I gave up TV a few years ago for the greener pastures of the Internet, so far its been a life changing experience. I’m no longer running home to watch my favorite shows or channel surfing to fall asleep. By giving-up the idea of ‘current’ in my normal diet of procedural dramas and late night punditry, the internet is a bottomless well of on-demand content. But, once and awhile I get to sit in front of a real TV signal, live people and all. Of the few times that’s happened, I realized how obvious it was that you’re really watching commercials with story interruptions. I also noticed major trends in thematic programming (vampires, sci-fi, 80s TV) and commercials, but one thing stood out in particular.

Maybe by chance, but I had watched a group of unrelated commercials all using one prop in particular – the robotic arm. From cell phones, credit cards and bicycles to TVs, cars and deodorant. The robotic appendage had replaced the hand model and the SAG actor all together. Of all the products depending on such robotic presentation, only the automobile seemed the appropriate salesman. Robots have been a fascination on TV since the first black and white programs, but just the robotic armature is something new. What could a robotic arm possibly communicate better then a doe-eyed model? When did we decide that an animated robotic arm was an appropriate prop for soap?

Could this be a trend spawned by male techno-lust and Bjork? Or could this be a sign of things to come. In an increasingly technical world, have consumers outgrown the need for human representation in exchange for robotic mannequins? Ironically, I hope we don’t forget that our appetite for such electronics are not assembled by mechanical hands, but Chinese ones.

Below are a few videos as evidence of our fascination with the robotic arm. Special note goes out to the Chevy Malibu for replacing human parents with the efficient metal variety. I’ve also included a commercial using robotic legs, for shoes obviously, and at the bottom is a reminder of how car commercials use to be made.

When you have some free time, most people will watch TV or clean the sock drawer. Others build highly sophisticated video game mods of Deloreans that travel time.

We’re big fans of this game, but after watching this, I guess we’re just casual.

Taking the camera out for another test run, ASWS pulls together a slow life intro for the Rediscover Makiki / Sunset in the Park event. There’s an unofficial edit around here somewhere.

Been exploring some new techniques, as well as some new firmware. The results are encouraging us to explore a bit further.

The Japan Space Agency (JAXA) has sent a satellite to orbit the moon and capture it in high definition. Unfortunately, this tourist isn’t coming home. It will lose orbit and crash on the moon, actually, I think it has already. (I will jam some Pink floyd in your honor). More moon pr0n here.

Forever is a videowall installation created by Universal Everything currently at the Victoria & Albert Museum. Forever also has an accompanying online component that generates an endless series of video podcasts. On display until February 1st, 2009 at which point the installation will tour additional venues worldwide.

Stones Throw single-handedly redeems my distaste for 405 traffic, smog, fake people, and numerous other Los Angeles shortcomings. How can you disagree with this track list and a hand drawn LP jacket? Correct answer: you can not. Hot Dam!

Apparently Vincent Laforet just finished a stint in country shooting Jamie O’Brien. You may have noticed the remote control helicopter hovering over the line-up at Pipe last week, well, that was them. The neat part is that Vincent has outlined his gear and posted a few “behind the scenes” videos on his blog containing footage shot with the RED One and the Canon 5D MKII.

Laforet shot the original drool-inducing promo video for the Mark II. The short gave us photo nerds an exchangeable boner the first time we saw it, and had us scrambling towards the pre-order list. Needless to say, Vincent’s had some time to experiment with the camera and figure out how to maximize its capabilities. We’re going to heed his advice and order our ND filters tomorrow.