Interview: Ernie Cline

Interview: Ernie Cline

Apr 05

Originally published March 11, 2003

ernieIn Internet terms, if you can create one thing that people email around to one another, you’re a star. If you can follow up with a sophomore effort, that gets even more attention, you’re a superstar. Ernie Cline is now working on his third meme, as people slowly begin to start describing something extra cool as being “Airwolf,” making him, well, at least a superstar. What comes after “superstar” hasn’t been worked out yet.

I'm down with UMPC…yeah, you know me…

I'm down with UMPC…yeah, you know me…

Apr 05

I would totally buy one of these.

The dream/nightmare of device convergence is racing at us at an alarming rate, although content providers seem content to pretend that the evil pirates will someday hop back onto their ships and the rest of the world will return to calmly planting themselves in front of a couch to watch television, placing a plastic disc into any of a variety of trays when the time comes to enjoy recorded media.

Like the video iPod, which I lusted for and then got and now lust for even as I stare at it on my desk, the Ultra-Mobile Personal Computer has enormous potential to change the way things ARE. This tiny thing is basically a low-end laptop, but the size of a hardcover book.

I fantasize about sticking it in my bag, taking it to Starbucks and sitting there writing on it while the world passes me by. Sure, I guess I can do that with a laptop, but…but…this is a UMPC! See?!

Of course, the price is WAY too high, so this revolution may stutter before it can start. Imagine this device costing less than $500, though–a small portable device that is media player, personal computer, information organizer, datebook/planner/address book, and even phone (via VOIP) all in one.

I’m woozy.

Clerks 2 full of culture

Clerks 2 full of culture

Apr 05

As Kevin Smith releases more and more sneak-peak material for Clerks 2, I’ve been getting more and more antsy – I want to see it now! But in the meantime, I can share fun facts with you, which you can then use to show your snobby movie friends that you’re all cultured ‘n shit.

In a number of places in various trailers and on-set stills, you can catch glimpses of posters on the walls of the film’s main set, Mooby burger, each one a masterpiece fusion of fast-food and religious iconography. Here’s the thing, they’re real art. Actually, they’re photoshopped copies of real art. But still, at heart, it’s real art.

BC artist Chris Woods has done a series of paintings and installations that take a look at consumer culture – anyone who’s ever read an issue of Ad-Busters is likely familiar with his work. One of his earliest series, McTopia, mixes the fantastic with the super-sized mundane – it’s this series that got used by the Clerks production designers.

Bonus fun fact – Woods did the cover to 2003’s Everything to Everyone, by the Barenaked Ladies.

In Georgia…

In Georgia…

Apr 05

…apparently heads go up asses.

Gordon Lee Case Dismissed, Back to Square One

Apparently one of the fundamental FACTS in the original case was WRONG. As in, instead of handing the “dirty comic book” to a nine-year-old accidentally, the guy handed the “dirty comic book” to a six-year-old AND his nine-year-old brother.

Leaving aside that the comic in question contains one instance of nudity (Picasso painting in the nude), NO sex whatsoever, and that the dude apologized to the kid and his family…WHAT THE FUCK ARE THESE ATTORNEYS DOING?!

I watch Law & Order a lot. I could do a better job than these losers. Not that I’d want to, because the case is bullshit, but still.

And so…

And so…

Apr 05

we’re off.

Alert Nerd begins.

To celebrate, here’s the most fucked up thing I’ve ever seen.

Hooked on a Feeling