Sharing Neon

Stumbled onto this and liked what I saw. Sometimes we just need a reminder, right?

Show, Don't Tell

We’ve all heard the phrase “show, don’t tell.” In fact, we here at Big Spaceship live by those three words. To tell is to inform. But to show is to wow. German mathematician Joseph Furtenbach proved this quite simply:

The year was 1627. Furtenbach wanted to prove Galileo’s theory that the earth spun on a fixed axis. Rather than presenting the people with a 500-page essay, he loaded a cannon. After firing a cannon ball straight into the sky, he climbed on top of the cannon’s muzzle.


If Galileo knew what he was talking about, the cannon ball would return to the earth at a point west of the cannon, while the earth would rotate east. If, on the other hand, Galileo’s theory was wrong, it was curtains for Furtenbach.

The ball soared into the sky. The crowd gasped – some unable to watch aside from the occasional peek. Furtenbach sat atop the cannon and smiled, waiting for the ball to descend.

POW. The thud was followed by an eerie silence. Furtenbach’s head was intact. Just west of him, the earth revealed an impressive dent. Galileo was right. He had always been right…but now people believed him.

This has been another great moment in the history “show, don’t tell.”

(The above was paraphrased from Erik Larson’s Isaac’s Storm.)

A Journey Retold

Journey to the West. Four-hundred and some years later, this classic piece of Chinese literature has been presented in a new light. A Buddhist monk makes his pilgrimage to India to get his hands on some quite righteous spiritual scriptures. A few disciples, including a badass monkey, help him along the way.



I’m giving an oh, so brief synopsis of a book comprised of 100 chapters. But the BBC told the story in an equally simple way (here’s a bit on how they did it). In promoting their coverage of the upcoming Beijing Olympics, they turned the tale into a two-minute gem, ending - after some fabulous Olympic-style leaps, twists and escapes - with the lighting of the mighty torch. The network partnered with fellow Englishmen Jamie Hewlett and Damon Albarn. No strangers to collaboration, they're the brains behind Gorillaz and also helped co-create the opera Monkey: Journey to the West - this looks like it rocks, by the way. And in Albarn's case, let's not forget about the amazing music of Brit supergroup The Good, the Bad and the Queen.

The visuals are based off of Monkey (or Monkey Magic!), a popular 1970s animated series. Maybe that choice was rooted in nostalgia. Regardless, it's much more interesting than the traditional glorified athlete promo. I think it’s a lovely retelling of an age-old story. Condensed, yes, but attention spans are not what they used to be. Is that because of digital platforms? I'll answer that when I have more time (to concentrate on the question). First, I need to get Monkey on my mobile.

Roll Computer

Radiohead’s new video for “House of Cards” uses no lights and no cameras. It was created with some dope real-time 3D recording technologies. They captured these 3D images using Geometric Informatics and two LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) scanners. One scanner was used for detailed information (like the Thom Yorke close-ups). It rotated 360 degrees and had 64 rotating lasers. The other was designed to pick up much wider geographic images, including the Florida terrain you see. No surprise that it took weeks to process the massive amount of raw data. Here’s more on how it was made.



The production crew (composed by and large of engineers) distorted some of the data with small bits of mirror. They also experimented with water and feathers. Added bonus: You can manipulate the video and download data to create your own visualizations. Nice.

Director James Frost said the thinking behind this project was to create a real feeling through something that was computer generated. It’s a reflection of our data driven society.

Radiohead rocks. (Special thanks to S.W. Taffy for the assistance embedding the video!)

I Survived the Viewing of a Japanese Game Show

I have not seen the original Japanese version of "I Survived a Japanese Game Show," but I imagine it is more entertaining than the show that premiered on ABC tonight. Don't get me wrong...there were definite funny moments (the angry mama-san, the tambourine-banging audience, and the mochi game cartoon demo come to mind), but I think the translation loses something. Tossing American game show contestants into that atmosphere makes it both slightly annoying and - in an ironic way - less absurd. Coincidentally, is the game show host the same man who appears in Lost in Translation? I think so.

Tonight, the stereotype of the ugly American was broadcast to folks across the nation. Loud, ignorant and judgmental were my first impressions of this motley crew. God I hope reality TV isn’t full of too much reality. Television as a byproduct and reflection of our culture sometimes makes me want to crawl under a rug.

Out in space a million miles away, we're a singular little planet. Doesn't it make you wonder how our cultures can be so divergent? I'm tired.

Chocolate + Milk

Milk flavoring straws. Seriously...? I saw this at the drug store the other day, and 99 cents later, the 4-pack was mine.

It's called Sipahh. The deal is, the plastic straw is full of chocolate powdery beads (other flavors, like strawberry, are available). It has a slotted opening at each end, small enough so that the beads won't pass through, but of course liquid will.

You put your straw into a glass of milk and sip. Then, I presume, you say ahh! Just like that, you're drinking chocolate milk.

I didn't say ahh. It was too sweet for my liking. Sugar is the number one ingredient, and there are some fake sweeteners as well. I love that the packaging reads: A Sipahh straw with milk* is a good source of calcium and vitamins A & D. Hey Sipahh, guess what else is full of calcium and vitamins when mixed with milk: just about anything, including rocks.

It's sort of a novel idea. But I'm sticking to little orphan Annie and my nutricious, delicious, rich and chocolaty Ovaltine! No straw required.

Eggs and Bacon

Which came first—the chicken or the egg? The correct answer might just be the egg cup. Images of egg cups were found in Turkish mosaics dating back to 3 AD. Who knew…

I recently picked up the dandy one pictured here. I’m not too big on boiled eggs, though maybe this will change my perspective. I bought it as more of an accessory for my orange-accented kitchen. It did get me thinking about the origin of egg cups…So I dug up a few interesting bits of information that eventually led to a scrambled game of six degrees of separation:

1. The first egg cups were made of wood, though silver ones appeared around the same time. These days you can find them made of porcelain, glass and a host of other materials.
2. During the19th century, silver egg cups were often gilded inside so that the sulphur from the egg did not stain them. A century earlier, France’s King Louis XV—a fan of the egg cup—helped drive its popularity. Rumor was he could decapitate an egg’s “head” with a single stroke.
3. Opposite the head is the base, often called the “footie,” and it of course acts to stabilize the cup.
4. Perhaps because of the sturdy footie, the Sazerac, one of the world’s oldest cocktails (invented in a New Orleans apothecary), was originally served in an egg cup, or a “coquetier.” Side note: It was once thought the term “cocktail” derived from a mispronunciation of this French word. However, that is not the case.
5. In Cocktail, the ‘80s classic, Tom Cruise mixed up several liquid concoctions (though he did not serve them in egg cups).
6. A few years later, Tom Cruise starred in A Few Good Men with none other than Kevin Bacon.

And there you have it.

The Underground

Caseophiles, step right this way...Murray's Cheese now offers cave tours! I went on one yesterday.

There are four caves below ground, each with different aging processes and types of cheeses. It was pretty cool (literally...I'm glad I had my scarf with me!). We learned all about mold and bacteria and the affinor's job as both artist and scientist. The aging process is fairly complex, though at times it is similar to what old people go through...think liver spots and sensitive skin masking a wise, complex interior.

Quite interesting, I'd recommend it. The cost is $10 for a 30-minute tour, and this includes a couple of samples.

On the way out, I purchased a bag of real Wisconsin cheese curds and had two of my fellow cave tour friends over for cheese and Belgian beer. This turned out to be the perfect way to spend the third Saturday of the month (which is when the tours take place).

Details at Murray's Cheese

Arcade Fire: Another Spooky Web Video

First off, thanks to Creativity mag for bringing this one to my attention. Arcade Fire is pushing
Black Mirror as the next big tune off of Neon Bible, and I likes how they're going about it.

They've created a dark and odd video that let's you play the dark and odd DJ, hovering behind the turntables. You can't sample Bootsy Collins bass lines over this track, but the site does give you the power to remix it. Take away or add certain instruments and vocals, all by pressing numbers 1-6 on your keyboard. And are those synchronize swimming ninjas I see towards the end of the song? Fantastic (and oh, how gracefully they dance when only keys 4 and 6 are active).

You've probably already seen the puppetry fun behind the
Neon Bible video site, which they released a few months ago. If you haven't, I won't spoil anything. But have a look. It's such a lovely song to begin with, made all the lovelier by magically writing the lyrics in smoke.

Bonus points for the URL jumbles...neon bible = beonlineb, black mirror = rorrimkcalb (I would have gone with "clamor brrik" myself). Keep up the fantastic work, Arcade Fire!

Mr. Proverb and Cliché Reciter

In honor of my friend and former boss KR – a real man of genius – below is my take on DDB’s Bud Light jingles. Happy Birthday KR. This one’s for you (but remember, it’s not about you).

Cue the ballad

Bud Light presents Real Men of Genius.

[Background vocals: Real Men of Genius]

Today we salute you, Mr. Proverb and Cliché Reciter.

[BV: Mr. Proverb and Cliché Reciter]

You’ve got a way with words, even if they’re not your own.
What’s that you say? A rolling stone gathers no moss? How true indeed.

[BV: So very true]

Like an endless supply of fortune cookies, you’ve got an answer for everything. You can have your cake and eat it too. But what good is you cake if you can’t eat it?

[BV: That cake is tasty]

Sure, curiosity killed the cat. But did it ever so much as harm the people?

[BV: I ain’t no cat]

So crack open an ice cold Bud Light, man of borrowed expressions.
Because when life throws lemons, you may not make lemonade, but you’ll tell others to.

[BV: Mr. Proverb and Cliché Reciter]

Bud Light Beer. Anheuser-Busch. St. Louis, Missouri.

A New Year, A New List

You’ve all heard that we are more likely to achieve our new year’s resolutions if we write them down. That said, I WILL stumble onto a large sum of money in a leather suitcase at the end of a dark, though not forbidding, alley.

Joking. Without further ado...

1. I will go on a fantastic adventure in 2008 – maybe to Ireland or Alaska or Mexico City. Destination TBD.
2. I will eat plain yogurt more often, adding my own fruit in place of “poser” fruits and sweet imposters like aspartame.
3. I will celebrate the Ides of March like never before.
4. I will visit a cranberry bog and/or a cheese factory.
5. I will make s'mores in the fireplace at Employees Only.

Spare Mikey the Details

Creating a great ad – one that is captivating, memorable and on strategy – is incredibly difficult. Ruining it is a cinch. Consider the classic line from the "Mikey" Life Cereal commercial, “He likes it.” Now, change that to “He likes the wholesome taste and nutritional value of it.” How quickly that simple, nostalgic phrase plummets into a cereal bowl full of forgettable mush.

I came across a Business Week article that argued for the side of “less is more” in terms of detail in advertising. In short, no matter how important your message is, consumers won’t tune in if it’s BORING. Information is of course imperative, but ads should focus on drawing people in, not spoon-feeding them.

Effective advertising often conveys a message in a roundabout way. Not by defining an issue, but by illustrating it. Not by reciting a fact sheet, but by telling a story. Not by listing the ingredients of a product, but by showing you how damn delicious that product is. Not by...you get my point.

Aside from the chiefly dull world of pharmaceutical advertising, the information deemed essential in any given ad is often up for debate. Packing it in is a poor decision. Consumers are bombarded with ads that for the most part they would prefer to avoid. Successful messaging is about quality, not quantity (particularly in the arena of donated media, Ad Council friends!).

But many issues and products are more complex and abstract than cereal. Accordingly, quantity – in terms of information – is certainly a factor when tackling issues like autism, global warming or financial literacy. Such topics are not easily summarized. Herein likes the conundrum. Just how do we communicate these immense matters in a :30 ad? Or on a transit shelter? Some say the more information we can squeeze in, the better. Wrong people, we’ve got to keep it snappy!

Rather than cramming an ad chockfull of information, we need to convey a single message creative and powerful enough to grab consumers’ attention. If our target takes note of the issue (and hopefully seeks further information on it), then we have done our job. This is not to say details are trivial - quite the opposite. They are just better suited for websites, fulfillment brochures, and the like.

The article that inspired this one opened with Voltaire’s words, “The best way to be boring is to leave nothing out.” No matter the topic, we are better off keeping the message simple yet compelling if we want to make an impact. I will leave you with a quote from legendary ad man Bill Bernbach – “There is practically nothing that is not capable of boring us.”

Tea Time at the Movies

This month’s movie recommendation: The Darjeeling Limited. Wes Anderson’s latest (and possibly greatest – at least in terms of initial viewings) is the tale of three brothers journeying through India. They seek healing, their mom and a good high. It is sibling rivalry meets sweet lime meets brotherly love...in that order. And much of this takes place inside a tiny train compartment.

In Francis, Peter and Jack (played by Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody and Jason Schwartzman, respectively), Mr. Anderson has created three wonderfully peculiar gentlemen, their personalities as contrasting as their looks. They have downfalls. They say nasty things. They brawl. That said, they are benevolent and exceedingly likable. Even their enlightened but distant and eyeliner-heavy mother (Anjelica Huston), demonstrates her compassion. Such qualities of redemption carry through in all of Wes Anderson’s films, as do remarkably well-chosen soundtracks.

I think that’s really the basis of the Wes Anderson formula:
A handful of wry characters (including at least one sad clown) + Big Hearts + Fabulous Music (Sixties or foreign tunes to be at least one-third of the selections) + Detailed Sets +/- Muted or Monochromatic Color Schemes = Endearing, Lovely, Hilarious Movies. Voila!

I haven’t been to India. The scenery in the film is breathtaking. Though one thing that stood out to me and others was the lack of crowds. It made the country appear for the most part desolate. I imagine this was intentional. Wes Anderson doesn’t strike me as a happenstance sort of moviemaker. By the way...during the outdoor peacock feather ceremony, was anyone else wondering what the Bose speaker was plugged into?

Seeing the semi-prequel Hotel Chevalier in advance is recommended though not necessary. It certainly makes the ending more charming. What is necessary? Tea, of course. My friends and I got hopped up on a pot of darjeeling at Sympathy for the Kettle before seeing the movie. Oh, and tea cakes are essential as well. I made some lemon sponge tea cakes and smuggled them into the theatre. They proved both a treat tastier than Milk Duds and a way to befriend strangers seated next to us. One of them in turn gave me a “smile” card promoting Random Acts of Kindness. Take that, Blue Meanies!

In closing, I read that Wes Anderson is directing some AT&T ads. I haven’t seen the work yet but would love for him to take on a PSA. One of my fave Ad Council spots at present is for our Inspiring Invention (bing!) campaign. It has Wes Anderson qualities to it - the little girl is dynamite deadpan, and the invention sounds a bit like Owen Wilson. See for yourself...Follow this link and click on Bandage Puller. Enjoy.

Brand Loyalty: Mind Over Matter

What’s in a name? Everything, if you ask a brand manager. Next to all those established brand name products lining the supermarket shelves are copycats vying for your attention from the cheap seats. Woolite or Wool Wash? Kleenex or facial tissue? Cheerios or Tasty O’s? The examples are endless.

While I pour a glass of milk, let’s consider two brands of chocolate chip cookies – The classic Chips Ahoy and the lesser-known Chiparrific. Both are crisp cookies full of chocolate chips. Both are sold in blue packaging. But you give me a taste test, and I will tell you the Chips Ahoy cookie tastes better, hands down.

I wonder, would a blind taste test yield the same results? Could it be that my subconscious cajoles my taste buds into choosing the Chips Ahoy brand, due to its evocative scrumptiousness? Marketing has a magical quality to it – an ability to make two remarkably similar products seem worlds apart. One cookie conjures up images of a lovable grandma in an embroidered apron, rising long before the sun to bake sweets from scratch. The other suggests factory presses and cheap chocolate.

There are certain items I pledge my brand allegiance to. For other products, the generic version is suitable, especially if the price is right. Next to cost and product composition, marketing plays a large but obscured role in consumer decisions. Why else would so many people choose the costlier brand name over a generic substitute when the two are nearly identical?

I think it is often a case of mind over matter. That is not to say consumers sit back hypnotically as advertisers charm them with snappy slogans, pulling persuasive rabbits out of hats. But I’ve got to give them credit. Through stories, testimonials, and unique messaging, they help transform brands – essentially, everyday products – into anything but everyday. The Pillsbury Dough Boy represents homestyle comfort, not crescent rolls. Subway has turned deli sandwiches into diet pills. Nike doesn’t sell shoes. It sells oomph.

A couple of summers ago, every ice cream truck I saw roaming the streets of New York was labeled Mister Softee. This year, there is a new truck in town, and he goes by the name of Captain Softee. I’ve yet to determine if the Captain is a four-wheeled imitator or if he’s the real deal, sprinkles and all. A taste test is in the works...

Call Me Old-Fashioned

"All God's children got rhythm. All God's children got swing." Or so they sing in "A Day at the Races," a full of laughter Marx Bros. gem.

I fancy old movies, old photos, old tunes, and old fashions. I think one of you once accused me of secretly being 80 years old? It was just after I talked you into recording a Mr. Ed marathon for me while I was on holiday. Sure, you might say I am fond of pop culture relics.

This Marx Bros. film is just comedy at its best. Silent films are for yesteryear, but I’m here today to shout about them from the rooftops. Gone are the days of Harpo Marx (my favorite of the brothers), only to have been replaced with plenty of junky flicks. Gimme a break! I miss the days of Nell Carter.

Those milk bottles they used to leave on doorsteps…That would have been swell. Listen to Three Dog Night’s "Old Fashioned Love Song." Lovely tune. And another thing, old camera film produced photos on such thick paper. Sure, you had that flash bulb popping overhead, but the paper was nice.

I also like the past because (now) I can afford it. My pocketbook can’t cover all the fun "here and now" gadgets that I secretly desire. New computers, newer digital cameras…I can't keep up. I may be the only living girl in New York without an iPod. I'm considering painting my headphones white.

The other day, I spotted an old electric can opener in the trash bin. This machine was twice the size of a teacup poodle. Forget about bringing that back. But the old movies are spectacular. Popcorn goes really well with Duck Soup. You'll get that joke if you too are old(-fashioned).

May: (The Month Following) National Poetry Month

April was National Poetry Month, making this article yesterday’s (or last month’s) news. But in that “glass is half full” sort of way, let’s imagine I’m getting a jumpstart on next April’s rhyming fun.

Poetry month…For me, it conjures up A-B-A-B rhyming patterns, Emily Dickinson, and the ever-enjoyable Haiku. What is a Haiku, you ask? It’s a form of Japanese poetry in three unrhymed lines of five, seven and five "syllables." The syllables are a loose translation of morae, the phonetic units used in Japanese poetry.

I briefly considered writing this piece entirely in the form of Haiku. Bad idea. As Haikus often describe nature, the weather forecast might look something like this:

Sunshine
Happy on my shoulders,
Mother Nature sprinkles love.
Bust out your flip-flops.

Clouds
Cumulonimbus,
I don’t get it, weatherman.
Do I need rain boots?

Snow
Brrr baby, it’s cold,
Jack Frost dances in the sky.
Must make hot cocoa.

Meteorologist
Warm fronts and cold fronts,
What the hell is a Doppler?
Local forecast, please.

Global Warming/The End
Poetry is fun,
Always, not just in April.
But we need ice caps.

My Nemesis, The Elm Tree

“Tree pollen, get your fresh tree pollen! Blowing steadily in from the west, it’s sure to be plentiful this year. Guaranteed to give you runny noses and itchy eyes. But wait, there’s more – Some of you lucky folks will even get sinus headaches and eczema!”

Blossoming trees, blooming flowers, and birds chirping. The telltale signs of spring are here. Yet sneaking up alongside the warmer temperatures and greener grass is a sinister character known as tree pollen. And let me tell you, this invisible monster is tricky.

I read a Times article the other day that centered on this surprising truth: allergies – frequently thought of as a childhood affliction – can spring up at any point in a person’s life. How awfully strange that you could one day hop out of bed, settle down to a crossword puzzle, a cup of coffee, and a pecan roll, and suddenly find yourself allergic to those very pecans on that very roll!

According to the Times article, a number of factors can trigger allergies, such as moving to a new city or getting a pet. Yet the interesting bit is that allergies in adults have steadily increased over the past few decades. I for one am extremely allergic to trees…the Elm is the worst of them all. But it wasn’t until the past couple of years that my allergies became incredibly obnoxious.

While there is something to be said for a genetic predisposition to allergies, a relatively new theory blames improved living conditions. To explain, let’s take a look at two fictional characters: eight-year-old Jack and his 80-year-old grandpa, Quinley (cue the irony, stage left):

A. Compared to grandpa Quinley, Jack has grown up in a world of vaccinations, antibiotics, and cleaner food and water. In other words, he has had far fewer environmental challenges.
B. Without such challenges, Jack’s immune system has not developed in a balanced way.
C. Jack is now predisposed to allergies, and unlike grandpa Quinley, he may be hypersensitive to allergic reactions. And you can bet grandpa Quinley never had to use antihistamines.

Another school of thought is that increased air pollution as well as indoor air contaminates have led to a rise in allergies (and in Kleenex sales, one might presume).

Whatever the reason for their existence, allergies can have a miserable affect on quality of life, not to mention they can increase the risk of developing asthma. But there are ways to combat (or avoid) the elements. Can we get a PSA campaign in the works here? “Kleenex is for lovers”…“Fight green trees with green tea”…etc. After all, how can we expect Smokey Bear to fight forest fires when he’s busy fighting the sniffles? I want to live with the trees, not hide from them.

God Advertises Beyond Billboard

I love those billboards that quote God. They appear more often in the South, just like Waffle House signs. While on a road trip to Florida, God spoke to me from above – on a 30-sheet billboard, to be exact. Since then I’ve kept a list of his wise words and also started drafting new ones with some friends (Jason, Emily - bless you). Below are the words of God. Keep an eye out when on the road. And remember, buckle up!

“Have you read my #1 bestseller? There will be a test.”
“Hamburger for dinner on Friday? Have fun in hell.”
“When I call you up, it won’t be on the telephone.”
“Your crazy ex-girlfriend isn’t the only one watching your every move.”
“We need to talk.”
“You know that ‘love thy neighbor’ thing? I meant it.”
“Here Easter bunny, bunny, bunny…Remember when Easter was about ME?!!”
“Follow me.”
“Pontius Pilot never flew an airplane.”
“Where else is bread and wine on the house every day?”
“Knock, knock.” (Who’s there?) “Hallow.” (Hello who?) “Hallow be my name.”
“I can make a blind man see. Can you?”
"Turn here for guidance."
(Achoo!) “Bless Me.”
“I’ll be back.”_- Arnold Schwarzenegger – God
“The real Supreme Court meets up here.”

Icy Fashionistas

I love how footless tights are so in right now. Seriously. Rarely do I jump aboard trendy bandwagons, but for this one I'm on the edge of the road with my thumb in the air, ready to hop on.

The thing is though...figure skaters have been wearing footless tights for years. They're called Mondors, my friends! And I've got them a plenty. Black, navy, nude - you name it.

For once, it seems the world of figure skating is ahead of (or even in the same time zone) as the fashion world. I hope to God this doesn't mean that feathered and sequined costumes are next. Remember that Oksana Bauil pink bird number? She wore it well, but that only belongs on the ice. Or in Vegas.

Trick or Treat. Or Meat.

Happy Halloween. I’ll trade you my Twix for your Tootsie Rolls. Deal? Diets have no place near trick-or-treat bags. That includes fad diets, which I guess are an oxymoron. If the diet really worked, it wouldn’t disappear after a few years.

I thought Atkins was for the birds, but I stand corrected. Apparently it’s for the cats. As I was reading the A.M. Metro on the train, I came across this report:

“A Scottish cat named Fidget used to tip the scales at 22 pounds. But the feline’s owner put him on a meat-rich diet, and Fidget’s been shedding the weight ever since. Fidget’s owner made the change – an Atkins Diet for cats – when the 18-year-old cat could no longer crunch dry biscuits. Fidget now weighs a respectable 11 pounds.”

This whole situation is much too, oh I don't know, anthropomorphic. My crystal ball says Fidget won’t last through the holiday season. Why?

A. He’s 18, which I think is like 1,254 in human years.
B. Like I said, the poor feline is old. His teeth might as well be peanut brittle. So he's given a diet based on human habits? While you’re at it, give this cat some dentures. I suggest Poli-grip. That way he can tear into that ribeye without embarrassment or fear.
C. His diet consists largely of meat. Have you had his LDL cholesterol checked lately?
D. His name is Fidget. Studies show that cats with wonky names are less likely to live past 18 than those named “Mungo Jerry,” “Grizabella” or “Felix.”