Know Your Meme

Free Hugs


The Free Hugs Campaign is an international social movement based on a very simple concept. To be part of it you must simply, go to any public place, by yourself or with a group of people, hold a sign that says "Free Hugs", and offer hugs to anyone who asks for one. The campaign started off as one person's random act of kindness, but has grown worldwide thanks to the internet. Juan Mann uploaded the first video for "Free Hugs", and thousands have followed in his footsteps. 

I think this campaign is a incredibly simple way to possibly help someone have a better day. I mean, who honestly doesn't like getting a hug? Some may say that it's a little creepy hugging an absolute stranger, but I bet you'd walk away feeling that your day's a little brighter because for that split second it felt like someone was there for you. 

There has been some debate over whether or not this movement can be considered a meme. However, in the end, all that really matter's is that people know about this campaign and that the presence of it matters to some people. 

WIRED

The Future of Reading: Touch screens on a Plane

Tim Camrody flew Virgin America airlines in for the first time in 2008, where he used the interactive back-of-the-headrest food-and-media menu. At the time, when Tim pressed "Books", it said, "Coming Soon". If you would press it today, you would find those exact two words. Many people have questioned why or why not nothing has come of this even two years later. I believe that many people, especially frequent fliers would use this entertainment system. It is true that many people bring their own books or sources of entertainment along with them, but often, some people do forget and then have to buy something in the airport. In other cases, how many people actually finish an entire book while on a plane? If people are able to rent a book off of a screen in front of them, they not only save room in their carry-on, they won't have to worry about whether they finish an entire book or not because they'd be able to read a chapter or two off the screen. Also, how many times have you been on a flight and have seen someone rent headphones to listen to the movie that is being played. I feel like this is a very similar situation to these interactive books. I also think that many people will want to explore this new technology that they have never seen before on planes and will check it out. I feel like these interactive menus will become more popular in the future and that more and more airlines will install them. This article was interesting for me because, one, I like to fly, and two, if I do travel anywhere, I tend to fly. I remember the first time watching a movie on a plane and thinking that was so cool. This is even better. 

www.gametrailers.com

RockBand 3, an unoriginal IP, is scheduled to be released October 26, 2010. I liked several things about this video game trailer. Firstly, the trailer was designed to show you exactly how you will play the game. It shows the notes that each instrument and singer needs to hit. Also, it features an instrument that is new to Rockband 3, the keyboard. The drums also have cymbals you can purchase. Now, you can play with even more friends and there is sure to be an instrument that each of you like. The graphics I felt could have been improved upon, especially when the screen showed only the avatar singer. The colors were slightly all over the place, but then again, that is what you will see when playing the game. I also felt that the music selection could have been better. Though it was alright, I felt it could have had another type of song in it or one that pertained more to rocking out. I did not notice any Easter eggs in this trailer. For all you wanna-be rockers out there, check out the trailer.

Video Games | Rock Band 3 | E3 2010: Debut Trailer

XBox 360 | Playstation 3 | Nintendo Wii

Know Your Meme

"Keep Calm and Carry On" was a slogan originally used on British World War II posters, as messages sent from the King to the people to stay confident. Stuart Manley rediscovered the poster in 2000. In 2001, him and his wife started copying and selling them. Since this time, websites have been selling different versions of the poster. Some saying, "Keep Calm and X", with an assortment of sayings being substituted as "X". Others are simply, (Do Action A) and (Do Action B). Ironically, before this assignment, I was looking at posters online and came close to purchasing one that had an assortment of these sayings. I think these posters are simple, and many send an inspiring or funny message. Keep Calm and Carry On.com was created in 2007, and sells not only posters, but t-shirts, mugs, bags, keychains, and even chocolate bars with the slogans on. Go check 'em out, or if you're feeling creative, create your own.

tubefilter.tv

The headliner, 'Greg & Donny' Back With Farmville Additions and a New Season, caught my eye because of the reference to the Facebook phenomenon, Farmville. I can remember logging into Facebook and receiving heaps of invitations to play, in my opinion, this stupid game.  I felt that I could relate to many points the clip brought attention to. For instance, I for one never understood why everyone seemed to be so crazy about Farmville. I always just thought people who played it had way too much time on their hands. Secondly, there was a reference made to Farmville blowing up NewsFeeds. Yes, I can say that I have been a witness to that as well. Also, I have witnessed people blocking friends on Facebook for one stupid reason or another. Which brings up the caution users have to use when posting pictures or leaving comments. In a way, Facebook has made creeping acceptable in our society. The clip pionted out very valid points that I'm sure any Facebook user could relate to. It was interesting and I would recommend that any Facebook user take the time to watch it.