It’s unfortunate that this song seems like it will be relevant for a long time…

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Jedd Flanscha brings us thepast8years.org.
Nice job.

MISSILETEST: We Are Being Fucked

Given the numbers and absurdity of this financial situation we’re in, that’s not a vulgar title.
I’d call it pretty accurate.
As in: Marcellus Wallace, ball gag, in a redneck basement.
Fucked.

So Microsoft began running two commercials featuring Jerry Seinfeld and Bill Gates a few weeks ago. These ads were the beginning of their $300 million campaign to promote Microsoft and Windows Vista – although calling it a damage control campaign is more accurate. I liked the spots. They were funny. They didn’t do much to make a meaningful point, but I wasn’t expecting MS to.
MIcrosoft has now stopped the ‘Jerry & Bill’ abruptly and are now doing an “I’m a a PC” concept – playing off of the personified PC/Mac characters in Apple’s commercials from the last 1-2 years.
Huh?
I’m surprised at the inelegant campaign transition considering MS’s ad agency of record is Crispin Porter + Bogusky.
I worked at CPB down in Coral Gables, FL for a few months in 2007 during their big campaigns for Volkswagen (Unpimp Your Ride, etc) and I can attest to the fact that it is a very solid company and capable of producing amazing work – from banner ad campaigns, to TV spots to viral marketing. Prior to getting the $400 million Volkswagen campaign, CPB had a $40 million contract with Mini Cooper and also produced amazing interactive and print work.
Which brings me to my point: an ad agency is only as great as the company who hires them.
This idea derives from what they say in technology – a computer is only as fast as it’s slowest processor.
Microsoft is Crispin’s slowest processor.

Yesterday I traveled down to DC with my boss to do a creative workshop with a new client. Since I’m now working with more corporate clients than I have in the past, I’ve noticed a few things (although not all these apply strictly to the corporate environment):
– Windows Vista takes a very, very, very long time to boot up on my boss’s ultra portable Dell laptop
– Windows Vista takes a very, very, very long time to shut down on said laptop as well
– I have not yet seen an elegant solution to the issue of plugging in electronic equipment in conference rooms – EVER
– Acela Express trains are enjoyable to ride and preferred to flying
– I can get much more work done on Acela trains

“everytime we think this thing is coming to a head, there’s another head …how many heads does this thing have?”

The site of photographer Chris Woods. It’s a great example of Flash used correctly – its simple and easy to navigate. Just use your arrow keys. (via changethethought)

Environmentalists get on my nerves. Not because their ideas aren’t good, it’s just their attitude.
From iPodNN:

Apple has made yet more environmental progress with its latest iPods, but still has more to accomplish, claims Greenpeace.
…Greenpeace also praises Apple for aiming to phase out toxins by the end of 2008, and increase recycling by 2010, but suggests that there is still room for improvement. The group notes that it is comparatively easy to eliminate PVC and BFRs from handheld devices, because they require less power, and therefore produce less heat. It is Macs, Greenpeace says, that are the true challenge, and Apple would be an industry leader if none of its computers used the chemicals.

Fine, Apple needs to improve their efforts.
Then I don’t want to see any Apple computers in any Greenpeace offices.
No iPhones, no iPods, nothing that can kill the environment.
They should all move over to IBMs or Dells or HPs – I’m sure those are much more environmentally friendly. Hey! And there’s tens of millions more Windows machines out there too! YAY!
I wish these people would be realists too – save the planet for the people, don’t just say you want to save ‘the environment’.
It’s like George Carlin said, the planet has been here for billions of years, the planet is fine – the people are fucked.

Dalematic decided to Ante Up!

WOW. (thanks victor)

I shot the above image on my iPhone on Broadway and Liberty.
Some Amish or Quakers just chillin’ outside the Helmsley Buiding.
Yeah, I know. WTF?
I thought the same thing.
It’s just a itty bit of the craziness that was downtown Manhattan yesterday. Along with the loitering colonial folk (I’m sure they’re good people), were a ton of other oogling tourists and wanderers wasting time and space and making my life a pain in the ass as someone trying to earn a living.
I was there on 9-11-01 people, so I’m allowed to say this: Stay home. Be productive. Contribute in other ways than trying to capture photos and ‘be part of something’.
Us New Yorkers just want to keep moving on. We’re all paying our respects on this anniversary in our own ways.
Being idle observers causing the cops to corral the streets like they were ranchers herding cattle doesn’t help anyone.
M’kay?
Cool. Now beat it.