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Douglas Coupland: “I’m starting to forget what it felt like to be pre-internet”

Feb 3, 2015

From CBC:

Vancouver artist Douglas Coupland has been holding a fun-house mirror up to society for decades — but a major survey of his work has only recently been mounted. The sprawling exhibit, Everywhere is Anywhere is Anything is Everything, opened this past weekend in galleries at Toronto’s Royal Ontario Museum and theMuseum of Contemporary Canadian Art.

The colourful collection — featuring everything from painting and posters to plastic lids — explores, in the words of one reviewer, “the 21st-century condition, Canadian cultural identity, the power of language and the pervasive presence of technology in modern life”.

Coupland joined CBC’s Q guest host Daniel Richler to discuss his fading “pre-internet” brain, the acceleration of our accelerating world, and why — despite the non-stop parade of terrifying headlines — we may be living in a golden age.

Click here or on the listen button above to hear the full segment (audio runs 0:21:50). Plus see some highlights from the exhibit below.

Jah Cure Signs To VP Records

Feb 3, 2015

Jah Cure, the Jamaican singer who has long been recognized as one of reggae’s greatest voices, inks a new deal with VP Records to release multiple albums, including The Cure slated for Spring 2015.

Jah Cure expresses his enthusiasm about signing to the label. “It is time for me to sign with an official company. VP is the largest distributor of reggae music and that is a fact, so I am happy to say I am in the best place right now for me. I look forward to build together and feel and sense good things to come,” he says.

The artist has a history with VP Records. He released two albums – Freedom Blues (2005) and True Reflections…A New Beginning (2007) – with the label, but was not officially signed as an artist.

VP Records is thrilled to finally have the reggae icon on their roster. The company’s A&R, Neil Edwards, mentions that he has “worked with Cure for over 13 years now, so this has been in the making for some time.” He continues, “Cure’s sound is so unique. It resonates with roots reggae listeners and r&b lovers alike.”

The highly anticipated LP The Cure will be a return to roots reggae and lover’s rock with pop fused elements. Consisting of production from the island’s legendary Clive Hunt and Llmar “Riff Raff” Brown (amongst many others), the collection will feature Cure’s brand new singles as well as current hits like “Rasta,” his John Legend cover “All of Me,” That Girl” and “Life We Live.”

Canadian Inventor Wants To Create Clean Energy Using Artificial Tornadoes

Feb 3, 2015

What if you had an idea that you believed could change the world? How would you convince people that your idea could become a reality? A Canadian inventor named Louis Michaud has spent decades building a machine—a tornado machine—that he thinks could solve the world’s energy problems. According to Michaud, his “Atmospheric Vortex Engine” may someday generate mile-high columns of warm air, heated by the sun or waste heat from power plants, which could turn turbines and produce power. Lots of power, he believes. All he has to do is prove it.

The Agency Group Promotes Rob Zifarelli To Senior Vice President

Feb 3, 2015

The Agency Group, the world’s leading live music booking agency, is proud to announce that Rob Zifarelli has recently been promoted to Senior Vice President.

Fostered in 1996 by Neil Warnock (Founder & Worldwide President), Ralph James (CEO, The Agency Group Canada), and Jack Ross (President, The Agency Group Canada), The Agency Group Canada office represents some of the most recognizable, influential and successful names in the entertainment industry across all music genres.

“After many successful years at The Agency Group, Rob has shown himself to be a man of integrity, professionalism and flair, always putting his artists first,” says Gavin O’Reilly, Group CEO. “I am delighted to recognize his ongoing and vital contribution to The Agency Group and look forward to working with him in further expanding Canada’s largest and most innovative live music agency.”

Ralph James says, “Zif is incredibly focused, with an astute eye for talent. He has developed an extraordinary roster of artists – and I think he’s just getting started! We welcome Zif to the role of Senior Vice President and look forward to his continued success.”

A music industry executive veteran for more than 20 years, Zifarelli has been with The Agency Group for over a decade. During that time he has helped to develop and build the domestic and international touring careers for acclaimed artists such as City and Colour, Feist, Broken Social Scene, Bahamas, Stars, K-OS, Dan Mangan, Dinosaur Jr, Bombay Bicycle Club, Hawksley Workman, James Vincent McMorrow, and many more.

In addition to his work in Canada, Zifarelli is one of the country’s leading international booking agents representing an extensive roster and sharing his clients with colleagues in London, New York, Nashville, Los Angeles and Malmo. He personally books North and South America, Japan, Southeast Asia and Australia, where he proudly represents some of that countries most acclaimed artists including Vance Joy, Xavier Rudd, 360, The Cat Empire, The Jezabels, Boy & Bear, The Paper Kites, Airbourne, Holy Holy, Glass Towers, Violent Soho, and Washington.

Canadian Arts/Media Job Posts For February 3, 2015

Feb 3, 2015

CBC Saskatchewan is a fully integrated news operation, which is looking for a candidate to perform the role of Reporter, Specializing in Weather.

The Calgary Herald is seeking three summer reporters — fully-multimedia journalists who can help them lead the local news agenda through hard work, a clear understanding of complex issues, creativity, and strong writing.

Canadian Press is looking for a self-motivated individual who is seeking an opportunity to take a leadership role in creating the political and news video content from Ottawa, working in English and French in the fast-paced environment of the Parliamentary bureau of the Canadian Press.

The Toronto Star is seeking a two reporters on a temporary contract to work within its City department. The ideal candidates are motivated journalists with strong news judgment, demonstrated ability to identify, pursue and develop stories, and excellent writing ability.

Techvibes is hiring a part-time Toronto Correspondent to report on local technology news and events in the city. This part-time position will see you profile fascinating entrepreneurs, discover exciting startups, and attend awesome events in your community on behalf of Canada’s leading independent tech news site.

Join Accenture and you will help make great ideas happen for some of the world’s most dynamic companies. They’re looking for a Media Relations Lead.

The Red Deer Advocate, a daily newspaper, seeks a general reporter for a one-year term position, starting March 2, 2015.

CTV Morning Live in Calgary, AB is looking for a Reporter/Anchor.

The Toronto Star is looking for an Entertainment Editor to lead its coverage of arts and pop culture. Reporting to the Senior Editor, Arts & Life, the ideal candidate for this managerial role is a highly creative newsroom leader with an excellent knowledge of Toronto’s arts scene. This editor has the proven ability to plan a vibrant file that balances the serious with the irreverent and caters to specific demographics.

Aporia is a fully integrated record label and music publisher, administering both master recordings and composition rights, and they are looking for a Creative Licensing & Business Development.

The Toronto Star’s City department is looking for a Deputy City Editor to help lead the planning and development of the local news file.

DDB Edmonton is looking for a seasoned Account Supervisor with a strong track record and a passion for building modern brands.

The Saskatoon StarPhoenix has evolved into a multi-platform media powerhouse, providing content to readers where they want it, how they want it. Across print, web, smartphone and tablet, our audience is bigger than it has ever been before. Currently, they are seeking an Intern Reporter.

DigitalFluency is looking for a talented graphic / digital designer responsible for driving creative solutions that meet their client and end-user’s needs.

North Island College is recruiting a pool of temporary Writers. The work of these Writers will assigned and completed on a project basis.

BroadbandTV (BBTV) is a fast-paced media & technology company located in downtown Vancouver, BC. They are currently looking for a Head of Branded Entertainment & Content Strategy to develop and oversee all initiatives associated with Branded Entertainment, Original Content Production, and Content Strategy at BroadbandTV.

The Link in Montreal is looking for a part-time Office Manager to oversee the production of the print edition and outreach strategy. The ideal candidate will work closely with the Editor-in-Chief and Business Manager to create and implement the print production schedule, oversee the recruitment of new contributors and enforce the publication’s policies and bylaws.

Kellogg’s based in Mississauga has an opening for a Senior Brand Manager, Masterbrand.

The Toronto Star is looking for a News Editor to oversee the production of its daily print edition. Reporting to the Managing Editor, the ideal candidate for this managerial role is an experienced newsroom leader with excellent news judgment and at least five years’ experience in production at a major daily newspaper.

Fairmont Banff Springs has an opening for a Regional Social Media & Digital Manager.

The Lloydminster Meridian Booster, which publishes three times a week, has an opening for a full-time managing editor. The award-winning paper is seeking an individual to lead a busy newsroom of five people.

The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation is the leading community-driven organization in Canada dedicated to creating a future without breast cancer, and they are looking for a Marketing and Communications Coordinator.

Jumpfactor is an exciting, dynamic, fast-paced integrated digital inbound marketing agency based in Scarborough, ON and have an opening for an Internet Digital Marketing – Operations Manager.

Pelmorex is currently looking for a client-centric and forward thinking HR Business Partner to join their team.

McElhanney Consulting Services Ltd. has an exciting opportunity for someone with a passion for marketing and publication design to join their corporate marketing team in Vancouver as a Marketing & Proposal Assistant.

Make in Vancouver has an opening for a Digital Project Manager to deliver concepts, creative strategies, stunning videos and media, tech builds, apps and website redesigns.

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario’s Communications and Corporate Affairs Division requires a seasoned professional with a solid background in Media Relations and Corporate Communications to act as the primary spokesperson and manage the AGCO’s external communications function.

Dennis GM, Corner Brook has an immediate opening for a full time, permanent Customer Relations-Media Manager.

Lombardi Publishing Corporation, one of the largest consumer information publishers in North America, is looking for a professional Media Buyer to coordinate their online media buying for Lombardi Publishing.

DirectWest, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SaskTel, is the exclusive provider of Mysask411, is looking for a Media Advisor.

The Norwester in Springdale, NL, is seeking a Full-Time Reporter.

The Southwest Booster, part of TC Media, is a reliable daily source of news and information for the Swift Current region that prides itself in providing readers with a well-rounded local news package, with an emphasis on the people, issues, and events that has an effect on the community. They currently have an opening for a Full-Time Reporter.

Randall Munroe Gets It Right On Asking Questions

Feb 3, 2015

Millions of people visit xkcd.com each week to read Randall Munroe’s iconic webcomic. His stick-figure drawings about science, technology, language, and love have a large and passionate following.

Fans of xkcd ask Munroe a lot of strange questions. What if you tried to hit a baseball pitched at 90 percent the speed of light? How fast can you hit a speed bump while driving and live? If there was a robot apocalypse, how long would humanity last?

In pursuit of answers, Munroe runs computer simulations, pores over stacks of declassified military research memos, solves differential equations, and consults with nuclear reactor operators. His responses are masterpieces of clarity and hilarity, complemented by signature xkcd comics. They often predict the complete annihilation of humankind, or at least a really big explosion.

He wrote a great introduction in his What If?: Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions that left me reading the same page more than a few times at its brilliance:

I’ve been using math to try to answer weird questions for as long as I can remember. When I was five years old, my mother had a conversation with me that she wrote down and saved in a photo album. When she heard I was writing this book, she found the transcript and sent it to me. Here it is, reproduced verbatim from her 25-year-old sheet of paper:

Randall: Are there more soft things or hard things in our house?

Julie: I don’t know.

Randall: How about in the world?

Julie: I don’t know.

Randall: Well, each house has three or four pillows, right?

Julie: Right.

Randall: And each house has about 15 magnets, right?

Julie: I guess.

Randall: So 15 plus 3 or 4, let’s say 4, is 19, right?

Julie: Right.

Randall: So there are probably about 3 billion soft things, and . . . 5 billion hard things. Well, which one wins?

Julie: I guess hard things.

To this day I have no idea where I got “3 billion” and “5 billion” from. Clearly, I didn’t really get how numbers worked.

My math has gotten a little better over the years, but my reason for doing math is the same as it was when I was five: I want to answer questions.

They say there are no stupid questions. That’s obviously wrong; I think my question about hard and soft things, for example, is pretty stupid. But it turns out that trying to thoroughly answer a stupid question can take you to some pretty interesting places.

Randall Munroe, What If?: Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions

Video: David Bowie’s Earliest Appearance As Ziggy Stardust, 1972

Feb 2, 2015

Taken from David Bowie’s 1972 Aylesbury gigs, this marked a key moment in Bowie’s life and photographer Mick Rock filmed it all on 16mm. This was one of his earliest appearances as Ziggy Stardust, one facet of a career marked by continual reinvention, musical innovation and striking visual presentation. Ziggy was a melding of the persona of Iggy Pop with the music of Lou Reed (his two best friends at the time), producing “the ultimate pop idol.”

Track listing: “Hang On to Yourself,” “Ziggy Stardust,” “Queen Bitch,” “Song for Bob Dylan,” “Starman,” “Five Years,” “Waiting for the the Man.”

The color footage is believed to be from the July 15th gig at the Friar’s Club.

http://youtu.be/VPCTI8tJLhM

Infographic: The Average Age Of Vocalist in Best Rock Song Nominee at Grammys

Feb 2, 2015

Via Completely Ignored

Humans Account for Less Than Half of Global Web Traffic

Feb 2, 2015

Global web traffic has increased sharply over the past few years. However, the majority of today’s website traffic is not actually human traffic. According to Incapsula’s Global Bot Traffic Report, 56% of website traffic can be traced back to bots that automatically browse websites for different purposes. Roughly half of all automated traffic comes from good bots, e.g. search engine crawlers that index a website’s content. The other half of automated traffic is malicious though, caused by impersonators, content scrapers or other hacking tools that are used to steal data, spam websites or simply bring them down.

You will find more statistics at Statista

Video: Charlie Rose interviews Bud Selig

Feb 2, 2015

Bud Selig, Commissioner Emeritus of Major League Baseball, discusses his career, revolutionizing the economics of baseball and the challenges of players using steroids and other performance enhancing drugs.