Martin Scorsese Argues Streaming Algorithms Devalue Cinema into ‘Content’

In a new essay for Harper’s magazine, Martin Scorsese argues the art of cinema is being systematically devalued and demeaned by streaming services and their algorithms, “and reduced to its lowest common denominator, ‘content.'” “Content” became a business term for all moving images: a David Lean movie, a cat video, a Super Bowl commercial, a superhero sequel, a series episode. It…

Best Story Wins

Morgan Housel, on the art and power of storytelling: C. R. Hallpike is a respected anthropologist who once wrote a review of a young author’s recent book on the history of humans. It states: “It would be fair to say that whenever his facts are broadly correct they are not new, and whenever he tries to strike out on his own…

Working From Home Hasn’t Broken the Internet

sixoh1 shared this story from the Wall Street Journal: Home internet and wireless connectivity in the U.S. have largely withstood unprecedented demands as more Americans work and learn remotely. Broadband and wireless service providers say traffic has jumped in residential areas at times of the day when families would typically head to offices and schools. Still, that surge in usage hasn’t…

Google’s Heart-Warming Super Bowl Ad Called ‘Evil’

“I had an uneasy feeling about the Google commercial,” writes Larry Magid in his column for the San Jose Mercury News. “But I couldn’t put it into words until I read a blog post from tech strategic adviser Shelly Palmer.” In the post Palmer describes Google’s Super Bowl ad as “a three-hanky, heart-tugging spot that has us eavesdropping on an elderly…

Why the Super Bowl Is Being Broadcast In Fake 4K

Today Fox will broadcast the Super Bowl in 4K and HDR, reports Gizmodo’s senior consumer tech editor. But “the 4K is fake 4K, and, according to Digital Trend’s interview with one of the men producing the Bowl, there’s a good reason for that…” The reason is that 4K is still really, really data intensive. A 4K video is often twice the…

2000: The Year the Startup Super Bowl Ads Failed

20 years ago, 11 different startups spent millions of dollars to run 30-second ads during the Super Bowl, reports the Hustle. Within one year 8 of the 11 companies “had either gone bankrupt or been sold in fire sales.” The how-to platform Computer.com spent $3m of its $5.8m in seed funding on an ad featuring its 2 founders holding a poster…

GM Resurrects Hummer As an All-Electric ‘Super Truck’ With 1,000 Horsepower

An anonymous reader quotes a report from CNBC: General Motors is resurrecting the Hummer, best known as a gas-guzzling, military-style SUV, as an all-electric “super truck” with massive horsepower, acceleration and torque. The Detroit automaker confirmed the plans Thursday and released three online teaser videos for the “GMC Hummer EV” pickup ahead of a 30-second Super Bowl ad for the vehicle…

Apple Rolls Out Maps Redesign To All US Users

Apple’s
redesigned Maps app has arrived. From a report: The company on Thursday said its revamped app is now available for US users and will arrive in Europe “in the coming months.” Apple Maps’ redesign makes navigation faster and more accurate and gives users “comprehensive views of roads, buildings, parks, airports, malls and more.” Apple rebuilt its mapping service from the ground…

Hackers Target NFL Teams On Twitter Ahead of Super Bowl

CaptainDork shares a report from CNET: The Twitter accounts of several NFL teams were hacked on Monday ahead of this weekend’s Super Bowl game. Around 15 teams, including the Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers, were all targeted. The accounts had their profile images removed and some included messages from OurMine, the Saudi Arabia-based hacker group…