Introduction Pack up your Pinterest boards and stuff your self-help mantras; we’re taking a scenic drive down the winding, confusing, and downright hilarious road of Vanlife Buzzwords. From A to Z, we’re debunking, demystifying, and, let’s face it, making fun of the jargon that has turned #VanLife into the Ivy League of hipsterdom. Buckle up;…
Digital Nomadism: An Erosion of Local Ties and Human Connections? Digital nomadism, like any global trend, is a multifaceted phenomenon, and understanding its true nature requires exploring various perspectives. Here’s a deeper look at some of the prevailing views on this digitally-driven lifestyle: Why I STOPPED being a Digital Nomad Being a Digital Nomad: A…
As we continue to advance into the digital age, the interplay between technology and society grows more intricate and intimate. One fascinating area of exploration is the intersection between commoning groups and Artificial Intelligence (AI). The world of ‘commoning’—a term describing the collective ownership and management of resources—seems to be on a collision course with…
The Wanderlust of #Vanlife (2015) examines the travelling and blogging movement established by Foster Huntington, who quit a Manhattan corporate job to travel full time in Volkswagen. Huntington says, “I felt like I was kind of pissing away my 20’s doing that” and changed to a more authentic way of making a living, documenting his…
Although these articles are directed toward #vanlife many of the same issues could apply to YouTube sailing channels. #Vanlife and YouTube Sailing Channels The rise of the #vanlife and YouTube sailing channels have both captured the imagination of many people looking for an escape from the traditional 9-to-5 lifestyle. Both movements have attracted individuals who…
There are two ads that both play intertextually on the hipster aesthetic to effectively create meaning. They are the Volkswagen’s Think Small by Doyle Dane Bernbach (1959) and Hungry Jacks Keeping It Real television ad by Clemenger BBDO (2017) in Sydney. The Think Small advertisement is responsible for initiating the creative generation in advertising which…
See the difference between different versions of ChatGPT and the original story. Title: Petri Dish – A Sci-Fi Short Story Author: Ricky Wright Improved by ChatGPT 4 Date: May 27, 2019 In a vibrant, cozy bedroom, young Delphia, a primary school student, carefully sprinkles small fragments of bio-material into a petri dish. She observes the…
My recent experiences with gamification. 1) Connecting with the Community I started collaborating and gamifying the experience early on the #alm201 hashtag by introducing myself via video and then continued to contribute and respond to other students’ efforts. I responded to the layered quests Adam (our unit coordinator) set, and by liking, commenting, awarding…
The role celebrities play in promoting cosmopolitan values over communitarian tribalism was highlighted in the recent presidential inauguration of Donald Trump which was shunned by many A-list celebrities. This was contrasted with the widespread support for anti-Trump rallies like Alec Baldwin’s. Trump’s communitarian, tribal, and divisive America First campaign strategy which was an affront to…
This is my undergraduate video and exegesis attempt at understanding celebrity culture and authenticity. Also, see the follow-up article The Democratising Potential of Celebrity and Cosmopolitan Solidarity My video (below) opens with scenes from the French dystopian short film Logorama (2009) which is a critique on “the loss of real authenticity” in a world that…
Question: You make some interesting points, though I do find myself finding a great deal of beautiful serendipity in media-making too… Thanks also to Adam Brown for sharing these ideas on Serendipity: Answer: Sure. A great insight you have presented to explore. Let’s think of serendipity as those happy accidents that seem to happen by…
#Vanlife Movement Episode 2 of the Vanlife Culture Series The Wanderlust of #Vanlife (2015) examines the travelling and blogging movement established by Foster Huntington, who quit a Manhattan corporate job to travel full time in Volkswagen. Huntington says, “I felt like I was kind of pissing away my 20’s doing that” and changed to a…
Introduction: What is Vanlife? “How do you make money on the road?” It is one of the most commonly asked questions by those who live in vans. There are many reasons why someone may choose to live this way: it’s cheaper, they want to reduce their environmental impact, they want more freedom, or they just…
This is Episode 1. in the Van life Culture series. Where we put the lens on the van life travelling and blogging movement established by Foster Huntington, who famously quit a Manhattan corporate job to travel, and blog full time in Volkswagen. 4 minutes 45 seconds + music. Reflecting on the Podcasting Process in 600…
Van life and permaculture may seem like two very different ways of living, but they have some important similarities. Both van life and permaculture are centered around the idea of living a more sustainable and self-sufficient lifestyle. One of the key principles of permaculture is the concept of “care for the earth.” This means designing…