Things near and dear to me this past week: a medium-sized report on big data, a new way to read To Kill a Mockingbird, binge-watching, giant robots and road safety, and the littlest (and most dangerous) Vader of all. ★
• The White House released its report on big data and privacy, and a stakeholder-expert whose input contributed to the report spoke to Adweek about its potential implications to the businesses of marketing and advertising. It’s a lot of stats, advertising, and marketing speak, but you should be aware of what they are saying. [WhiteHouse.gov, Adweek]
• Harper Lee agreed to release To Kill a Mockingbird as an e-book, and it will be available on July 8, 2014. See also: a compilation of “Atticus Finch” quotes from the novel. [Paste Magazine]
• Binge-watching: It’s no longer just for anime and foreign drama fans! A new study takes a look at the practice of binge-viewing – which they have defined as “watching three or more episodes of one series in a single sitting” – and its effect on daily activities… like personal hygiene. (Yikes!)
Bonus: A handy infographic that shows how long it will take to marathon several popular series. [Miner & Co. Studio via Home Media Magazine, Nielson via Fast Co.Create]
1. Binging on a show = three or more episodes? Amateurs.
2. I wonder if my most recent round with the Nielson viewing diary contributed to these stats…
• This road safety poster from Japan’s National Police Agency is funny, appropriate, and effective. Its star? The signature police mecha (robot for non-anime fans) from the Patlabor anime series – and the live-action adaptation currently in progress. [Anime News Network]
• This may be the littlest and most dangerous Darth Vader of all. (If you collect Star Wars and Lego kits, it’s likely he’s already infiltrated your house.) A belated “May the Fourth be with you!” [LEGO on YouTube, Adweek]
The idea of publishing this column on Saturdays is great, but it just hasn’t been happening in practice. Expect to see it every Monday from today onward! ★