The Campfire Project

In an age full of cameraphones and constant connectivity, it was only a matter of time before a game like Pokémon Go set the world on fire. The newly released smartphone app has dominated the conversation both online and off, as people of all ages race to finally capture their favourite pokémon out in the real world. Pokémon Go is the perfect example of technology and storytelling coming together to create a truly unique experience. And that’s why it’s our topic this week on The Campfire Project.

Today, on July 4th, 2016, NASA Juno spacecraft will reach it’s final destination - the orbit of Jupiter. From there, it will beam back to Earth new images and details of our solar system’s largest planet, and perhaps reveal more about ourselves. There is more to this mission than just space exploration, however. To commemorate the occasion, Apple has teamed up with NASA to produce music and stories that not only accompany this mission, but are made from it, tying the furthest reaches of space to humanity’s innate desire to create.

On Thursday morning, Britain voted to leave the EU. Everyone knew it would be close, but now that it’s actually happened, there’s nothing but uncertainty and doubt. The Pound has fallen to its lowest level in 3 decades, the Prime Minister has announced his resignation, and there’s a petition calling for a do-over. So this week, on Episode 97 of The Campfire Project, we take a look at one of the biggest political stories of a generation, how the story unfolded, its ramifications.

We’ve talked about Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference a few times in years past. The company is unique in its ability to take two hours of stage time and weave together a story that perfectly encompasses its vision, its products, and our lives. In 2014, the story focused on the company’s new bubbly attitude. Last year, there was concern and confusion as things seemed to be losing some of that signature Apple focus. What was the story this year? That’s what we’re going to talk about today, on Episode 96 of The Campfire Project.

Dozens of apps have spDozens of apps have sprung up to compete in the ongoing war for attention. Some are bigger than others, like Facebook. Some are better than others, like Instagram…that’s owned by Facebook. There is, however, an unmistakable trend: that images are replacing the written word. That is at least in part the reason why Snapchat, the photo-based messaging app has for the first time crossed Twitter, that old social media stalwart, in the number of daily active users. With snaps on the rise and tweets declining, what does this tell us about the stories of the future?

At first, the story seemed pretty straight forward. Hulk Hogan, the famed wrestler, sued gossip site Gawker for violating his privacy by publishing a sex tape in which he was featured. This week, the decision came down. He won, and was awarded $140 million. Case closed, right? Now, a side story has emerged that makes the whole thing much more complicated, involving a tech billionaire, personal vendettas and, depending on your point of view, a testament to personal liberty or an attack on free speech. So this week, on episode 94 of The Campfire Project, we look at how The Gawker Case rests at the intersection of technology and story.

Gaming seems to be on the precipice of a new era. Motion controls, that have for years been the most popular way to play, are being phased out, relegated to the role of gimmick. While virtual reality is a dream so close to being realized thanks to Oculus Rift and its counterparts. All the while, the traditional two-handed controller has stuck around and, on consoles like the Playstation, have let players experience some truly fantastic storytelling using technology not unlike what was available decades ago. So this week, on episode 93 of The Campfire Project, we check in on the state of Play in games, what new stories may change the next five years of the industry.

Some of the best stories I’ve ever told have been over text. The zippiness of the back and forth, punctuated by emoji and LOLs and OMGs gives words an urgency and levity that isn’t normally found in more formal storytelling. And consuming it on a device in your hand, being able to stretch conversations for days and respond on a whim, adds to the spontaneity of it all. When you consider how much we enjoy texting each other, it’s no wonder that someone would bring the idea of storytelling-by-text to its logical conclusion. That happened this week with the launch of Talk Show - a new app that lets you “text in public”.

We’ve talked before on this show about social networks and live video and how those two things together can be a powerful force in anyone’s hands. When companies like Facebook talk live streaming, though, it’s always from a place of perfection, with images of exotic beaches or snow-covered mountain tops lingering in the background. What about when someone uses live video to broadcast something less than good? What about the people filming it, caught in the middle between watching something terrible unfold and the people on the other end commenting and asking questions? Those answers are a little more tricky. So this week on Episode 91 of The Campfire Project, where does responsibility lie when telling live stories?

So long, old friend. After years spent conquering homes and businesses across the world, culminating with one on nearly every desk, the PC, it seems, may finally be on its last legs. The computer industry - which is to say, the makers of good ol’ fashioned desktop machines - is having a tough time, amongst shrinking sales figures and worry that there is no rebound in sight. The culprit? Smartphones of course, and tablets too. When everyone has a computer in their pocket, fewer need one on their desks at home.