EDUCATION:
College appears to be in a kind of peak, which should affect colleges. The for-profits (which seem to be the worst deals) look to be taking a hit as well. Let’s see how/if colleges adjust to this reality.
http://gawker.com/the-college-boom-has-peaked-921579798
MEDIA:
Sharknado is getting a theater release. No, really. As for what this says . . . well, yeah. No I’m not sure, but I’m sure someone will try and imitate this success and fail.
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/sharknado-theaters-aug-2-594051
TECHNOLOGY:
Google has shown another Living Room device – a kind of meeting system. It looks like the living room really is the site of the next big battle. Be ready for it – if you’re in any form of IT it’s going to affect you.
http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2013/07/25/google-has-showed-another-living-room-device-sources/
Is Microsoft on a long, slow decline? Is it getting irrelevant? Here’s some numbers to think about. Also consider this in light of the Google announcement and the XBox One – is the living room a must-enter market for them? Keep this in mind if you work in technology, a Microsoft decline is going to change the landscape.
http://ben-evans.com/benedictevans/2013/7/20/the-irrelevance-of-microsoft
UK Prime Minister David Cameron thinks he can have a hackhaton to create a porn filter, missing many, many points. Note however that the “hackathon” idea is now in the heads of reactionary panderers.
http://boingboing.net/2013/07/26/no-mr-cameron-you-cant-sol.html
Also Mr. Cameron’s dream filter would censor plenty of other things: http://torrentfreak.com/uk-porn-filter-will-censor-other-content-too-isps-reveal-130726/
Video Games
One game developer gives up on the industry. Food for thought?
http://gamasutra.com/blogs/HaroldLi/20130725/196924/My_Game_Design_Exit_Interview.php
– Steven