Every now and then I get really excited when I come across a piece of technology that confuses me. Confusing not because it’s difficult to use, but confusing because I can’t exactly figure out why it exists. I get even more excited when that mysterious technology is well-designed, fluid in function, and so original that perhaps it’s hinting at a future that has yet to fully materialize. This week I encountered two such mysteries. The first one is the website for this Sunday’s upcoming Grammy Awards. It has this gnarly, technological, algorithmic function where you upload your picture, color it, and plug in a few of your favorite bands and it instantly outputs a visual collage of links, videos, blogs, etc. all ghosted onto a dynamic mosaic of your pic.  Here’s mine.  If you look closely enough, you’ll see I’m a huge fan of euro techno pop as well as a bit of black man beat.  I can’t exactly figure it out just yet, but I get a sense that the web is going to evolve into something like this.  The TED site has a similar aesthetic (another site I love)  Click on my pic if you want to make one for yourself.  It’s kind of a trip.

cyber music Fan

The other piece of technology is the iPad.  All feminine hygiene jokes aside, I get an erie feeling that this thing is intended for a tomorrow that has yet to come into full swing.  I’m a life-long Apple user who rabidly uses my iPhone, MacBook Pro, Final Cut Pro, iPhoto, iTunes, iMovie, iCal, Safari, etc. everyday.  Even after a few hours of online study of the iPad, only 50% of me really understands it’s true purpose.  There something else I just can’t put my finger on, a greater intended use for this technology that isn’t written in the instruction manual…yet.  I guess only time will tell.  And though 50% of me is still a bit puzzled, I’m pretty sure that the mysterious purpose of the iPad is crystal clear in the mind of our techno savior, Steve Jobs.  We’ll see…  Read more...