My Wide Angle blog functioned first of all as a place for my thoughts and perspectives during my time at Farfar Academy and the internship at the digital agency Hypermedia in Warsaw. I like to share my thoughts about other cultures and places I go.
Ever since I got back home to Stockholm in May I put my focus elsewhere than blogging and that is why I decided to stop the engagement here. Not necessary to say I guess... I just like to put an end to things.
On the other hand, except from Twitter and Facebook - which is the places I go the most these days, I do need other places to "release" what´s on my mind. More than 140 charactars as well. Probably it will just be another blog - but in Swedish this time.
So... thanks for reading.
10 November 2009
23 September 2009
Problem with Blogger at the moment
According to @blogger there is a problem with the gadget showing Twitter updates at the moment. That is why my own twitter updates on my blog is completely wrong delivering tweets from @undefined. Until the problem is solved please visit @lalexandersson.
07 September 2009
Outstanding in the field
- a culinary adventure
When I crawl the web for inspiring things I tend to get stuck in the food sector and the nice experience around dining. Amazing dinner concepts, a table with a view and stunning surroundings can be breathtaking but in the end it´s all about the ingredients. The importance of fresh ingredients (the cook should not use the gravy or lettuce leaf arrangements to hide things on the plate...). Sometimes a good combination of flavours almost make you cry :-)
This is why I like the idea of "Outstanding in the Field". You will have dinner under the sky, on a farm, garden, mountain or at ranches together with- and to celebrate the local farmers and food artisans, the cultivators of the food. You will experience the origins of the food you have on your plate. Back to basic and enjoy nature!
The chef and artist Jim Denevan is the founder and began staging Outstanding in the Field dinners at organic farms around his hometown of Santa Cruz, California back in 1999.
The locations of the arrangements have so far been in U.S, Alaska and Italy.
Now this is what I call a long table....
Sometimes the event is arranged in doors. Beautifully done!
When I crawl the web for inspiring things I tend to get stuck in the food sector and the nice experience around dining. Amazing dinner concepts, a table with a view and stunning surroundings can be breathtaking but in the end it´s all about the ingredients. The importance of fresh ingredients (the cook should not use the gravy or lettuce leaf arrangements to hide things on the plate...). Sometimes a good combination of flavours almost make you cry :-)
This is why I like the idea of "Outstanding in the Field". You will have dinner under the sky, on a farm, garden, mountain or at ranches together with- and to celebrate the local farmers and food artisans, the cultivators of the food. You will experience the origins of the food you have on your plate. Back to basic and enjoy nature!
The chef and artist Jim Denevan is the founder and began staging Outstanding in the Field dinners at organic farms around his hometown of Santa Cruz, California back in 1999.
The locations of the arrangements have so far been in U.S, Alaska and Italy.
Now this is what I call a long table....
Sometimes the event is arranged in doors. Beautifully done!
08 June 2009
News, news and some more news. But in which format?
This is another blogpost about hyperlocal journalism
"The future exist - in Prague"
According to the article in Medievärlden (Swedish) the news desk of the future is in Prague. I found several comments about this project called "Nase Adresa" ("our address") created by PPF Media in Czech Republic. It´s a great example in my opinion. Journalists, editors and people from the street meet each other in coffe shops to create local news. Related article Futurroom
Seven local newspapers and seven "news coffee houses". I think this is logical. Local news comes from local people and what´s better, in a dialoge with journalists over a latte.
"Nase Adresa" planned to pull in stories from communities across the country and mix them with some international news. The final version is then fed back to the local websites.
The world is full of local neighbourhoods
The only difference today comparing to old days is that one person´s local neighbourhood is very close to your own, thanks to dialogus and citizen journalism. That is why I like Twitter. It´s impossible not to mention Twitter, in every blogpost, but it´s inevitable when you talk about media 2009.
Being hyperlocal in Stockholm, or?
The local newsdesk "Mitt i Stockholm", responsible for distributing 31 local newspapers every week to the city of Stockholm, has a lot to learn when it comes to the dialogue with the inhabitants online. The website "Mitt i" is absent in dialogue and content. For contact with the news desk you have to pick up the phone or use their mail form allowing 200 charactars, which is no match for a frequent Twitter user, but why not use Twitter instead.
There are so many possibilites for partnership and cooperation between the local businesses and the newspapers. This could be a valuable place online for the people whose everyday life is in the 31 areas.
The value of local contribution
The people power consist of individuals whose personal engagements and experiences generate eye witness reports and back up to other stories in real time. It´s important to keep a cultural diversity in the news.
It seems like people have increased their knowledge in global questions from being in the middle of the crowd powered media. This generates a higher level of disucssions and intrerest in contribute with news and comments. The threshold is low. That is why I think local peoples engagement in media and press should be taken seriously becuase everyone is more informed today and have the same source of information as journalists but different experiences. It´s beneficial for local media.
"Twitter isn´t journalism"
Did someone claim the opposite? The constant stream of news, comments, opinions, recommendations is the result when people use Twitter and many times bring people together. Sometimes I think the bad attitude to Twitter is about the format itself- the 140 charactars that may be the reason for not taking the content seriously or maybe it´s just by a principle. Bloggers are taken seriously, not everyone, but bloggers as powerful influencers is many people´s opinion. Twitter may be in micro blogging format but is not less powerful.
Related link "How Journalists are using Twitter in Australia" from 140charctar conference
-----
I would like to highlight a few good examples in crowdsourcing and citizen journalism in my opinion
EveryBlock - a news feed for you block (US) Everything about your city and your neighbourhood, a mix of news from journalists and citizens. EveryBlock´s attitude to contribution from the citizens: " If it’s in your neighborhood and it happened recently, it’s news on EveryBlock."
Find Los Angeles crime section to Washington D.C´s road construction projects or christmas trees. Choose the distance by block or by zip code.
On the screen shot below you can search restaurant inspections and the "violations points" for each reported restaurant in New York City.
This illustrate the violation point is evidence of MICE. Disguisting, but thanks for telling me! I wonder if they charge you extra for the mice or if you get a discount.
Ushahidi - Crowdsourcing crisis information platform (“testimony” in Swahili)
This is a project that allow anyone to submit crisis information through text messaging by using a mobile phone, e-mail, blogging to track and map crises in real time. A non profit cooperation between countries in Africa, the Netherlands and US.
On the blog iRevolution I found an article about m-banking and how to meet up with customers complaints. The blogger thought about a mashup with the Ushaidie platform.
Related link: Article about the project from CScout
Witness- a call for change
Witness is a place for you to take action on human rights. Witness uses videos to show violations from all over the world and you have the possibility to engage and support each case.
AfriGadget - The Grassroots Reporting Project
This is a website containing stories of innovation from people in Africa with a will and creativity to change life to the better. Bloggers and readers contribute their pictures, videos and stories from around the continent. "One of our goals at AfriGadget is to find more stories of African ingenuity. The Grassroots Reporting Project is our plan to find, equip and train more AfriGadget reporters in the field throughout Africa."
"The future exist - in Prague"
According to the article in Medievärlden (Swedish) the news desk of the future is in Prague. I found several comments about this project called "Nase Adresa" ("our address") created by PPF Media in Czech Republic. It´s a great example in my opinion. Journalists, editors and people from the street meet each other in coffe shops to create local news. Related article Futurroom
Seven local newspapers and seven "news coffee houses". I think this is logical. Local news comes from local people and what´s better, in a dialoge with journalists over a latte.
"Nase Adresa" planned to pull in stories from communities across the country and mix them with some international news. The final version is then fed back to the local websites.
The world is full of local neighbourhoods
The only difference today comparing to old days is that one person´s local neighbourhood is very close to your own, thanks to dialogus and citizen journalism. That is why I like Twitter. It´s impossible not to mention Twitter, in every blogpost, but it´s inevitable when you talk about media 2009.
Being hyperlocal in Stockholm, or?
The local newsdesk "Mitt i Stockholm", responsible for distributing 31 local newspapers every week to the city of Stockholm, has a lot to learn when it comes to the dialogue with the inhabitants online. The website "Mitt i" is absent in dialogue and content. For contact with the news desk you have to pick up the phone or use their mail form allowing 200 charactars, which is no match for a frequent Twitter user, but why not use Twitter instead.
There are so many possibilites for partnership and cooperation between the local businesses and the newspapers. This could be a valuable place online for the people whose everyday life is in the 31 areas.
The value of local contribution
The people power consist of individuals whose personal engagements and experiences generate eye witness reports and back up to other stories in real time. It´s important to keep a cultural diversity in the news.
It seems like people have increased their knowledge in global questions from being in the middle of the crowd powered media. This generates a higher level of disucssions and intrerest in contribute with news and comments. The threshold is low. That is why I think local peoples engagement in media and press should be taken seriously becuase everyone is more informed today and have the same source of information as journalists but different experiences. It´s beneficial for local media.
"Twitter isn´t journalism"
Did someone claim the opposite? The constant stream of news, comments, opinions, recommendations is the result when people use Twitter and many times bring people together. Sometimes I think the bad attitude to Twitter is about the format itself- the 140 charactars that may be the reason for not taking the content seriously or maybe it´s just by a principle. Bloggers are taken seriously, not everyone, but bloggers as powerful influencers is many people´s opinion. Twitter may be in micro blogging format but is not less powerful.
Related link "How Journalists are using Twitter in Australia" from 140charctar conference
-----
I would like to highlight a few good examples in crowdsourcing and citizen journalism in my opinion
EveryBlock - a news feed for you block (US) Everything about your city and your neighbourhood, a mix of news from journalists and citizens. EveryBlock´s attitude to contribution from the citizens: " If it’s in your neighborhood and it happened recently, it’s news on EveryBlock."
Find Los Angeles crime section to Washington D.C´s road construction projects or christmas trees. Choose the distance by block or by zip code.
On the screen shot below you can search restaurant inspections and the "violations points" for each reported restaurant in New York City.
This illustrate the violation point is evidence of MICE. Disguisting, but thanks for telling me! I wonder if they charge you extra for the mice or if you get a discount.
Ushahidi - Crowdsourcing crisis information platform (“testimony” in Swahili)
This is a project that allow anyone to submit crisis information through text messaging by using a mobile phone, e-mail, blogging to track and map crises in real time. A non profit cooperation between countries in Africa, the Netherlands and US.
On the blog iRevolution I found an article about m-banking and how to meet up with customers complaints. The blogger thought about a mashup with the Ushaidie platform.
Related link: Article about the project from CScout
Witness- a call for change
Witness is a place for you to take action on human rights. Witness uses videos to show violations from all over the world and you have the possibility to engage and support each case.
AfriGadget - The Grassroots Reporting Project
This is a website containing stories of innovation from people in Africa with a will and creativity to change life to the better. Bloggers and readers contribute their pictures, videos and stories from around the continent. "One of our goals at AfriGadget is to find more stories of African ingenuity. The Grassroots Reporting Project is our plan to find, equip and train more AfriGadget reporters in the field throughout Africa."
Crowdsourcing and sustainability
A sustainable society on Fiji, recycled teddybears and crowdsourced design
The Virutal tourism project called Tribewanted takes place on the island of Fiji and have a lot of support in social media. Started 2006 on the Vorovoro Island and was planned to run for three years only but in September 2008 Tribewanted and its members were asked to stay. Members can now book time on Vorovoro until 2012. This summer 2009 the team is going to UK to meet interested people and talk about the initiative. The Tribewanted can be read about in the Lonely Planet guide for Fiji.
Why is this interesting? The adventure of a people experiment. Get the answer if it´s possible to create a sustainable society from scratch. The mix of people cooperating and combining social networking both online and from a real life headquarter on Fiji.
Team Fiji is back, commenting on Twitter
Team Fiji on Youtube
Crowdsourced fashion label Exuve and design
To create a new brand and solutions make people and companies famous
There are many brands and thousands of design solutions existing today from crowdsourcing so the subject is old but the fact that the format, the power of the people, is working is fascinating I think.
In the example Exevu "the designer and the consumer are one and the same". There are plenty of nice examples within fashion that works like this.
When companies use crowdsourcing it can be done in many different ways. This is not only about a small company that can´t afford desginer or the company-design relationship directly like mentioned many times.
It´s cost effective and both parts, the company/the brand and the designer get attention and focus thanks to devoted and engagement, it´s well known. I think crowdsourcing is a good idea for a consulting company as well. This is not about ignoring the companies own staff in any way but the constallation, agency - client - crowd offering an open contest in a specifik matter to get the best solution and branding for free is interesting. The designers would talk about the brand during and after the contest if its possible depending on mission to make people "vote" for his/hers idea. The client would get attention for the brand. For free. The agency would get ideas. The "prize" could be discussed.
DDB Stockholm joined forces with Mypitch.com a while ago, to offer great ideas to clients. I think this was a good move.
Recycled teddybears
Sweet.
The Virutal tourism project called Tribewanted takes place on the island of Fiji and have a lot of support in social media. Started 2006 on the Vorovoro Island and was planned to run for three years only but in September 2008 Tribewanted and its members were asked to stay. Members can now book time on Vorovoro until 2012. This summer 2009 the team is going to UK to meet interested people and talk about the initiative. The Tribewanted can be read about in the Lonely Planet guide for Fiji.
Why is this interesting? The adventure of a people experiment. Get the answer if it´s possible to create a sustainable society from scratch. The mix of people cooperating and combining social networking both online and from a real life headquarter on Fiji.
Team Fiji is back, commenting on Twitter
Team Fiji on Youtube
Crowdsourced fashion label Exuve and design
To create a new brand and solutions make people and companies famous
There are many brands and thousands of design solutions existing today from crowdsourcing so the subject is old but the fact that the format, the power of the people, is working is fascinating I think.
In the example Exevu "the designer and the consumer are one and the same". There are plenty of nice examples within fashion that works like this.
When companies use crowdsourcing it can be done in many different ways. This is not only about a small company that can´t afford desginer or the company-design relationship directly like mentioned many times.
It´s cost effective and both parts, the company/the brand and the designer get attention and focus thanks to devoted and engagement, it´s well known. I think crowdsourcing is a good idea for a consulting company as well. This is not about ignoring the companies own staff in any way but the constallation, agency - client - crowd offering an open contest in a specifik matter to get the best solution and branding for free is interesting. The designers would talk about the brand during and after the contest if its possible depending on mission to make people "vote" for his/hers idea. The client would get attention for the brand. For free. The agency would get ideas. The "prize" could be discussed.
DDB Stockholm joined forces with Mypitch.com a while ago, to offer great ideas to clients. I think this was a good move.
Recycled teddybears
Sweet.
My interests according to Google
This is Google´s monitored search of my activity online as of today, used for target ads and more. Just curious to see if I liked something I did not know about.
Of course this list changes during the time depending on my click-through and you have the possibility to add interest.
It says that "Google does not associate sensitive interest categories with your ads preferences". But I wonder where exactly the limit goes, what kind of categories will not be added.
Google´s Ads preferences
Of course this list changes during the time depending on my click-through and you have the possibility to add interest.
It says that "Google does not associate sensitive interest categories with your ads preferences". But I wonder where exactly the limit goes, what kind of categories will not be added.
Google´s Ads preferences
The super secret anti-restaurant for selected people only
Charlie´s Burger, the name is everything but exclusive, but I got curious in their offer. The mysterious underground restaurant, that change location every now and then, demands information about you to be able to make the descision if you fit in as a guest or not.
I´m waiting for the questionnaire but after reading the letter you get from the restaurant on the blog Foodhogger, I changed my mind.
Sure, I got really curious, but the feeling of follow-the-white-rabbit to the mysterious sect on a secret location and being forced to answer questions like "What would your last meal on earth be?" felt like an overkill.
If you are the lucky one they will "email the chef’s name, the location and menu a week before the event – this is your chance to opt-out – your space goes to a stand-by, you do not choose who takes your place. IMPORTANT! NO-SHOWS will NOT be tolerated....".
They promise food outside the mainstream expereince and it´s not Fear Factory but if you can´t eat certain things this is not the place to be.
I guess, if I was the choosen one I would fear next time I turned the key in my car and I would look over my shoulder twice regretting I never ate all the stuff on my plate. Or maybe I would wake up the next morning, luckily unaware of everything, but only if I choosed the blue pill hidden under the exclusive delicious desert...
I´m waiting for the questionnaire but after reading the letter you get from the restaurant on the blog Foodhogger, I changed my mind.
Sure, I got really curious, but the feeling of follow-the-white-rabbit to the mysterious sect on a secret location and being forced to answer questions like "What would your last meal on earth be?" felt like an overkill.
If you are the lucky one they will "email the chef’s name, the location and menu a week before the event – this is your chance to opt-out – your space goes to a stand-by, you do not choose who takes your place. IMPORTANT! NO-SHOWS will NOT be tolerated....".
They promise food outside the mainstream expereince and it´s not Fear Factory but if you can´t eat certain things this is not the place to be.
I guess, if I was the choosen one I would fear next time I turned the key in my car and I would look over my shoulder twice regretting I never ate all the stuff on my plate. Or maybe I would wake up the next morning, luckily unaware of everything, but only if I choosed the blue pill hidden under the exclusive delicious desert...
27 May 2009
Armani wants me!
Yesterday I heard my fiancé saying "yes, you can talk to her, one moment...." and handed over his mobile phone to me. For a second I thought it was a friend of ours, so I was surprised when a woman from the boutiqe Armani presented herself.
My name was in their database and she was talking about the new collection and welcomed me to their boutiqe and of course, I could have a discount if I mentioned her name.
The question is, is a "personal" phone call increasing my loyalty to the brand and make me go to the store?
Print love and in store luxury
I like Armani as a brand and their faboulous catalogues and leaflets, I just love them and save them! Deliver an exclusive feeling and I want everything I lay my eyes on. The atmosphere in the stores and in the advertising is all about luxury and slightly "unreachable".
Online shopping and how to
There have been many discussions about how well brick and mortar websites are doing and how they should promote their brand and products online without loosing the exclusive-not-for-all people feeling. Many retailers got criticism about their content on the websites, not highlighting the products, only image.
Well, time have changed and it´s obvious that even Armani need to sell more of their products and attract more people to their stores but unfortenately the answer to the question above is no. I was surprised over the call and was wondering how many people they contact each day and how many of those people that actually visit the store. The exclusive feeling disappeared of two reasons, the offer was just a reminder to visit their store and not an exclusive offer (after opening hours) and secondly, I found out that they had called my fiancé several times during the past 6 months which made him feel "hunted".
Armani Jeans online campaign by Saatchi & Saatchi
It´s a goodlooking site but not easy to navigate and takes about 3-4 minutes to download but the clothes and accessories are nicely displayed on the models. It takes some time to explore and the idea is rather a nice experience than to shop.
Related articles
Saatchi & Saatchi + Immersive to create 3D video for Armani Jeans"
Adsoftheworld: Take control of your style
23 May 2009
"Konstfack Anna Odell" gives 134 000 hits on Google
A simulated psychosis - a piece of work in the category of Fine Art
I visited the degree exhibition of Konstfack yesterday. I wished to see the project that gives you 134 000 hits on Google... I will come back to this.
The projects I liked the most was four different ideas.
Smart package...
Can a diabetes aid become a lifestyle product?
If you suffer from diabetes you need to carry your treatments and gadget around. I liked the idea of a (not ugly) smart designed packaging that obviously holds everything you need. Without the first aid box- feeling.
Bring the debate on...
"Abort ´n Go is a project within the crossing boundaries of Critical Design and Industrial Design." True... At a glance, the gadget (aid) looked like an abortion method easily done by yourself at home but the project makes you think and imagine a complex situation and rights. The gadget feels like a metaphore, a woman having the power in her hand to make a decision.
Experience design....
"Join The Urban Mirror".... The result..
Unfortenately I had no time to put myself in a cool position...
"The Nature Manifesto"
The Growing Chair... clever idea! After a while you can remove the plastic formation that cover the plant.
Robot Garden - Can Machines Have Experiences?
I like the question and the thought.
At last I was visiting the "Project Unknown, Woman 2009-349701" by Anna Odell. The project was not easy to find at the exhibition hall, far away with no signs. Two security guides were watching outside. The place was crowded and the room had no air left.
The simulated psychosis and attempted suiced on the bridge of Liljeholmen in Stockholm give you 133 000 hits on Google. Articles and debates whether this is art or not, the purpose, right or wrong, if she reached her goal.
In my opinon the interesting part is her method of doing this and the way she picture her experiences of the health care in Sweden. The most interesting was the research, the reactions and discussions over the phone with hospitals, doctor´s and nursing staff. The acting on the bridge (the second movie out of three) show reality, the attitude from people passing by and the way the police took care of her. The confession for the psychiatrist, about the examiniation project for the school, made the psychiatrist completely mad and she left the room.
I was expecting more of this last confession to completely understand the project. I miss reactions from other people involved and Annas thought during the process in the hospital. I think the project was worth visiting even though the temperature in the room was too hot...
The guest book of disagreements....
I visited the degree exhibition of Konstfack yesterday. I wished to see the project that gives you 134 000 hits on Google... I will come back to this.
The projects I liked the most was four different ideas.
Smart package...
Can a diabetes aid become a lifestyle product?
If you suffer from diabetes you need to carry your treatments and gadget around. I liked the idea of a (not ugly) smart designed packaging that obviously holds everything you need. Without the first aid box- feeling.
Bring the debate on...
"Abort ´n Go is a project within the crossing boundaries of Critical Design and Industrial Design." True... At a glance, the gadget (aid) looked like an abortion method easily done by yourself at home but the project makes you think and imagine a complex situation and rights. The gadget feels like a metaphore, a woman having the power in her hand to make a decision.
Experience design....
"Join The Urban Mirror".... The result..
Unfortenately I had no time to put myself in a cool position...
"The Nature Manifesto"
The Growing Chair... clever idea! After a while you can remove the plastic formation that cover the plant.
Robot Garden - Can Machines Have Experiences?
I like the question and the thought.
At last I was visiting the "Project Unknown, Woman 2009-349701" by Anna Odell. The project was not easy to find at the exhibition hall, far away with no signs. Two security guides were watching outside. The place was crowded and the room had no air left.
The simulated psychosis and attempted suiced on the bridge of Liljeholmen in Stockholm give you 133 000 hits on Google. Articles and debates whether this is art or not, the purpose, right or wrong, if she reached her goal.
In my opinon the interesting part is her method of doing this and the way she picture her experiences of the health care in Sweden. The most interesting was the research, the reactions and discussions over the phone with hospitals, doctor´s and nursing staff. The acting on the bridge (the second movie out of three) show reality, the attitude from people passing by and the way the police took care of her. The confession for the psychiatrist, about the examiniation project for the school, made the psychiatrist completely mad and she left the room.
I was expecting more of this last confession to completely understand the project. I miss reactions from other people involved and Annas thought during the process in the hospital. I think the project was worth visiting even though the temperature in the room was too hot...
The guest book of disagreements....
19 May 2009
From Warsaw to Stockholm
My 7 months in Poland was a great experience. Now I´m back in Stockholm and my studies are over but I will continue to use this blog for my digital thoughts and reflections. My website, by the way, is an eternal project..... it´s much easier to be engaged and criticize other people´s websites of course than creating your own so right now it´s nothing but a CV, but I´ll be back in this matter.
This is where you find me at the moment
Experiences from Warsaw on Flickr
Thoughts on Twitter
Information about me on LinkedIn
My Friendfeed
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