were singly cheerfully. In a nearby apartment, a Mexican man had just woke up from a siesta. This man's name is Jesus Lopez, and he is no ordinary man. Currently, Mr. Lopez was putting his sombrero on for a hard days work, while checking out the size of his massive gut in the mirror. Work was difficult for Mr Lopez, not only was he an illegal immigrant, but had eight children to feed. At the end of the day, it was hard for him to keep cool as a cucumber. Although with all due respect, he could work better if he had better synergy. But anyways, to make a long story short, it wasn't rocket science that this Mexican was putting 110% into back breaking work, almost 24/7. With all due respect mind you, this moment in time is mostly due to his lack of education, and his love of family. Beleive it or not, this caused him to get siestas only when he could, and he rarely had time to enjoy a taco. The hard life this man leads.
Reworked paragraph, removing clichés
Ebo ran to work, not because he was late, but because he enjoys the pleasure that exercise induced endorphin release brings. He stopped outside his work building, entered it, and headed for the stairs. Once in the stair well, Ebo starting thinking about his life whilst walking up them. His life is busy, yet is having a great time working hard as he basks in the joy that a university degree has brought his boyfriend, and himself. With no children, Ebo is a peculiar Mexican. Adding to this is his legal status in America. That is, he isn't an illegal immigrant. Ebo thought his life was rather droll, and unconventional. His nipples erected at this point, as they tend to do when he thinks this thought. But this subsided as Ebo reached his floor, and starting feeling so happy that he started to click his fingers. Ebo was also ecstatic about his lunch, Sushi. Sushi that his professional American football playing boyfriend bought for him. How nice of he.
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