Derek Wong Blog: fresh & hand-picked Internet

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter This will either go down as Tim...

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:02:24 -0800

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

This will either go down as Tim Burton’s most unique cinematic creations, or a milestone moment in just how uninspired and desperate America’s screenwriters are at this point in time.

Taking Da Vinci’s...

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 08:52:22 -0800

Taking Da Vinci’s finest into the 21st Century.

Pokemon meets Street Fighter?!? Too cool for words. Wish this...

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:15:10 -0800

Pokemon meets Street Fighter?!? Too cool for words. Wish this came out 10 years ago when there was only 150 of them little critters.

IBM’s Social Media team put out this insightful,...

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 17:10:29 -0800

IBM’s Social Media team put out this insightful, beautifully-directed 3-minute documentary that explains just how important it is for businesses to adapt to the changing face of technology.

People trust each other, not just advertising messages!

Definitely worth a peek.

Amazing videography and music selection! Definitely take a look...

Sun, 01 Jan 2012 22:40:00 -0800

Amazing videography and music selection! Definitely take a look at this 45-second video, “La Vida de un Hombre en 45 Segundos” (the Life of a Man in 45 Seconds).

Chemistry is so cool. Check out what happens when you...

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 18:17:02 -0800

Chemistry is so cool. Check out what happens when you burn mercury thiocyanide!

Hollywood needs to make some B-movie horror/alien movie about this crazy substance. Wish we did more burning and less titration back in Chem AP!

Song: Why this Kolaveri Di? Credit: Thanks to my roommate Vinay...

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 13:08:00 -0800

Song: Why this Kolaveri Di?

Credit: Thanks to my roommate Vinay Somashekar who introduced and explained the significance of this song!

It’s been 2 weeks since this song was released on November 16, 2011 and there have been a staggering 11 Million Views on Youtube. It’s been the top trending topic worldwide on Twitter for 3 straight days.

In Tamil, Kolaveri Di translates to “Murderous Rage.” In context of the song it refers to the anguish that arises from unrequited love. Kolaveri Di is a treasure hidden in the midst of the uninspired and mundane “songs” that litter our radio stations. Instead of talking about “poppin’ bottles” and reckless binge drinking at clubs, Kolaveri poetically paints the sentiment of rejection and romantic failure.

“Kiss my ass and my anus, I’m finally famous” - Nicki Minaj

(Above) Not so poetic, Ms. Minaj. I’m sure your High School Literature Teacher is endlessly proud that you finally grasp the concept of slant rhyme.

From the opening rhythms of the Indian drum to the final trills of a jazzy trumpet, this song represents both a milestone in Southeast-Asian music, and a pinnacle in the marriage of musical elements.

Though Jay Sean’s “Down” and “Ride It” may have found international success (especially in the UK), its lyrics and focus were entirely foreign. In these best-selling hits, Sikh-born Jay Sean departs from traditional Indian musical elements and instead relies on the appeal of mainstream instrumentation.

In contrast, Kolaveri Di retains its traditional cultural roots through its in-language lyrics. Yes, there are fragments of English sparsed throughout the work, but they’re sung and pronounced in a proudly accented inflection.

Whether or not Kolaveri surpasses Rebecca Black’s Friday or not, it’s a song that is testament to the fact that good music knows no languages.

Enjoy.

I like to say “Go Bold or Go Home.” Jeopardy...

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 15:39:37 -0800

I like to say “Go Bold or Go Home.” Jeopardy Contestant Roger Craig does exactly this. Two times.

Meet 12-year old Blue Jay, the most talented music prodigy since...

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 01:14:19 -0800

Meet 12-year old Blue Jay, the most talented music prodigy since Amadeus Mozart. He graduated Julliard music school and composed 5 symphonies while most kids his age are collecting Pokemon Cards.

Justin Bieber, you officially suck compared to this genius.

First, there was Planking. Then there was Owling. We thought...

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 01:40:27 -0700

First, there was Planking. Then there was Owling. We thought Coning would be the end of it, but the Viral World is ready to meet FALLING.

It’s as simple (and stupid) as it sounds: falling in public.

Take a peek.

No NBA season still, but at least Derrick Rose is staying in...

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 15:26:25 -0700

No NBA season still, but at least Derrick Rose is staying in game-shape with this sweet new commercial for his shoe, the adiZero Rose 2.

Perfect Arrangement of John Cage’s masterpiece...

Sun, 16 Oct 2011 14:09:01 -0700

Perfect Arrangement of John Cage’s masterpiece 4’33”, one of the greatest inventions in orchestral music.

(It’s actually 4 minutes and 33 seconds of absolute silence, followed by thunderous applause, check it out!)

Meet the Throwable Panoramic Camera. I can think of a million...

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 13:31:42 -0700

Meet the Throwable Panoramic Camera.

I can think of a million and a half awesome ways to use this invention, from military recon to capturing the beauty of one’s landscape.

Innovation is something truly beautiful.

5,755 Apples a Day* could not keep the Doctor away. Rest in...

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 13:32:24 -0700

5,755 Apples a Day* could not keep the Doctor away. Rest in Peace, Mr. Steve Jobs.

*800,000 iMacs were sold in first 139 days since release

This past year American Advertising Federation @ UCI was...

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 09:46:59 -0700

This past year American Advertising Federation @ UCI was challenged with coming up with a marketing campaign for JC Penney, the 2011 Sponsor.

We poured creativity, hardwork, and hours upon hours to create a modern and conservative ad campaign.

This definitely wasn’t what we expected from JC Penney and their “Golden Rule” conservative standards.

I’ve been around the Internet since it was born. I watched...

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 14:54:09 -0700

I’ve been around the Internet since it was born. I watched Yahoo die at the hands of Google, Encarta turn to Wikipedia, MySpace booted out by Facebook, and even 4chan transform into Reddit.

I thought I knew what made a video “viral.”

This video has over 200 million views, but swearing by the Laws of the Interweb I do not understand how.

Meet BMW’s most impressive car yet, the BMW i8. Looks...

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 21:55:34 -0700

Meet BMW’s most impressive car yet, the BMW i8.

Looks like Will Smith’s car from I, Robot met Tom Cruise’s ride from Minority Report and had this amazing creation.

First Smartphones, now it’s Tablets. This new Ebay...

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 16:34:50 -0700

First Smartphones, now it’s Tablets. This new Ebay commercial speaks to the ridiculous Tablet Craze going on.

“People Person: Meet the Prius Family” I was really...

Sun, 18 Sep 2011 17:33:01 -0700

“People Person: Meet the Prius Family”

I was really fortunate this summer to be part of the Saatchi & Saatchi Account Management Team that produced this advertisement. Not going to lie, it’s pretty creepy but you definitely remember it.

NBA 2K12. The game of true champions. I’ve seen people bet...

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 13:33:10 -0700

NBA 2K12. The game of true champions. I’ve seen people bet next month’s rent over a game of NBA 2K. Loving this new commercial and integrated campaign featuring Michael Jordan, the Greatest of All Time. Pretty nice spokesperson.