Was involved in a debate at work a couple of days ago. Idea was to get people thinking about tech issues, and it worked. The content of my argument – justifying Google’s self-censorship in order to gain access to the Chinese market – was fairly unoriginal, but had fun piecing it together nonetheless. Cheers to Rach for organising.
I really thought I’d had it when SK popped out with “The Great Firewall of China” to close his case – a good pun always impresses me.
But the rhythm of the thing reminded me v. much of my debating days (before I was completely put off the notion of intellectual debates by the Cambridge Union) at school under good old PASF. Peter (who is one of many Mr Miyagis I’ve had the good fortune to encounter), he taught me well – even though in my debating history at school I never once convinced the audience that my case was worth voting for.
So, I’m a big fan of interesting virals. The problem is, the vast majority that I see are rubbish, recycled content (ebaumstrash), or just no fun at all. Then two good ones came my way at once, and I spent rather too much time on them.
The first, Software Cluedo, is a Business Software Alliance (one of our agency’s clients) initiative designed to raise awareness of the likely causes and locations of software piracy. It is worryingly addictive, and actually not as easy as you might think to solve.
The second, more of a test of manual dexterity than detective skills, is courtesy of my friend James at World Cancer Research Fund, who is trying to raise awareness of the ‘five-a-day’ initiative, to get people to eat more fruit. Pip’s Fruit Shoot and Pip’s Target Practise are available here. Or, you could just beat the banana.
Anyway, a good way to waste some time – spread the Friday Fun!!
Last night I had a vivid dream that I was on holiday, somewhere mountainous in the Mediterranean, tasting blood-pink wine at €9 a bottle from a very odd off-license.
Sorry, misleading post title there. It’s really Armand in Bruges, where I’ll be Eastering with my family, so there will be no flurry of posts this weekend. The good news is there may finally be a photo or two when I get back.
Aside: has anyone else had a massively inflated number of easter related email forwards this year? They’re really irritating. Although the one with the deaf bunny and the sore bunny was quite amusing.
Passed a shop on Paddington Street that offered this slightly odd combination of products on services. I can understand wanting to preoccupy children with toys whilst they’re being coiffed – but what other unusual combinations are out there? Mussels and pedicures? Dentist and sweetshops? Lawyer and chiropractor?
It boggles the mind.
Armand David's personal weblog: dadhood, technology, running, media, food, stuff and nonsense.
