Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with concept

home page introductory videos

Bacillus — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 23:35:16 -0800

Do you know of any sites with home page videos introducing new concepts such as the P2 for Wordpress theme? I'm introducing a new concept to the Internet through my website which would be too difficult for people to understand with a plain text and image home page, I believe they would leave very quickly without a video presentation. I'm looking for some good examples which are informative and capture attention.

Can simply be introductory video with examples, even ones with a standing person giving an oral presentation although this is not what I will be using. I will be using something more along the lines of the P2 theme introductory video.

Help me articulate the concept of how unfamiliarity and familiarity alter perception.

DeltaForce — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 16:11:02 -0800

Help me articulate the concept of how unfamiliarity and familiarity alter perception. I remember when I was about six years old, sitting in a coffee shop in the town where I grew up, and thinking that it looked different from the way it looked the first time I went there. The thing is, at that moment I was able to alter my perception and look at it through new eyes; see it as if I had never seen it before. I remember my surroundings almost physically changing, spatially and conceptually.

I try to do that now, and it's much more difficult. This is something I've always thought about, and had trouble articulating, and I wonder if there is some kind of theory or philosophy of one's visual and conceptual perception of people, places, things, and even ideas being altered by one's level of familiarity, and more so, of the fact that one can't (or maybe one can, sometimes, or some people can) change one's perception from the familiar to unfamiliar.

I would appreciate any links, or books, or ideas, or people that might have anything to do with this.

Thanks!

Be Critical

god particle — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 08:00:33 -0800

I want to start thinking critically about art, especially modern/contemporary art, so what should I read? I want to be able to discuss contemporary/modern/conceptual art with my peers, and I also want to learn about past art movements and their effects on today's art. What books would you recommend?

Bill Nye should be a Mefite.

Christ, what an asshole — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 07:13:46 -0800

What are some simple experiments that help explain complicated phenomena? I was at a geology museum last year, and they had an exhibit where water slowly trickled down an embankment of sand. The path the water took was a seemingly random assortment of forks and zigzags. The accompanying placard read, "This is how Earth's rivers were formed over millions of years." The kid in me just went, "OHHHH!!"

When I was 7, my older brother challenged me to a bet of what would hit the ground first if dropped from the same height (a tie would mean I was wrong): a sandbag or a pen cap. I lost a dollar. Then two. Three. Then he offered to let me try. Four dollars. Five. I quit in frustration. Then came back when he left and kept trying for a half hour, and I thought I was going insane. When 3rd grade rolled around and we began learning about gravity in science class, I was well ahead of the curve, $5 poorer yet $5 wiser.

During Seder this year, my cousins were presented with the Monty Hall problem, and after at least 30 mins. of discussion, they still would not budge on the odds being 50/50. So I came up with this experiment. "I'm going to write down a number between 1 and 1 million. Try to guess it. Can we all agree that you have a 1 in a million chance of getting it right?" (Yes.) The guess was 23. "Alright, I'm going to eliminate numbers 1 through 22, 24 through 625,624, and numbers 625,626 through 1 million. Now would you like to stick with your original guess, 23, or switch your answer to 625,625?" Their eyes lit up. Well, at least three of them. My fourth cousin stubbornly stood by 23. I challenged her to try being the "host," and halfway through, it clicked, and she started damning herself.

What other interesting concepts or phenomena can be broken down in simple terms/experimentation?

the independence of dimensions

leibniz — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 11:59:55 -0800

Does the curvature of space mean that the dimensions of height, breath and width are not independent of each other? This is more of a conceptual question than a physics question. I am currently developing a dimensional model to explain the 'conceptual space' of emotions, and I insist that the dimensions (or variables) chosen have to be strictly independent of each other, or else the model is inefficient and one has used the concept of 'dimension' badly. I then got a criticism that because space is curved this shows that dimensions need not be independent, or orthogonal to each other.

I don't know enough physics to properly refute this point, but it seems to me that the curvature of space doesn't show that the dimensions themselves are non-orthogonal, but simply that the 3 dimensions do not fully describe physical space. Curvature should not be explained by the mutual constraint/influence of those 3 dimensions, but the situatedness of physical space in a higher dimensional structure. It's not like if you moved to the right or left for any amount of time you would wind up also moving a bit upwards or forwards (even if you would move in a great circle)? Can someone who knows more about these things settle this??

Political Science for Cynics

quadog — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 23:39:25 -0800

What is the term in political science that describes this concept? I'm sure there has to be a name for this. Here's the best way I can describe what I'm thinking:

Although a political party's rhetoric may be vehemently against/for a particular outcome with regards to a specific issue, it is not to that party's advantage that the issue ever be completely resolved. Because it is a galvanizing issue, it ensures a guaranteed turnout every election cycle. Lip service may be paid in between elections, and some symbolic action may be taken, but any real resolution is intentionally subdued. The party ultimately profits more by leaving the issue open into perpetuity and claiming that the opposition is thwarting them from the desired results.

Factual historical examples are welcomed but let's keep the conversation focused. I'm more interested in how this is defined by political science than by theories about current US-based politics.

High level website concept -does this functionality exist out of the box?

muchomas21 — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 14:04:01 -0800

Is there a Joomla component or other out-of-the-box system that does this already? --Website concept Say I want to start a website that allows Ice Cream Parlor owners to post their daily featured ice cream lists to their Profile Page. Each Ice Cream Parlor can only update their own Profile Page, but they can see everybody else's Profile Pages.

Is there a Joomla component or other out-of-the-box system that does this already?

Breaking into Performance Art

divabat — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 03:45:01 -0800

How do I get into performance art? I've seen this video series and read some links, and find the concept of performance art interesting. However, I'm finding it hard to get more resources and help on breaking into performance art.

Whenever I try asking people about it, they think I'm asking about performing arts and start referring me to theatres and choirs. (Google does the exact same thing.) Trying to describe performance art is tricky too - "well, they do weird stuff. In all sorts of styles. And it has a concept."

I have plenty of ideas for potential performance art, but I don't know how to start putting them together. I'm worried about seeming wanky or pretentious, when really all I want to do is express myself in a mixture of mediums. (A large part of this involves creating a persona, which is also another hard subject to Google - I keep getting stuff about MPD or superheroes.)

How do I find a teacher to guide me? What resources are out there and how do I find them (without getting stuck into the Performing Arts section)? How can I develop myself and my art? How do I get my ideas out of my head and onto...well, whatever my stage happens to be?

Baby You Can Drive My Car

seawallrunner — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 08:15:27 -0800

What happens to concept cars unveiled in Auto Shows? Are they street legal? Are they even drivable - or for display only? If they are for display only - then what is the bare-minimum set of car features, that allows a car to be shown at a show? On the other hand, if the cars are street legal, are they ever made available for sale, and how can ordinary mortals not connected to the auto industry purchase such a car?

"Please don't start a similar business to mine elsewhere. It would hurt my feelings."

divabat — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 01:01:38 -0800

Can you really hold copyright to a business model/idea/concept, and disallow others from duplicating it? If not, then how is The Sampler able to do so? On The Sampler's (a company that collects samples of arts & crafts and distributes them to buyers who buy a random box at a time) FAQ, one question goes:

I love the idea of the Sampler! Can I create my own Sampler!?

The crafty community is full of all kinds of swap programs! Certainly you are welcome to create your own sort of swap, but please don't copy the Sampler outright! Using our concept and simply changing the name is still copying! Especially when you say things like "I'm starting my own Sampler" it's SORT OF A TIP-OFF.

The business model of the Sampler is something unique and something I've worked very hard to create, maintain and also very hard to defend! Though the Sampler is wicked fun and super friendly, please remember that it is still a business, and, as such, will be subject to and will appeal to all the laws that are applicable to defend it. The Sampler name, logo and the combination of the two are subject to US trademark laws.

Then in the Craftster forums, someone asks about starting her own Sampler to increase access to sample subscriptions, the original founder shows up and states that doing another Sampler would hurt her feelings as she said she "worked very hard" on the concept.

Does she actually have a right to be the only owner of a Sampler-type business? There are many companies doing gift-sample businesses (and The Sampler has provided gift bags for people like MTV), and there are many different types of fast food, of book stores, of hairdressers, etc etc. All essentially providing the same service. (One poster in that thread argues as such.)

What makes The Sampler different? Is it because it is in a relatively close-knit (excuse the pun) community where the target audience for such a product would be familiar with the original? Does Marie (The Sampler's founder) actually have any right under the law to sue anyone else that does a Sampler-type business? Does she legally have any leg to stand on?

What if I start a Sampler to, say, create and distribute samples for Malaysian crafters. Malaysians can't buy Samplers (they ship to limited countries) and there isn't such a thing here, so I start one. Would Marie be able to sue me considering her Sampler isn't actually in competition to mine?

I just don't see how it's possible for her to claim that The Sampler, nice idea that it is, is totally hers and no one can go and make their own Sampler deal. For one thing, I can't buy her Sampler, so if I want one I'd have to make my own! It also seems ridiculous to put a limitation on expanding the Sampler concept when there are also limits to who can contribute and which countries can purchase.

Have any other companies/industries gone through the same issues in terms of holding claim to business models? How has it been for them?

Give me directions to a map

regicide is good for you — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 16:47:34 -0800

Are there any wikis that offer mind-map visualization (somewhat like Wiki Mindmap)? How about concept mapping software which also has wiki-like functionality? I want something which allows me to establish links between documents, akin to a wiki, but which will also show me a visual representation of all those links (it'd be nice to be able to do it in reverse too...) Basically a whiteboard, but with the referencing and cross-referencing power of a computer.

I'd like it to run locally, on a PC if possible, and ideally not be hierarchy-based (ie. Free-form maps, not like FreeMind. Being able to work in text, or having some sort of non-proprietary output, would be pretty keen too.)

I'm amazed how hard it is to find this. I'm guessing there's no free option. There may be some commercial software out there that does just what I want, and it simply hasn't been clear through all the corporate productivity buzzjargonspeaksoup such things tend to be drowning in.

Please don't say Tinderbox, even though I'm this close to buying a Mac if I have to. I'm probably also almost equally close to paying you to write the damn thing for me if I have to.

Can't remember a funny anecdote..

theiconoclast31 — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 11:12:36 -0800

What is this joke? ('concept of an apple'?) I remember reading an anecdote, probably on the net, about a philosopher lecturing on about an 'apple' versus the 'concept of an apple'. The listener, tired of hearing this philosophical hogwash, gave an especially witty response.

(Maybe he bonked the philosopher on the head and said that he wanted him to understand the 'concept' of a bonk on the head. Or something.)

It may have been in MeFi, but I'm not sure. Anybody recall this anecdote? Googling for apples just brings me news about Steve Jobs :/

clickable concept map

jak68 — Sat, 24 Feb 2007 14:43:07 -0800

How did he make this? Its a 'clickable concept map' on a webpage. Any ideas? What software to use, etc? Easiest way to create something like this? Check out this link (which was posted on boingboing).
http://navigator.carolon.net/
Click on the 'start' button on the page. It takes you to a 'clickable concept map'. It seems different from a regular file directry tree that one sees on websites. Is there a specific program that creates 'clickable concept maps' like this? When you click on a branch, it expands; you can 'navigate' through the whole concept map. Annotated notes can appear in the bottom pane.
I'm definitely an html noob, but I've never come across something like this on websites. Seems very useful especially for education sites (as this one is, too; and as boingboing describes it: "intuitive" and "groovy", indeed).
I'm just wondering if there is a standard software package that can easily produce such clickable concept maps.

Where do I start on finding technological wizards to make my digital media concepts reality?

skylar — Sun, 05 Nov 2006 03:27:47 -0800

A friend (okay, it's me) has absolutely no understanding of coding or building software whatsoever. But I have a couple of potentially very exciting digital media business concepts which would require for a software program or web app to be built. How would I go about finding someone, or a group of people, to work with on investigating one or more of these concepts and making them reality? I'm willing to invest some money, but this needs to be at the lower end of the scale and I have no idea where to start.

Where to find more info on writing music in the studio.

occidental — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 22:22:05 -0800

Where can I find more information about bands and the writing of albums in the studio. While randomly linking across the internet I found and article on the album "Euthanasia" by Megadeth and how they made a film about the album which was the first "studio written" album. I have introduced a similar concept to my band for our current endeavor which will be our second album. Our first album was written and then taken to the studio. Now we have the equipment available to us that we can essentially have unlimited studio time and would like to use the studio as part of the writing process. I have read about the production of Radiohead's "OK Computer" being a studio endeavor in addition to a number of other great albums. My question is related to locating more items like the making of "Euthanasia" film. I would like to find more resources about bands using the studio which focus on the process more than the band. So rather than being like "LOOK! at Radiohead do a brilliant album" it would be along the lines of "let's examine the process of Radiohead creating a brilliant album." The focus here would be on methodology and the ideas that formed the process without delving into the shallow (mtv-esque) or the overly technical (some production how-to video) but a balance between the forces in the creation of the album. Also any input on why you think this is a good/bad idea is more than welcome.

Ad Agency for IBM Middleware's Boxing Glove campaign?

vanoakenfold — Thu, 22 Dec 2005 09:20:37 -0800

Seeking contact info for the advertising agency responsible for IBM Middleware's "You VS [Concept]" campaign that has been appearing in glossy business mags lately... I'm actually making a collection of the glossy ads and have taped them up on my wall -- they just give me a get-to-work feeling -- and I've got 13 different concepts/colors so far, but I'd like to know what the total is, and what I'm missing. I was hoping someone at the agency would be able to tell me (plus I could give them witty quotes about how good they are, perhaps in exchange).

I already did IBM's Middleware's site (per the advert)'s "email us" link, but the response apparently was just a keyword snag of boxing, a bot telling me about how IBM could help organize my sporting event. Psh.

So far, I've got 4x purple, 3x red, 4x blue, 1x yellow, 1x green.

Good name for therapeutic play money?

littlegreenlights — Thu, 21 Apr 2005 09:52:01 -0800

My mother works with underprivileged and at-risk teenagers and wants to use play currency in group therapy. I'm supposed to be 'the creative one' but I'm having a hard time coming up with anything that would be suitable and work for everyone involved. The kids are 12-17; male and female; mildly mentally retarded and genius. I have a soft spot for these kids because they are, for the most part, good kids who sort of got left behind--by parents who are dead, addicts of one variety or another, incarcerated, and so on.

I can handle the photoshopping and printing, but the core concept isn't coming together for me. I would like the name of the currency to be cool, not insulting, and somehow indicate that an accomplishment was made in the session.

The organization has the word 'river' in its name, if that helps, though that doesn't have to be part of the currency name. The best I've come up with is "RiverBling," so obviously I need help. :>