Facebook's "sponsored stories" creates controversy

Social networking's fascination with following the actions of participants is increasingly being mined for its marketing possibilities. Click on this link to read a Washington Post (1-27-11) story about a new marketing practice of Facebook that takes users expressions of likes and check-ins at restaurants and attaches them to products for advertising purposes.  There are apparently some questions about how clearly the practice is being described; this affects the level of consent achieved for participation.  If I choose to share my life with my online friends, am I also choosing to share with them my buying preferences?  Perhaps!

Museum of Modern Art to display controversial video | Reuters

Museum of Modern Art to display controversial video | Reuters

A controversial video that was not shown due to a scene depicting ants crawling on a crucifix will now be exhibited.

Sony hits snag in PS3 hacking case

Click on this link to read a Washington Post (1-18-11) article about how Sony is having difficulty suing a hacker for hacking into the PS3 game console (and then publishing how to do it).  Should owners of technology have the right to hack them any way they wish?  Is this a separate issue from that of sharing how to do it with others?  Or, if I have the right to hack my PS3, why is it wrong to tell you how to do it, if you have the same right?  Are content mediators that carry the instructions liable for doing so (as Sony apparently believes)?

Obama 'HOPE' artist and AP settle copyright claims

Here's an article from the Washington Post (1-13-11_ about the apparent end to the controversy between Shephard Fairey and AP over the use of the Obama image.

Gaming - making the world better

I thought this presentation by Game Designer, Jane McGonigal, was interesting in light of the recent article in the Sarasota Herald.
Video - Jane McGonigal
Liberal Arts Faculty Member Dr. Ryan Van Cleave and Ringling College Computer Animation Department Head, Jim McCampbell were featured in a front page article in today's Sarasota Herald-Tribune. The article features Dr. Van Cleave and his recent book entitled " UnPlugged: My Journey Into the Dark World of Video Game Addiction."
Van Cleave's recent book, published by Health Communications, Inc., is a compelling portrait of one man's journey into the obsessive of video games. The article presents Ryan's story in contrast to the Game Art & Design focus here at Ringling and is an incredible article you won't want to miss, sure to inspire some intellectual debate.

Read the article