The most interesting thing in the world

Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog

phanfasm — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 18:35:47 GMT

Probably the best musical about a supervillian named Dr. Horrible you'll ever watch. www.drhorrible.com From Joss Whedon of Buffy the Vampire Slayer fame... ONE WEEK ONLY! AN INTERNET MINISERIES EVENT! "Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog" will be streamed, LIVE (that part’s not true), FREE (sadly, that part is) right on Drhorrible.com, in mid-July. Specifically: ACT ONE (Wheee!) will go up Tuesday July 15th. ACT TWO (OMG!) will go up Thursday July 17th. ACT THREE (Denouement!) will go up Saturday July 19th. All acts will stay up until midnight Sunday July 20th. Then they will vanish into the night, like a phantom (but not THE Phantom – that’s still playing. Like, everywhere.)

Happy Tree Friends False Alarm!

phanfasm — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 06:11:18 GMT

Woot! I got reunited with a cousin, travelled to the far-off Isle of Wight, and managed seven SKUs to get this puppy to the digital market... It's SEGA's first all digital, no retail box game made from scratch. And my second game where I was completely in charge. Coming to the internets tomorrow on Xbox Live Arcade and a bunch of download services... check out www.happytreefriends.com for more cute & macabre info!

Condemned 2: Bloodshot on MTV.com

phanfasm — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 23:01:25 GMT

Checkit out - the making-of video for voice sessions of the insane ultraviolent game I've been making for the last 2 years is on MTV.com... http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?vid=212903 You can spot my chubby ass around 4:48... Fun times.

Phanfasms via Photoshop

phanfasm — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 06:39:00 GMT

Take a look in my photos, I've done some photoshopping. Coming back from a pretty bleak burningman, I was nevertheless inspired to make some art pieces. For inspiration I took to riffing off the concept of Phanfasms - animal-headed shapechangers dedicated to MUA-HA-HA EVIL in all its forms from the Oz books. These photos are all from .gov image sources, and therefore connected to our current overlords who are very much like the Phanfasms. Smart, skilled, and able to divine and transform into their victims' fondest wish, they are dangerous creatures. As with all my artwork, a big bit of randomness is inserted (via Google Image Search) to boot. My current favorite is the Mason one. If I can keep my creative juices flowing, I'll try to make some more...

Red Nose District

phanfasm — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 23:17:44 GMT

Hi Folks, Rebecca and I will be on the Playa Monday night. We'll have a nice private lounge set up with a bed and drinks on the Esplanade side of 9:30 and Arctic between 9:30 and 9:00. Look for the white arctic camo netting and big red Surburban. We'll likely have Lum the tiger stripe bikini clad Annoying Alien as a flag too. See you there lovelies! And if you post your locations here I'll try to stop by! Marty

Peter Cheung's Lara Croft

phanfasm — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 03:58:36 GMT

Ladies and gentlemen, let me direct your attention to the creator of the mind-bending animation series Aeon Flux and Alexander: Reign. Do not fret for the plebeian adverts that precede these incredible new revelations as to the truth behind reality becomes apparent in the dross-clad container of a commissioned re-invention of a tired old intellectual property with huge tits. That's the aforementioned heroine in heaven, you see. Highly interesting, my friends. For immediate watching. Apologies in advance for lame flash interface, but it's worth it, I promise. http://tombraider.gametap.com/

Thrilling Energy Breakthrough: Vivoleum!

phanfasm — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 23:02:33 GMT

Incredibly awesome oil conference reality hack by The Yes Men... "In the actual speech, the "NPC rep" announced that current U.S. and Canadian energy policies (notably the massive, carbon-intensive exploitation of Alberta's oil sands, and the development of liquid coal) are increasing the chances of huge global calamities. But he reassured the audience that in the worst case scenario, the oil industry could "keep fuel flowing" by transforming the billions of people who die into oil." http://blog.wired.com/sterling/2007/06/thrilling_energ.html

What is your strategic paradigm?

phanfasm — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 18:03:17 GMT

Very concise analysis of the basic challenge that the modern world (including ideaology & technology) is presenting us in deciding how we approach our lives. I think we have to hybridize these two - in the way that John Robb mentions that the business world harnesses entreprenuership. Maybe something like those who are ignorant of history are condemned to repeat it, so ask your Twitter subscribers to give you feedback on what you are missing. http://globalguerrillas.typepad.com/globalguerrillas/2007/06/the_gaussian_vs.html

Our new sociopolitical post-historical reality

phanfasm — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 20:32:52 GMT

This may be a bit dry for my general circle of peeps, but if there's one thing we do know how to do it's create virtuous spirals that solve grassroots problems, take root, and infect the larger populace with ideology. Anyway, check this out for a great 3 paragraph summary of the challenge we will face in the next 100 years. http://globalguerrillas.typepad.com/globalguerrillas/2007/03/the_marketplace.html "This chaotic state of affairs is nearly invisible to the grand strategist that can only see things in terms of state conflict and sweeping historical movements. However, for the systems thinker that can synthesis the details and is comfortable with uncertainty, the problems that are caused by an out-of-control global system moving at break neck speed could only be solved by bottoms up spiral development." wuv, Marty

Where are you on this map?

phanfasm — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 20:34:33 GMT

Web 3.0 advice

phanfasm — Wed, 06 Dec 2006 17:48:48 GMT

To all my social software developer friends... It's games people. Games. http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/games/archives/2006/12/04/playing_the_youtube_game.html#more Internet applications should follow game mechanics in order to make them compelling and addictive, proposed Amy Jo Kim, online community building guru, at this year's Supernova. And taking Kim's ideas forward, analyst Max Kalehoff has applied the essential elements of every game to the video sharing service YouTube.

My new favorite artist

phanfasm — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 17:59:36 GMT

Ray Caesar http://www.raycaesar.com/ Such gorgeous horror with amazing classical technique. Delicious.

Get ready for 2 years of this, fellow SFiscans

phanfasm — Tue, 21 Nov 2006 19:55:08 GMT

From Saturday Night Live: A Nancy Pelosi impersonator, speaking to voters: "You sent this White House a message: That stay the course in Iraq is not a plan; that our healthcare system should serve ordinary citizens, not pharmaceutical compaines; that so-called rough sex can be a necessary and fulfilling adjunct to a healthy sex life, particularly when it involves fantasy role-play scenarios, such as kidnapping or forced interrogation -- provided, of course, that both participants are willing and disease-free, and have agreed on what we call a safe word. For example, 'Palomino'; that an increase in the minimum wage is long overdue; and finally, that U.S. citizens do not surrender their consitutional rights the moment they engage in multiple partner or group sex -- provided, once again, that all participants are willing, at least 12 years of age and no peanuts or peanut products are used." "We Americans have always been a religious people, a member of my staff tells me. Whatever you may have heard, the Democratic Party is not anti-religion. Whether you're a wicken priestess, druid, tantric Buddhist priest ... Presbyterian or member of the Cult of Collie, your faith will be respected, so long as no animals are harmed during your ceremonies -- except, of course, gerbils." On the diversity of the new Dem-controlled Congress: "Chairing the Judiciary Committee, John Conyers; at Ways and Means, Charles Rangel; at Homeland Security, Bennie Thompson; at Government Reform, Ernesto Guevara Jr.; at Agriculture, this naked hippie and his old lady; at Small Business, yet another black dude; at Finance, the drummer from Rage Against the Machine; and at Intelligence, al-Qaeda number two man Ayman al-Zawahiri. Truly a Congress that looks like America."

What's REALLY going on

phanfasm — Wed, 01 Nov 2006 19:42:45 GMT

First, Azathoth, Yog-Sothoth and Nyarlathotep can be identified with the Holy Trinity. We know, from hints in HPL's work (most noticeably, in the Case of Charles Dexter Ward) and from Richard L. Tierney's "the Winds of Zarr" that Yog-Sothoth is YHWH, the Father. The Father is the transcendent aspect of the Trinity, the Creator, that precedes creation and existence as we understand it, beyond both time and space. Then, Nyarlathotep is the Son: God manifested, God made present in the universe, the intervention of God in history and creation. He is the Word (fitting his role as the Messenger and agent of the Outer Gods), the instrument of creation and also the Firstborn, the first created. He is both Lucifer and Christ, an agent of change and transformation, bringing knowledge that can both save and condemn - and most likely both. He is Maia, who both weaves the illusion of existence that cloaks Brahma / Yog-Sothoth and works to reveal the truth and enlighten the worthy. Azathoth would be the Holy Spirit, the immanent aspect of the Trinity. He exists at the center of creation. But an infinite universe has no center, or rather, everywhere is its center, so he exists everywhere. But this is also a metaphor: he exists at the center of time and space because he is the origin and cause of both. He is what manifests as both matter and energy, and his purest manifestation, the Court of Madness, is the Big Bang, where time and space, matter and energy find their origin and break down, meaningless, undifferentiated. Azathoth is the Primun Mobile and the Demiurge. His separation from Sophia / wisdom / meaning, Yog-Sothoth (who dwells at Keter, the fountain of all meaning, beyond the ultimate gate where the archetypes which are the model for all that exist dwell) created this reality, a pale reflection of the perfect ideals which are its model. This is why he is said to be an idiot: he is power without purpose or guide, without meaning o direction, absurdly imitating the pure forms of the Higher Realm. In the same way, humans are just pale reflections, faulty vessels (qelippot) of the souls they contain, reincarnating in different bodies in an endless quest for freedom and return to the source. This can only happen with the entry of yog-sothoth into this universe, which would be both its apotheosis and apocalypse, the reverse Tzimtzum, as the universe is reabsorbed into Keter whence it emanated, and then into the Ein Sof, where all differentiation disappears. [By the way, this is all made up, a remix of Western tradition with H.P. Lovecraft horror fiction. If you really want to live in a Lovecraftian universe, go work for the Dubya administration, or Jihadist fundamentalists.]

Welcome to your future puny humans

phanfasm — Tue, 17 Oct 2006 06:29:52 GMT

Enjoy the virtual braindumps of your masters! Enjoy it good!!!

Gelflings!

phanfasm — Wed, 11 Oct 2006 21:14:13 GMT

I can't wait for this flick... The Dark Crystal was and is one of my favorite fantasy movies. Brian Froud brought to life, whee! More info on the new movie, which picks up years after the end of the first, here: http://www.aintitcool.com/node/30353 Could this be Kira as an aging Gelfling monarch?

Hail Bob!

phanfasm — Tue, 03 Oct 2006 17:32:06 GMT

From Brother in Slack Nenslo: Who is it that gets together in mobs and hunts down, tortures and kills people who are different from them? Who is it that teaches modesty, courtesy, and generositv but lives in depravity, rudeness, and greed? Who is it that can gather together the time, energy and money to murder millions and destroy cities for the sake of a flag, deity, or economic system? Not weirdoes, not kooks or cranks or nuts. It's the "Normal" people who do those things. It's the "Normal" people who believe there's only one "real world" and it's the one THEY'RE living in. It's the "Normal" people who kill each other over differences in that reality, and if someone can't trick themselves into ignoring the millions of inconsistencies or can't gloss over the gaping flaws in that reality-construct, or can't even pretend convincingly that they believe that flimsy and self-contradictory world is ALL TRUE, rather than have their own illusory stability undermined or accept that other ways of thinking and seeing might be valid, the "Normal" people imprison those "mentally ill," and experimentally destroy their personalities by use of drugs, electroconvulsion, and brain surgery. Be kind to each other... Marty

Just so you know.

phanfasm — Wed, 16 Aug 2006 20:26:07 GMT

Philosophically, the point is that humanity has a fundamental psychological need to believe that we are special, that we're God's little lambs, that the universe revolves around us. It doesn't. It revolves around Azathoth and we are less than ants beneath Its pseudopods. Knowing that to be true, at a gut level, beyond a shadow of a doubt, is something humans can't face and stay sane. Be kind to each other... Marty

Cosmic Wonder at Yerba Buena on Friday

phanfasm — Wed, 12 Jul 2006 22:12:26 GMT

Very interested in seeing this opening on Friday - especially in terms of the newest research on psychedelics from Johns Hopkins. http://www.ybca.org/inside/members/events/jul06/onp.html he opening of the group show Cosmic Wonder this coming Friday, 14 July 2006, at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco signals the death (or latest high watermark depending on how you look at it) of second-wave psychedelia that's flooded contemporary art in recent years. Including pieces by king and queen of the movement, fellow RISD and Fort Thunder alums Jim Drain and Ara Peterson, as well as other luminaries, like Terence Koh, Paperrad, and Banks Violette, the exhibit also will host the works of OGs such as James Turrell and Richard Misrach. (Images by Hisham Bharoocha and Doug Aitken after the jump.) The opening party features Mark Borthwick and Dave Aron, 8-bit rap n’ video by Jacob (Paperrad), Soft Circle (ex-Black Dice/Lightning Bolt) and Feathers, who were recently signed to Gnomonsong, Devendra Banhart and Andy Cabic’s new label. Cosmic Wonder 15 July–5 November 2006 Opening Night Party: Friday, 14 July 2006, 8-11pm Yerba Buena Center for the Arts 701 Mission Street at Third Street San Francisco, CA 94103 map tel + 01 415 978 2787 Be kind to each other, Marty

RL on WOW

phanfasm — Mon, 29 May 2006 04:03:16 GMT

So I was playing an instance on World of Warcraft (that's a preset dungeon that you explore with 4 other players), and one of the players brings up how his girlfriend is bitching at him. Now, keep in mind this guy was playing a zombie mage, and this being a roleplaying focused game, this was a bit of a protocol breach. But whatever. He mentioned it again, and myself and the rest of the guys in the group make some vaguely supportive comments. He's quiet for awhile, then starts up with some seriously abusive language - "I'm gonna kick her teeth in if she don't shut up" kind of stuff. And he mentions she's pregnant. So for a massively multiplayer game, this has gone way beyond what's cool to talk about. I'm now worried about this guy, and even more worried about his violent outbursts against his pregnant girlfriend. But I don't say anything, concentrating on the game. Finally, this guy asks how old everyone is. He's 18. Everybody else is older. I can't stop myself, and I ask him privately, how old is his girlfriend... she's 17. And he adds he's been arguing with her about keeping or terminating their pregnancy. She wants to keep it. Meanwhile, we're taking down giant rock golems and slavering dinosaurs in an underground temple. I considered giving him advice. Telling him that his life will change forever no matter which way it goes. That he should be responsible no matter what choice his girlfriend makes because there are too many kids without fathers. That he should enlist his family, the girl's family, to try and make the right decision, whatever that is for him. I consider saying that I'm 17 years older than him, and I don't even know if I'm ready to have a child. That he should't give in to his violent feelings, especially against some poor teenage girl who fucked him without protection. I said none of this. I just kept healing his character and those of the party - I'm a priest in the game. But I couldn't give any kind of spiritual guidance to him. It was World of Warcraft. Not real life. Be kind to each other, Marty

Jim Woodring

phanfasm — Fri, 05 May 2006 22:58:26 GMT

Jim Woodring's art is a basic requirement. Experience his comics to accellerate your personal evolution by at least 1 lifetime. You can find his blog here: http://jimwoodring.blogspot.com/ In general, he is inspired by his own hallucinations, which he's been experiencing since childhood. Fortunately for us, they haven't driven him to the point where he can't communicate with us. But his images and characters are obviously multidimensional entities that you may have encountered before, on certian substances or hyperdimensional mind-states. Be kind to each other, M

Google Mars

phanfasm — Mon, 13 Mar 2006 18:56:10 GMT

OH BOY!!! http://www.google.com/mars/ I can't imagine what it woulda been like when I was 8 or 9 to have this kind of thing available for my science classes... my brain woulda exploded...

How I read the news

phanfasm — Mon, 13 Mar 2006 18:00:30 GMT

This Flash page has been around for awhile, but I never get tired of it, and use it every day to get a snapshot of what's going on. It's amazing in that it visually organizes the news that is being read by the net ITSELF. You can choose to see what the U.S. net is reading, and what the Brits and India and Germany, etc. are reading too. I love comparing to see how each culture views their local, national, business, entertainment news... http://www.marumushi.com/apps/newsmap The darker the box color, the longer it's been on the radar of the Net, and the more significant it is in terms of people paying sustained attention... be kind to each other, marty

San Francisco Zero

phanfasm — Fri, 10 Mar 2006 23:12:54 GMT

OK Superstars, this is your chance to colonize another action-based community. This is a game where you go doooo it then post what ya diiiiid. I think we might have lotsa fun... http://sf0.org/ My page is here: http://art.sf0.org/phanfasm There might be very interesting interaction between their tasks and our powers, etc. I really like how this site is all about getting the hell out of the house and doing strange and creative things. Join up!!! marty

They work for US

phanfasm — Thu, 09 Mar 2006 16:20:42 GMT

Here's a little guide for those of us in San Francisco about who represents us in the currently fucked up but maybe one day corrected US government system. If you want to do something to feel a little better about our situation, visit, write and call these people's people and give short, coherent statements about your fears and hopes for our country. Have a bad time being harrased by the cops? Tell them. Sex worker who's working to unionize? Tell them. Legalize and end the windmill-tilting on drugs? Tell them. Impeach the motherfuckers already? Tell them! The EFF has a fantastic guide to how to communicate effectively with gov reps. http://www.eff.org/congress/ Mainly if you can put a personal spin on something that the rep can vote for or against (a bill or law) that's the best way to affect their opinions. More from the EFF guide: In order of MOST to LEAST effective, these are the means of contacting legislators: 1.personal visit to the legislator's Washington DC office or home-state office 2.personally handwritten but LEGIBLE short letter (send only to home-state office, it takes 3 weeks for a letter to D.C. to get screened) 3.personally typewritten or word-processed letter 4.phone call to a key staffer in the office 5.phone call to the reception staffers in the office 6.personally written fax 7.an obvious form letter or fax 8.personally written e-mail 9.an obvious form e-mail FEDERAL Senators: Boxer, Barbara- (D - CA) Class III San Francisco 1700 Montgomery Street, Suite 240 San Francisco, CA 94111 (415) 403-0100 (415) 956-6701 fax (202) 224-3553 Web Form: boxer.senate.gov/contact Feinstein, Dianne- (D - CA) Class I SAN FRANCISCO One Post Street, Suite 2450 San Francisco, CA 94104 415/393-0707 (202) 224-3841 Fax: (202) 228-3954 Web Form: feinstein.senate.gov/email.html Congress: Nancy Pelosi 202-225-4965 room 2371 http://www.house.gov/pelosi/ 450 Golden Gate Ave. - 14th Floor - San Francisco, CA 94102 - (415) 556-4862 CALIFORNIA STATE REPRESENTATIVES Senate (Dist. 3 - Dem) Senator Carole Migden Capitol Address State Capitol Room 2059 Sacramento, CA 94249-0001 (916) 651-4003 District Address 455 Golden Gate Avenue Suite 14800 San Francisco, CA 94102 (415) 557-1300 Assembly (Dist. 13 - Dem) Assembly Member Mark Leno Capitol Address State Capitol Room 3146 Sacramento, CA 94249-0001 (916) 319-2013 District Address 455 Golden Gate Avenue Suite 14300 San Francisco, CA 94102 (415) 557-3013