Using VR for social good, my Choices Are Voices EP launches, AI firewalls
Plus, the dangers of clutter, building an ancient automaton, the origin of life, and the many times Star Trek Voyager lost a shuttle.
I’m David Gewirtz. Welcome to this week’s Advanced Geekery newsletter. It’s been an exciting week. Let’s dive in.
My articles
Let’s kick it off with a quick recap of the articles I published in the last week on ZDNET.
Agog co-founders make a big bet on the social benefits of AR, VR, and XR: Agog believes in the transformative power of XR to change perspectives and build a better world. Join the nonprofit on its journey to explore the potential of immersive media for social good.
How AI firewalls will secure your new business applications: IT has always been an arms race. AI just brings a new class of arms to deploy and defend. How soon before AI-powered protection is ready for deployment?
Capping off what's turning into a great day, ZDNET posted this on LinkedIn. I love working with ZDNET.
Choices Are Voices EP is now available!
My next EP, Choices Are Voices, has launched on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and all the other streaming services (links below)!
Here’s the official description:
"Choices Are Voices," the eagerly anticipated second EP from David Gewirtz, delves deeper into the unique sonic landscape he pioneered with "House of the Head." This new project carries the same spirit of genre fusion, blending electronica, worldbeat, jazz, and orchestral music, but ventures into darker and edgier themes.
The EP is a masterful exploration of choice and consequence, expressed through a rich tapestry of sound that includes the sophisticated jazzy tones and orchestral power of its predecessor, enhanced with a more intense emotional depth. Utilizing a diverse array of instruments—from rain sticks and flutes to synthesizers and a Steinway Grand Piano—the music crafts an immersive experience that reflects on the complex interplay of decisions and their echoes in our lives.
"Choices Are Voices" is not just an auditory experience but a journey through the nuanced realms of human emotion, set against a backdrop of intricate melodies and compelling rhythms that challenge and engage listeners in equal measure. David Gewirtz's latest work is a testament to his continued innovation and creativity, promising an unforgettable addition to the musical landscape. No AI was used in the creation or mixing of this music.
Also available on approximately 150 other music sources including Tencent Music, YouTube, Napster, Shazam, Peloton, and more. Visit my music web site at HouseOfTheHead.com.
Must-watch YouTube
Moving on, let’s queue up some interesting YouTube videos for your entertainment and edification.
I often thought about this when watching Star Trek Voyager. But these folks decided to actually try and count: the 11-ish Times Voyager Lost A Shuttle
This guy decided to try reconstructing an ancient automaton using only hand tools. It’s pretty amazing. Here’s his video.
For our musical selection of the week, this artist has mashed up themes from the Ghostbusters and Back to the Future. Amazingly, it works.
Interesting reads
And now, some good stuff from around the Internet, well worth reading.
There’s a lake in British Columbia that could help explain the origins of life on Earth.
It turns out all of that clutter will make you crazy. It’s been proven by science.
Reader projects
I’d like to regularly spotlight a reader project or two here. Your project doesn’t have to be a big Kickstarter launch. If you’ve built something cool, it has some pretty pictures, and you’re proud of it, I might be able to share it here.
If you have a photogenic reader project, send an email to me at david@zatz.com with the subject “READER PROJECT,” a few pictures, and a short one-paragraph description. If you have a social media link or a link to the project, include that, too.
More clicky
I’ve got a lot happening all over the web. Here are links to my various stuff:
House of the Head: home for my published music
ZATZ Labs: where I host my published software projects
Feel free to dig around, visit, and say hey!
Leave some comments
Substack supports comments, so feel free to leave some. I promise to read them. Just, please, let’s keep our personal politics out of any discussion.
That should do it for this week. This newsletter is really starting to pick up subscribers. Please help it out by sharing links on all your socials.
Have a great week!