Thinkerbelle » toys http://www.thinkerbelle.me Fri, 23 Jul 2010 06:13:45 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 Siftables http://www.thinkerbelle.me/2009/05/siftables/ http://www.thinkerbelle.me/2009/05/siftables/#comments Sun, 03 May 2009 06:12:00 +0000 Thas http://www.adthoughtspot.com/2009/05/siftables/

Simply brilliant new technology. Siftables is yet another examples of scientists/artists/media mavens thinking beyond how technology ALREADY works, stepping into fresh and unchartered territory. With limitless potential of the product (toys, home computing, and even information systems), essentially it all stemmed from a simple observation that maybe, just maybe, we have to stop and think about how technology interacts BACK with us. As David Merrill, one of the creators stated so eloquently, his true passion is for “…making new computer interfaces that are a better match to the human interface; making things that relate to how our brains and body work”.
“Siftables aims to enable people to interact with information and media in physical, natural ways that approach interactions with physical objects in our everyday lives. As an interaction platform, Siftables applies technology and methodology from wireless sensor networks to tangible user interfaces. Siftables are independent, compact devices with sensing, graphical display, and wireless communication capabilities” (Source: http://web.media.mit.edu/~dmerrill/siftables.html)

If you have a chance, you absolutely must spend 7 minutes on the TED talk David Merrill gave this past year. Fantastic demo of the offering.

http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/david_merrill_demos_siftables_the_smart_blocks.html

]]> http://www.thinkerbelle.me/2009/05/siftables/feed/ 0 Barbie, you don’t look a day over 50 http://www.thinkerbelle.me/2009/03/oh-barbie-you-dont-look-a-day-over-50/ http://www.thinkerbelle.me/2009/03/oh-barbie-you-dont-look-a-day-over-50/#comments Thu, 12 Mar 2009 04:32:00 +0000 Thas http://www.adthoughtspot.com/2009/03/oh-barbie-you-dont-look-a-day-over-50/
I’m a grown woman and I love Barbie. And thanks to targeted advertising. It’s OK.

Facebook. The Barbie app found me. Or I found it. Whichever the way the causal arrow points, I loved it: Barbie blogs on NY fashion week. Awesome. Designer Co-brands with Diane von Furstenberg, Norma Kamali, and Alexander Wang. How did they know?My favorite stars tell me their fondest Barbie memories. Once again, I feel validated for my fan status. And now they open a REAL Malibu Barbie House? Are my dreams coming true? A Technicolor fantasy world.


This isn’t a coincidence and I’m not the only one effected by the media blitz. Rediscovering your youth and doing it a cool, hip and relevant way. One could argue in a time of economic unrest, it’s no time for extravagance, but they can get away with it.

Why? Because they are Barbie. It’s not about over-the-top luxe-it’s about the fantasy we clung to as 7 year olds playing with our favorite toys. It’s an escape to a time that things were much easier, carefree. Where layoffs weren’t ruling your life, and clawing your way up the corporate ladder wasn’t the main objective of the day. Playing for playings sake. Even the idea of bringing back that time is indescribably appealing.

And I might just buy another Barbie because of it.

Image Source:

http://stylemom.onsugar.com/2794895

AP Images: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jTdZEqls-RVEvOjgdWxcCN34_ogwD96ON3EG4

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