Augmented, Not-so-Reality challenge

Right. I want to play a game.

I'm constantly playing games with friends. We'll come up with some random phrase or concept, and run with it.

The concept that's been grabbing me the last few weeks is augmented reality. Look it up, if you haven't heard of it. There was a presentation at TED this year on augmented reality using pretty much off-the-shelf gear that ended up with a standing ovation.

But what about augmented fiction? Say, getting into a story by experiencing it in some form, with web enabled devices to build up the character you're inhabiting. Somewhere between acting, producing and writing a fictional piece. Using several (traditional and newer) media. Photography, writing, film, websites, social media - you don't just consume a fictional piece as much as inhabit it.

Or even better: consume, inhabit AND create it. What if you were author, actor and reader at the same time. What if it wasn't just you that was part of the story? Even better - what if there were several players creating the story together in different parts of the (virtual and IRL) world?

Let's get this in perspective - this isn't something where you're playing/consuming/augmenting your 'own' life. You're playing and writing out a fiction, one that could be based around your life, but more than that. The story incorporates all sorts of media, and incorporates realtime and static elements.

The only question to get going is, Who Else Wants To Play?

You like Gawker Stalker?

No way!*

I just found out about this 'even better' version that News Limited have created for World Youth Day:

http://twitter.com/popedownunder

Ya - you can totally follow the pope on his visit around Sydney. It's, like, so hot right now.

*For the record, I don't care much for Gawker Stalker. Nor the pope and his brood.

Well, at least it gives new meaning to the phrase 'they should be shot and not heard'...

Hands up those not disturbed by Bullet Proof Baby.

I mean, who else would you turn to at those times your child needs to avoid that drive-by shooting in your 'hood?

Random Sightings

Darling Harbour, 5.30pm today:

Woman wearing a t-shirt with "stupidity's not a crime, so you're free to go" logo in comic sans.

First thought: "No, but using comic sans is."

Then: "Heh."

Something more interesting, then (apologies for any squashing):



[Youtube:PS3 vs Wii Commercial]

Random Harry Potter Saturday

Some thoughts (I've only read the first chapter):

• Typical - Voldemort WOULD stay at the Malfoys
• Who would honestly cast Wormwood as the Dungeon Keeper?
• Based on the friendship quote at the beginning of the book, I bet Hermione, Ron or Neville are going down. And given it's the last book, all are equally likely.
• Maybe Bellatrix and Neville will have their showdown. That would be pretty cool.
  

Also, based on the conversation Lady M and I had on the way to breakfast, Italians can easily be summed up as the Baker of the piece (that would be the monkey):



And since it's been a while since I blogged, some random thoughts.

• Chore Wars. Is there any better way to get geeks to clean their room?
• My friend CK and I have decided, in response to that stupid Sociology paper comparing myspace and facebook users, that we are going to trash our Facebook profiles up with all sorts of useless applications. So far, I am a Lieftenant Zombie, my stripper name is Kyle Bangleboss, I routinely Food Fight, I get useless gifts from friends, my Graffiti wall includes a drawing of my head while hungover and a picture of a crocodile, and I'm twins with the wilma and the morag.
  
• I want a Glen Hanson Golden Girls t-shirt! So does Weasel, I suspect.
• Simpsonize me sucks. As a comparison, look at what I came up with on the Simpsons Movie site (the first one) and the crappy Simpsonize Me version (from a frontal, and NOT side on, photo taken on my spanky new MacBook - further down):
  
  
  
  
  
  

[Able and Baker]
[Chore Wars]
[GMSV: Honey, about your new boyfriend — your mom and I think he’s a little too “MySpacey” for you]
[Glen Hanson]
[weasel's wacky world of poptaculosity]
[Simpsonize Me]
[Simpsons Movie]