Literature’s most mind-blowing drugs: http://bit.ly/bGfOeG # Classic literature that should be made into games, according to Wired: http://bit.ly/cjGSII # “The endowment effect is rooted in something deeper: that the object has significance.” http://bit.ly/daCRKr # Interesting objects that have been found … Continue reading
Later today we’ll publish the 50th and final story of Significant Objects, Volume 2 (SO v2), proceeds from which will be donated to 826 National. What comes after Volume 2? Well, you can probably guess, but more on that next … Continue reading
As I type this, we’re just two stories away from the end of Volume 2 of Significant Objects. As you know, this collection of 50 stories and auctions raises money for 826 National. How are we doing? SO v2 has … Continue reading
History of science fiction fandom: Useful MeFi links. http://bit.ly/cylDXh # Next week we team up with Underwater New York, some amazing found objects, stories be a great writer team. Details: http://bit.ly/b7Dohs # The Reanimation Library in Brooklyn: “a collection of … Continue reading
Next week, we close out Significant Objects Volume 2, our cycle of 50 stories and auctions, with proceeds going to 826 National. And to go out with a bang, we have an extraordinary team-up to announce: We’ve joined forces with … Continue reading
Our experiment has answered the question of whether narrative adds measurable value to near-worthless tchotchkes with an emphatic YES. But how does narrative do so? Is every form of narrative exposition, for example, equally effective in encouraging the reader to … Continue reading
Nice note from the folks at 826 Michigan, with special shout-out to Nicholas Rombes (@NicholasRombes). http://bit.ly/bGInJV # Nice note from cyberscribbles, “It’s good reading, too.” Love hear that. http://bit.ly/aY0yHR # The Mystery Object sold for $103.50. Significant! Object revealed here: … Continue reading
If you happen to have one you’re not using, please consider donating it to Significant Objects. *** This is the second in an irregular series of posts aimed at raising awareness, among the Significant Objects readership, of the project curators’ … Continue reading
Here’s yet another twist on adding an invented narrative to a seemingly low-value thingamabob: Designer Matt Brown bought a pack of 15 plastic horses for a couple of bucks. Then he dreamed up a name for each one, then packaging, … Continue reading
Congratulations to Paula Newman, for scoring The Mystery Object with Story By Ben Greenman, with a $103.50 bid! The auction’s final 30 seconds were pretty exciting. So what is it? The answer below the fold, as they say. The wily … Continue reading
[Tomorrow the auction for Mystery Object with story by Ben Greenman will conclude. When it’s over, we’ll reveal the object (first to the winning bidder, then to everybody else). Meanwhile, here is my case (borrowed from Murketing.com) for this as … Continue reading
Over at Hilobrow.com, a critical-culture website that I coedit with Matthew Battles, we’ve just invited our readers to enter a science-fiction short-short story contest. We’d be delighted to have Significant Objects readers enter, as well. Check it out. CONTEST DEADLINE: … Continue reading
There’s no doubt about it. A significant-objects meme has emerged in US culture, recently. I’m not just talking about Orhan Pamuk’s museum. Over at Fast Company, William Bostwick writes: “Maybe it’s the recession (it’s always the recession), but we seem … Continue reading
Some weeks back we launched the Significant Objects Group on Fictionaut.com, as yet another way to bring new and unexpected voices into the project. We invited Fictionaut members to create Significance for the object at left — a music box. … Continue reading
Selected highlights from twitter.com/SignificObs: Fast Company/William Bostwick: “Our Objects, Ourselves.” bit.ly/5tux4l # Object that sells itself: http://bit.ly/4GgAnC # Nice writeup on Apartment Therapy by Tammy Everts– Thanks! http://bit.ly/8E4WtY # Can creative writing programs be ranked? http://bit.ly/6nzh0v # “The fingers of … Continue reading
Readers, if you have this remarkable toy in your possession — with or without the original packaging — please consider donating it to Significant Objects. We’ve got a spot reserved for it on our knick-knack shelf already. *** This is … Continue reading
With the close of yesterday’s auction, we’ve now passed $1,000 on the amount raised on behalf of 826 National. (By the way, we’ve added a snazzy “running total” box to the top of the right-hand column, have you noticed?) Big … Continue reading
“People buy stories,” but how does authenticity figure in? http://bit.ly/6bEEYo # More books repurposed into art. Great little stop motion animation though. http://bit.ly/4qHobQ # Interesting comment to this post, http://bit.ly/6pzpcI, relates S.O. to food sales: “What is “fair trade” if … Continue reading
