Oliver Rawlings Find Crowdfunding Fascinating

Hailed as the new way to bankroll huge projects, crowdfunding is here, it’s larger than life and I find it fascinating. Oliver Rawlings readers, crowdfunding is the future.

The Relationship between Culture and Technology

As any reader of this blog can attest to, I find culture and technology fascinating. Two of my life long passions, I never miss an opportunity to blog about these two complex subjects, and I’m the sort of person who can’t resist reading about them either. It’s practically an addiction!

That’s why I find it riveting when the two come together. We live in a world driven by technological advances. New technology is practically the muse of the 21^st Century, spurring creative types to greater heights and inspiring truly post-modern works of art that would have been impossible to achieve without the aid of modern technologies such as the internet, laptops, smartphones etc.

What is Crowdfunding? How Does It Work?

That’s why I find crowdfunding fascinating. Crowdfunding is where someone raises money for a subject by going to many individual donors, and asking each one to donate a small amount of money, often in return for a gift, but no actual share in the profits the project generates.

So how is this possible? Well the artist sets up a donation page on a crowdfunding website, such as Indiegogo, makes their pitch and people log on and donate. The fact that the internet enables anyone to donate means that niche projects that wouldn’t have otherwise gotten off the ground, due to lack of interest, are able to go into production.

Why, because those people who want to see it happen are able to help it do so without the larger considerations that often way fund providers down, such as profit margins, advertising interest and the ability of the project to secure interest from key demographics.

A More Direct Input into the Artworks that Define Our Culture

In essence, crowdfunding is a way to bypass the usual funding avenues that artistic projects must travel down, and it broadens the scope of culture openly available to the masses. The genius of crowdfunding is that not only does it provide the cash, it builds up a fan base for the project to speak to once it’s finished;  people who have watched it grow from conception and have tracked it through to completion. It provides a personal attachment to art that we’ve never seen before.

In this way, crowdfunding is indicative of the evolving nature of the relationship between technology and modern culture. In the world of 2014, we have more access than ever, and more of an input into, the artworks that define the culture we live in. This direct participation is providing universal access to works of art that would likely otherwise never seen the light of day.

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Oliver Rawlings Asks: Should Instagram Let You Go Nude?

It may seem strange to us normal folk, but celebrities are currently up in arms about the right to bare all on social networking site Instagram. Considering the surprising direction this debate has taken, this week I ask on the Oliver Rawlings blog whether Instagram should let you go nude.

Freedom of Speech vs. Common Sense

The world has changed, and the internet has fostered a culture where our generation see it as their divine right to express themselves in any way they choose online. This popular mind set has been spurred on by social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and now Instagram, allowing a breadth of communication that would have been impossible to achieve even ten years ago.

Whilst living in a social media world has its advantages- and these are many – it generally does tempt people to post stupid, often offensive things. When this happens, not only does it shock and offend a lot of people, but it usually damages their reputation too. However whilst posting nude pictures is fairly stupid, many would argue that it’s a matter of freedom of expression, and this is why a campaign has grown up demanding that Instagram let people go nude.

Celebrities Go Nude

For those of you who’ve managed to avoid the social networking site, Instagram is primarily for posting pictures. Whilst those pictures are usually fairly tame, celebrities have been known to use the site to explore their wild side, and post snaps that many of us would find shocking, maybe even abhorrent.

That’s why it seems so unusual to me that this debate has even become a thing. Recently the site took down nude pictures that Rumor Willis had posted of herself. The sheer outrage she felt at such an action, prompted her and other women who’ve had topless pics removed, to start a campaign to get Instagram to change the policy. It’s become so popular even pop goddess Rihanna has endorsed it.

Oliver Rawlings on Freedom of Expression

Here’s the thing, Instagram say they ban this type of stuff as a matter of course. Instagram CEO Kevin Systrom said of the policy that "you may not post violent, nude, partially nude… pornographic or sexually suggestive photos." That’s a fair point, but it’s not like Instagram hasn’t let people post offensive stuff before. Just where do they think the line is?

Of course, Oliver Rawlings readers, I’m not suggesting that you go and take a nude snap – you’d never live it down. What this is really about is freedom of expression. With the internet, the game has changed, and we need to seriously think as a society about what is appropriate and what isn’t in the digital age.

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Reality Television Has Gone Too Far – Viva la Revolution!

I’ve never exactly been a fan of sitting down on a Saturday night and salivating over a group of no talent idiots living their lives, but new reality show, ‘I Wanna Marry Harry’ has taken it to new, disturbing levels. This is a call to arms, Oliver Rawlings readers, Viva la Revolution!

Do you remember when you could sit down, flick on the box and know that you’d be greeted with quality telly? Yeah, neither do I. These days it’s all ‘she slept with him’ and ‘I’m going to stab her in the back just to win a singing contest, that we all know will go nowhere,’ It’s spiralling out of control and we owe it to the next generation to save them from this hellish nightmare

A  Reformed Reality-Aholic

I’ll admit I’m not exactly a telly connoisseur. I still haven’t watched Game of Thrones and I honestly probably never will. I’m the sort of guy who actually enjoyed watching Eurovision as a kid because it was so fantastically camp (not so much now, considering the abysmal British position yet again this year).

And more to the point, I’ve got a confession. I beg all of your forgiveness, I was once a fan of reality television. I’ve go to admit that in the early days, I found Big Brother fascinating (who wasn’t addicted to the never ending comedy styling’s of treasured housemates such as Nadia, Brian, Makosi and Kinga) and I bought into the X Factor dream (I’m ashamed to admit that I still get all hopped up about the abominable way Sharon treated Danni way back when).

But it’s ventured into the realm of the ridiculous now. At least these kinds of shows once had a point. The new generation of reality shows like Made in Chelsea and the dreaded TOWIE (watching those people do nothing more than exist makes me wonder how humanity ever came to this) are as vacuous as they are dull. It’s like watching the world’s worst wildlife documentary.

A New Low: Society Is Officially in Cultural Decline

But now it’s hit a new low and entered the realm of the depraved. There is now a Fox (who else – they really will put anything on TV) show called ‘I Want to Marry Harry.’ If Prince Harry was actually on it, it would be more fascinating than the latest raft of ‘whodunnit’ stories currently playing out in soapland.

Instead, we’re subject to a show that – honest to goodness- sees a Prince Harry impersonator attempt to trick girls into thinking he’s the genuine article. If these are the depths we’ve sunk to, maybe it’s time to just give up and go home. There has to be a better way to entertain ourselves. It’s banal, excruciatingly cringe worthy and opportunistic. Even by reality TV standards.

Oliver Rawlings readers, every society has to hit rock bottom before it realises it has a problem and implements change. I believe ‘I Wanna Marry Harry’ is ours. Bring about the revolution, we’ve literally got nothing left to lose!

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How to Hold a Conversation with a Kitchen Appliance!

How often have you just wanted to know what was going on with your cooker, oven, washing machine etc.? Well, with the latest development from tech firm LG, you might just be able to. The Oliver Rawlings blog this week welcomes you to the kitchen appliances that talk back!

How often have you wanted to know what’s in the fridge or have you forgotten to set off your washing machine after you’ve just left the house? Well now with LG’s new text chat service you can work your appliances no matter where you are, as it allows you to control them by text!

The LG Text Chat Service

South Korea based international technology firm LG Electronics has recently announced the launch of a text chat service that allows you to control your kitchen appliances no matter where you are.

It works like this. Say you’re on your way home from work and you’re not sure whether you’ve got any milk in. You think you might need to go pick some up from the corner shop, but if you’ve already got some in you don’t want to buy more. With this service all you need to do is text and ask, and your fridge will let you know.

It’s a really new service and at the moment it’s only available in South Korea, but LG are planning to expand to other markets, such as the US, in the future. They’ll need to get on it, as rival tech company Samsung has already released similar air conditioner, fridge and washer smart-aware appliances with its Smart Home Service.

A Niche Market

Whilst I personally believe that this technology could one may be the future, experts have suggested that in the short term, it may only appeal to a niche market. The BBC spoke to principal technology analyst at the Davies Murphy Group consultancy, Chris Green on the matter and this was the opinion he expressed.

Specifically, Green said that "I'm sure 10 years from now we will want more smart-aware appliances, but for now this represents a live beta-test," and that "it's the equivalent of Ford building a concept car. It's about showing what can be done and seeing if there's an appetite for it."

Oliver Rawlings readers, this technology is only in its infancy, but the potential is enormous. One day we could all be setting our washing machines off or checking our fridges by text whilst enduring that oh so long commute back home!

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A Salute to Mrs Doyle!

Last week I got all fanboy-esque at the news that Mrs Doyle is joining EastEnders (sort of). That’s why this week, I want to take this opportunity to salute all things Mrs Doyle!

The news is actually that Pauline Mclynn, the talented comedienne who was behind the sheer genius that was the Craggy Island housekeeper, and who has also starred in Shameless, among other things, is set to star in the BBC soap.

Even better, she’s set to take the part of Yvonne Cotton, the mother of EastEnders legend Dot Branning’s recently revealed grandson, Charlie Cotton. It’s a recurring part, but it’s one that’s bound to be juicy as she’s been billed as a character who just might have a few secrets of her own…

A List of Why Mrs Doyle is So Great

So, we know that Pauline Mclynn is a talented actress, and I’m sure Oliver Rawlings blog readers, that she’ll light the screen on fire as the elusive Yvonne. But until then, I want to actually take the time to list just why she’s so bloody marvellous!

· A British Tradition: She may be Irish, but she captured the hearts and minds of viewers west of the Emerald Isle with her love and devotion to that classic British staple, tea. She reminded us all that, yes, tea really is the answer to all of life’s problems.

· A Little Insane: Let’s face it, she was a little insane wasn’t she, and that’s why we loved her. Sane people quite frankly aren’t funny, but those who are just a little off kilter provide us with all the laughs we need to get through the day. Who wasn’t cracking up in that episode where she acted like a One Direction fan when introduced to the new milkman!

· A Strong Character: Despite the comedy element, she was a surprising role model for the youth of today. I’m serious here. She knew her own mind and she knew how to get what she wanted. Even if all she wanted was to make sure you got a cup of tea.

A Method Actor: Have you ever seen a picture of Pauline Mclynn in real life? She’s practically a different person. Knowing that, seeing the transformation the actress undergoes to become the Craggy Island housekeeper is amazing. It just makes the character even more rip-roaringly hilarious!

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