Content Blog Review: io9

I was working with my composer a few months ago on my new film and somehow we began discussing blogs and how we like very few of them. He then pointed to me to this site: io9. It is a blog geared towards anything related to science fiction. As their manifesto states, "io9 is addicted to science fiction because it's the storytelling branch of prophesy. We'll be writing obsessively about scifi in every format: books, movies, TV, Web, comics, games, art, music, and fashion."


After following the site for a few months, I have fallen head over heels for it. It covers everything and anything a fan of science fiction would be interested in. From new news about old favorites to images of nebula's in space, and so on. The purpose of the site is to spread geek news to the hungry masses. Although I can't say I'm looking for much of the information they are giving, I always find myself interested in what they post. Their content is strong and interesting, and without just rehashing news that any other site can give you, they have lists, top tens, and plenty of other information that is only native to their site. This is their strongest attribute, it is the hub of all great news for someone like me or others that love anything sci-fi.

One of my favorite organizational tools the site uses is that every post is tagged to a subsection of the blog. For example, if an article appears on the site it is tagged to a subsection of the blog. Such as images of space are tagged under "spaceporn" or some crazy image of a Ghostbusters ghost as a puppet is tagged under "holycrapwtf." Everyday I seem to find a new subsection in the site and since they are constantly posting to the blog it seems that it is growing at a rapid pace, therefore the site is deep and informational.

Another thing that I love and respect about the site is that the information isn't watered down or brought to a lower level to be easily accessible to all newcomers. The site is for sci-fi fans and tailors to their needs and their level of writing. The writing of each article is well done both linguistically and informational.

Overall the site is the perfect blog for sci-fi fans of all kinds. From the Trekkie, to the astronomer, to the Phillip K. Dick fan. They tailor their site and information to the entire spectrum of fans, and that is the most respectable part of io9.com.

Internet Collaboration

Many artists around the world are collaborating with one another right now, without even meeting face to face. This is one of the many tools the internet brings to the artist. We can collaborate without being in the same room or without making a phone call (if you remember what that's like).

I had great exposure to this last semester in my Psychology of Creativity class. At the end of the semester we were supposed to get in groups and collaborate on a piece of artwork. My group was able to meet with one another and put together a little poem/video segment that went over well. But one group wasn't able to meet since the three of them were all extremely busy with their musical careers. What they ended up doing is creating a song together without being in the same room. I forget what site they used or what program, but one person would put a guitar track in or a vocal track, then the next person would go in and either modify previous work or add a new bass track, etc. In the end they had a great song that flowed well and was musically interesting. All without having the meet with one another. This was the first time I realized how the art community was changing with the power of the internet.

I personally have also found the internet very useful with collaborating. On my latest film I needed to work on the film score with my colleague/pal Dave, but the problem was that he lives near Boston. But with an easy upload and for him a easier download, he was able to watch the rough of the film and send me back samples of his score. We conferenced back and forth on ideas, and in the end we were both pleased with the final product. And all this occurred without meeting. That was bullet point #2 for my eyes widening to the idea of voiceless collaboration. Although I still think it is best for two people to meet in person, but if it is not possible I don't have to worry anymore about work suffering because it has proven itself a few times over to work.

Creative Commons

I think the idea of the Creative Commons is new ground for an internet community that is hungry for a kinder world. You won't get slapped with a lawsuit or have an army of lawyers at your door, if the person who's original material you are using is OK with your use of it, then your safe! It's refreshing to have an idea out there that isn't about greed or money and obtaining more if it, but letting people who like your work use it to inspire there own. That is what the art & internet community should be about, sharing your work to inspire new work.

Their example of someone adding a bass track to the White Stripes album, and Jack White being ok with it, was perfect. Because CC cuts out the middle man in a legal, easy way. Also from what I can see it is a free service they offer. Something I was unaware of us that when you creative something, anything, that it is automatically copyrighted. To be able to have that automatic tool, with a refining tool that Creative Commons is, I think is a one two punch for the internet generation of artists.

Don't Trust Wikipedia

I find that many people in high school through college treat Wikipedia as the end all be all of information and references. When in actuality it's usually riddled with wrong information, and poisoned with idiotic teenagers trying to prove their friends wrong and constantly changing Wiki pages. Although I love the idea of a free and useful library online, I don't like the blind confidence and trust that people place on Wikipedia. I don't think older generations realize how much my generation uses the internet for nearly everything. I'd like to do a poll and ask my peers when was the last time they went into a library to do research? If I were to be honest and answer that question myself, I don't know the last time.

One of Keens best points is "dictatorship of expertise vs. dictatorship of idiots." Who is really controlling the content all over the internet. Although I always knew that Wikipedia was user edited and user controlled, I don't know why I didn't have more of a problem with using it as a reference site. I guess it comes down to plain laziness/convenience. But now that my eyes have been open to the issue of idiot controlled content, I think it time to start changing the way I look up and reference my papers/topics/etc.

Overall I have been completely blown away by Mr. Keen's topics and ideas. I think his view of the internet and his epiphany that he talks about having, is what I'm about to go through. I'm excited to read his book because I really want to discuss (like a mormon on a mission) with friends and peers of mine. The people need to know what they are using and who is controlling it!

Andrew Keen: Expander of Minds

I was utterly fascinated by learning about Mr. Keens view of Web 2.0. Mostly because it was the exact opposite of how I thought of the internet before hand. I always had this starry eyed vision of the internet as a great tool. But of course with any new empire that is built there are consequences to certain actions. So when Andrew Keen discusses the idea of the "cult of the amateur," I had to take a step back and think, am I one of them?

After doing the reading and discuss Mr. Keen, I find myself at a crossroads with use of the internet. Although my favorite part of Web 2.0 is that it can bring people together, and bring information and culture to corners of the U.S. (an example being my hometown up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan). But at the same time I think Keen makes an excellent point about the need for experts, not amateurs. We need to know that the information we are getting is from a reliable source, not gossip, not hearsay, it needs to be from someone who knows what they are talking about.

I never saw it as big as a problem as it truly is, but amateurism is on the rise and only growing stronger. And who's really getting bent over? The user! We think (I'm guilty as well) that we are using the internet as a tool to get beyond the big wigs, the corporations, "the man," but really we are just giving time & money to a very select few companies are who are the ones really profiting from the internet, not us. Most of those being Google, Facebook, YouTube, etc. I am glad that Keen has been exposed to me, because he has opened my mind about the content and relationship I now share with the internet. I find his topics interesting enough that I have purchased his book!......off Amazon. Oh irony.