Mediacology

putting the 'eco' into media ecology (and other tangential meditations)

SMOG: simulating mutation of Gaia

For a shorter version of this video, click here.

I’m still working out whether or not I agree with Al Gore’s politics in response to global climate catastrophe (see Vandana Shiva’s Soil Not Oil for a critique of “global” (i.e. corporate as opposed to local) solutions being proposed). I question, for example, Gore’s uncritical use of the word “development” in this video. Still, I think this Google climate change simulator is an awesome project. I’m a huge fan of mapping as a tool for pattern recognition, so for a real scare, check out the IPCC’s high emissions scenario (note the smoggy filter!).

Here’s a good overview of the project: Google Earth launches climate simulator | Leo Hickman | Environment | guardian.co.uk

Now available, Antonio's health and media literacy CDROM curriculum for youth of color, Merchants of Culture. This valuable resource contains dozens of video and print examples of how advertisers market harmful substances such as alcohol and tobacco to various niche audiences, including Native Americans, Latinos, African Americans, Asians, GLBT and Women. This is an excellent primer for introducing the subject of cultural marketing to high school and middle school students. This is also a great product for health professionals and councilors working in the area of prevention.