dirty new media

heyawl,

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2318751622760957382

i just uploaded a video of the talk i gave last weekend at HOPE
(Hackers on Planet Earth) 2008 (aka “The Last Hope”; thelasthope.org).
for those of you unfamiliar with HOPE, it’s a (mostly) bi-annual
conference organized by 2600 the hacker quarterly. they host a
variety of talks on subject ranging from the technical to the
political to the artistic & support/encourage other exciting projects
like open workspaces/radio programs/screening environments.

the talk i gave was called ‘dirty new media: art, activism and
computer counter cultures’ - it focused on artists using software and
other systems in a qualified/complicated/dirty way; basically artwork
that transcends the view of technology as an ideal or ‘black box’ and
in doing so brings together the not-so-separate categories of
artist/hacker/activist.

so here’s the video: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2318751622760957382

thanks to artists whose work shows up here! the crowd in nyc was
hella into your fucked up videos!

negative formula for a day

google search + python text processing.

• A day without Bernie is like a day without orange juice
• a day without orange juice is like a day without orange juice
• A day without nyiiri is like a day without a real meal
• A day without an egret is like a day without a Corona
• a day without Beetlejuice is like a day without a root canal
• A day without coffee is like a day without coffee
• A day without coffee is like a day without coffee
• A day without bombing is like a day without the sun
• a day without laughter is like a day without light
• A day without sweets is like a day without breathing
• A day without fries is like a day without an
• A day without laughter is like a day without oxygen
• A day without honey is like a day without story
• A day without cigars is like a day without sun
• A day without FLOB is like a day without happiness
• A Day Without Blogging Is Like A Day Without Blogging
• a day without waterboarding is like a
• A day without riding is like a day without breathing
• A day without Math is like a day without light
• A Day Without Fairies Is Like A Day Without Sunsh
• a day without immigrants is like a day without work
• A day without waffles is like a day
• A day without Plurp is like a day without beets
• A Day Without Griping Is Like A Day Without Talking
• A day without llort is like a day without sunburn
• A day without democrats is like a day without mental disease
• A day without lemmings is like a day without mershed potetoes
• A day without another muse threatening us is like a day without waffles
• A day without Kimchi is like a day without toilet
• a day without choclate is like a day without love
• a day without anime is like a day without intercourse
• A day without the gym is like a day without life
• A day without Krooger is like a day without shriek
• A day without Webmasterworld is like a day without ______
• a day without anime is like a day without intercourse
• A day without roof rats is like a day without moonshine
• A day without email from Rabbs is like a day without sex
• A day without typos is like a day without junk
• a day without banners is like a day without CowboyNeal
• A Day without Curtis is like a day without coffee
• A day without Rosie is like a day without pestilance
• A day without Bess is like a day without UWS
• a day without Kabuki is like a day without Doris
• a day without those is like a day without bad repellent
• a day without Gerry is like a day without moonshine
• A day without Dogs is like a day without Toppings
• A day without EMO is like a day without big black storm clouds
• A day without Krooger is like a day without radiation poisoning
• A day without RC is like a day without pinkeye
• A day without genealogy is like a day without caffeine
• A day without Bob Baxa is like a day without Peewee
• A day without gelato is like a day without air
• A day without Krooger is like a day without arsenic
• A day without David is like a day without inspiration
• a day without doughnuts is like a day without pork rinds
• A day without Russell is like a day without fiber
• A day without Shalini is like a day without sunburn
• a day without them is like a day without criminals
• A Day Without Photoblogging Is Like A Day Without Ice
• A Day Without Podcasting Is Like A Day Without NTodd
• a day without internet is like a day without your
• A Day Without Leon is Like a Day Without Sunsh
• a day without irony is like a day without Socrates
• A day without Army recruiters is like a day without telemarketers
• A Day without Blue Coats is like a Day without Crabs
• A Day without Angela is like a day without Sunshin
• A Day without Angela is like a day without Sunshin
• A day without Jerry Springer is like a day without genital warts
• A day without OJ is like a day without soma
• A day without blues is like a day without bread
• A Day without DRUDGE is like a day without _
• a day without is like a day without clowns
• A Day Without AC is like a Day Without Deodorant
• A day without Information Systems is like a day without customers
• A day without writing is like a day without exhaling
• A day without Judge Joe Brown is like a day without justice
• A day without you is like a day without light because
• a day without him is like a day without air
• A day without TDK is like a day without chocolate
• A day without griping is like a day without talking
• a day without mayonnaise is like a day without red wine
• A day without XM is like a day without sound
• A day without gelato is like a day without air
• A day without beading is like a day without chocolate
• A day without laughter is like a day without cheese
• A day without pasta is like a day without sun
• A Day Without Cherries is Like a Day Without Sunsh
• a day without griping is like a day without living
• a day without golf is like a day without breathing
• A day without coffee is like a day without air
• a day without Prufrock is like a day without Spenser
• A day without a Prufrock reference is like a day without Spenser
• a day without cheese is like a day without breathing
• A day without him is like a day without food
• A day without fusion is like a day without sun
• A day without banter is like a day without oxygen
• A day without email is like a day without breathing
• A Day without Blue Coats is like a Day without Crabs
• A day without MetaTalk is like a day without swalling
• a day without poi is like a day without milk
• A day without ice cream is like a day
• A day without writing is like a day without coffee
• A Day Without Wine Is Like A Day Without Gwin Gryffon
• A day without writing is like a day without running
• A day without freelancing is like a day without money
• A day without an egret is like a day without a Corona
• A day without WH Briefing is like a day without coffee
• A day without Irish coverage is like a day without leoparsy
• A day without Cornflakes cereal is like a day without your
• A day without Heather is like a day without sun
• A day without chocolate is like a day without love
• A day without rice is like a day without E2
• a day without shit is like a day without crazy
• a day without Britney is like a day without sun poisoning
• A day without Disney is like a day without magic
• A day without seeing some fresh air is like a day without seeing Brit Brit
• A day without coffee is like a day without coffee
• A day without coffee is like a day without coffee
• a day without MXit is like a day without sunlight
• A day without riding is like a day without beer
• a day without skynyrd is like a day without herpes
• A Day Without Electricity is Like a Day Without the 21st Century
• A day without knitting is like a day without a smile
• A day without you is like a day without shine
• A day without Danmail is like a day without taking
• A Day Without You Is Like A Day Without Teeth
• A day without mamasita is like a day without a broken jaw
• A day without Barry is like a day without a cup
• A day without KOS is like a day without stupid
• A day without sarcasm is like a day without some politician lying
• A day without Corn Pops is like a day without a cell
• A day without Bowie is like a day without oxygen
• A day without Mountainbread is like a day without my glasses
• a day without music is like a day without air
• A day without Harlot is like a day without sun
• A day without chocolate is like a day without chocolate
• A day without Pastor Swanker is like a day without sucking
• A day without it is like a day without your run
• A DAY WITHOUT LOVE IS LIKE A DAY WITHOUT RUBBER
• A day without work is like a day without oxygen
• A day without light rain is like a day without wine
• A day without Hayden is like a day without food
• A day without a provider number is like a day without cash
• A day without Socialism is like a day without slavery
• A day without nitrites is like a day without a rotting festering
• a day without trauma is like a day without rain
• a day without royce is like a day without a healthy constitutional
• a day without books is like a day without sushi
• A day without orange juice is like a day without orange juice
• A day without music is like a day without food
• A day without coffee is like a day without coffee
• a day without BiPM is like a day without coffee
• A day without boobies is like a day without taking
• a day without animating something is like a day without really good sex
• A day without you is like a day without chocolate
• A day without music is like a day without water
• Whalen is Like a Day Without Oxygen
• A DAY WITHOUT FUSION IS LIKE A DAY WITHOUT SUNLIGHT
• A day without reading is like a day without eating
• A day without my cell is like a day without air
• A day without orange juice is like a day without orange juice
• without fusion is like a day without the sun
• A day without sleepy bennett is like a day without a cookie
• a day without salad is like a day without the sun
• A day without hax is like a day without taking
• A day without The Hotline is like a day without caffeine
• A day without bombing is like a day without the sun
• a day without a bear is like a day without beer
• a day without bush news is like a day without a migraine
• a day without Mac is like a day without beer
• A day without my planner at school is like a day without shoes
• A day without humor is like a day without hope
• a day without photos is like a day without oxygen
• A day without PB is like a day without your bipolar neighbor screaming
• A day without being called a batshit wingnut is like a day without coffee
• A day without coffee is like a day without orange juice
• shopping is like a day without air
• A day without pops is like a day without a skateboard
• A day without new Plurp posts is like a day without orange juice
• A day without fries is like a day without an orgasm
• A day without your smile is like a day without light
• a day without consistent internet service is like a day without orange juice
• A day without music is like a day without breathing
• A day without you is like a day without light because you light
• a day without you is like a day without honey
• a day without something Swedish is like a day without sunflowers
• A day without you is like a day without an enema
• A day without your presence is like a day without no air
• a day without music is like a day without hearing
• A day without goals is like a day without sun
• A day without rain is like a day without sun
• a day without reading your blog is like a day without photogenic
• a day without an epiphany is like a day without a bowel
• A day without the oven is like a day without air
• A day without a weather report is like a day without a weather report
• a day without HTML hacking is like a day without Dove Chocolate
• A day without an Alba photo is like a day without sports
• A day without you guys is like a day without oxygen
• A day without orange juice is like a day without vodka
• A day without music is like a day without breakfast
• A Day Without Twisty Is Like a Day Without a Cerebral Cortex
• a day without tortillas is like a day without bread
• A day without pops is like a day without a skateboard
• A day without a book is like a day without food
• a day without hearing from the back office is like a day without problems
• A day without a Cow Parable is like a day without knowledge
• A day without a kiss is like a day without sun
• A day without a flamboyant collar is like a day without chocolate
• A day without painting in some faculty is like a day without water
• A DAY WITHOUT jOE IS LIKE A DAY WITHOUT THE POSSIBILITY
• A day without laughter is a like a day without air
• A day without laughter is just like a day without sun
• A day without Iberia is like a day without a stone
• a day without glo is like a day without snow
• a day without me is like a day without excitement
• A day without a crack up is like a day without fungus
• A day without a midget is like a day without sex
• A day without Internet is like a day without oxygen
• A day without my iPod is like a day without sunlight
• A day without Joe Buck is like a day without needles stuck
• a day without flashbulbs and microphones is like a day without prayer
• A day without the Dew is like a day without chocos
• A day without your Watering Can is like a day without
• A day without a primary is like a day without an ass
• a day without a cease and desist is like a day without bacon
• A day without an obfuscated watch from TokyoFlash is like a day without a visit
• a day without my pops is like a day without the CTRL
• A day without the board is like a day without clean underwear
• a day without music is like a lonly day without happiness
• a day without IN THE NEWS is like a day without smog
• a day without Mike Ditka in Chicago is still like a day without a breeze
• A day without women is like a day without the sun
• A day without Ant in America is like a day without water
• a day without a run is like a day without a shower
• A day without some fresh raw foods is like a day without a bath
• A day without a smile Is like a day without a breath
• A day without the Rosary is like a day without food
• A day without a journal entry is like a day without the sun
• A day without bashing my husband is like a day without air
• A day without a Britney Spears story is like a day without water
• A day without sugar at the candy factory is like a day without air
• A day without love is like a day without the sun
• A day without a trade for them is like a day without a meal
• A day without the internet is like a day without rock

scientologist javascript

the daily wtf has a piece today about some javascript snippet found on the swedish church of scientology’s website.

here’s the snippet:

function validZip(s)
{
if(trim(document.getElementById(”M_land”).value.toLowerCase()) != “sverige”)
{ return(true); }
s = s.replace(/ /g,”");
s = s.replace(/1/g,”0″);
s = s.replace(/2/g,”0″);
s = s.replace(/3/g,”0″);
s = s.replace(/4/g,”0″);
s = s.replace(/5/g,”0″);
s = s.replace(/6/g,”0″);
s = s.replace(/7/g,”0″);
s = s.replace(/8/g,”0″);
s = s.replace(/9/g,”0″);
if(s == “”) { return(true); }
if(s == “00000″) { return(true); }
return(false);
}


sure, it’s a little verbose and naive; mostly though it’s a chance to dig at scientology, a wildly popular geek hobby.

i really enjoy reading other people’s code & especially cases like this snippet where i can really see the (writer|programmer)’s thought process exposed and floating at the surface. someone else had a similar response (on dailywtf.com):

If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.

If all you have is scientology, all of your input looks like body thetans, and it needs to be purged.

Volmarias - http://thedailywtf.com/Comments/NReplace-ZeroTest.aspx#185446

so is this obsessive & overly explicit find-and-replace function revealing a kind of scientologist ethos? was this (writer|programmer) clearing their input of engrams?

salty licorice crash

human tetris

pygame ants

i’ve been working through will mcgugan’s ‘Beginning Game Development With Python and Pygame.’ here’s a screenshot from the book code in chapter 7 (AI), but with the default sprites replaced . also i forgot it was running. the code simulates ants (broken printers) collecting leaves (internet explorer) and killing spiders (joysticks) who attack their nest.

great book btw.

here’s one with trails

boostcraft

great entry by ‘rale’ from the Ludum Dare 48-hour game competition:

the theme was ‘chain reaction’. in boostcraft, you explode polygons & try to start a chain reaction with geometry shrapnel. really sharp, simple graphics and it even comes with source code (SDL/C++).

untitled window

01 year of dai5ychain, and what’s next?

dai5ychain has been up & active for 01 year! we opened last year one
week after the first chicago hackmeeting, on monday october 23rd 2006.

the first day we were open to the public, i put a paper sign on the
front door and played quake 3 by myself. eventually a few curious
neighbors and friendly anarchists from the hackmeeting trickled in. at
that time our most popular service was designing and printing on jeremy
hammond’s lightly trashed g4 powerbook.

yesterday i ran into george herrejon, a neighborhood kid who’s been
hanging out in the lab for the last several months with his younger
brother erick (both of them participated in the ’stepmania school’
workshop in april). i had given him an xubuntu linux text-mode install
cd to try to run on a few old laptops his parents had found. george
could hardly contain his excitement - he had just finished installing
xubuntu linux by himself on all three laptops: “it said something about
‘hardware’ and then the cd ejected and i turned it back on and put in my
password! then it started up and it looks just like how you used to
have it in the computer lab.” we used to run xubuntu on the old iMac G3
machines; george has seen us through from that minimal setup to a
fullblown terminal-server install with individual user accounts and
persistent storage.

in its first week dai5ychain’s user base was me, tamas kemenczy, lynn
hurley, jeremy hammond, stephanie padilla and alex lopez, but today the
number of registered users is over 250.

so after a year of providing an open resource for the neighborhood to do
their homework, keep in touch with relatives abroad, make flyers,
compose acid techno tracks and play video games, we have a lot of
practical experience of working with our community and helping them meet
and explore their needs with art+technology. we also have a lot of
practical experience with regards to our own needs in operating this
project. and i think we can move forward into our second year with a
clarity of focus and expectation that will help us make dai5ychain of
even more value.

this message is inviting you to join me in taking the next step
together. i think it’s going to involve some fundamental changes to our
process and structure that will be more focused and also more inviting
to collaboration from the larger community around art+technology
+activism.

first, dai5ychain will be effectively closed to the public for the next
4 weeks, until the 20th of november. this is to give us time to clean
and organize.

when we reopen on the 20th of november, it will be with a new
organizational structure. in the past, all we’ve done is schedule “open
lab” time, in large blocks (ie monday-thursday 10am-6pm, or tuesday
+thursday+saturday 4pm-9pm, etc). moving forward, we’ll use an open
calendar system to specifically schedule workshops and open lab time
individually in smaller blocks. every two weeks, the online version of
the calendar will be printed into flyers in english and spanish, and
distributed in the neighborhood by a dedicated volunteer.

we’ll also take a more coherent and structured approach to documentation
and feedback. each scheduled workshop or open lab time will be
accompanied by an entry on the (forthcoming) dai5ychain blog, and a
small, optional survey.

we’ll also place a new priority on two things that have been hard for us
to manage this year:

1. consistent availability of the most popular resources: printer, fax,
   blank cds, flash drives.
2. a more user-centered website that can be a valuable and fun resource
   for dai5ychain’s users.

so here’s how you can get involved now:

• all of this needs discussion, planning, revision and collaboration of
  course! if you’d like to be part of that continuing conversation, you
  can join the google group at:
  http://groups.google.com/group/dai5ychainers
• also i’d like to meet in person to talk about it. if you’re
  interested in having that conversation face-to-face, please come by
  dai5ychain, 2159 w 21st pl, on tuesday the 30th of october at 7pm (next
  tuesday).
• start planning workshops you could lead at dai5ychain! a workshop
  could run from 1-4 hours, be a series or a one-shot. content could
  range from learning HTML to creating and reading an email account to
  playing a gameboy tournament.