Writer, Agilist, Elder Geek
So you want that extra experience in fandom for your career. You want to hone your skills doing something you like so you can someday get paid for it. You want to learn while having fun.
Of course you want these things, but how do you do it?
Simple. Start a fandom job search.
There's liking crap and then there's liking crappy things. OK you movie makers, writers, game makers and the like, figure out the difference.
We can all enjoy crappy thing. Silly B-movies, overblown games made of explosions and paper-thin plots, cheesy novels, and stupid TV. We can enjoy these things and do enjoy these things for the same reason we can enjoy a greasy burger – it's lousy but has some right stuff that makes it taste great. Heck, the guilt is half the fun.
What we don't like is things that are crap. Sure we may like a silly B-movie but we have certain standards. Our trashy vampire romance better have a certain level of readability and characterization. That silly video game better have good controls and graphics. We may want something that is not good but we want it done good enough.
This is something I don't think a lot of people get.
Cheesy is fine. Silly is fine. Stupid is fine (in some cases it makes great comedy). But these things that are not "good" have to be done "right." You want that greasy burger, but it better be decent enough meat, decent enough cheese, and bread that doesn't fall apart and drop the whole fattening mess in your lap.
We want our crap done right. We want it like a good, big greasy burger with lots of cheese and condiments. They may not be good for us but they do the job of what we want – they taste good (probably too good) in their own bad-for us way.
I don't think this is understood by many professionals in the area of media. We'd be better off it if it was understood.
Make the burger right – in the wrong way. That's the right way.
– Steven Savage
Before we begin, it appears that the Westboro Baptist Church says God Hates Nerds. If God hates nerds, how come we have all the cool toys?
And now, on with the must-know geek career news!
Economics/Geekonomics:
Look like Financial Regulation is set to pass. Good. It's not perfect, but it's desperately needed so the financial sector of the US can look less like a casino. Bring back the days of dullness, I say.
A quick snapshot of the state of U.S. Unemployment.
Job growth in . . . Wall Street Securities Firms? Admittedly they probably shed a lot of people but . . . still.
Geek Law:
In New Zealand software won't be patentable. Small? Yes. But this could be the start of something as it causes others to rethink fotware patents.
Locations:
A look at tech and economy trends in Boston. From Gregory Huang of XConomy. Boston's a definite geek/fan/otaku friendly area, so pay attention to it for career potential.
Internet:
Google revenue is up. Well there's a total lack of surprise – though oddly it doesn't sound like it's as high as traders expected.
The Old Spice Viral Media campaign by the number. Sounds pretty damn successful, and you can bet it will be emulated/immitated. Also, job-wise? have you thought of looking into the company behind it, Wieden + Kennedy? They're pretty savvy. Even the Google CFO talks about this campaign.
Technology:
HP drops plans for an Android Tablet Sounds like windows and a variant of Palm OS is in their plan. Makes me wonder if their variant of Palm webOS is going to be their iPhone – and if they're focusing on a more controlled experience like Apple.
Writing:
Want to get published? how much do you have to compromise?
QUESTION OF THE DAY: How long until annoying imitations of the Old Spice commercials come out?
-Steven Savage