http://www.changeist.com/changeism/Disruptions from Changeist(c) 2007-2008 Changeist, LLCen-USSquarespace Site Server v5.0.0 (http://www.squarespace.com/)Scott SmithMon, 19 May 2008 21:23:07 +0000http://www.changeist.com/changeism/2008/5/19/wii-are-fit-but-we-are-not.html#comments82229:707010:comment/1511480
The problem comes from the strong tendency to take something that is has a minor level of physical benefit and stretch it to be the total cure. Think about nutrition bars, healthy sports drinks, etc. We all find it easier to go for something fun and tasty in lieu of making the extra effort (and probably the additional cost) of doing something better for you.

The point about the avatars is that we spend serious amounts of time looking after our "other" selves while neglecting our real selves. What you suggest, and the road Nintendo seems to be stepping down, is this important linkage between the avatar and self, that one can be a useful representation of the other's progress, not simply a fantasy version.

Enjoy the Wii Fit. ]]>philMon, 19 May 2008 21:00:10 +0000http://www.changeist.com/changeism/2008/5/19/wii-are-fit-but-we-are-not.html#comments82229:707010:comment/1511454
Personally I have a Wii Fit on the way. It will be my latest foray into 'exergaming': two DDR pads (fun but cumbersome setup) and EyeToy Kinetic (great concept but infuriatingly unreliable motion detection) being the previous. I don't expect it to get me into marathon running form, but I do expect it to do me more good than my current exercise regime (i.e. nothing). If I can hit 'normal' BMI, that'll do.

The other thing is that, in my experience at least, "activity breeds activity". In other words, you feel more like exercising regularly when you exercise regularly. So perhaps Wii Fit could actually be a springboard to more strenuous activity.

By the way, the reason that the folks in your gym were drawn more to the 'virtual cycling' than the new spinning cycles is that the game is novel, something they've never tried before. Of course they want to have a go, who wouldn't?

I don't understand where the virtual avatars come in. What does that have to do with the subject? Your assertion is that 'exergaming' is a (poor) substitute for 'real exercise'. Traditional gaming doesn't really factor into it - nobody's expecting to lose 15lbs playing WoW.

What I find particularly interesting is your idea of connecting personal fitness with personal entertainment. Perhaps your character could be made faster or stronger as a result of the player's own physical exertion. Perhaps a public badge in an online world showing consecutive days of exercise. Given the importance of reputation online, this kind of approach could go a long way to providing that motivation to start getting fit.
]]>CEKTue, 18 Mar 2008 20:04:30 +0000http://www.changeist.com/changeism/2008/3/17/indicators-of-technologys-mainstreaming.html#comments82229:707010:comment/1364463CEKThu, 06 Mar 2008 17:06:44 +0000http://www.changeist.com/changeism/2008/3/4/nike-and-apple-drive-health-media-technology-convergence.html#comments82229:707010:comment/1340350http://www.pocket-lint.co.uk/news/news.phtml/13226/14250/samsung-micoach-adidas-fitness-phone.phtml]]>Rob KatzMon, 14 Jan 2008 14:15:26 +0000http://www.changeist.com/changeism/2008/1/10/race-to-the-bottom-of-the-pyramid.html#comments82229:707010:comment/1224123http://www.nextbillion.net/newsroom/2008/01/14/c-k-prahalad-a-nano-leap-into-the-future]]>Vijay KumarSat, 12 Jan 2008 10:09:50 +0000http://www.changeist.com/changeism/2008/1/7/china-india-and-pragmatic-technology-design.html#comments82229:707010:comment/1221352SPMThu, 10 Jan 2008 21:11:16 +0000http://www.changeist.com/changeism/2008/1/7/china-india-and-pragmatic-technology-design.html#comments82229:707010:comment/1218268
In the case of the OLPC it was the innovative display, the aggressive power saving scheme which works by milli-second suspend and resume, and the relaying wireless network that creates a WAN out of thin air.

In the case of the Nano, it is the use of plastics and fastening with glue, the elimination of constant velocity joints, the minimization of component count (for example by use of a two cylinder engine, single wing mirror etc.), and minimization of weight while still keeping the car spacious to allow reasonable performance while allowing a smaller engine.
]]>Mritiunjoy MohantyTue, 08 Jan 2008 18:16:25 +0000http://www.changeist.com/changeism/2008/1/7/china-india-and-pragmatic-technology-design.html#comments82229:707010:comment/1209697
As I have argued elsewhere the fact that it is the cheapest car ever made does not mean that it is either low quality or a knock-off copy of some high-quality variant. As a senior Robert Bosch executive noted, "Low-price vehicles are not vehicles of inferior quality equipped with the most basic components … [T]hey are inexpensive technical solutions produced using state-of-the-art components ." And low costs have been engineered into the car by designing the car afresh and not by using cheaper slimmed-down versions of existing components and designs. It is a globally envisaged Indian manufacturing response to Indian needs, engineered for Indian conditions and markets. Indeed, in my view, given environmental concerns and urban densities, India’s mobility requirements are perhaps best met by a combination of mass transit systems and small cars like the $2,500 one.

In case anybody is interested the url for my article on the Tata small car is
http://www.rediff.com/money/2008/jan/04tatacar.htm

Mritiunjoy Mohanty
]]>