Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Jeannie Novak @indiejeannie.com · 1d

Steve Mann is a true pioneer of wearable tech and XR – laying the foundation for AR hardware and even modern VR principles. His concept of “sousveillance” has been put into practice in the form of bodycams and dashcams – along with whistleblowing recordings and journalistic “sting” operations.

KSPACE @kaleidospace.com · 5d

Known as the “father of wearable computing,” @utoronto.ca
Steve Mann pioneered XR #tech by building and wearing homemade computer vision systems. He was honored with an IEEE award for contributions to #wearabletech.

– @spectrum.ieee.org

#technology #techtuesday

Steve Mann’s Visionary Journey From Tinkerer to Tech Innovator

Meet the "father of wearable computing" who turned childhood curiosity into tech that empowers vision and challenges surveillance norms.

spectrum.ieee.org

Jeannie Novak @indiejeannie.com · 2d

John Waters and Pier Paolo Pasolini both prove that true art often requires pushing every boundary. Waters’ deep appreciation for Saló is a reminder that freedom of expression must be defended. I might take a deeper dive into Pasolini's unsolved murder – starting with the Abel Ferrara film 🤔

INDIESPACE @indiespace.com · 5d

Legendary director #JohnWaters praises the shocking final #film from #PierPaoloPasolini – Saló, or the 120 Days of Sodom – as a “beautiful #movie against fascism" and details his pilgrimage to Pasolini’s murder site in Rome.

– @indiewire.com's Ryan Lattanzio #indie #indiefilm #filmmaker #indiemovie

John Waters on ‘Saló,’ a ‘Beautiful Movie Against Fascism,’ and His Pilgrimage to Pasolini’s Murder Site

IndieWire 70s Week: John Waters talks his love of Pier Pasolini's 'Salo,' visiting the director's murder site, and his love of cute cops and pimples.

www.indiewire.com

Jeannie Novak @indiejeannie.com · 2d

Thanks for taking the time to watch and listen 🎵 I'm a sci-fi fan – and I dabble in sci-fi/horror short story writing – so I need to check out your book 📗

Jeannie Novak @indiejeannie.com · 3d

New #musicvideo for #WorldSpaceWeek 🛰️

“Nearest Neighbor” – written from the perspective of a friendly extraterrestrial who’s a big fan of humanity. Their civilization could be closer than you think!

#musicvideo #indie #piano #vocals #singersongwriter #ufo #scifi #earth #space

"Nearest Neighbor" | #MusicVideo #WorldSpaceWeek #Space #Piano #Song

New music video for World Space Week 🛰️ “Nearest Neighbor” – written from the perspective of a friendly extra-terrestrial who's a big fan of humanity. Their civilization could be closer than you think! //For eons, we’ve been watching you Keeping track of all you do Wondering at the view Of our nearest neighbor// (The song is also available on Spotify, YouTube Music, iTunes, Apple Music, Google Play, Amazon Music, and more.) Music & Lyrics © ℗ 2020, 2021 Jeannie Novak Engineered by Sejo Navajas (4th Street Recording Studio, Santa Monica, CA) and JC LaResche (Village Studios, Los Angeles, CA) Mixing by Bobby Vickery & Matt Bishop // NEAREST NEIGHBOR © 2020 Jeannie Novak For eons, we've been watching you Keeping track of all you do Wondering at the view Of our nearest neighbor Your home is a nice shade of blue Unlike our chartreuse hue We find ourselves envying you Our nearest neighbor Someday we might get the nerve To visit and try to serve But we might be misheard Someday we might try to fly Through deep space, across the sky We'd just be stopping by To see our nearest neighbor In the meantime, we'll just wait Until we can communicate It will never be too late To see our nearest neighbor When we zoom in really close We see why we love you most Your sense of humor, silly jokes Even when things seem morose One day, we might be your friend Until then, we'll play pretend We wouldn't want to offend Our nearest neighbor Someday we might get the nerve To visit and try to serve But we might be misheard Someday we might try to fly Through deep space, across the sky We'd just be stopping by To see our nearest neighbor In the meantime, we'll just wait Until we can communicate It will never be too late To see our nearest neighbor To see our nearest neighbor Neighbor Our nearest neighbor

bit.ly

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Jeannie Novak @indiejeannie.com · 5d

This new misstep is a big prob for Microsoft's base; hence the mass exodus (@atmanrising.bsky.social and I included). The decrease in subscribers also threatens exposure for indie titles. The math doesn’t add up – except for MS if it's moving in a new direction without any concern for consequences.

Novy Unlimited @novyunlimited.com · 6d

Microsoft’s price hike of #XboxGamePass Ultimate by 50% triggered strong negative reactions from players – along with cancellations and subscription stacking to lock in the old rate.

– @ign.com's @wyp.bsky.social

#gameindustry #gamenews #xbox #gamepass #game #games #videogame #videogames

Cancellations, Anger, and Frantic Subscription Stacking — the Internet Reacts to Microsoft's Xbox Game Pass Price Hike - IGN

As the dust settled on Microsoft’s shock price rise for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which jumped 50% from $19.99 to $29.99 in the U.S. in what amounts to an extra $120 a year, fans reacted with a mixture...

ign.com

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Jeannie Novak @indiejeannie.com · 5d

Huge support for @lynseyaddario.bsky.social and the National Geographic doc Love+War, which highlights her personal struggle balancing a photojournalism career in war zones with domestic life. @atmanrising.bsky.social and I are looking forward to streaming this next month on “Documentary Saturday.”

That's What She Does (TWSD) @thatswhatshedoes.com · 6d

The National Geographic documentary Love+War chronicles the life of Pulitzer Prize-winning #photojournalist @lynseyaddario.bsky.social – contrasting her work in war zones like Ukraine with being a mother of two in London.

– Addie Morfoot on @variety.com

#photography #photojournalism #photographer

In ‘Love + War,’ Pulitzer Prize-Winning Photographer Lynsey Addario Gets Candid About Risking Her Life, Being a Mom and Not Having It All

In doc "Love + War," Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin look at the career of photographer Lynsey Addario, who risks her life while raising children.

variety.com

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Jeannie Novak @indiejeannie.com · 6d

Nobuo Uematsu is spot on. As a composer myself, I feel that we need to support artistic freedom and vision. I know from first-hand experience that studios can go for safe options at the expense of innovation – leading to "samey"-sounding OSTs. Studios who back their composers can reap the benefits.

GDE Series @gdeseries.com · 9d

Legendary #FinalFantasy composer #NobuoUematsu
says that modern #gamemusic has become “boring” because #game producers bottleneck creativity by demanding that a #composer sticks to safe, cinematic styles.
– @thegamerweb.bsky.social's @quinton.bsky.social
#gameaudio #gameindustry #games #videogame

Final Fantasy's Most Famous Composer Believes Modern Video Game Musicians Are Being Held Back

An interesting perspective from the legendary Nobuo Uematsu.

www.thegamer.com

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Jeannie Novak @indiejeannie.com · 6d

@atmanrising.bsky.social & I have been following @markduplass.bsky.social & @jayduplass.bsky.social since The Puffy Chair, their 2005 debut feature – a mumblecore road film that was nominated for 2 Spirit Awards. (I voted for it!) Bravo to them for empowering trans indie filmmakers with this grant!

INDIESPACE @indiespace.com · 9d

The Transgender Film Center and Duplass Brothers Prods (@markduplass.bsky.social & @jayduplass.bsky.social)
have partnered to launch the Found Footage Feature Fund to finance micro-budget #indiefilms by trans #filmmakers.
– @variety.com

#indiemovies #indie #filmindustry #movieindustry #filmmaker

Transgender Film Center, Duplass Brothers Productions Launch Found Footage Feature Fund for Trans Filmmakers (EXCLUSIVE)

The Transgender Film Center and Mark Duplass announcee a new found footage feature fund, which will provide $25,000 to a micro-budget feature.

variety.com

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Jeannie Novak @indiejeannie.com · 8d

Squirrel lovers: It's World #AnimalDay!

A #squirrel fell from a tree and was rescued by humans who fed & played music for her. She recovered and roamed free – living happily ever after. Based on @atmanrising.bsky.social's poem, "Outerworld" is written from her POV 🐿️

#animals #music #indie #song

Jeannie Novak | "Outerworld" #MusicVideo #WorldAnimalDay #Squirrel #Wildlife #Song

For all you squirrel lovers out there, we’re celebrating World Animal Day 🐿️ Once upon a time, an injured squirrel fell out of a tree. Rescued by her human neighbors, she was fed and serenaded with music and the buzz of Formula 1. After being transported to a Malibu rehab facility, she was able to roam free with other squirrels like her and was eventually nursed back to health – living happily ever after ☀️ “Outerworld” – based on a poem written by @atmanrising – tells the story from the squirrel's point of view. Song recorded on piano and voice for the SHELTER collection 🎹 Music © 2020 Jeannie Novak Lyrics © 2020 Luis Levy Recording ℗ 2021 Jeannie Novak Engineered by Sejo Navajas at 4th Street Recording Studio (Santa Monica, CA) Preliminary mix by Bobby Vickery Acoustic remix by Matt Bishop // OUTERWORLD © 2020 Luis Levy Out of the darkness, into the light Can’t find my way out, can’t think or fight Noises and smells, danger abounds Help me, I’m alone, I’ve lost my home No way to leave this place But there’s food to eat What is this strange, weird sound That makes me sleep I’m shaken yet warm With waves of sound, eerily calm I wait as time runs out, away from waking eyes I’m feeling stronger now, my fear slowly dies You let me out, into the air There are others like me, no longer scared Now I can leave this place I have strength to feed That strange and soothing sound Helped me to sleep I was shaken yet warm With waves of sound, eerily calm There’s sun and wind And others like me I sleep without fear You set me free

bit.ly

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Jeannie Novak @indiejeannie.com · 9d

Not only are @atmanrising.bsky.social and I big fans of Adam Scott, but we loved Damien McCarthy’s Oddity – so we can’t wait to see Hokum! Spooky Pictures’ involvement (Late Night with the Devil production co) also bodes well. And you can’t beat the “remote Irish inn haunted by a witch” premise 👻

Evil Asterisk Podcast @evilasterisk.com · 10d

In Hokum, a #horror novelist travels to a remote Irish inn to scatter his parents’ ashes – only to find that it's haunted by a witch. Starring #AdamScott, the #film looks to be a followup to #DamienMcCarthy’s Oddity – which we reviewed in Ep 4. – @bloody-disgusting.com's @freddyinspace.bsky.social

‘Hokum’ First Look – Adam Scott Stars in NEON Horror Movie from the Director of ‘Oddity’

A horror novelist visits a remote Irish inn to spread his parents’ ashes, unaware the place is rumored to be haunted by a witch. That’s the plot synopsis for the upcoming Hokum, the new horror movie f...

bloody-disgusting.com

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Jeannie Novak @indiejeannie.com · 9d

Jane Goodall is a true hero who proved that women could work outside the lab through immersive field research. Not long ago, @atmanrising.bsky.social and I saw *Jane* – a stunning documentary featuring vintage 16mm footage shot by Hugo van Lawick, who became Jane’s husband. Highly recommended!

That's What She Does (TWSD) @thatswhatshedoes.com · 10d

Mourning the loss of Jane Goodall – known for her field research living among chimpanzees in Africa, including the discovery that chimps use tools, which reshaped our understanding of animal intelligence.

– @arstechnica.com's @jenlucpiquant.bsky.social

#anthropology #janegoodall #science

World-famous primatologist Jane Goodall dead at 91

Goodall’s immersive studies of chimpanzees in Africa redefined what it means to be human.

arstechnica.com

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Jeannie Novak @indiejeannie.com · 10d

Finding an area called “Embracer’s Bluff” with a killer vending machine and an evil AI toilet? That’s quintessential Borderlands humor and a genius way for @gearboxofficial.bsky.social to vent 😆

Novy Unlimited @novyunlimited.com · 11d

Embracer's Bluff was discovered in a @borderlands.2k.com 4 playthrough that could be a subtle jab at @gearboxofficial.bsky.social's former owner, Embracer. It's a ramshackle town with a killer vending machine and an evil AI toilet. – @kotakudotcom.bsky.social's @zackzwiezen.com
#gamedev #gamenews

Borderlands 4 Seems To Include A Jab At Embracer

Embracer's Bluff might be a sly reference to the company's past and the hated video game publisher that tried to own everything

kotaku.com

Jeannie Novak @indiejeannie.com · 10d

Punctum is an incredibly powerful space object that was recently found in a nearby galaxy. It’s totally different from known stars or pulsars – forcing scientists to rethink what’s possible out there. Amazing discovery by Elena Shablovinskaia and her team at the Universidad Diego Portales in Chile.

KSPACE @kaleidospace.com · 11d

A team of astronomers at the Universidad Diego Portales in Chile has discovered a mystery object in a nearby galaxy. "Punctum" is visible only in millimeter radio wavelengths and "doesn’t fit comfortably into any known category."
– @space.com

#science #space #astronomy #astrophysics #scitech

Scientists may have found a powerful new space object: 'It doesn't fit comfortably into any known category'

"When you put it into context, Punctum is astonishingly bright."

www.space.com

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Jeannie Novak @indiejeannie.com · 12d

Season 1 of @evilasterisk.com is a "wrap"!

@atmanrising.bsky.social and I are excited to share our final episode of the season: The Animal Kingdom – a clever father-son tale set in the near future with an eco-thriller dystopian twist 🦎

Evil Asterisk Podcast @evilasterisk.com · 12d

Celebrating #InternationalPodcastDay with the final episode of Season 1:

Episode 12 of EVIL*ASTERISK #podcast – hosted by @indiejeannie.com and @atmanrising.bsky.social – features The Animal Kingdom (2023), Thomas Cailley's coming-of-age #horror adventure 🦎

#indiefilm #indie #horrorfilm

S1 E12: The Animal Kingdom

open.spotify.com

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Jeannie Novak @indiejeannie.com · 15d

Checked out the Beyond the Doors demo and see why it's called “automation horror.” It mixes a repetitive gameplay loop with the unsettling feeling of invading others’ privacy – featuring muffled conversations, crackling lights, creaking floorboards, ominous footsteps, and unnerving liminal spaces.

Evil Asterisk Podcast @evilasterisk.com · 16d

Dream Error's Beyond the Doors is an automation #horrorgame where the player surveils their neighbors. Blending puzzle-like challenges with a pervasive sense of #dread, the #game is coming soon to Steam – but you can play the demo now.

@rockpapershotgun.bsky.social's @edwinet.bsky.social #games

Put your neighbours under surveillance in automation horror game Beyond The Doors

This indie horror game casts you as a lonely greasemonkey working in the basement of a dingy, weed-hung apartment building. Your job is to bug your neighbours.

www.rockpapershotgun.com

Jeannie Novak @indiejeannie.com · 15d

Incredible news for the serious games sector. This trial, which uses custom games to track and improve vision, validates the game industry’s massive potential for medical assessment.

GDE Series @gdeseries.com · 17d

A 5 year-old girl with a rare eye condition called nystagmus is participating in a pioneering clinical trial that uses games developed by @unisouthampton.bsky.social to improve #vision by tracking eye movements and assessing how quickly a child can see. – BBC #game #games #videogames #videogame

'Eyesight video game offers my daughter genuine hope'

Five-year-old Nevaeh has a rare condition that makes her eyes move uncontrollably .

www.bbc.com

Jeannie Novak @indiejeannie.com · 17d

Fascinating case study on corporate politics in game development. The Dead Space team’s bathroom poster campaign perfectly illustrates the tension between creative vision and corporate resource allocation. A brilliant (and somewhat unorthodox) example of guerrilla marketing!

Novy Unlimited @novyunlimited.com · 18d

Glen Schofield told Christopher Dring on @thegamebusiness.com that the Dead Space team resorted to guerrilla marketing tactics to get EA execs' attention by placing posters for the #game in EA's bathrooms and offices.
– @gamesradarplus.bsky.social's @jordangerblick.bsky.social
#gamehistory #games

Dead Space creator says the devs put posters in EA toilets to fight for funding and get exec attention: "Whenever they went to the bathroom, they were seeing Dead Space"

"That's about as indie as you can get inside a giant company, having to fight for your dollars"

www.gamesradar.com

Jeannie Novak @indiejeannie.com · 17d

Tennis pro Jessica Pegula is also a business owner – co-founding a non-profit w/her husband. @atmanrising.bsky.social & I launched @novyunlimited.com almost 15 yrs ago, so I know a bit about running a biz w/a life partner! Jessica's org A Lending Paw supports service dogs & allows her to give back.

That's What She Does (TWSD) @thatswhatshedoes.com · 18d

Pro #tennis player #JessicaPegula has developed a mental game to stay focused while competing in front of large crowds. Off the court, she co-founded non-profit service dog org #ALendingPaw with her husband.

– Women's Health's Amanda Lucci

#womeninsports #womeninbusiness #mentalhealth #selfcare

Tennis Star Jessica Pegula’s Relatable Pre-Match Routine Actually Isn’t A Routine At All

Adaptability is key before a major match, she tells WH.

www.womenshealthmag.com

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Jeannie Novak @indiejeannie.com · 18d

The “ignorosphere” – made up of the mesosphere & a section of the thermosphere – is difficult to study & thus largely “ignored.” It’s too high for conventional aircraft to fly & too low for satellites to orbit. But now, scientists are poised to explore it with tiny, sunlight-powered devices.

KSPACE @kaleidospace.com · 19d

Scientists have successfully tested tiny, sunlight-propelled devices that could one day be used to explore a mysterious and largely unstudied region of Earth’s upper atmosphere.

– @space.com's @terezapultarova.bsky.social

#techtuesday #technology #science #tech #space #innovation #astronomy

Tiny devices propelled by sunlight could explore a mysterious region of Earth's atmosphere

"Being able to send something out there would enable us to take a lot more precise data than we currently can."

www.space.com

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Jeannie Novak @indiejeannie.com · 18d

#RobertRedford’s influence cannot be overstated. With his involvement, #Sundance became a launchpad for a generation of filmmakers and a home for some of cinema’s most important, unconventional stories. He made #indiefilm what it is today.

INDIESPACE @indiespace.com · 19d

A respected actor and director in his own right, #RobertRedford's most lasting legacy could be the @sundance.org – and #Sundance Film Festival, which went from a small local gathering to one of the world’s most prestigious #indie film festivals.

– @salon.com's @colemanjspilde.bsky.social #indiefilm

Robert Redford’s lasting mark on indie film

For all of his accomplishments, it's Redford's work with the Sundance Institute that changed Hollywood forever.

www.salon.com

Jeannie Novak @indiejeannie.com · 22d

Celebrate #SelfCare Awareness Month & National #DanceDay with a happy #dance 💃

“Number One” – original #song recorded live on #piano & #voice for SHELTER (a @novyunlimited.com release) 🎹

Here's a link to the "chill mix" version on YT; check out the YT Short on my channel for the uptempo version!

Jeannie Novak | "Number One" [Chill Mix] #MusicVideo #DanceDay #SelfCare #Jazz #Piano

Celebrate Self-Care Awareness Month and National Dance Day with a happy dance 💃 “Number One” – original song recorded live on piano and voice for the SHELTER collection 🎹 // Number one Friends forever, we’re never done Don’t worry ’bout anyone Just me, my number one // Music & Lyrics © ℗ 2020, 2021 Jeannie Novak Engineered by Sejo Navajas at 4th Street Recording Studio (Santa Monica, CA) Preliminary mix by Bobby Vickery Acoustic remix by Matt Bishop // NUMBER ONE © 2020 Jeannie Novak Doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo Doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo I’ve got a secret, I can’t complain It’s hiding up in my brainy brain Don’t like to bother meeting someone new I’ve got my number, and it’s not two Number one It’s easy to have all the fun No sharing with anyone, oh oh Number one Friends forever, we’re never done Don’t worry ‘bout anyone Just me, my number one Doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo Doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo I’ve got a riddle, I can’t explain It’s hiding up in my brainy brain Why should I bother getting closer to you I’ve got my number, and it’s not two Number one It’s easy to have all the fun No sharing with anyone, oh oh Number one Friends forever, we’re never done Don’t worry ‘bout anyone Just me, myself, and I are second to none

bit.ly

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Jeannie Novak @indiejeannie.com · 23d

@atmanrising.bsky.social and I are fans of @ponysmasher.social – so we were thrilled to learn that he’ll be directing the new Amityville Horror movie. Also glad to know that the film will be breathing new life into the franchise rather than being a traditional remake.

Evil Asterisk Podcast @evilasterisk.com · 24d

A reimagining of the original 1979 classic #AmityvilleHorror is being helmed by @ponysmasher.social (Annabelle: Creation, Lights Out), with a script penned by Ian Goldberg & Richard Naing (Conjuring: Last Rites, Nun II, Autopsy of Jane Doe).
– @thr.com #horror #film #horrormovie #movie #horrorfilm

David F. Sandberg to Direct New ‘Amityville Horror’ Movie for Amazon MGM Studios

Ian Goldberg and Richard Naing ('The Conjuring: Last Rites') wrote the script for the reimagining of the original film.

www.hollywoodreporter.com

Jeannie Novak @indiejeannie.com · 23d

This made me think about indie distributors such as Filmhub & Indie Rights, which work with VOD streaming partners. If you've used distributors to bypass a theatrical release & get your films on streaming services, how did it go? And I’ve got to try out the free version of DaVinci Resolve!

INDIESPACE @indiespace.com · 24d

Digital tools are revolutionizing #indie filmmaking by making professional-quality 4K cameras and software more affordable. #Filmmakers can also produce, market, and distribute their work more effectively with crowdfunding and streaming services.

– @timamolloy.bsky.social

#indiefilm #filmmaking

Cinematic Shift: How Digital Tools Are Transforming Independent Filmmaking - MovieMaker Magazine

In today’s ever-evolving film industry, digital platforms are revolutionizing the way independent creators finance, produce, and distribute their work.

www.moviemaker.com

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Jeannie Novak @indiejeannie.com · 24d

A worker-owned, ad-free site like @roguesite.bsky.social is a breath of fresh air for game journalism. This model provides a trusted platform where games can be judged on their own merits.

Novy Unlimited @novyunlimited.com · 25d

In the wake of layoffs, a group of former Polygon staffers launched @roguesite.bsky.social – a #game site that sidesteps ads & corp ownership by being worker-owned & relying on a subscription model.

– @gamedeveloper.bsky.social's @kerrblimey.bsky.social

#games #journalism #gamenews #videogames

Former Polygon staffers launch new game website Rogue

The new publication will leverage a subscription model to avoid the "ethical concerns" that come with sponsorship and advertising.

www.gamedeveloper.com

Jeannie Novak @indiejeannie.com · 24d

As a content creator myself, I feel that authenticity is crucial. It doesn’t matter if the edits are large or small; it’s the principle that concerns me – not to mention the possibility of a slippery slope.

KSPACE @kaleidospace.com · 26d

YouTube has allegedly been using #AI to edit creators' videos without permission. While YT claims they're simple clarity enhancements, some are concerned that they look inauthentic and could erode viewer trust.
– BBC's @thomasgermain.bsky.social

#tech #technews #technology #artificialintelligence

YouTube secretly used AI to edit people's videos. The results could bend reality

YouTube made AI enhancements to videos without telling users or asking permission. As AI quietly mediates our world, what happens to our shared connections with real life?

www.bbc.com