#digital tech & culture

[tears-of-amber]

Digital Altars: A Guide To My Approach

Pinterest has an in-app collage function that I absolutely ADORE! This is where I make digital altars I can pray to when I’m on the go! This also works for some broom closet witches. To others it looks like I’m just staring at my phone screen, but what I’m actually doing is connecting with my gods, guides and ancestors. I made several altar collages for different purposes. The amount of altars you make is unlimited! And you can always edit or change them later via Pinterest!

My Ancestral Altar:

My Angelic Altar:

My Altar To Freyja:

And you can do this with pop culture entities and pop culture deities as well!!

If you have any questions, comment them on this post or send me asks in my ask box!

[yellowmanula]

The funniest moment from an interview conducted as part of my research on the domestication of the 8-bit ATARI:

"More and more people come with their children, with families. And young people also show up, some of whom are exploring the demoscene, or rather observing it, trying to understand it as some sort of phenomenon. They attend these gatherings to watch old-timers tinkering with smoking, ancient gear. And no one really knows what they’re actually doing. It's a bit like... we've become a subject of study and observation. What you're doing is kind of an example of this."

The interviewee adds that, ultimately, he is happy about the research, as digital culture is fleeting and specific to certain generations, and this work will help ensure that the demoscene endures for posterity. ❤

[digitalismmm]

Consumption

[knightofhylia]

Hello!

I’m sorry to bother you but recently I’ve been trying to get into tech magic using video games, and I’m having trouble with spells specifically. With games such as Stardew Vally, the one I’m trying to plan for, it seems that there are certain limitations to work with, and I was wondering if you had any advice on spell work in video games

Have a good day/night/evening!✨💐🍡🍯

never a bother I love answering questions!!

I will admit thiugh, I have only seen like one or two live streams of Stardew valley so anyone who has played it feel free to add on to this post with more specific info!! (so a lot of this is going to be more based on stuff I do in Animal Crossing)

Stardew Valley is a good game to use though, especially if you understand how video games work (especially ones that are RPG maker style). Video games are great for manifestation because games are wired to have things constantly going on in the background even if you aren't there, so games are good at keeping things active in the spiritual space.

Since crops are a big thing in this game, you can use those for spells! Most plants have magic properties and you can assign the same meanings digitally. For instance, Corn is great to use for abundance spells, sun spells, has associations with PLENTY of deities. You can assign each crop its magic properties and that way when you water, tend, and harvest this crop, you are working on the spell. Not selling all your corn and keeping a little stashed a way is a easy type of 'money jar', add a little more to the inventory each time, etc. Planting crops in certain formations (example, corn and potatoes to protect your money and keep yourself grounded and stabilized)

(I don't know if this works in Stardew valley) but organizing your inventory can be like a spell jar. You can arrange your crops and plants into a specific order (by colour, type) in your inventory as a digital spell jar. You can also use Sigils to design crop and flower beds! It doesn't have to be extravagant, maybe planting corn in a circle to keep abundance flowing and noving, squares to keep it protected. Same can be done with ore/crystals. If you can cook, that's basically a spell right there!

Most of my villagers in animal crossing have a spirit semi assigned to them (mostly based on personality) and so when I give gifts to them I like to think it's going to the spirit as well. For instance, Raymond reminds me of one of my spirit guides, so I give him gifts and make sure to finish any quests he gives me to keep that connection! I know building friendships is a big part of Stardew Valley as well, and that can be applied as an IRL friendship/relationship spell!

Colour magic is also pretty big with video games when you can't exactly put whatever you want in the game. If you're trying to do a love spell maybe plant strawberries, tulips, rhubarb (red and pink plants) in a heart, or manifest that as you water them your love grows or that the flowers attract love. Changing clothes colours as well is a big thing for me (I change my outfit in acnh for basically any new task I'm doing, same as botw).

Basically, follow the rules of as above, so below. Whatever you might do IRL with the plants/animals and all their associations can be applied to the video game as well!

I hope this gave you some ideas, and anyone who is more familiar with Stardew and it's magic potential feel free to add on !

[mahkinarya]

I hype myself up for my Asian parent-mandated medical-related course by making art for it apparently Fun fact the test tube they’re holding contains culture medium known as a butt-slant (the butt part being the lower flat portion). You stick the inoculating loop with the sample in the butt and you drag it out in a zig-zag pattern over the slant as you pull it out. The more you know (I know you should wear a mask in a bacteriology lab. Shhhh)

[dvktheartist]

'Kalyndra' Augmented Human #15

[nicholasandriani]

Catching Up and Embracing the Future: Archaeology, My Role in Championing Gameful Learning, the 4R’s, and FutureProofing for 2024 and Beyond

There are many new faces among us here and I’m so grateful for your support and readership as we reach one another from all across this wonderfully delicious planet. I am so proud of all that we’ve built as writers, readers, thinkers, friends, and whatever your calling, it’s the passion, your passion, that inspires me. I wanted to take a moment to reintroduce myself to the new faces and likewise…

[fiercemillennial]

Beyond the Algorithm: A Deep Dive into the Websites We Love

Tired of the same old social media scroll? We’ve got a list of websites that will spark your curiosity, inspire creativity, and keep you entertained for hours. #BeyondTheAlgorithm #DigitalGems #FierceTrends #FierceMillennial

What are your favorite websites? A Curated List of Online Gems for the Modern Woman In a world where social media platforms throw endless ads and repetitive content at us, sometimes it feels like the internet has lost its spark. But beyond the algorithms and viral dances, there’s a world of incredible, thoughtful, and inspiring websites that still make the internet worth exploring. Whether…

[tmarshconnors]

The Attention Economy

Welcome to the Attention Economy, where platforms, brands, and content creators constantly vie for a slice of your time and focus. In the digital age, attention is finite, and those who command it, control influence, and ultimately profit. But what exactly is the Attention Economy, and how does it shape our everyday lives?

What Is the Attention Economy?

The Attention Economy is a concept that views human attention as a scarce resource, much like any other commodity in a capitalist economy. As the internet and social media have expanded, the amount of information we are exposed to has increased exponentially.

Yet, our capacity to process this information remains limited. This mismatch between information and attention has transformed attention into a hot commodity, with tech companies and advertisers striving to capture as much of it as possible.

The economist and psychologist Herbert A. Simon first coined the term in the 1970s. He predicted that as information became abundant, attention would become the bottleneck to productivity and success. Fast forward to 2024, and Simon’s foresight is all too accurate.

The Currency of Digital Platforms

Social media platforms, video-sharing sites, and even news outlets thrive on keeping you glued to their pages for as long as possible. The longer you scroll, watch, or engage, the more ads you see, and the more data they collect on your behaviour. In essence, your attention becomes the currency that fuels their growth.

This is why apps are meticulously designed to be addictive. Features like infinite scrolling, notifications, and personalised content feeds are not mere conveniences; they are carefully engineered to keep you from putting down your phone. These platforms know that the longer you stay, the more profitable you become.

The Cost to Society

While the Attention Economy may be a goldmine for tech giants and advertisers, it’s taking a toll on society in more ways than one. Here are some of the most concerning impacts:

1. Reduced Focus and Productivity: With endless streams of information competing for our attention, it has become harder to focus on a single task for extended periods. Research shows that constantly switching between tasks (known as multitasking) hampers our ability to concentrate, making us less productive in both work and personal life.

2. Erosion of Mental Health: Studies have linked excessive social media use with rising rates of anxiety, depression, and loneliness. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok encourage endless comparison, which can damage self-esteem and foster feelings of inadequacy.

3. Manipulation of Behaviour: The algorithms driving the Attention Economy are designed to show us more of what we like. While this sounds harmless, it can lead to the creation of echo chambers where users are only exposed to content that reinforces their existing beliefs. This has been linked to increased polarisation, making meaningful political and social discourse more difficult.

Who Benefits?

The primary beneficiaries of the Attention Economy are the companies and advertisers who profit from our engagement. Every click, like, and share generates valuable data that can be sold to advertisers. Platforms like Facebook, Google, and TikTok have turned this into a science, offering hyper-targeted advertising that maximises revenue.

For content creators and influencers, the Attention Economy presents both opportunity and challenge. On one hand, anyone with a smartphone and internet access can capture attention and potentially build a career. On the other, the competition for attention is fierce, and staying relevant requires a constant stream of new and engaging content.

Breaking Free from the Attention Economy

So, is it possible to reclaim our attention in a world that’s constantly fighting for it? Yes, but it requires conscious effort. 

Here are a few ways you can take control:

1. Set Boundaries: Limit your social media use by setting time limits or scheduling "offline" hours during the day. Apps like "Screen Time" on iPhone can help monitor and restrict your usage.

2. Curate Your Digital Diet: Be selective about the content you consume. Unfollow accounts or pages that don't add value to your life, and prioritise content that enriches your mind rather than distracting it.

3. Practice Mindfulness: Techniques like meditation and mindfulness can help train your brain to focus on the present moment, making it easier to resist the pull of endless distractions.

4. Prioritise Deep Work: Set aside blocks of time for deep, focused work or activities without distractions. Author Cal Newport’s book Deep Workis an excellent guide on how to achieve this in an age of information overload.

In the Attention Economy, the stakes are high. Our attention is not just a measure of what we consume; it shapes how we think, feel, and behave. While it’s easy to fall into the trap of constant distraction, we do have the power to reclaim our attention.

By setting boundaries, curating our content, and practicing mindfulness, we can shift the balance back in our favour transforming the Attention Economy from a battleground into a balanced relationship between consumption and creation.

As we navigate this evolving landscape, it’s essential to remember that our attention is precious. So ask yourself: where do you want to invest it?

[jasminewilson143]

The Rise of Toxic Work Culture: Bengaluru Man Attends Client Meeting During Durga Puja Pandal Visit

The Rise of Toxic Work Culture: Bengaluru Man Attends Client Meeting During Durga Puja Pandal Visit In a digital age where work-life boundaries are increasingly blurred, a recent incident in Bengaluru has ignited a fresh wave of debate on social media regarding toxic work culture. A video of a Bengaluru man attending a virtual client meeting on his laptop, while at a Durga Puja pandal, has gone…

[jadeannbyrne]

eGirl Haiku Navigating Dual Realms: The Art of the Hustle Jade Ann Byrne Edition

eGirl Haiku Navigating Dual Realms: The Art of the Hustle Jade Ann Byrne Edition In a world where the digital landscape offers endless opportunities, it’s essential to find your path, master your craft, and embrace the hustle that resonates with your spirit. Today, I’m excited to share a new piece of poetry that captures this essence, set against the backdrop of the ever-evolving Jade Ann Byrne…

[neturbizenterprises]

Stealth GPT AI:

Discover the top five features of Stealth GPT AI in this exciting video! We delve into its innovative capabilities that are revolutionizing AI interaction. Perfect for tech enthusiasts, researchers, and content creators alike, Stealth GPT AI offers something for everyone.

From adaptive learning algorithms that enhance performance to advanced natural language generation creating human-like text with ease, we explore how these features empower users. Real-time collaboration fosters creativity while customizable models cater to unique needs.

Join us as we uncover how Stealth GPT AI can transform your workflows and unlock new possibilities in the world of AI-driven creativity!

[yellowmanula]

Hey RETRO fans!

Friendly reminder that as part of the Girl.d64 project, you can get unique postcards from us, released in limited series. So far, we’ve launched 3, and the 4th series is currently available for sale. We’re also creating designs for T-shirts, and you can get these clothes from us as well. Plus, we offer a unique sound postcard (vinyl) with the track Citroen, produced by Doctor in 1995 on ProTracker.

We’re currently preparing to buy a second Amiga 600, essential for Girl.d64 to launch a DJ project. Thanks to the PT1210 program, the retro computer is mapped and can function as a console, allowing us to mix .MOD files.

I think those who know us know that we’re skilled with music and DJ consoles, so it should be interesting. We encourage you to support our idea.

We also have a KO-FI where we post interesting updates. I’m starting work on a longer article about the pioneering game programmer, Dona Bailey. Stay tuned ❤ KO-FI link We also have a Patreon where we share additional photos: Patreon link Support us by engaging with the community we’ve built around Girl.d64! Follow us on Instagram: Instagram link We’re also recruiting models ❤

[cryptonewscentral]

🚀 Futurama is back and it's taking on NFTs and crypto! From Bender’s existential crisis to a hilarious NFT heist, this season premiere is a must-watch. Dive into the futuristic satire and enjoy the laughs!

[hplonesomeart]

Old record player spin my beloved <3

[mascaraandmojitos]

Source: http://coffeeandmoorland.tumblr.com