News Of The Day 10/27/2011

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Kobo's in publishing, Sony takes over for Ericsoon, and more moves in many industries!

Economics:
Talent Scotland discusses 500 jobs created by Avaloq. Scotland has serious geekonomics going on, and as always, keep an eye on them.

Publishing:
Kobo is going to become a publisher. Interesting move overall, and will also be worth watching to see what happens to publishers. I also wonder what having a Canadian device-publisher combo is going to mean – oh, and tell me that someone purchasing or partnering with, say, Lulu could be interesting.

Technology:
HP is going to keep it's PC division. Well, that's good I guess. I'm still not sure of HP's direction.

Ericsson is leaving Sony Ericsson by selling it's take in the mobile phone maker. Pretty much what was there is going to be adsorbed into the larger body of Sony. I'm curious as to what this may spawn opportunity-wise, so keep an eye on it!

RIM is apparently trying to save itself with integration and video. I dunno, I'll see, but at least there's a plan.

Video Games:
EA continues to restructure for the future – it's Origin service will host 3rd party games. Big news for EA and it continues their growth.

Nintendo has it's first annual loss. I'm sure they'll recover, but . . . damn.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: So what's the future of Sony's not-Ericsson future?

– Steven Savage

Hobby As Language

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When we have a particular passion, be it for sports figures or media properties or specific foods, we learn a lot.  Our "fandom education" may include statistics or instructions or timelines, but learning those things means that we need to have the proper words, terms, and ideas to express and understand them.  Our geekery, our fandoms, require us, in a way, to learn a new language.

Soon these languages we learn become part of our lives, our friendships, and our activities.  We are probably not aware of it in many cases, just the way a good craftsman's tools feel a part of their body, or a musician finds themselves automatically learning music.  We have this part of us, perhaps a part that was a radical change/addition to who we are, and quickly we loose direct awareness of it.

The fact that our hobbies have a language all their own fascinates me.  It fascinates me partially because of it's obscurity – we become easy to it so quickly, I wonder what we're missing.  I also realize it's a powerful tool we have, and wonder what it means for us as professional geeks, fans, otaku, and more.

We're equipped with concepts, words, ideas that connect us with our passions – and that few others experience, understand, or even know of.  So how do we put them to use professionally?

  • It gives us a language to share with people of similar interests.  Many is the time I've found a common enthusiasm, book, or passion let me communicate better with others.
  • It gives us the ability to think differently – which can be valuable for solving problems.  RPG players are used to thinking in statistics and numbers and breakdowns.  Cooking enthusiasts know spice and mix and visceral feelings.  You see the world differently- that may mean you see solutions others can't.
  • It gives us the opportunity to reuse terms and ideas in "non-fandom situations."  Ever find you lack the right word or term?  Introduce one from your hobbyist experiences that fits – and you have a tool you and at least some others can relate to.
  • It gives us the tools to understand parts of the culture and even economy others may not.  Anyone who's an enthusiast for any technology or culture knows what that's like – we have concepts and ideas and terms to communicate and analyze that others do not.

Ask yourself about your fandom/hobby/geekiness languages and what opportunities they give you.  You may be surprised.

– Steven Savage

ADDENDUM: For myself, I'd say video games gave me a huge boost in the "fandom language" format.  From being able to bond over them to understanding the tech industry, or being able to introduce new concepts (I'm fond of "nerfing"), it's been quite helpful.