Google Compliant With Censorship

From Raw Story:

Google has becoming increasingly compliant to government requests to block purportedly sensitive information -- including images of Tibet, military installations and even a General Electric research plant -- according to a new report prepared by the Open Source Center for the Bush Administration's Director of National Intelligence Mike McConnell and reports circulated online about areas Google has blocked or blurred.

Siggraph 2008 Coverage

Ric and I ventured to the LA Convention Center last week to see what was happening at Siggraph 2008. Lots of rendering, 3D displays, and art!

- Listen to the Program -

Where Geeks Meet to Eat

Where Geeks Meet to Eat
Originally uploaded by ~db~

And spend 8 bucks for a one item combo at the steam table.

Exhibition Hall

Exhibition Hall
Originally uploaded by ~db~

This is about 1/2 of the hall, viewed from the super-secret media lounge.

Emotional Touch Whiteboard

Emotional Touch Whiteboard
Originally uploaded by ~db~

There were several attempts at "Emotional" computing and interfaces. This white board showed some ideas about how these emotions are conveyed.

Corkscrew Creature

Corkscrew Creature
Originally uploaded by ~db~

Unfortunately, I didn't get the name of the company which displayed this.

Old School 3D

Old School 3D
Originally uploaded by ~db~

With all the high-tech 3D tech being featured at the show, I actually laughed out loud when I saw Viewmasters being used to display images. The fact is, they did a better job then most of the new stuff.

Aguru Dome

Aguru Dome
Originally uploaded by ~db~

We talked with one of the Aguru developers, who explained that the intense polarized lights were very highly calibrated and positioned. The result was an extremely precise high resolution image.

Flir

Flir
Originally uploaded by ~db~

An example of forward looking infrared giving at Siggraph.

Pixar at Siggraph

Pixar at Siggraph
Originally uploaded by ~db~

By far and away, the longest lines were to see the Pixar demo. I mean over 100 yards long. Which made this demo the least likely I'd attend.

Bad Swag

Bad Swag
Originally uploaded by ~db~

It was a cool idea, giving away a 512mb jump drive inside a wrist strap. Unfortunately, the folks at SCAD decided to do some monkey business with the pre-stuffed files on the drive. Instead of simply filling it up with marketing material (in this case, a bunch of PDF files) which could be deleted after they were read, it was configured so the part of the drive with the files was made to look like a CD to the computer. Worse, this fake CD had an auto-run "feature". So every time the drive is plugged in, the files on the fake CD drive automatically pop up, no matter how many times you've reviewed the material. And since it was a "CD" drive, the computer doesn't think it can erase the files. The result? It gets tossed in the trash, never to be used, and leaving a bitter taste in the mouth about the school.

New Shoes

New Shoes
Originally uploaded by ~db~

The fake legs were only meant to simulate a real person's legs. The tech was that their system could track your shoes and replace them, virtually, on the screen. That way you could try different items without actually having to wear them.

Red Spiral

Red Spiral
Originally uploaded by ~db~

A detail from a much larger piece.

PC Guy

PC Guy
Originally uploaded by ~db~

John Hodgman in miniature.

Continua

Continua
Originally uploaded by ~db~

One of the works by Erwin Hauer and Enrique Rosado at Siggraph's Design and Computation exhibit.

Curved Origami 2

Curved Origami 2
Originally uploaded by ~db~

More from Jeannine Mosely at Siggraph.

Curved Origami 1

Curved Origami 1
Originally uploaded by ~db~

Individual pieces by Jeannine Mosely at Siggraph.

Through the Looking Glass

Through the Looking Glass
Originally uploaded by ~db~

Ric, viewed through Jonathan Bachrach's The Intimacy Machine at Siggraph.

Visual-Physical Design Grammars

Visual-Physical Design Grammars
Originally uploaded by ~db~

More from Siggraph's Design & Computation exhibit.

Slow Art Contemplation

Slow Art Contemplation
Originally uploaded by ~db~

Fold Loud by JooYoun Paek at Siggraph 2008

Folded Sculpture

Folded Sculpture
Originally uploaded by ~db~

One of the many fantastic art works at this year's Siggraph. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find out who's work this is. There was no info card, and the Siggraph web site doesn't have this specific work listed.

Cathy Campbell Interview

On August 2 we spoke with Cathy Campbell, President and CEO of the U.S. Civilian Research and Development Foundation about the importance of science diplomacy.

- Listen to the Interview -