The concept of “offline” is built on the earlier concept of “wilderness,” inheriting its flaws and hazards
Before the internet, escaping to the wilderness was touted for its health benefits. Now, it is a remedy to the abstract category of technology — screen light and digital noise
https://reallifemag.com/the-great-offline/
SATYA NADELLA: I think that this entire idea of metaverse is fundamentally this: increasingly, as we embed computing in the real world, you can even embed the real world in computing. That’s kind of how I think about it. Both because in some sense, one of the metaphors that I always use which is helpful is that as both an outside-in and inside-out. For example, you can have a space in which there are lots of cameras and microphones. And you can digitize the space. You don’t need to wear anything on your head.
https://qz.com/2086353/seoul-is-developing-a-metaverse-government-platform/
The South Korean city is planning to use artificial intelligence to monitor its sewers and water waste centers. An AI chatbot serves as a public concierge, fielding public questions and complaints related to everything from parking violations to covid-19 protocols. Earlier this year, Seoul rolled out plans for a public internet of things network—a series of sensors and base stations throughout the city that collect data on things like traffic, public safety, and environmental metrics and feed them into a central operations platform managed by city workers.
With more brands like Dolce & Gabbana and celebrities like Doja Cat recently launching NFTs, some brands still have a wait-and-see attitude. Brands are having to rethink how they engage with audiences in virtual spaces, where authenticity and community are kings, and the old advertising ways of Madison Avenue no longer work.
When Grown-Ups Have Imaginary Friends https://nyti.ms/3eTjSkL
The contemplative indie Marjorie Prime is the latest in a long line of sci-fi films and TV shows that explore how we might date and love in the future
AI is the perfect sounding board for these modern anxieties about human connection, and 20th- and 21st-century films are filled with dystopian landscapes that showcase the loneliness of a world where intimacy is something you can buy. Read more (The Guardian)
Analyzing Trends with Tim Stock 