Culture
Read, watch, and gather
15 great reads on the state of AI
Plus: Join me TOMORROW at UNSW for a live conversation with Ariel Bogle and Cam Wilson on their new book, Conspiracy Nation!
Watching folks wander around in cosplay is a huge part of the joy of PAX Aus. I particularly love the meet ups between squads of folks all attending as the same characters and getting big group photos out on the lawn.
But there's general cosplay fun and then there's the serious stuff: the Cosplay Central Crown Championships. If you want to compete for trophies, flights and accommodation to the global finals in London, and more, you need to apply here by September 21.
Last year's Australian winner, Henchwench, went on to become the global champion! So this year she's on the judging panel along with Anaelic and Kayla Jean. If you just want to enjoy the show the competition is live on stage on Sunday, October 12.
Explorer: Juicy tech reads to catch you up on 2025 so far
Tech is in a dark place. These stories might help grapple with what's happening.
Blunt instruments won't solve the social media challenge
Parents are absent from the picture as politicians skip science to enact bad laws that create some nice feelings but do nothing to solve real problems.
Labor premiers and federal leaders are sure buying into some solid moral panic on social media and its impact on teens. I'm well on the record as no fan of Facebook, but when it comes to how to write policy we want evidence-based decisions. And one of the world's leading researchers on social media, who also happens to be based here in Australia, shares some choice words about last week's summit over at Crikey.
Axel Bruns
11 great panels to hit at PAX Aus 2024
So many panels, so little time. Here's a few highlights to fit in your schedule at this year's PAX in Melbourne.
Catan Nationals are underway: There's events all around Australia this winter for hardcore Settlers of Catan players to prove their stuff. Winners will meet at the National Championships in Canberra later in the year to fight for a place at World Championships next year. All the details here.
Last year Xbox had some fun with controller shaped BBQ Shapes largely for media promo purposes, but enough people wanted it that they're hitting stores. The word is they'll be appearing at Coles stores so check the savoury snacks aisle to get your hands on a pack. "From early May until sold out." Good luck.
A New Journey awaits: Dark Spectrum was an absolute breakout hit of last year's Vivid Sydney Festival. Using a series of underground tunnels around Wynyard station it created an amazing light and sound show that blew our family away.
So it's wonderful to hear a whole new design is coming in 2024. I'd have visited the very same event if it didn't change this year, but something new? Can't wait. It will run from 24 May to 15 June. Hit the Dark Spectrum: A New Journey website for tickets.
Millie Bobby Brown is stupidly talented and this looks like a very fun fantasy romp with a girl power twist.
Lands on Netflix March 8.
Immersive Gamebox review: a genuinely fun alternative to movies or arcades
The photos look weird, but they just don't do it justice. Immersive Gamebox is a nice new option for some interactive fun in the heart of Sydney.
Make spatial videos for your family's science fiction future
Apple's iOS 17.2 update enables Spatial Video capture on iPhone 15 Pro models. Your descendants will thank you for using it.
Donate to cancer research and win prizes: do it now!
Give $50 to charity and win a prize worth the same or more? Yes! Help fight cancer through the gift of giving and get a gift of giving in return.
A fascinating look at the less obvious pop culture wars playing out online.
Aja Romano
Great summer reads
16 great links to some of the best stories around the web that help you stay on top of what's next in digital.
Building a 21st Century knowledge engine
ChatGPT reveals the potential for a Knowledge Engine that can speed up our ability to learn.
PAX Australia 2022 looked different, but does it hurt the show's future?
The biggest platforms and developers weren't on the show floor in 2022. But does the spirit of PAX protect it against the changing nature of games marketing?
💡 Weekly: September 30, 2022
New gear from Amazon, Optus breach still a confusing mess, plus a host of news updates and juicy articles to enjoy.
'In the style of': why AI art needs to address named artists as prompts
If you ask an AI art tool to be inspired by a specific artist, should the artist be compensated?
Diablo is coming to tattoo shops around the world
Hellish ink is coming to Sydney and Melbourne in September as part of a Diablo anniversary world tour. Want some?
