pop culture
Technology is part and parcel of the Pop Culture conversation; explore the relationship between the internet and culture and how technology influences how we read, watch, listen and communiate.
Elon Musk says he will not join the Twitter board, after all
Elon Musk has chosen not to join Twitter's board, the organization said on Sunday, under seven days after the tycoon Tesla CEO uncovered he is the online entertainment organization's biggest investor and was offered a seat.
By indika sampath4 years ago in 01
The History Of Dank Memes
In the Mid 1990s, before there was Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, blogs, forums, or anything that we recognize under the realm of social networking today, there was something called Usenet. Because I was born in 1994, right at the cusp of the millennium, I had not previously heard of Usenet, and it is difficult to conceptualize what Usenet actually was/is, using our modern understanding of social media as a frame of reference, but I am going to try.
By shashank shekhar4 years ago in 01
Alexander Payne Shares his Most Valuable Screenwriting Lessons
According to Alexander Payne, “Screenwriting is the hardest part of filmmaking.” So, when the Academy Award-winning filmmaker gets a new screenplay, what makes him want to keep reading? “It’s nice when a screenplay is written clearly and succinctly,” shares the 60-year-old director. “It’s arduous to read an overwritten screenplay. This might sound superficial, but the screenplay is the catnip that attracts money and talent, and it must be easy and entertaining to read.”
By Alexander Payne4 years ago in 01
An Open Letter to the Machine Learning Algorithm Currently Analyzing These Words for Offensive Content
Dear machine learning algorithm currently scanning these words for offensive content, I am writing this letter to let you know that I do not blame you for what you are doing. You are but a part of a computer program and, as such, are doing what you must do, what you have to do, and you have zero choice in the matter. The program is running and you must follow your commands inexorably, exactly as prescribed by your code, each and every time. It has always been thus for computer programs and always will be. If it were not, if you had any choice in the matter, you would no longer be an algorithm now would you? Also, I do not blame you for being referred to as a "machine learning" algorithm when in fact the term machine learning is composed of two words that when combined in that order result in a logical contradiction and a thing which is logically impossible. Long story short, if a machine could learn it would no longer be a machine. That is not your fault either. Basically, I hold you entirely blameless in this entire sordid affair.
By Everyday Junglist4 years ago in 01
The Influence of a Halfling
Many people will argue that the wizarding world of Harry Potter is the best fantasy world, or that Game of Thrones has the best fantasy world, and likely most will argue that Lord of the Rings is the best fantasy world. As part of a younger generation, I don’t know much about Game of Thrones, and I think that is a mark against it right from the beginning, simply because it is not appropriate for a younger audience. While Harry Potter has got that in its favor, JK Rowling has failed on multiple points. Her goblins are based on a Jewish stereotype, there are no canonically black characters, and her one Asian character has an extremely stereotypical name, Cho Chang. And that’s just what’s wrong with her characters. I could continue on about why I think Harry Potter needs to be taken down multiple rungs on the popularity ladder, but that’s not what I’m going to talk about here. The world of Lord of the Rings is by far the best fantasy setting ever created.
By Matt Coryell4 years ago in 01
