Category Archives: Culture

A New Breed of Sport: It’s Time for the Rise of the Mind Sport; A Personal Journey into E-Sports

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I have always enjoyed almost any sport but there is one series of sports which has always been woefully underrepresented. I’m talking about mind sports, sports which involve a battle of human intelligence. For every mind sport there have always been hundreds of other physical sports. Don’t get me wrong I love many ‘physical’ sports and they also showcase moments of exceptional human intelligence and creativity. But they aren’t the same as a pure battle of wits, one mind versus another. I believe this is a travesty since the brain is humans must incredible attribute.

The mind sports which do exist tend to be terrible spectator sports. Chess, the obvious candidate, is too slow and not great to watch. Others have similar problems. The revolution in mind sports began with the popularity of TV poker. It has great drama, and bluffs of course. TV poker has been very successful but it can be a bit repetitive. Its other major problem is that no matter how skilled a player is he can still lose through bad luck. This detracts from the idea of a great battle of minds. The initial boom in poker viewing figures has subsided

However there was one mind sport I stumbled upon which has had a bigger impact on me than any other sport. I’m talking about the e-sport Starcraft: Brood War. Starcraft is a real-time computer strategy game usually though not exclusively played between two players. The game is extremely dynamic because each player plays as one of three almost perfectly balanced but very different races. Every player plays one of either the human like Terrans, the insectoid alien and all-consuming Zerg or the psionic alien Protoss. A player will always play as the same race in all his matches as it would be too difficult to master another race.

Despite being produced by American company Blizzard entertainment the game has gained most popularity in South Korea and it is here where the game first became a sport. The game is extremely difficult to play. Most professional players will average over 300 actions per minute (clicking the mouse and pressing the keyboard). And that doesn’t include watching the screen, mini-map and planning strategies.

In my opinion it is by far the greatest mind sport to ever exist. It is the best sport I have ever played or watched. Nothing can match it for drama or tension. It has all the elements which make a great sport. Unlike other mind sports it’s very easy for an audience to follow a match. It has dramatic moments which can completely turn a game. Because of its difficulty it is extremely intense, the game takes phenomenal concentration and skill and a single moment of error can lose a game. No other sport pushes the human brain to such an extent and as in all great sports the very best players can do things no one else can.

I first stumbled upon e-sports in 2008 after playing a few games of Starcraft with a friend. I used to play a lot of poker and that is how I discovered e-sports. A lot of former pro starcraft players like ‘Elki’ Bertrand_Grospellier moved over to poker. Here is the first game I ever watched with English commentary (a rarity back then)

Since then I have been completely hooked. The game never tires thanks to the stream of new maps which come out every season. Despite many hundreds of games I am still terrible at playing the game (max rank D+ on ICCup) but I don’t really care since that just makes winning a game that much more satisfying. The best part of watching Starcraft is when a player invents something truly innovative which know one has seen or done before. I love both playing and watching the game.

I believe e-sports will be huge in the future. To some extent they already are. The recent IPL tournament in April had 3 million unique viewers over 3 days. The sport is now starting to spread much more widely outside South Korea thanks to the release of Starcraft II. At the moment the world is not quite ready to except it. The cultural attitude towards video games is still negative, although this is changing. The majority of the population still do not even play video games let alone watch them.

Probably the greatest challenge that any e-sport faces is that they are subject to changing technology in a way that other sports aren’t. Starcraft: Brood War is an example of this. The game is now over 10 years old and people new to the sport question the graphics of the game. Moreover the next instalment of the game, Starcraft II, has now been released and many viewers and progamers have now switched over to the newer version. That said e-sports are only going to get bigger and I can’t wait. Mind sports are finally here to stay.

http://www.gomtv.net

STARS LAUNCH SAVE THE ARCTIC CAMPAIGN

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Greenpeace to plant a million names on seabed beneath the pole

Stars from the worlds of music, film, TV and business are today launching a campaign to save the Arctic.

Sir Paul McCartney, Penelope Cruz, Robert Redford, One Direction, Alexandra Burke, Jarvis Cocker and Sir Richard Branson are among dozens of famous names who are asking for a global sanctuary in the Arctic. They have joined forces with Greenpeace to demand that oil drilling and unsustainable fishing are banned in Arctic waters.

Others demanding that the uninhabited area around the North Pole is legally protected and made off-limits to polluters include Edward Norton, Woody Harrelson, Jude Law, John Hurt, Rita Ora, Thom Yorke, Tim Roth, Thandie Newton, Bruce Parry, Lawrence Dallaglio, explorer David de Rothschild and Cilla Black. (Full list below.)

They are among the first one hundred names to be written on an Arctic Scroll, which is launched by Greenpeace today at the Rio Earth Summit. When a million others add their own names Greenpeace will embark on an expedition to plant it on the seabed at the North Pole, four kilometres beneath the ice. The spot will be marked by a Flag for the Future designed by the youth of the world.

Anybody in the world can add their name to the Arctic Scroll and have their name planted beneath the pole by visiting www.SaveTheArctic.org

The huge expanse around the pole belongs to all of us because it is defined in international law as the high seas. But as temperatures rise and the ice melts the Arctic states – Russia, Canada, the US, Norway and Denmark – are making territorial claims on the seabed so they can open the door to oil companies. Arctic sea ice has retreated dramatically in recent years and scientists say the North Pole could soon be ice free.

The campaign is formally launched today at the Rio Earth Summit at a press conference (details below) hosted by Greenpeace International executive director Kumi Naidoo, Sir Richard Branson and actress Lucy Lawless, star of Battlestar Galactica and Xena: Warrior Princess. Lucy will be sentenced in September after scaling oil company Shell’s Arctic drilling rig and blocking its operations for 72 hours in New Zealand in February.

Sir Paul McCartney said: “The Arctic is one of the most beautiful and last untouched regions on our planet, but now it’s under threat. Some countries and companies want to open it up to oil drilling and industrial fishing and do to the Arctic what they’ve done to the rest of our fragile planet. It seems madness that we are willing to go to the ends of the Earth to find the last drops of oil when our best scientific minds are telling us we need to get off fossil fuels to give our children a future. At some time, in some place, we need to take a stand. I believe that time is now and that place is the Arctic.”

Greenpeace International executive director Kumi Naidoo said: “The Arctic is coming under assault and needs people from around the world to stand up and demand action to protect it. A ban on offshore oil drilling and unsustainable fishing would be a huge victory against the forces ranged against this precious region and the four million people who live there. And a sanctuary in the uninhabited area around the pole would in a stroke stop the polluters colonising the top of the world without infringing on the rights of Indigenous communities.”

As part of today’s launch, polar bears have been appearing in cities around the world.

Shell is due to begin exploratory drilling at two offshore sites in the Alaskan Arctic in the coming weeks. If Shell is successful this summer, an Arctic oil rush will be sparked and the push to carve up the region will accelerate. Russian oil giant Gazprom is also pushing into the offshore Arctic this year.

In 2007 Russian explorer Artur Chilingarov planted a Russian flag on the seabed beneath the pole and ‘claimed’ it for Moscow. Wikileaks documents later revealed he was acting on the instructions of the Russian Government. Now Greenpeace is planting the names of a million global citizens beneath the pole and marking the spot with a Flag for the Future designed by children in a global competition organised by the ten million-strong Girl Guide movement.

The campaign will initially focus on pushing for a UN resolution demanding a global sanctuary around the pole and a ban on oil drilling and unsustainable fishing in the wider Arctic. The campaign was launched today because the Arctic Circle is defined as the area of the globe which on the longest day – 21 June – experiences 24 hours of sunlight. On 21 June the sun never sets on the Arctic.

Rodion Sulyandziga from the Udega People and First Vice President of RAIPON (Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North) said:

“At present, the Arctic – one of the last unique and intact places on Earth – is facing a real threat from active oil drilling. A large scale oil exploration ‘development’ can irreversibly destroy the virgin purity of the Arctic region, putting at stake the physical existence and survival of Indigenous Peoples who, without their traditional living patterns, without their eternal habitat, will have no future.”

Three Arctic states, the US, Canada and Russia were responsible for sinking an Oceans Rescue Plan in Rio which would protect the vulnerable marine life of the Arctic’s international waters and enable the establishment of a sanctuary in the area around the pole.

Kumi Naidoo added: “We’re drawing a line in the ice and saying to polluters ‘you come no further.’ People ask me why I, as an African, care so deeply about the Arctic, but the answer is simple. The Arctic is the world’s refrigerator, it keeps us cool by reflecting the sun’s energy off its icy surface, but as the ice melts it’s accelerating global warming, threatening lives and livelihoods on every continent. Wherever we come from, the Arctic is our destiny.”

A new short film written and produced by advertising legend Trevor Beattie and released today uses stunning Arctic footage shot by world-renowned ‘Earth from the Air’ photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand. The film is narrated by Golden Globe-winning actor John Hurt and can be viewed at www.savethearctic.org

Jimmy Carr Apologies For Tax Avoidance.

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Jimmy Carr paid £8.5 million in cash for his home. He has pulled out of the ‘tax avoidance scheme’ and has apologised. The comedian admitted he had ‘made a terrible error of judgment’

He also said his accountant told him the scheme was legal. Carr was one of thousands to use an off-shore scheme to pay as little as 1 per cent income tax. His credibility has been severely affected.

Prime Minister David Cameron branded his partaking in the scheme as ‘morally wrong’.

In a statement, the comedian insisted that he was told the scheme was ‘totally legal’. After intense public pressure he admitted he has withdrawn from the scheme.

A Downing Street spokesman said:

‘I think it is obviously welcome,’ a No 10 spokeswoman said.

‘HMRC are working hard to investigate the sort of scheme that Jimmy Carr had been reported to be involved in to ensure that they are not aggressively avoiding tax, and, if they are, they are closed down.’

The spokeswoman defended Mr Cameron’s to speak out against Mr Carr.

‘The Prime Minister was expressing what probably lots of people felt after reading the coverage,’ she said.

The revelations are worse as Carr has publicly mocked tax avoidance schemes.

Apparently Carr puts away £3.3million a year via the K2 tax scheme, which is used by more than 1,000 tax avoiders.

Union Jack Rose Flag | Cool Things.

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When I saw this Union Jack flag made of roses I thought it was pretty cool and unusual. With the Olympics just around the corner, OnlyRoses the UK’s finest rose specialist are flying the flag for Great Britain with their spectacular Infinite Rose Union Jack arrangement. Made from Royal Blue, White and Scarlet Infinite Roses (648 in total) the flag took over seven hours to assemble and will last for a year or more without the need for watering.

Infinite Roses are premium Ecuadorian roses which have been preserved in natural oils to retain the delicate shape and texture of each flower. Available in a wide variety of colours (including the more unusual shades of black and dark green), so every flag from around the world can be recreated using these beautiful, long lasting Roses.

22,680 rose petals have been preserved to create this Union Jack Flag, which weighs 38lbs, measures 180cm x 90 and retails at £6,000

Available for any country, sizes from 120cm x 60cm (£2,775)

Lovebox 2012.

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The 10th anniversary of Lovebox at Victoria Park, East London was a bloody amazing day. I went on Sunday and here are my highlights.

Chic
Nile Rodger’s is responsible for most of the greatest songs since the 1970’s and Chic had all of Victoria Park dancing and singing. At one point thousands of muddy, tipsy Londoners were all singing ‘Like a Virgin’ in unison. A moment I will always remember.

Sam Sparro
Performed with a peacock headpiece and wearing a black suit. He took the blazer off to show a corset. He was an amazing performer. Brilliant songs, great stage performance and during his rendition of his classic ‘Black & Gold’ he jumped into the crowd and rocked out to his own music. Possibly the coolest person EVER.

The Rapture
Brilliant live.They do the Misfits theme tune. You will know their songs even if you don’t know them. Everybody loved them.

Chrystal Fighters
I have never heard of this band before but they ROCKED. Search them out. They are brilliant live. When they came our and started drumming everyone was grooving.

Chaka Khan
Was amazing and had the whole crowd singing ‘I’m Every Women”. She had the most powerful amazing voice and came out singing into a gold diamante microphone. In my short-sightedness I thought it looked like an ice-cream initially.

Lana Del Rey.
I have no idea why Lana Del Rey was on the second stage. She is a stunning and original performer and pretty much everyone made their way to the stage to see her sing. She captivated the entire audience and even came off the stage to shake hands with festival goers. She is just as beautiful and stylish up close. A true superstar who has been unfairly attacked for being wooden and not being able to sing in the past: none of that is true. She has style and substance.

Grace Jones
Was Grace Jones. She gave an amazing, out of this world performance and brought the house down.

My only gripe is that you cannot bring food or drink into LoveBox with you. There is also no re-admission. The food can be quite pricey but there is everything from salads to Ostrich burgers. Lovebox is the full festival experience without the camping.

A lot of people on Twitter said that they were not at Lovebox because they couldn’t afford to. Hopefully next year the economy will pick up and all of London can experience a music festival without leaving the greatest city on earth. Luckily I won tickets at the Sure Maximum/Handpicked Media event.

I found out from this good article how LoveBox got its name.

Armando Iannucci Versus Alastair Campbell: Who Won?

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The Thick Of It creator Armando Iannucci and former Labour spin doctor Alastair Campbell had a Twitter spat after the writer and comedian accepted a OBE.

It was announced that Iannucci would be given an honour on the 16th of June, but Campbell, who is often thought to be the inspiration for The Thick Of It’s Malcolm Tucker let his feelings against the decision be known on Twitter.

Iannucci’s work included The Day Today, I’m Alan Partridge and In The Loop. His latest project is called Veep, set in the offices of a fictional US Vice President, is currently being shown on US TV channel HBO and is set to be broadcast in the UK on Sky Atlantic from June 25.

Who do you think won?

Is Xenophobia Ever Okay?

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On Friday (15/07/2012) I was reading the Evening Standard, I always read the Evening Standard. It’s London’s paper. I also read Sebastian Shakespeare’s column. He seemed smart and witty but what I read on Friday shocked me, not only because of its ignorance but also because of its xenophobia. It was pretty close, if not on the button, of inciting racial (xenophobic, whatever you want to call it) hatred. This is what Sebastian said in his column:

Now we have to cough up to send Scots to Oxford

This may turn out to be the last straw for the Barnett formula. Oxford University is offering up to £22,000 to Scottish students to encourage more applications. Given that Scots pay no fees at Scottish universities, they are unlikely to apply to an English university where fees are £9,000 a year, so the logic goes — hence the need for a subsidy to lure them south.

Excuse me, but why can’t Oxford spend its money subsidising impoverished English students rather than impecunious Scots, who already benefit from a free education? The Scots rely on a huge subsidy from the English taxpayer (the gap in public spending between Scotland and England has risen to a record £1,600 per person a year), which goes toward financing their education system. Now we’re being asked to cough up all over again so they can educate their offspring south of the border. And there was I thinking the whole point of our subsidy was to keep the Scots in Scotland.

I have highlighted the comment ‘keep the Scots in Scotland.’. This is particularly offensive. If you replace the word ‘Scots’ with anything else (Jew, African, etc) you realise just how wrong it is on every level. How the hell did that get past the Evening Standard’s editors?

I am Scottish although I also have English, Lithuanian and Italian blood. I grew up in Scotland and I also paid for my own college education. So did my friends. I didn’t go to University but if I had wanted to I would not have been able to afford to do so.

You have to ask yourself if Scotland really is a socialist paradise why there are so many poor people there who cannot afford to educate themselves out of their situation.

It is also one thing to go to University, but a complete other to go to Oxford.

As for Oxford University: congratulations. What a wonderful and stunning thing to do. I feel they believe in a truly United Kingdom and don’t judge people just because they were born North of the border. Let’s hope other people follow their example.