3 ms·

I don't disagree with the sentiment (hiphip-hurrah for better planning!). But in this case, I'm not sure we have sufficient information to claim malice. Perha

by beambot 12y ago

I don't disagree with the sentiment (hiphip-hurrah for better planning!). But in this case, I'm not sure we have sufficient information to claim malice. Perhaps they only came up with the idea 3 days before Colbert? Perhaps Colbert asked (last minute) for a cool, new, live demo? Perhaps they were just being opportunistic, and this turned into one of those unforeseen firedrill moments? Externalities being what they are, they did a bang up job of pulling it off in time.

skybrian 12y ago
You're of course right that we don't know the real story, just what it looks like. However, asking an artist for an original work of art in order to promote their book on your show seems like a rather unlikely request. Also I'm not assuming malice. However, I wouldn't congratulate them for pulling it off; this is itself encouraging the wrong thing.
- beambot 12y ago
  TV producers asking for original functionality (or art) is par for the course. When I did live robot demos on CNN, they asked me to code up some new functionality to display in the commercial break transition (surreal coding on the newsroom floor ensued). If Picaso were alive today... yep, on-the-fly napkin sketches.
- alexqgb 12y ago
  In general, TV people have absolutely no idea what's involved with coding. Accordingly, they're likely to assume that it's much easier than it actually is, not realizing that their "simple" request may involve a fairly complex process to deliver. Ironically enough, they get this principle when it comes to other people's misconceptions about television. Very few people have any idea how much time and effort goes in to film and broadcast production. Producers are constantly fielding requests from clients, executives, and others with limited technical skill who say things like "Can't you just..." or "I don't see why we don't just..." or "How about just...?". You get the picture.

by beambot 12y ago

skybrian 12y ago

You're of course right that we don't know the real story, just what it looks like. However, asking an artist for an original work of art in order to promote their book on your show seems like a rather unlikely request. Also I'm not assuming malice. However, I wouldn't congratulate them for pulling it off; this is itself encouraging the wrong thing.

beambot 12y ago
TV producers asking for original functionality (or art) is par for the course. When I did live robot demos on CNN, they asked me to code up some new functionality to display in the commercial break transition (surreal coding on the newsroom floor ensued). If Picaso were alive today... yep, on-the-fly napkin sketches.
alexqgb 12y ago
In general, TV people have absolutely no idea what's involved with coding. Accordingly, they're likely to assume that it's much easier than it actually is, not realizing that their "simple" request may involve a fairly complex process to deliver. Ironically enough, they get this principle when it comes to other people's misconceptions about television. Very few people have any idea how much time and effort goes in to film and broadcast production. Producers are constantly fielding requests from clients, executives, and others with limited technical skill who say things like "Can't you just..." or "I don't see why we don't just..." or "How about just...?". You get the picture.