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PBS shows how hacking is reclaiming its good name after a bad rap (video)
Hacking is still a loaded concept for many, often conjuring negative images of corporate espionage, fraudsters and prank-minded script kiddies. PBS' Off Book wants to remind us that hacking wasn't always seen this way -- and, thanks to modern developments, is mending its reputation. Its latest episode shows that hacking began simply as a desire to advance devices and software beyond their original roles, but was co-opted by a sometimes misunderstanding press that associated the word only with malicious intrusions. Today, hacking has regained more of its original meaning: hackathons, a resurgence of DIY culture and digital protests prove that hacks can improve our gadgets, our security and even our political landscape. We still have a long way to go before we completely escape movie stereotypes, but the mini-documentary may offer food for thought the next time you're installing a custom ROM or building your own VR helmet.
PBS explores the world of people who get paid to play video games
From LAN parties to MLG, the history of competitive gaming has been a fascinating one. Following up on similarly themed episodes, like the one back in October that explored the indie gaming community, PBS's Off Book is tackling the world of competition, cramming as much info as it can into a seven and a half minute piece, including the move from entertainment into an industry, including the growing pains associated with its push into the pop-culture. It's an interesting look, with plenty of input from MIT sociologist T.L. Taylor. And it offers up a good glimpse for those of us who don't possess the chops to get handed one of of those giant novelty checks in front of a room full of excited spectators. Live vicariously through the video after the break.
PBS delves into the finer points of buggy behavior in 'The Art of Glitch' (video)
To think that all those times people were cursing at their terminals every time they got the Blue Screen of Death, they should've been charging for admission. At least that's the idea one would get after checking out PBS' latest Off Book short doc, The Art of Glitch. The six-minute video takes a closer look at a movement that views a typically frustrating electronic phenomenon and considers it to be glorious, wonderful art instead. From neon signs on the fritz to digital files that are edited to cause buggy behavior, the range of glitch art is as broad as the imaginations of the people who prize them. The short doc is the latest offering from a web-original series that looks at "cutting edge arts" such as animated GIFs and 8-bit creations. In the meantime, you can bug out on the finer points of glitch art by checking out the video below.
PBS traces the history of animated GIFs: deal with it (video)
PBS's Off Book has a new short doc available online called Animated GIFs: The Birth of a Medium which, as you may have guessed, traces the history and evolution of the animated GIF over the course of a very informative six and a half minutes. The makers don't settle the dispute over pronunciation (and, really, who could), but they do mine its origins as relic of internet eras past to a post-modern staple of web 2.0 culture. We could tell you more, but that would just ruin the fun. Head on after the break to watch the episode in full.
