In 1994 Microsoft corporation designers Mark Malamud and Erik Gavriluk approached Brian Eno to compose music for the Windows 95 project. The result was the six-second start-up music-sound of the Windows 95 operating system, the The Microsoft Sound. In the San Francisco Chronicle he said:

The idea came up at the time when I was completely bereft of ideas. I’d been working on my own music for a while, and was quite lost, actually, and I really appreciated someone coming along and saying, “Here’s a specific problem — Solve it!” The thing from the agency said, “We want a piece of music that is inspiring, universal, blah-blah, da-da-da, optimistic, futuristic, sentimental, emotional”, this whole list of adjectives, and then, at the bottom, it said: “and it must be 3¼ seconds long”. I thought this was so funny, and an amazing thought, to actually try to make a little piece of music. It’s like making a tiny little jewel. In fact, I made eighty-four pieces. I got completely into this world of tiny, tiny, little pieces of music. I was so sensitive to microseconds, at the end of this, that it really broke a logjam in my own work. Then, when I’d finished that and I went back to working with pieces that were, like, three minutes long, it seemed like oceans of time.

Results here:

So true. Scientists apparently rigorously tested this with inputs of Billy Ray AND Miley Cyrus, and it validated perfectly.

There is only one cultural example I can think of that breaks down when put into this model. What else, but the Simpsons? Has there ever been such a massively popular show/creation/production that was as acclaimed critically?

This chart is bang on otherwise.

From Faris who got it from the folks at Contagious.

This is one of those posts where if I don’t put it on the blog, I feel like it’s lost forever. But if I do put it on the blog, I feel like an insane man who travels around on buses every day documenting the routes (sitting up the front, no less)

Anyway. This is the nice visual symmetry in iTunes that results from playing five Spoon tracks in a row, from their album Ga Ga:

That is all. Carry on.

Brilliant.

From: Brant Mau
Sent: Thursday, June 11, 1998 12:02 PM
To: W&K Portland
Subject: Join My Flock

I am starting a cult and am currently looking for disciples. Ideally, I would like to have 400-450 followers by July, but I am willing to make do with 25 or so fanatics until things get off the ground. Is this something you might be interested in? Could you picture yourself as part of a fun, interesting social group devoted to a clearly-defined set of pseudo-religious principles? If so, then read on.

As of yet, no name has been selected for the organization. I’m thinking of something along the lines of “The Sacred Order of All That Is”, which we’re currently running through legal for trademark clearance. “The Chosen Many” has also garnered much internal support, but my fear is that it’ll come off as “gimmicky” which is the kiss of death for any self-respecting cult.

Naturally, I will be the leader/messiah because it was my idea. This is only fair. I assure you, however, that I am infinitely qualified for the position and that, over time, you will come to worship and adore me as much, if not more than any other cult leader/messiah. I am very compassionate and understanding and have unusual hair. Soon you will find yourself pulling all sorts of crazy stunts at my behest, and loving every minute of it.

But let’s get down to the nuts and bolts: What do I believe in? I have settled on a few basic truths, which I have entitled The Few Basic Truths. These are as follows, and should be memorized immediately:

a.) Society is a congregation of Evil and should be avoided at all costs, except for things like picking up the groceries or taking the car in for a tune-up.

b.) Life is finite. This is a very important metaphysical concept that places our day-to-day activities in a proper historical context, and, more importantly, justifies the various orgies I am envisioning on our ranch. (More on this later. There may be zoning violations of which I am unaware.)

c.)All that Is, Is. All that Isn’t, Isn’t. Isn’t that all there Is?

Anyway, that’s where I am with that. You can appreciate that the organizational details are taking away a lot of My precious time, so I haven’t been able to sit down and hammer out any sort of cohesive doctrine yet. Trust me, though, it will come and it will be good.

As for our meeting place (i.e., our Compound) I am currently pricing out ranches in Gresham. Something reasonably remote, but not so far away that we won’t be able to pop into town for a movie every now and then. Until then, we’ll be having our meetings at the Food Court in Pioneer Square. Dress is casual, as in, completely nude. Please note, I am exempt from the whole nudity thing because (1.) I am the Messiah and (2.) I am ashamed of my penis and don’t like it being viewed publicly. But enough on that.

Now, if you’ve never been in a cult before, it’s natural that you’d be a little wary. I assure you, though, it’s much simpler than you’d expect. Just follow these easy steps:

1.) Attend a few meetings. Get to feel comfortable with the cult and our members. We’re not trying to pressure you into anything, and we certainly won’t brainwash you. We’re not trying to pressure you into anything, and we certainly won’t brainwash you. We’re not trying to pressure you into anything, and we certainly won’t brainwash you.

2.) Sign up. At this point, you will be asked to make a nominal donation of all your Earthly Belongings and any property that you may own. You are also responsible for bringing your own beer.

3.) Congratulations. You’re now one of us.

See, that wasn’t hard at all, was it? So, if you’re looking for something fun to do this summer, join my cult. I look forward to teaching you all about The Many Things, and saving you all from yourselves.

Yours truly;

The Messiah

P.S. Keep September 15th open.

These guys just pipped us for the ‘08 Cannes Interactive Agency of the Year.

Bastards.

Nice ideas (and ideals) though:

If this was the blog of Dr. Claw, I feel he’d deliver an appropriate threat about ‘next time’ here. But alas, it’s not.

Via Young Manhattanite.

It happened to this girl.

Oh, and Flickr’s new short form video player has a sweet interface.

Quote via my inspiring friend.

Brilliant press advertisement from Ben.

No chili sauce. No long-lasting batteries. No hair that’s so strong that _____ happens.

Lovely.