overidon.com Central Database for Overidon Omnimedia

President Obama and others watching 3D Commercials

Everyone knows that 3D Televisions are now a reality. We also know that the 3D TV’s will require people to use 3D Glasses in order to watch the 3D Channels. What people might not realize is that watching commercials in 3D will encourage people to absorb them to a much greater extent, for several reasons. What do I mean by absorb? Basically, when you watch commercials on a non-3D TV, you are usually sitting down, in a char or couch or maybe on a bean bag. And when the commercial comes on the screen you can look at the screen and then look away without any problem. It only takes a second or so for your eyes to adjust to the image on the screen after having looked away. Now, imagine you are wearing 3D Glasses. You put the glasses on your head, sit down in your seat, and now start watching the 3D Television Station. Wait – think for a second. What just happened? You took another step than you did when you didn’t have a 3D TV. The extra step was that you PUT THE 3D GLASSES ON. Now, this may seem like a minute step. But in actuality it is an act of work, that required an extra bit of effort on your part as a TV watcher. Keep this in the back of your mind as you read on.

After you start watching your TV show with your 3D glasses on, the show comes to a commercial break. Now remember, when you didn’t have the glasses on you could look away, or go get food or look at your phone or something. But now you have the 3D glasses on, so if you decide on getting up and getting something from you refrigerator, since the 3D glasses make everything a lot darker (almost like sunglasses) then you will probably have to either take the 3D glasses off. This is important, because by taking the 3D glasses off, you have just done another step, another piece of work. Now think about this for a moment, when you are watching TV, you are not really in the mood to do extra work, you are in a state where you want to be entertained. So it would be going against your already set momentum of action by taking the glasses off. So in actuality, you will most likely NOT TAKE THE GLASSES OFF. You will in all likelihood, sit through the commercials with the 3D glasses on. Why? Because it’s easier than taking the glasses on and off every 7-10 minutes. Therefore 3D TV will encourage people to sit through more commercials.

But what about absorption? I said that you would absorb more commercials when watching 3D TV and I meant it. Well, now that we know that 3D TV will encourage you to sit through more commercials. Think about how the commercials are different now. You will be absorbing them more for the following reasons. First of all, it takes more actual physical work for you eyes and brain to decode 3D images. This is pretty obvious. The TV images aren’t normal images that you are used to seeing in every day life. They are stereo images that have the colors split and ghosted in order to give you the 3D effect when you put on the glasses. So when you look at the 3D TV with the glasses on, either eye doesn’t see the same image. In fact, the entire 3D illusion is created, because your eyes are tricked by the 3D TV and the 3D glasses. But in order for the illusion to work, your eyes and mind have to do a little extra processing in order to give your mind the 3D image. So in a sense, you are concentrating more when you use the 3D TV and Glasses. That’s point number one, concentration. The second point is that the commercials are in 3D so they are more visually stimulating. They pop out at you and do interesting things, they seem more interesting than regular commercials because it looks like the commercial occupies actual 3-dimensional space. So the end result is that you are more stimulated by the 3D Images rather than a flat 2D image. The extra stimulation of 3D commercials along with the added concentration that is required to view the image mixed with the fact that you don’t want to do the extra work to take the glasses off means that you will absorb more information from each commercial. You will absorb more product information, you will absorb more brand name recognition, you will absorb more emotional responses to things that stimulate your emotions (like sexual imagery, or sensual food advertisements that may stimulate your salivary glands) and most of all, you will more suggestions from each advertisement. If an advertisement is sending you a suggestion to be hungry, you will be hungrier when watching it in 3D. If a commercial is sending a suggestion to be more afraid and worried about your security, you can count on the fact that the burglar in the home alarm commercial will be more frightening when he breaks into someone’s house in 3D.

So what is the real point of 3D TV? To get you to not just watch more commercials, but to absorb commercials to a greater extent. It is really that simple. If you think that 3D TV is going to be a fad that fades away in a couple of years, think again. I predict today on May 18th, 2010 that all televisions that will be sold 10 years from now will all have 3D TV capability. If you want to get a TV without 3D it will be as hard as finding a TV with an antenna port. Non 3D TV’s just won’t exist anymore. All television stations will be in High Definition and 3D. Why is this going to happen? One reason, consumption. By having TV watchers absorb more information and suggestions from their programming and commercials, the creators of programming and commercials will have more control over the mass consumption of the people. This in turn will influence the market economy, as well personal choices, in style, preferences, and consumption habits. Don’t be surprised if we start seeing, 3D computers. And Youtube in 3D.

Tonight, while I was watching the TV Show, LOST, there was a commercial about the 10 o’clock news. And do you want to know what the news story was in the advertisement? The news story presented at the commercial break was, (and I am NOT joking here, I actually saw this on channel HD 7) that movie theater pop-corn was good for your health. I thought for a second that I was watching a practical joke. I mean, how stupid does the media really think we are? Movie theater pop-corn, being good for us? Is this some kind of joke?

Ok, so excuse my pun, but it definitely seems like we are getting BUTTERED up for something right now. Now, I am not trying to upset you, or make you not want a 3D TV or anything. The fact is, there is no escaping this trend. We are going to have to experience it whether we like it or not. I just never expected to see 3D TVs in my lifetime, never-mind before I hit 30. The reason why I am telling you this is because I want you to be able to see it coming and laugh about it. If you have a friend that starts to make fun of you or belittle you because you don’t have the latest gadget, gizmo, or technology, now you know that there is more than meets the eye on the latest toys. And trust me, they are toys. We are being induced into an extended child-like state of attempting to satiate our desires on physical, and emotional levels. We are being programmed to want to be stimulated, instead of being encouraged to create for ourselves. Take a moment and think about how many times you experience the idea, “I want” during the day. Do you want things, once during the day? Perhaps 2-5 times per day? Or do you find yourself desiring things and emotions on a constant basis throughout your daily life. This state of mind of constant desire is not the “natural” state of mind for human beings, it is a conditioned response to a world that rewards desires at every turn. And 3D television encouraging us to absorb 3D commercials is just the beginning.

-Tyler

The Crow that Stayed for Dinner(s). In spring 2009, Corona del Mar struggled through its fourth consecutive year of sparse winter rain. With the local hills July brown; wildlife migrated into the lushly watered green neighborhoods, especially crows. With plenty of food and water, the crows multiplied and were abundant. When the parent crows deem that the time is right, they shove their chicks from the nest; watch them flutter to the ground, then raucously call to them to get them to fly into the trees. One of our neighbors (whom we’ll call Jim to avoid a Fish and Game Department problem) watched this act unfold in his front yard. The first chick flew awkwardly, but safely to the ground. For the second, its first flight was a struggle. The chick could not fully extend its right wing, tumbling in the air and crashing onto the lawn. After a bit, the chick was able to rise to its feet, but was dazed.

The parents called to the first chick, encouraging it to spread its wings. Within moments, it flew into the shrubbery and then, in a series of flights, worked its way into a nearby tree. Once their first chick was safe, the parents flew down to the second chick. Instead of encouraging the chick to fly, they immediately began pecking at the unfortunate creature. Another pair of adult crows soon flew down and joined in the pecking. Jim knew that this was normal crow behavior, but he simply could not watch it take place. He rushed on the patch of grass, showed away the adult crows and picked it the chick. The calls of the other crows then became loud and rapid. Then two of them began swooping, forcing Jim to take the chick into his house.

Jim first gave the chick some water. After drinking a bit, the bird saw a bowl of popcorn on the counter, hopped over and grabbed a couple of pieces. Satiated and tired, the chick found a rag on the counter, hopped over, sat down and then went to sleep. That was all it took. Jim decided to care for the chick until it was strong enough to fly away and live with other crows. But it didn’t happen that way. If you walk by Jim’s house, most days you’ll see the crow sitting on its perch, no restraining device of any type. There’s a bowl of water and a small bowl of food, which Becky (yes, Jim named the crow) seems to enjoy.

When Jim joins Becky on the patio, Becky extends her wings, takes a few beats and alights on his shoulder. Becky then works her way down his arm and asks to be stroked, which Jim does most gently, on her head, wings and chest. Contented, Becky then flutters and putters around the yard, pecking at items of interest, occasionally bring an item to Jim to examine. Invariably another crow or two hovers in a nearby tree, watching Becky, apparently puzzled that a crow would choose to live with a human. Becky’s contact with other crows comes during Jim’s morning run. They start off at first light. Jim runs along the street, while Becky, unfettered, flies from tree to tree. That’s when the other crows in the neighborhood start chasing her, pecking at he tail feathers. When Jim comes to a halt, Becky immediately returns to his shoulder, needing and/or wanting his protection.

Jim and Becky’s partnership makes me wonder about the breadth of animal intelligence, the desire for companionship and the need for purpose. Becky was being rejected and faced death. This is a common trait among certain species, to kill young that would not survive in their natural environment; an act keeps predators from discovering healthy siblings. These deaths assure survival of the fittest.

Becky clearly is aware of the problems she faces among her own kind. Despite her innate fear of humans, she bonded with Jim. He became a surrogate parent and by providing her with shelter and food, she never developed survival skills. Jim’s compassion resulted in the development of a complex and demanding relationship. Becky cannot survive without his constant help and attention. Should Jim fail to provide for her, Becky would die, possibly by acts of her peers or from an inability to obtain food in the wild. If Jim is away from the house for an extended time, Becky becomes nervous or agitated, sometimes even plucking at her feathers.

Jim must awaken with Becky, take his run and be at home in the evening. Becky does not accept substitutes for Jim, even his adult children who would like to care for her. Jim does not know whether Becky can travel, so he has not taken a vacation since their first encounter. What does Jim, a single man, gain from this relationship with an animal? One factor is uniqueness — only a patient and caring man would be willing to accept the obligations of this remarkable relationship. Another is the satisfaction — coming from saving this creature’s life. Parenting of a wild animal that chooses to live with you for now, but is free to go at any time…There are many reasons why the relationship between Becky and Jim works. For me, it’s a pleasure to see this remarkable pair on their patio and to talk to Jim.

For them, I hope that they share many more enjoyable dinners.

Thanks to Ken for writing this article!

Human Beings and the Technology Singularity. Technology has come a long way. Some people think that in the future there will be a technological singularity. At this time human beings will basically merge with technology. It is imagined that there will be nano-technology this nanotechnology will make it so advances in medicine and computer will be possible. Some people say that the year of this technology singularity is 2029. That’s about 19 years away from today. I’ll be 49 years old. But people make predictions all the time. Weren’t we supposed to have high power laser beams and flying cars by now? What about space travel? It’s 2010, and we’re still trying to get humans on Mars. What makes 2029 special? Well, Raymond Kurzweil says that computer technology is different from advances in fields like physics.  Kurzweil says that there will be exponential growth in the field of computers, especially in processing power. I guess there is something different from an advance in physics as opposed to an advance in computers. What is interesting is that by the year 2029 if things keep progressing toward the Technological Singularity, there may be a convergence with what people are talking about with the Zeitgeist and Venus Project movements. Ever want to store your mind in a computer when you go to bed? Stick around till 2029. Ever want to move objects with your mind? Watch the video below and see how monkeys do it. Check out the video below for more information about the Technological Singularity and about a new version of humanity.

I used this to scoop up dog poop

Emergency things you can do with your Starbucks Sleeve. Have you ever had a problem where you needed to pick something up that was nasty but you only had limited tools? Well this problem has happened to me before and it happened again today and both times it’s been nasty. Today I wanted to take my dog for a walk to Starbucks. It was supposed to be a fun time. I love walking to Starbucks because I’m basically addicted to the Venti Latte like a Walrus needs fishes. Except I don’t drink more than 2 lattes per day. And a walrus eats a lot of fishes. But yo’ check this out. I’m at Starbucks and the Barista says hi to me and she is super hot but she’s got a boyfriend so whateva’. And she asks if I want a Venti Latte and I’m like, “Yes please.” Because I’m respectful like that. So we talked about the weather for a bit then I saw outside there was a lady who was in a funny position looking at my dog. I was like, “What’s she doing?” And then I saw that she was taking a picture of my dog. (She said earlier outside that my dog was super-cute and that she had a pretty face.) So I talk to the lady outside and she said that my dog was so cute that she had to take a picture. And I laughed and then took my latte and untied Harvest (that’s my dog) and continued on our walk. Then Harvest took a dump near a tree and I was about to pick up the turd and then I realized that I was out of dog turd bags. So then I was about to just walk away from the turd when I thought about it and I didn’t want to get a ticket. So I walked back to the tree and had to get creative with what I had.

I took a good look at my Starbucks cup and realized that even though my cup was full of latte, there was still the lid and the sleeve that I could use to get rid of the turd. So what I did was, I scooped up the turd with the sleeve, and then I put it on the lid (which was now detached from my cup). So then I was juggling my Starbucks latte, which was still hot and now it didn’t have a sleeve or a lid, my dog leash, and the lid with the turd on it which was covered by the sleeve. I was walking down the street and I thought to myself, “Well, I probably grossed out some people who may have watched me who were driving their cars down the street. But at least now I don’t have to worry about getting a ticket.” So while I was walking with the dog, Harvest kept wanting to stop abruptly and smell stuff, and I was like, “HEEL!” Because I didn’t want to spill the lid.

Eventually I got to the trash can and was able to sigh a bit of relief. But then my cup was still hot because it didn’t have a sleeve. But I was able to live through the pain.

-Tyler

PS: Let me know by leaving a comment if you want to hear my story about the dog barf and the cereal box!