This week we learned of at least two brilliant minds which are being taken from the public square by debilitating disease. Of course, Steve Jobs is widely known for his work in the world of computers and electronics, helming the Apple empire, and leading his company to be the first-ever tech stock to be rated as most valuable amongst all others on Wall Street. Unfortunately, Mr. Jobs has now been forced to step down from his position as Apple's CEO due to health concerns related to his ongoing battle with cancer and other difficulties. The other brilliant mind is Pat Summitt, coach of the Lady Vols of Tennessee, who has amassed more wins than any other college basketball coach (men and women) in the history of the sport. Coach Summitt was known for her determined drive and staunchly well-maintained program which seldom saw any type of behavioral issues. Summitt has now been diagnosed with early-onset dementia, a condition which will ultimately and tragically result in the loss of her memories, personality, and cognitive function. It is a heartbreaking diagnosis for anyone to hear.
And so, although both individuals will attempt to continue in their contributions for as long as their health permits, the bottom line is that two exemplary minds will be lost from our collective intellect. Two people who have contributed so much, and would no doubt continue to contribute in wonderous new ways as long as they could, will now be sidelined in the near future. It is not only a loss for them and their families, but it also a loss for the entire world. Without pancreatic cancer and severe liver damage resulting in a transplant, what additions to the technological landscape could Jobs have helped usher in? If he could have remained in his position for decades to come, what more could he have envisioned and then conceptualized into reality? Certainly the past few decades have shown just how influential Mr. Jobs has been and would have continued to be in helping humanity progress towards a brighter, more convenient, and more efficent future. And then there's Pat Summitt, whose influence on women's basketball, her players, and college athletics have been tremendous. We can only assume that not only would she have continued garnering accolades and achievements without this heartbreaking diagnosis, but that Summitt would likely have also risen to even higher positions and projected even greater influence and success.
But the truth is we live in a world that has not yet defeated cancer, Alzheimer's, and many other diseases that bring about an untimely end in the lives of so many important and special people - whether they be well-known by many or well-known by a lucky few. Barring global catastrophe, we can assume that at some point in the future, research and technology will result in cures for these conditions, just as polio and smallpox have been annihilated through like means. But today, we are not yet there. And so the world will lose Steve Jobs... the world will lose Pat Summitt... and today and tomorrow, we will lose so many people who neither you nor I have encountered, but who mean the world to the people around them.
When we arrive at the day in which we can look at Alzheimer's, cancer, heart disease, and so many other diseases, and say they were a thing of the past, we can be sure that there will be ethical issues to be answered. How do we manage a populace that lives into their 100's on a regular basis? How will we prevent super-enhanced longevity from being a right of only the wealthy or well-to-do? And can the earth's resources handle a humanity that lives so long at such high numbers?
But one thing seems to be certain: those are questions that must be answered and will be answered. For it seems to me that if we could keep beloved contributors such as Summitt and Jobs in good health, we would certainly do so. And indeed, what cost is too high to help our loved ones who suffer from these same issues? What cost is too high to keep ourselves and our families together in good spirits and in good physical condition for as long as is possible? In my humble view, the issues of longevity will be solved much easier than the oft-experienced issue of saying goodbye.
Today there are no good answers for Summitt and Jobs. For the many who will pass on in the coming days, weeks, and years, we will have failed to stave off death. Beyond that vale, they will join others who have moved on... and it is we who will have lost. One day then it will also be our turn, if not before. What is beyond that vale is for each individual to explore and speculate - but regardless of the afterlife, we can say that their lives touched so many, and we look forward to a day when we can help people like them touch the lives of even more. Just as their lights have shined here on earth, we hope, pray, and wish that their lights will continue to shine and do not dim for many days. And at some unknown point down the road, perhaps we will be able to keep those lights burning longer. Perhaps there will be a day when the lights do not dim amongst the stars of our lives. I'm looking forward to that day, whether I see it or whether it is beyond my span. We will likely never be immortal in body, but our desire to hold onto people like Mr. Jobs and Ms. Summitt will keep us looking for a way to fellowship with one another longer and longer.
And when that day comes that we arrive upon the end - whether it be after a hundred years, two-hundred years, twenty years, or a thousand - may we be ready for that day. May we finish having done good and done well.
Dedicated to the vigor, drive, and continued contributions of Steve Jobs and Pat Summitt. May their lights shine brightly today, tomorrow, and "for as long as the good Lord permits."
http://www.twitter.com/bluelightningtn
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Monday, August 8, 2011
A Brighter Tomorrow
The past few days for the western world have been a bit depressing as we watch both the European and American economies struggle with debt issues. While I could get into the reasons behind these issues and remedies for them, I'll leave that to the politicians and pundits, most of whom don't have to worry about alienating readers / consumers by delving into political discussion. So... let's stay away from that in this blog. What I would like to do is to take a moment to breath some positive vibes into what has been a tremendously deflating couple of days.
A completely apolitical mean by which we will see the western world, and furthermore the world, rise out of this economic malaise, will be the continued enhancement of technology and global intelligence. Even while the financials of various governments face serious contractions, it's important to pause and remember that regardless of the current situation, progress will continue and it will improve our lives dramatically. Whether democrats or republicans were in power in the eighties, nineties, and the millenial decade, technology continued to strive ahead. Whether we were in bull or bear market, it didn't greatly effect the pace of technological advancements. And indeed, if you'll look at where we came from in the past few decades, and you consider that progress is accelerating, I believe that come hell or high water, the next many years will be breathtaking in human success.
Let's look back for a moment before we look forward. If we look back to the eighties, we're essentially looking at thirty years in the past - certainly not what you would call a generation. In that span of time, how far have we come? Well, since the eighties, we've seen not only the dawn of cellphones, but those phones have now basically become mobile devices that function only in small part as phones. They're basically communicators which keep us in touch with the entire world no matter where we are. Not only that, but in the past thirty years, we've went from thinking it perhaps impossible to completely mapping the human genome. We're now in an era that sees us learning the secrets of all that biological code. And in the past thirty years, we've went from most people having an antenna to grab a couple of fuzzy, below standard defintion channels... to a world in which we can watch almost any show, at any time, in crystal clear clarity, on a multitude of devices. I remarked yesterday to a friend that his phone he complains about is actually more powerful than his desktop computer from ten years ago. That's pretty remarkable.
As we move forward, even in a down economy, even as governments face the facts about spending... we can know that the bumps are only that. No matter what happens, Moore's Law will continue, and we will race forward towards a brighter tomorrow. And although there are policies which may incrementally slow or speed the pace of technological advancement (cough, space program, cough, we NEED it), the truth is that our current age is moving the civilized world into a humanity totally different than what we've seen in the past many thousand years.
So what should we expect? Well, as a science fiction author, I'll just tell you that it's hard to say. The problem lies in the fact that we can never guess what the next big epiphany will be which will create a totally unexpected new device or concept. That's one reason that I try to be very non-descript about future products when I discuss my futuristic, fantasy world. There's just no way to be specific. Who would have predicted Facebook in 1985?
That said, there are a few things we can predict as being very likely. We can say with some assurance that mobile devices will continue to grow in importance, power, and usefulness. There's probably a day ahead in which our phones will somehow be tied into glasses and contacts, if we so choose, which will allow our very vision to be integrated with a user interface. In the next few years, we'll definitely see cars that can drive themselves with better precision than humans, and which will then create a flurry of federal laws to compensate for a car or truck that can be set to autopilot. Comptuers will also continue to be better and better at communicating with people in the language of humans - verbs, nouns, adjectives, articles, and colloquialisms, all set into a sentence structure that blurs the line between human assistance and electronic. As we race to the future, it's simply a matter of time before we unlock the secrets of aging and gain the power to stop it. What the world will do with that, who knows? It will certainly be a great debate as to whether or not mankind should do away with the cold hand of death altogether. Regardless, there will be little debate over the increasing lifespan of the populations - it's just a byproduct of our continuing medical/technological progress. Surely the developed worlds will soon see a day when 100 is the norm, not the rarity for lifespan.
So even in the midst of markets that seem quite dire, let us remember that we're moving toward a future of greater leisure, knowledge, and accomplishments. We'll navigate all those enhancements as we go, and hopefully we'll make good choices.
Here's to a brighter tomorrow =)
- Justin Frazier
http://www.theworldbreaker.com
http://www.twitter.com/bluelightningtn
A completely apolitical mean by which we will see the western world, and furthermore the world, rise out of this economic malaise, will be the continued enhancement of technology and global intelligence. Even while the financials of various governments face serious contractions, it's important to pause and remember that regardless of the current situation, progress will continue and it will improve our lives dramatically. Whether democrats or republicans were in power in the eighties, nineties, and the millenial decade, technology continued to strive ahead. Whether we were in bull or bear market, it didn't greatly effect the pace of technological advancements. And indeed, if you'll look at where we came from in the past few decades, and you consider that progress is accelerating, I believe that come hell or high water, the next many years will be breathtaking in human success.
Let's look back for a moment before we look forward. If we look back to the eighties, we're essentially looking at thirty years in the past - certainly not what you would call a generation. In that span of time, how far have we come? Well, since the eighties, we've seen not only the dawn of cellphones, but those phones have now basically become mobile devices that function only in small part as phones. They're basically communicators which keep us in touch with the entire world no matter where we are. Not only that, but in the past thirty years, we've went from thinking it perhaps impossible to completely mapping the human genome. We're now in an era that sees us learning the secrets of all that biological code. And in the past thirty years, we've went from most people having an antenna to grab a couple of fuzzy, below standard defintion channels... to a world in which we can watch almost any show, at any time, in crystal clear clarity, on a multitude of devices. I remarked yesterday to a friend that his phone he complains about is actually more powerful than his desktop computer from ten years ago. That's pretty remarkable.
As we move forward, even in a down economy, even as governments face the facts about spending... we can know that the bumps are only that. No matter what happens, Moore's Law will continue, and we will race forward towards a brighter tomorrow. And although there are policies which may incrementally slow or speed the pace of technological advancement (cough, space program, cough, we NEED it), the truth is that our current age is moving the civilized world into a humanity totally different than what we've seen in the past many thousand years.
So what should we expect? Well, as a science fiction author, I'll just tell you that it's hard to say. The problem lies in the fact that we can never guess what the next big epiphany will be which will create a totally unexpected new device or concept. That's one reason that I try to be very non-descript about future products when I discuss my futuristic, fantasy world. There's just no way to be specific. Who would have predicted Facebook in 1985?
That said, there are a few things we can predict as being very likely. We can say with some assurance that mobile devices will continue to grow in importance, power, and usefulness. There's probably a day ahead in which our phones will somehow be tied into glasses and contacts, if we so choose, which will allow our very vision to be integrated with a user interface. In the next few years, we'll definitely see cars that can drive themselves with better precision than humans, and which will then create a flurry of federal laws to compensate for a car or truck that can be set to autopilot. Comptuers will also continue to be better and better at communicating with people in the language of humans - verbs, nouns, adjectives, articles, and colloquialisms, all set into a sentence structure that blurs the line between human assistance and electronic. As we race to the future, it's simply a matter of time before we unlock the secrets of aging and gain the power to stop it. What the world will do with that, who knows? It will certainly be a great debate as to whether or not mankind should do away with the cold hand of death altogether. Regardless, there will be little debate over the increasing lifespan of the populations - it's just a byproduct of our continuing medical/technological progress. Surely the developed worlds will soon see a day when 100 is the norm, not the rarity for lifespan.
So even in the midst of markets that seem quite dire, let us remember that we're moving toward a future of greater leisure, knowledge, and accomplishments. We'll navigate all those enhancements as we go, and hopefully we'll make good choices.
Here's to a brighter tomorrow =)
- Justin Frazier
http://www.theworldbreaker.com
http://www.twitter.com/bluelightningtn
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Star Wars Kinect
I'm surprised that I'm doing another Kinect blog so soon after the last one, but I read an article last night about Star Wars Kinect and it was just more frustration for me - read on to see why:
Apparently, the previews for Star Wars Kinect were less than stellar, due to the fact that the Kinect sensor bar can't read your arm movements fast enough to keep up with a fast-paced lightsaber duel. My question is: how in the world did the developers not realize this before they started work on this project? I could have told them that the first day I played with Kinect Adventures! Does that mean that Kinect is any less cool? I don't think so; the sensor does what it's supposed to do and what it does it "terrificly". The problem is with developers (or with Microsoft, if they've given them this edict), who can't figure out that "Kinect + Peripheral = Amazing".
So somebody please tell me why Star Wars Kinect doesn't come packaged with a lightsaber handle-themed controller that is wireless, features haptic feedback, and includes a gyroscope? Obviously it requires more money to package something like that and to manufacture it in the first place, but honestly - you're making a Star Wars Kinect game that is supposed to make you feel like you're the jedi for the very first time. Get it right.
With the above described controller, the controller would be able to tell the Xbox it's positioning with almost no lag whatsoever, plus provide the player with the tactile response needed when hitting an object with a lightsaber. Meanwhile, Kinect would be able to watch the player's body, handling all of those commands while the arm holding the lightsaber is controlled via the lightsaber's positioning. Voilah, now the game is extremely responsive, much more immersive, and can handle much more complicated inputs. And you don't think every Star Wars fanboy is going to want to have one of these? Clearly that would help mitigate the cost to include a controller with every game (besides increasing the package price to $59.99 or $69.99).
And better yet, if you had that controller, you could choose to be a jedi or a sith lord... if you chose jedi, you'd have one blade, if you chose sith lord you'd have two blades coming out either end of the handle. How cool would that be?
This whole "you are the controller" thing is becoming a pain. Seriously - people don't mind controllers. And the thing is, Kinect would be sooo much better if we could just have some type of peripheral for some of the games. Sure, there are games that don't require a controller at all, but there are some that make more sense with one. Like how about a Samba de Amigo game that comes with the marracas so it can be accurate with the beat, but also requires you to move in certain ways using the Kinect? See, that took me ten seconds to think of.
Dear Kinect,
You're awesome. I'm sorry that developers are underutilizing your abilties and trying to force you into doing something that is awkward. Just keep watching videos of you with the hackers on YouTube so you can keep your self-esteem up. You're still an awesome piece of equipment, even if most of your software is underwhelming.
Love,
A Kinect Owner
Apparently, the previews for Star Wars Kinect were less than stellar, due to the fact that the Kinect sensor bar can't read your arm movements fast enough to keep up with a fast-paced lightsaber duel. My question is: how in the world did the developers not realize this before they started work on this project? I could have told them that the first day I played with Kinect Adventures! Does that mean that Kinect is any less cool? I don't think so; the sensor does what it's supposed to do and what it does it "terrificly". The problem is with developers (or with Microsoft, if they've given them this edict), who can't figure out that "Kinect + Peripheral = Amazing".
So somebody please tell me why Star Wars Kinect doesn't come packaged with a lightsaber handle-themed controller that is wireless, features haptic feedback, and includes a gyroscope? Obviously it requires more money to package something like that and to manufacture it in the first place, but honestly - you're making a Star Wars Kinect game that is supposed to make you feel like you're the jedi for the very first time. Get it right.
With the above described controller, the controller would be able to tell the Xbox it's positioning with almost no lag whatsoever, plus provide the player with the tactile response needed when hitting an object with a lightsaber. Meanwhile, Kinect would be able to watch the player's body, handling all of those commands while the arm holding the lightsaber is controlled via the lightsaber's positioning. Voilah, now the game is extremely responsive, much more immersive, and can handle much more complicated inputs. And you don't think every Star Wars fanboy is going to want to have one of these? Clearly that would help mitigate the cost to include a controller with every game (besides increasing the package price to $59.99 or $69.99).
And better yet, if you had that controller, you could choose to be a jedi or a sith lord... if you chose jedi, you'd have one blade, if you chose sith lord you'd have two blades coming out either end of the handle. How cool would that be?
This whole "you are the controller" thing is becoming a pain. Seriously - people don't mind controllers. And the thing is, Kinect would be sooo much better if we could just have some type of peripheral for some of the games. Sure, there are games that don't require a controller at all, but there are some that make more sense with one. Like how about a Samba de Amigo game that comes with the marracas so it can be accurate with the beat, but also requires you to move in certain ways using the Kinect? See, that took me ten seconds to think of.
Dear Kinect,
You're awesome. I'm sorry that developers are underutilizing your abilties and trying to force you into doing something that is awkward. Just keep watching videos of you with the hackers on YouTube so you can keep your self-esteem up. You're still an awesome piece of equipment, even if most of your software is underwhelming.
Love,
A Kinect Owner
Monday, July 18, 2011
Reaching the End: A Generation's Childhood and Harry Potter
As I was leaving the movie theaters Thursday night, I heard a college-age man say, "Well, I guess there goes my childhood." It was a poignant thought, probably echoing the feelings of many people in his generation as the curtains were drawn on the epic tale of Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling. I couldn't help but agree with him - although I'm old enough that Harry Potter wasn't a part of my childhood per se, I have watched as it enthralled children, teenagers, and adults alike for the past decade or so. And so when the conclusion was reached in cinematic form, it was as if a childhood adventure had drawn to a close, sealing the door into adulthood for the vast number of children who had grown up with the boy who lived.
One of the things that struck me so odd about this journey was that I don't recall a similar even occuring in the past. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles didn't ever reach adulthood and finally defeat their nemesis once and for all. My childhood favorite, The Ghostbusters, never grew up, had children, and ended their adventure. Yet for the generation just behind me, their legend - their heroes - had become adults along with them.
I suppose one of the weaknesses of the final Harry Potter movie comes in the final minutes. So... if you haven't read the book and you haven't watched the movie, skip on to the next paragraph. Now, for those of you still reading, the weakness was that Harry Potter and friends all became adults, had children, married (and stayed married), and were back to say goodbye to their children as they traveled back to Hogwarts. The problem is that it seemed as if all the fun had been left far behind - it seemed that Harry, Ron, and Hermoine had left their adventures to the past and lived on for years in blessed placidness. Yuck. Who wants that?
And so I am perplexed. Is it better to end the story, or is it better that the adventures go on infinitely? Should the Lone Ranger have finished his tale? Should Batman be done once he's done. And what of Indiana Jones? The way that Harry Potter finished left me feelng melancholy - yes, I was happy to see the ending and it was an absolutely terrific movie. In fact, it was appropriate for the extroadinary and epic series of novels Ms. Rowling crafted, and which will live on as some of the best tales ever written (whether you believe it or not). Children will read those books for decades to come if not for longer. Fan fiction will live on for as long as the fans do. Yet I found the ending bittersweet. For as much as a story needs a conclusion, a conclusion likewise means the story is over. There is no further tale, there is no additional adventure, and all will be well.
Perhaps "happily ever after" isn't so grand after all?
So while it was fun to see how the story wrapped up in cinematic fashion, it was also sad to say goodbye to the characters a generation had grown to love. They were just as real to them as their friends - they grew up with them, they connected with them, they even looked up to them. It can't be understated how important it was that Rowling created Hermoine with such great academic qualities for little girls to look up to rather than more unsubstantial attributes. Endings are supposed to be happy when they end in such fashion, but this ending was also a "farewell."
I have a hunch that just as James Bond lives on, and just as Indiana Jones' adventures will continue... just as superheroes live forever, and as legends never die... I have a hunch that Harry Potter is not finished quite yet either. The question for J.K. Rowling is not if the story is finished. The question is, did Harry Potter accomplish his greatest achievement in youth, never to do anything greater for the rest of his life? If so, I consider that the most sad statement of all... because surely the generation that grew up with Harry Potter is only beginning to find their potential. Shouldn't Harry and friends be the same?
- J Frazier
http://www.theworldbreaker.com/
http://www.twitter.com/bluelightningtn
One of the things that struck me so odd about this journey was that I don't recall a similar even occuring in the past. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles didn't ever reach adulthood and finally defeat their nemesis once and for all. My childhood favorite, The Ghostbusters, never grew up, had children, and ended their adventure. Yet for the generation just behind me, their legend - their heroes - had become adults along with them.
I suppose one of the weaknesses of the final Harry Potter movie comes in the final minutes. So... if you haven't read the book and you haven't watched the movie, skip on to the next paragraph. Now, for those of you still reading, the weakness was that Harry Potter and friends all became adults, had children, married (and stayed married), and were back to say goodbye to their children as they traveled back to Hogwarts. The problem is that it seemed as if all the fun had been left far behind - it seemed that Harry, Ron, and Hermoine had left their adventures to the past and lived on for years in blessed placidness. Yuck. Who wants that?
And so I am perplexed. Is it better to end the story, or is it better that the adventures go on infinitely? Should the Lone Ranger have finished his tale? Should Batman be done once he's done. And what of Indiana Jones? The way that Harry Potter finished left me feelng melancholy - yes, I was happy to see the ending and it was an absolutely terrific movie. In fact, it was appropriate for the extroadinary and epic series of novels Ms. Rowling crafted, and which will live on as some of the best tales ever written (whether you believe it or not). Children will read those books for decades to come if not for longer. Fan fiction will live on for as long as the fans do. Yet I found the ending bittersweet. For as much as a story needs a conclusion, a conclusion likewise means the story is over. There is no further tale, there is no additional adventure, and all will be well.
Perhaps "happily ever after" isn't so grand after all?
So while it was fun to see how the story wrapped up in cinematic fashion, it was also sad to say goodbye to the characters a generation had grown to love. They were just as real to them as their friends - they grew up with them, they connected with them, they even looked up to them. It can't be understated how important it was that Rowling created Hermoine with such great academic qualities for little girls to look up to rather than more unsubstantial attributes. Endings are supposed to be happy when they end in such fashion, but this ending was also a "farewell."
I have a hunch that just as James Bond lives on, and just as Indiana Jones' adventures will continue... just as superheroes live forever, and as legends never die... I have a hunch that Harry Potter is not finished quite yet either. The question for J.K. Rowling is not if the story is finished. The question is, did Harry Potter accomplish his greatest achievement in youth, never to do anything greater for the rest of his life? If so, I consider that the most sad statement of all... because surely the generation that grew up with Harry Potter is only beginning to find their potential. Shouldn't Harry and friends be the same?
- J Frazier
http://www.theworldbreaker.com/
http://www.twitter.com/bluelightningtn
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
The Potential of Kinect is being Lost
One of the things that irks me right now is the technological accomplishment of the Micrsoft Kinect sensor bar coupled with the lack of software putting it to proper use. It's so frustrating to me that a company like Microsoft (who usually takes others' good ideas and makes them better) was able to create a totally new, Minority Report-like product, and now that it's out it is becoming a paper weight because of the lack of inginuity and creativity within the games industry. It's like they are so set in their ways that they can't see past the controller and begin to see how to use a product like this to enhance the market rather than gum it up with gimmicks.
So, here are five ideas that I have which someone should have immediately put into action when Kinect came out.
1) Why do we have to put down the controller to play Kinect? The whole idea that you must play games exclusively on Kinect or exclusively on the controller is bogus, untrue, and being perpetrated by the vast majority of developers. I want a Halo game that allows me to remove my right hand from the controller and throw a grenade rather than waste a button on that. I want to reload the gun by flicking the controller up and down. That leaves other buttons open. That allows additional inputs. Why aren't people doing this?????
2) Dear SEGA: Kinect launched and you released a hoverboard game with Sonic. Okay. But why in the world didn't you realize, "Hey, this is perfect for NiGHTS"? The players hand could control an orb which the NiGHTS character chases through the map. The off-hand could be used to control acrobatics like an orchestrator. Closing one's hand into a fist would make NiGHTS go into the spinning turbo mode. This would all be better than using a controller. Or, hey, SEGA, why is there no Super Monkey Ball in which you hold the world in your hands and tilt it that way? Yeesh.
3) Kinect, you'd be flippin' spiffy if you could see my open hand close into a fist. Then I wouldn't have to wait for a circle to go around my hand to select items. See, if you could let me close my hands, then I could pick items in a quick and efficient way that makes sense. Even Kudo should know that one.
4) Where's my horrific killer app that involves me controlling my movements with the left hand while my right hand holds a flashlight? Turn the lights off at night and let me talk through Kinect to the local yokels in some sort of twisted, dark film-like experience. If my hand is the flashlight, do you know how creepy that's going to be due to the immersion?
5) The kids love Dora. The kids love Micky Mouse Clubhouse. Yet no matter how much they love 'em, it seems that Dora and Mickey can't quite see like they used to. Ever notice how when they tell the kiddos to reach up, even if the kids do or don't, Dora and Mickey say "Great job!" Well, with Kinect, they could see your kids. They could interact with them and the entire game could go along just like a regular episode. Heck, put four episodes on a disc in which the characters can actually see and interact with the kids. That'd be just groovy wouldn't it? I'd love to see the wee ones point to the blue object on the screen after being prompted, only to hear Mickey say, "Almost, but that's orange. Can you find the blue one instead?"
Let's go innovators!
- J Frazier
So, here are five ideas that I have which someone should have immediately put into action when Kinect came out.
1) Why do we have to put down the controller to play Kinect? The whole idea that you must play games exclusively on Kinect or exclusively on the controller is bogus, untrue, and being perpetrated by the vast majority of developers. I want a Halo game that allows me to remove my right hand from the controller and throw a grenade rather than waste a button on that. I want to reload the gun by flicking the controller up and down. That leaves other buttons open. That allows additional inputs. Why aren't people doing this?????
2) Dear SEGA: Kinect launched and you released a hoverboard game with Sonic. Okay. But why in the world didn't you realize, "Hey, this is perfect for NiGHTS"? The players hand could control an orb which the NiGHTS character chases through the map. The off-hand could be used to control acrobatics like an orchestrator. Closing one's hand into a fist would make NiGHTS go into the spinning turbo mode. This would all be better than using a controller. Or, hey, SEGA, why is there no Super Monkey Ball in which you hold the world in your hands and tilt it that way? Yeesh.
3) Kinect, you'd be flippin' spiffy if you could see my open hand close into a fist. Then I wouldn't have to wait for a circle to go around my hand to select items. See, if you could let me close my hands, then I could pick items in a quick and efficient way that makes sense. Even Kudo should know that one.
4) Where's my horrific killer app that involves me controlling my movements with the left hand while my right hand holds a flashlight? Turn the lights off at night and let me talk through Kinect to the local yokels in some sort of twisted, dark film-like experience. If my hand is the flashlight, do you know how creepy that's going to be due to the immersion?
5) The kids love Dora. The kids love Micky Mouse Clubhouse. Yet no matter how much they love 'em, it seems that Dora and Mickey can't quite see like they used to. Ever notice how when they tell the kiddos to reach up, even if the kids do or don't, Dora and Mickey say "Great job!" Well, with Kinect, they could see your kids. They could interact with them and the entire game could go along just like a regular episode. Heck, put four episodes on a disc in which the characters can actually see and interact with the kids. That'd be just groovy wouldn't it? I'd love to see the wee ones point to the blue object on the screen after being prompted, only to hear Mickey say, "Almost, but that's orange. Can you find the blue one instead?"
Let's go innovators!
- J Frazier
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Here's to Our Dreams
Well, it's been a long hard road, but we've finally arrived at the day I've been looking forward to for a while now. July 1st - the day "The World Breaker" is officially available on Amazon.com and the Kindle. It's worldwide, it's a product, it's something I'm proud of, and we're ready to start marketing the heck out of it. Of course, Joe Ellis will be handling most of the advertising and marketing... for me, it's time to get a few days rest before I begin work on the sequel. I already know what happens, I already know how it happens, and I already know how it ends. I just have to get it down on paper, and do it in such a way that it envelopes the reader. By the time the sequel is launched, we'll have a pretty good idea about how my career as an author is looking, so this will be an interesting couple of months.
For me this is the culmination of many, many determined weeks in which I refused to quit. As many of you know, the previous years have not been kind to me. I have been in two relationships that ended in devastating disappointment, both of which left me standing in disbelief. In both I remained steadfast in my belief that values, optimism, and an unquenchable desire to do good ultimately overcome. And in both, once the dust had settled, I came to the realization that if I hadn't been torn down, I would already be headed towards success. That's why the book happened. It was time to shoot for success, difficulty or no.
Originally I wanted to own a restaurant and businesses. I wanted to start out as a teacher, give back to the community, and then make huge, massive dreams come true. Some of them did happen. I did complete college and became a Spanish teacher. I did work for a video game company and I saw my ideas implemented in their products. I was a 3D animator for Lee University and learned so, so much about computer graphics. My goals were to start businesses, start a restaurant, maybe work on a video game, maybe work for a theme park. I wanted to do something that made many people very, very happy. That's what I've been about. That's who I am.
And though I always kept my eyes upon that prize, I was detoured much more than I would have liked. I never changed, but people around me did. I'm still the same today that I was ten years ago, and I hope to be the same in fifty years that I am today... except with some wrinkles. No matter the hardships, no matter the difficulty, I refuse to change who I am. The whole world can change, but I will not. I believe in altruism, in helping others, about selflessness, and in progress. And I will continue to do so. That is why "The World Breaker" exists.
Many months ago I came to the realization that my dreams were slipping out of my hands. I realized that though I had been dreaming for years and years and years... my dreams weren't any closer to happening, and instead I was being derailed toward a normal life. And I don't want normal. It's not that I'm special or more important than anybody else... it's just that I want to do special and important things. And so I began to write a book.
It began when I read a popular book series - a very popular book series. And as I read the first book, I had the arrogant thought that I could do this. In fact... I thought I could do better than that. Now, you may have already read my book and you may think that's a bunch of rubbish because you think my book isn't all that great. But then again, maybe you do think it's pretty good. That's the risk I took. I thought that if I really felt I could write at that level, then I should go for it because otherwise I was just touting myself without any action. So I took the plunge. And now there's a real book out there.
I hope everyone enjoys the book. I hope that it reveals truths to you and morals as well... I hope you think about things you might not think about otherwise. I hope it takes you on an adventure and introduces you to a world that you begin to care about. But most importantly, I hope that everyone keeps going for their passions, regardless of the obstacles, regardless of the trials, and regardless of the odds. Do your passion if your passion is good for you and others.
There's a great big, beautiful tomorrow,
Shining at the end of every day.
There's a great big, beautiful tomorrow,
And tomorrow is just a dream away.
Man has a dream, and that's the start,
He follows his dream with mind and heart.
And when it becomes a reality,
It's a dream come true for you and me.
- Carousel of Progress
Here's to our dreams,
Justin Frazier
For me this is the culmination of many, many determined weeks in which I refused to quit. As many of you know, the previous years have not been kind to me. I have been in two relationships that ended in devastating disappointment, both of which left me standing in disbelief. In both I remained steadfast in my belief that values, optimism, and an unquenchable desire to do good ultimately overcome. And in both, once the dust had settled, I came to the realization that if I hadn't been torn down, I would already be headed towards success. That's why the book happened. It was time to shoot for success, difficulty or no.
Originally I wanted to own a restaurant and businesses. I wanted to start out as a teacher, give back to the community, and then make huge, massive dreams come true. Some of them did happen. I did complete college and became a Spanish teacher. I did work for a video game company and I saw my ideas implemented in their products. I was a 3D animator for Lee University and learned so, so much about computer graphics. My goals were to start businesses, start a restaurant, maybe work on a video game, maybe work for a theme park. I wanted to do something that made many people very, very happy. That's what I've been about. That's who I am.
And though I always kept my eyes upon that prize, I was detoured much more than I would have liked. I never changed, but people around me did. I'm still the same today that I was ten years ago, and I hope to be the same in fifty years that I am today... except with some wrinkles. No matter the hardships, no matter the difficulty, I refuse to change who I am. The whole world can change, but I will not. I believe in altruism, in helping others, about selflessness, and in progress. And I will continue to do so. That is why "The World Breaker" exists.
Many months ago I came to the realization that my dreams were slipping out of my hands. I realized that though I had been dreaming for years and years and years... my dreams weren't any closer to happening, and instead I was being derailed toward a normal life. And I don't want normal. It's not that I'm special or more important than anybody else... it's just that I want to do special and important things. And so I began to write a book.
It began when I read a popular book series - a very popular book series. And as I read the first book, I had the arrogant thought that I could do this. In fact... I thought I could do better than that. Now, you may have already read my book and you may think that's a bunch of rubbish because you think my book isn't all that great. But then again, maybe you do think it's pretty good. That's the risk I took. I thought that if I really felt I could write at that level, then I should go for it because otherwise I was just touting myself without any action. So I took the plunge. And now there's a real book out there.
I hope everyone enjoys the book. I hope that it reveals truths to you and morals as well... I hope you think about things you might not think about otherwise. I hope it takes you on an adventure and introduces you to a world that you begin to care about. But most importantly, I hope that everyone keeps going for their passions, regardless of the obstacles, regardless of the trials, and regardless of the odds. Do your passion if your passion is good for you and others.
There's a great big, beautiful tomorrow,
Shining at the end of every day.
There's a great big, beautiful tomorrow,
And tomorrow is just a dream away.
Man has a dream, and that's the start,
He follows his dream with mind and heart.
And when it becomes a reality,
It's a dream come true for you and me.
- Carousel of Progress
Here's to our dreams,
Justin Frazier
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
The Antithesis of Carpe the Day
Dear Inventors...
Could someone please invent something to mow my yard?
And please clean my dishes too?
Roomba's nice,
So how about we get the price to just a buck or two?
Okay, stop. Writing poetry is hard. It has to rhyme and junk. Let's switch over to just normal stuff, shall we? I figure that requires enough little neurons firing already.
Honestly, how much time in the day is spent with the mundane, ordinary, every day, [insert additional adjective meaning the same, redundant thing] chores around the house? No, I don't want to do my laundry anymore. I have things to do. No, I don't want to pressure wash the deck, nor does water sealing it sound like a splendid, good time. I just want to sit on my fat, lazy butt and play Mortal Kombat all day, every day, without fail. I may spend the caloric output needed to switch over to Hulu and watch reruns of The Office... but that's my limit!
Seriously... I don't want to feed the dogs. I don't want to water them. I don't want to do groceries, or drive, or take a walk just because my calf muscles are deteriorating. Machines should be able to do that. And I don't want to chew my Big Mac just to be able to enjoy it before washing it down with a vanilla shake (and mighty nice whipped cream may I add) - is there not some blasted machine that can get that pumped straight to the right taste buds for my enjoyment?
Ugh, I don't want to go on dates or get to know women. They should just love me for the blob of glory that I am. Honestly, there should be a line at my door right now of hot, athletic, genius women. I have no idea why that isn't happening. And I would rather like it if vegetables would grow straight out of the ground with no effort whatsoever. I mean, what was God thinking when He failed to realize that filet mignon plants should sprout like dandelions all around my fence? Of course, you know if He did, He'd forget to have 'em medium rare... you'd probably have to actually cook the darn things.
I just want to lay in a waterbed and never get up. Just let me control Pacman with eye movements and have everything handed to me on a silver - nay - platinum tray. I want to be bathed and scrubbed by a Honduran maid from a bucket of pure Perrier. I want to be lavished with exotic delicacies and pulled in a beautiful carriage by a herd of wild zebras. And you know what? While we're at it, I want a tail. A glorious, wonderful tail so that I can control a mouse while I simultaneously type on the keyboard. And both of those things already take way too much effort.
So how's about this? Why not just cut off my head, sustain it, drop it in a Futurama-esque bowl, and let me control some cybornetic body that requires absolutely no effort whatsoever? And I want endorphins pumped straight into my brain. Tons of 'em. I want to be happy all the time with no work whatsoever and for no reason at all.
And then I realize... "Hey, I actually like being busy, having to do things, and being active. Being totally lazy would be a real drag."
So get up and go do something today. You can be lazy and watch the world go by when you're decrepid. In the words of Michael King, "Carpe the day, baby!"
Could someone please invent something to mow my yard?
And please clean my dishes too?
Roomba's nice,
So how about we get the price to just a buck or two?
Okay, stop. Writing poetry is hard. It has to rhyme and junk. Let's switch over to just normal stuff, shall we? I figure that requires enough little neurons firing already.
Honestly, how much time in the day is spent with the mundane, ordinary, every day, [insert additional adjective meaning the same, redundant thing] chores around the house? No, I don't want to do my laundry anymore. I have things to do. No, I don't want to pressure wash the deck, nor does water sealing it sound like a splendid, good time. I just want to sit on my fat, lazy butt and play Mortal Kombat all day, every day, without fail. I may spend the caloric output needed to switch over to Hulu and watch reruns of The Office... but that's my limit!
Seriously... I don't want to feed the dogs. I don't want to water them. I don't want to do groceries, or drive, or take a walk just because my calf muscles are deteriorating. Machines should be able to do that. And I don't want to chew my Big Mac just to be able to enjoy it before washing it down with a vanilla shake (and mighty nice whipped cream may I add) - is there not some blasted machine that can get that pumped straight to the right taste buds for my enjoyment?
Ugh, I don't want to go on dates or get to know women. They should just love me for the blob of glory that I am. Honestly, there should be a line at my door right now of hot, athletic, genius women. I have no idea why that isn't happening. And I would rather like it if vegetables would grow straight out of the ground with no effort whatsoever. I mean, what was God thinking when He failed to realize that filet mignon plants should sprout like dandelions all around my fence? Of course, you know if He did, He'd forget to have 'em medium rare... you'd probably have to actually cook the darn things.
I just want to lay in a waterbed and never get up. Just let me control Pacman with eye movements and have everything handed to me on a silver - nay - platinum tray. I want to be bathed and scrubbed by a Honduran maid from a bucket of pure Perrier. I want to be lavished with exotic delicacies and pulled in a beautiful carriage by a herd of wild zebras. And you know what? While we're at it, I want a tail. A glorious, wonderful tail so that I can control a mouse while I simultaneously type on the keyboard. And both of those things already take way too much effort.
So how's about this? Why not just cut off my head, sustain it, drop it in a Futurama-esque bowl, and let me control some cybornetic body that requires absolutely no effort whatsoever? And I want endorphins pumped straight into my brain. Tons of 'em. I want to be happy all the time with no work whatsoever and for no reason at all.
And then I realize... "Hey, I actually like being busy, having to do things, and being active. Being totally lazy would be a real drag."
So get up and go do something today. You can be lazy and watch the world go by when you're decrepid. In the words of Michael King, "Carpe the day, baby!"
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