Japanized

On a publishing note, the intro by the author and one of his comments in response to a reader both say a lot. The latter, in particular, echoes precisely why I'm getting out of journalism after all these years:

"It is pretty damn hard to find time and space for an article like this in a world where journalists are expected to spend most of their time gathering quotes... there are people out there who will be counting the hits and the comments, and to someone with that world view, an article like this is difficult to justify ahead of another piece on big four football."

via guardian.co.uk

Surely some mistake? Togo get banned from the next two Cup of Nations tournaments (a big deal in Africa) after their team bus was riddled with machine gun fire in Angola and two of their party killed. Oh, and a $50,000 fine too.

One can hardly blame them for never playing again. Perhaps they'll take up a civilized sport like cricket...

I dunno for sure, but it's a pretty unique experience trying to control an onscreen runner's thighs and calves through four separate key presses. Slightly trippy too...

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- Sony Corporation and the PGA TOUR announced Thursday a partnership to explore new entertainment experiences for golf in 3D. Together, Sony and the TOUR will work to develop a plan to make the 2011 Sony Open in Hawaii the first TOUR event shot in 3D and available for distribution in 3D to select audiences, in addition to its regular 2D presentation.

Development work will begin at the 2010 Sony Open, at which Sony will shoot portions of the event in 3D as a first step in the joint study, and continue through the 2010 season. The organizations will also explore development of 3D golf for other potential applications.

"From the lens to the living room, Sony is driving the transition to 3D," said Sir Howard Stringer, Chairman, CEO and President of Sony Corporation. "Just as video of sports and nature were key to the adoption of high definition television, we expect the same to be true for 3D. The sport of golf and the natural beauty of Hawaii are an ideal combination to showcase the distinct advantages of 3D and bring the full, 3D experience to life for consumers."

First it was the soccer, now it's that nice walk ruined by hitting a little ball getting the 3D treatment.

Ding Junhui is pretty well known in the UK and, we're told, a star in China. He'll have some new fans among the homeless of Sheffield now, it seems...

Dunno about you, but I've seen plenty of 3D TV and video at various trade shows (and, of course, movies in the cinema) and can well do without it.

For example, Pixar's Up finally starts here in Japan today and I had planned to take my son to see it for his first cinema trip, but it's only available round these parts in 3D, which is really not suitable for a two-year-old (the glasses, you see). Too bad...