Design Challenges

2009 Superbowl

Last weekend, I like many others, went over to gather with some friends and watch the most important American sporting event of the year. It occured to me that sports have gotten stale. This year most folks were not excited to watch the game. I don't know if it was the teams, or the half time act (sorry Bruce), but most people where not looking forward to the gathering. I do know that it wasn't the host, he is one of the most likeable guys around, but most people decided not to make the party.

TV and other media mediums are also suffering from being stale. Magazines and newspapers are a dying medium, not because people don't want to read, or be in the know, but because they have evolve to get the information from the Web, in a more instant manner. As such these mediums re-invented themselves to provide up to the minute news, and the latest information in the niches for their audience.

It is time for footbal to re-invent itself. After a great debate during the party, here are some ideas the NFL can use to provide a more entertaining experience and a greater challenge for the teams.

1. Why do a simple kick to a goal post. This just doesn't seem to be a big challenge. Most teams earn the extra point after the sweet touchdown. After all, how hard is it to get an oval shape, leather wrapped, piece of rubber through a Goal posts that is 10 feet high and 18 feet, 6 inches wide. I propose that they make the goal post more interactive to provide a better challenge. For example, if the team is 50 feet from the goal, then the post should remain as is. For every 10 feet they move closer, the post should become 3 feet narrower, so that when the team is at the goal line, the post should be 6 feet wide.

2. For an added more challenging experience with a bigger reward, the team can then opt for a three point conversion by allowing the goal post to sway from side to side.

3. Another addition to the match is to learn from the very popular sport of orchestrated wrestling (WWE). Teams can opt to give up one of their time outs in exchange for sending in a special player at any time in the middle of a play from any spot of the sidelines to block that very special, yet fabulous play as seen during the 2009 superbowl. I'm speaking about the 100-yard interception return for a touchdown by Pittsburgh linebacker James Harrison. Think how funny and amussing it would have been to seen a Cardinal run in a pick up Harrison and run him all the way back to the starting point and convert that interception into a touchdown. Of course, this would be quite a challenge, first to knock down a 250LB player and then pick him up and run him back. This would yield a 14 point conversion, surely to put some distance between the two teams.

The bottom line is that altough this are mere farce suggestions, every industry should find a way to reinvent themselves. A way to captivate the audience they once secured, to get back the dollars they once had. If every series ran the same plot line, if every movie had the same theme, they would cease to exist, but why are we still watching a game which has not changed over the course of its history. Sure, players have change, but the game has not. I started following the game, but two years, all I can say is that I'm already bored and not looking forward to the same all next season. The NFL needs to do a better job to sell me back on.

Labels: advertising, brand, Entertainment, Freedom of Speech, techniques, Video Games

Melissa Etheridge - Revival Tour

My wife bought tickets to go see Melissa Etheridge for the June 19th concert in Jacksonville, FL. I said wtf, how bad could it be, lets do it. So we went down to the landing for dinner, dine on some fine Italian, the best so far in Jax, but mind you that there just aren't that many Italian restaurants in Jax, and don't get me started on the pizza situation.

I digress, the concert was very revitalizing as marketed by the title. I never thought I would enjoy a Melissa Etheridge concert, but I actually would venture to say that this one was one of the best, if not the best concert experience I have had. It had a very unplugged feel to it, yet all the mechanics of the typical rock band were present. She was very low key, yet her voice was as powerful as it was 20 years or so ago. I think what made this different was that there was some story telling involved. Melissa paused between songs to tell the audience about the song and where she was in her life, both personal and professional, at the time which led to the motivation for the lyrics. I found this type of performance refreshing and honest.

She concluded with her battle for cancer and living with no regrets. She encourage the audience to look deep within themselves and ensure that they live their lives as they would want, because there is only this one.

These messages hit very close to home. We moved to Jax to experience a better live but is a better live a financial statement or a more relax and sedentary one?

The bottom line is that we have made a great home down in the Jacksonville area. We have done well economically as well, but no better than we were doing in CT, the biggest change is the quality time I get to have with my wife. We have now pick up golfing together and sharing more moments together. I think that's what life is about experiencing joy with the one you love and choose to spent your years with. Intellectual curiosity is also another factor to consider, as humans our number one gift is the gift of learning and we should strive to learn at least one new thing a day, whether is to expand and promote growth in your career or to learn a new technique to improve upon your hobby, is just crucial to never stop learning. Once you decide you can't learn anymore, then you might as well select your grave next.

Labels: college, Connecticut, Entertainment, Florida, Jacksonville, jax

Philosophical Question

I was discussing a topic with a colleague which I cannot longer remember even thought the discussion took place less than 24 hours ago. But today I read this story, it describe the use of robotics and technology where researchers are in the mist of creating a system that could allow people to feel textures and shapes of 3-D designs created on computers -- without any kind of mechanical equipment.

"Carnegie Mellon University researchers announced that it could soon be possible to feel objects created on computers through a touch-based, or haptic, interface, without using gloves, similar equipment, or force feedback. One lightweight moving part floats on magnetic fields and simulates various sensations people experience when they touch real objects."

"We believe this device provides the most realistic sense of touch of any haptic interface in the world today," Ralph Hollis, a research professor in Carnegie Mellon's robotics institute, said in a news announcement.

The philosophical question comes into place when it comes to the design aspects of the device. Does this mean that the pimply nerd can design the girl of his dreams and then feel her up? Does it mean we no longer need to keep pets captive as the unit will allow us to pet one thereby securing the comfort of the animal?

The bottom line is that sometimes we stretch and push technologies past their limits. Why are we able to create sensations, design 3d elements, have a robotic companion at home, but we still cannot cure cancer, prevent viruses such as AIDS, or design a world where children don't go hungry?

Labels: 3D Design, chemistry, Design, Entertainment

Las Vegas

Las Vegas, or Sin City as it is also known, is an amazing place filled wiht fun and excitment. I had the pleaure to visit the Disneyland for adults this past week. I stayed outside of the main drag, better known as the strip. I was attending the Chiropractic Event of the year!

I stayed at the Las Vegas Hilton, which I have to say is by far one of the worst places to stay at in Vegas, not only is on the remote side of town, but has very little to offer. The casino is quite small and the help is useless, save a bartender or two.

I was out working at a chiropractic conference, as it relates to the filed I'm currently working in. As a side note, we were debuting our newly redesigned site, www.chiroeco.com, craftmaster and build from the ground up by yours truly, check it out and let me know what you think of it. I digress, as I was saying, I didn't get to explore much except for one day. After the six hour exploration that let us through the Venetian, Caesar's Palace, The Wynn, and Palazzo; I can only express the grandiose of design and my desire to revisit. I arrived in Vegas with $40 and left Vegas with $40, that's not to say I didn't gamble, I just played wisely and walked away with my socks still on. I enjoyed about 7 hours of gambling, but the most fun was hanging out with my cohorts and exploring the Vegas strip.

While out at the conference I lost my virginity, my chiropractic virginity that is. I have always been leary of alternative medicine, and have preferred the traditional medicine. I have to say that this conference made me a believer. I have been battling a debilitating and rather aichy shoulder, I'm happy to say that after a 10 minute massage and a two minute Chiropractic adjustment, I feel like I'm a teenager again. I put the shoulder to the test at the gym today and I'm happy to say that I'm still pain free and would recommend chiropractic to anyone who asks and those who don't ask. Is like I always say, try everything at least once before you turned it down, because you will never know otherwise.

The bottom line is that to enjoy Vegas you don't have to gamble, there is plenty fo fun to be had and plenty of sights to see, all free, unless you account for the taxi rides, diner, and drinks, but those were payed by my employer, Thanks Joe!

Labels: Design, Entertainment, Gambling, Las Vegas