#human computing

[brhenn]

BuzzFeed's plan to take over the world...

Are people in [insert country here] really interested in [insert BuzzFeed title here]?

BuzzFeed's appeal has been silo-ed to English speakers since it's launch. Currently, the site sees 85M visits per month. If the content resonates with different cultures, BuzzFeed has a potential for massive growth. By distributing content primarily through audience activation, acquisition of users is effectively targeted and cheap. Content is the major cost for BuzzFeed and would present a challenge to scale to international markets. 

This is where human computing and an innovative partnership with DuoLingo is filling in.

DuoLingo is a free smartphone application to teach users a new language from basic vocabulary to fluency, for free. 34 hours invested with the application is providing equivalent skills when compared to an entry level college language course. With the help of the DuoLingo user base (10 million users), BuzzFeed will crowd-source the translation of English language content for other markets at a fraction of the cost.

Early tests suggest that this human element brings the cultural nuances of conversation (or BuzzFeed posts) to the translated version. BuzzFeed will pay DuoLingo for the service - while subsidizing the free learning of new languages for DuoLingo users.

Partnerships like this will help keep applications like DuoLingo free for users.

Social distribution of BuzzFeed content will streamline a test and learn strategy to quickly improve the experience for new audiences.

Everyone wins (maybe everyone doesn't need "24 cats that look like dogs"?). BuzzFeed scales internationally for a fraction of the cost. DuoLingo monetizes it's user base while improving it's ability to teach coloqialisms. And users of DuoLingo/Buzzfeed benefit from the advancement of the spplication and the global perspective BuzzFeed will develop.

(learned about this from http://on.wsj.com/19Ik7E3 WSJ's 'High Definition' blog, written by Farhad Manjoo)

[carolaponce]

Graffiti for a cause

I am fortunate to own a letterpress poster of TEMPT1′s signature graffiti tags by artist and close friend Arianna Orland.

 One of the most respectful and admirable art+technology projects I’ve come across in years.  “The Free Art and Technology Lab developed EyeWriter system an open source software project that allows artist TEMPT1 (who suffers from Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) to make art again by using his eyes for the first time in seven years.”

“An initial milestone in the project was to see TEMPT1 write his name again. Through Kickstarter a group of engineers, a artists and developers are helping push a second milestone, which is TEMPT1′s return to being able to make a living as an artist.  As a part of this initiative he is releasing new archival digital prints, an original type face drawn using the EyeWriter, a screen saver, T-shirts, letter press prints, a special xerox zine about his work and message, and large format robotically drawn eye tags.” 

 Arianna participated in this effort by printing limited edition letterpress prints of original designs by TEMPT1.  Beautiful work Arianna!