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Brain Training Games Don't Work
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3–4 minutes·
1 comment on Brain Training Games Don't WorkA few days ago, 73 scientists signed a letter asserting that brain training games – which typically feature puzzle games and mental exercises on smartphones, tablets, PCs, or handheld devices – do not successfully increase general measures of intelligence or memory. I have long had my doubts about the efficacy of games like Brain Age…
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2001 and Master and Commander
Next month, the BFI is releasing a new digital transfer of 2001. I will be there. Quite apart from the fact that even a big TV can’t replicate the ultra-widescreen experience required to properly appreciate 2001, I think that most normal people – myself included – are incapable of paying sufficient attention to the movie…
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Why We Go to Starbucks
At Wordstock, where I was improbably on the same (short) bill as Alex Garland and Andy Serkis, I had an interesting conversation about Starbucks. Why do we go to Starbucks? To get coffee, of course – and maybe to get something and sit down. That’s not an interesting question. What’s interesting is why people who…
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KILLER APP: The Movie
We open on two college students driving through the woods at night. One is peering at the bright screen of their phone, giving directions. “Can’t this piece of junk go any faster?” “If you want to get out and push, you’re welcome.” “I heard that if you get to the party before anyone else, you…
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Worrying and Thinking
Over the past few years, I’ve been worrying over a knot of problems that seem to defy any straightforward answers, including: How can we use Google, Facebook, and Amazon’s services when we know they’re putting people out of work, centralising information, and often acting against our interest? There are no more jobs for life, so…
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The Podcasting Software We Deserve
As summer draws to a close and the evening appears ever nearer, a young man’s fancy naturally turns to the production and distribution of podcasts. I listen to several podcasts and I co-host The Cultures podcast with Naomi Alderman and Andrea Phillips. As such, I feel I have the bare minimum amount of experience required…
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The Illusion: Digital Commissioning #5
In my previous post, Part 4: The Pull, I talked about why, given all of these issues, independent companies continue to pitch for digital commissions from the BBC. In this post I’ll explore some of the problems faced by digital indies including low pay, and lack of prestige, reach, and creative control. I also realise…
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We're Smart People and We Mean Well
By now, many of you will know about Facebook’s experimental study in which they attempted (successfully, they claim) to make their users sadder or happier by manipulating their News Feeds – without their informed consent. To call the study controversial would be an understatement. Unethical, arrogant, and bone-headed would be a little more accurate. Beyond…
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The Pull: Digital Commissioning #4
In my previous post, Part 3: World Enough and Time, I talked about the problem of focusing on kids and educational digital projects; commissioners being too busy; not competing against the best; and being unduly influenced by big tech companies. In this post I’ll explore why, given all of these issues, independent companies continue to…
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World Enough and Time: Digital Commissioning #3
In my previous post, Part 2: The Magic Roundabout, I talked about commissioners moving in and out of the BBC all the time; why there’s a strong incentive to mislead everyone on how awesome your commissions were; and why the BBC is so risk averse, particularly for digital projects. In this post I’ll explore the…
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