Podcasting evolved right along with the internet, but for most of its existence the humble podcast has remained relegated to the world of nerds with niche interests. When you look at all the competition for one’s attention, it’s counterintuitive that what is essentially a radio show could become an international hit. Enter Serial .
Last Saturday I returned from two and a half weeks in Japan. I’ve always wanted to go, and this was the year that my guy and I made it happen. Some things I expected to find include culture shock, neon, great food, weird food, lots of style, crowded subways, and many surprises. Japan delivered, and then some. Here are 11 things, in no particular order, that I thought were extra awesome and/or uniquely Japanese.
CONTINUE READING
Over the last few years I’ve witnessed more and more friends becoming parents. While they were going through this intense and deeply meaningful life transition, I was shopping for lots of baby gifts. One of the many things I’ve learned is that once you have a baby you often cease to care that something was handmade by traditional artisans in Denmark from fair-trade organic pine; any piece of colourful plastic that entertains your baby for a few minutes will do. As a non-mom and design geek, I like to choose gifts that look great, even when they’re covered in drool or you’re stubbing your toe on them in the dark. Here are eight of my favourites to consider the next time you get invited to a baby shower. Enjoy!
Urban Dictionary defines a brand whore as “s omeone who buys and prominently displays name brand products…under the belief that such loyalty to a label or corporation adds cachet and brings prestige to their otherwise lack of taste…”
While the term has often been used to refer to all kinds of brand snobbery, I think the brand whore is really just an evil twin. This article is about the good twin and w hy I’m not ashamed of being into brands. CONTINUE READING
I recently found myself with just over an hour to kill at the Queensway Cineplex in Etobicoke. With few beverage-and-snack options beyond Cara-owned chain restaurants, my companion and I were intrigued to discover a new establishment at the entrance to the movie theatre parking lot. It was big, bright, and covered in hipster typography. It was only as we got closer to the building that we saw the name Kelsey’s stencilled above the door. CONTINUE READING
Remember when everyone said that cable networks were going to die ? That TV was going the way of FriendFeed, Google Wave, and the Palm Pilot? While the VCR (and more recently Blockbuster) made an exit from our living rooms long ago, TVs and cable networks have stuck around. What’s changed is how technology is breathing new life into a traditional medium through social TV , the rise of the second screen, and new distribution channels for TV shows. Here are six examples of how streaming and social media are enhancing the TV experience instead of killing it. CONTINUE READING
With so many companies ramping up their digital marketing efforts in order to reach consumers, many of them lose sight of the importance of good design. CONTINUE READING
Yes, we know. Social media has ruined school . It has ruined workplaces and it has ruined the experience of dining out . Before social media, television and video games were ruining young minds. In 1450 Gutenberg’s printing press revolutionized Europe and not everyone was happy about it. CONTINUE READING
As someone who works for a startup, I’m naturally drawn to other startups. Yesterday I got the chance to sit down with Lisa Labute and Cat Parker, the two ladies behind The Goods , a vegan lunch delivery service. I also got a great lunch out of it that I’m still thinking about today. CONTINUE READING
I always love it when people ask me what I’m currently reading. That hasn’t happened in a while, but I’ll tell you anyway. I’m reading
The Mind of the Market
by Michel Shermer. When I ordered it on my Kobo I knew it would be full of social media lessons. Lesson one: taking advantage of cognitive dissonance.
CONTINUE READING