Maekan It Up

On MAEKAN It Up #029, we explore the ramifications of a Disney and 20th Century Fox merger. We weigh the pros and cons and what this means for the creative landscape. We also look at the world of MUJI and why we feel it's such a compelling brand case study. Everywhere you go, the MUJI experience is generally the same and subsequently represents a nice snapshot of Japanese retail culture.   Disney's Acquisition of Fox Could Change Streaming Forever Wikipedia: Kevin Smith Kevin Smith Reveals Clerks Budget --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/maekanitup/message

On MAEKAN It Up #028, we delve into the idea of Apple pivoting into a hardware subscription service. Would you subscribe to the opportunity to have access to a full suite of Apple products, with all the fixings such as AppleCare, iCloud, and insurance thrown in? We also discuss new-found tools for journalism that focus on gamification. What does this mean for storytelling and when is it applicable?  Apple needs to switch to a subscription model like Netflix to unleash the stock Volvo’s car subscription service sounds like good way to get the new XC40

On MAEKAN It Up #027, we try to take a non-tech approach to the week's topic and land on how one lady is fighting to preserve her tribe's cuisine. It somehow ended up being a food-focused episode as we explored the future of airplane food.  How One Restaurant Owner Is Fighting for Her Tribe’s Cuisine Airline Food Conundrum – Paid Meals Winning Out Over Freebies Wikipedia: Buddha Jumps Over the Wall Wikipedia: Poon Choi Per usual, MAEKAN It Up features the individual --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/maekanitup/message

On MAEKAN It Up #026, we take an deep look into the recent FCC movements around Net Neutrality. At its core who will this affect and in what capacity? We also acknowledge a piece of #fakenews they inadvertently highlighted. Our second topic discusses whether kids and the youth deserve a pass for some of the ignorant things they say online. Shouldn't our youth be about making mistakes and learning?  Net Neutrality II: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Americans are spending Thanksgiving fighting for net neutrality Without net neutrality in Portugal, mobile int --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/maekanitup/message

On MAEKAN It Up #025, we examine why we feel so compelled to put our hands on the artifacts at the museum and the purpose of touch in learning. Another topic we explore focuses on the factors that go into critical thought and the role of analysis and motivation.  Why Can’t People Stop Touching Museum Exhibits? To think critically, you have to be both analytical and motivated Could eating like our ancestors make us healthier? Th --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/maekanitup/message

On MAEKAN It Up #024, we go in-depth into what merchandise means for "non-fashion" brands such as apps, journalists, magazines and more. Is merchandise the key towards unlocking a new and potent revenue stream? We also look at the dark and twisted world of YouTube for children and what responsibilities YouTube has in the space. New York Magazine rolls out apparel with ONLY NY Narduwar's T-shirt Overcast the podcast app drops merch line Thrasher Mag's Jake Phelps and his Interview with HYPEBEAST

  On MAEKAN It Up #023, look at some of the industry insights into ComplexCon 2017, a direct-to-consumer tradeshow around street culture. After a great debut in 2016, a series of incidents overshadowed an otherwise fascinating real-world insight into a culture that's been defined by what happens online. We also look into the recent news behind the shuttering of DNAinfo and Gothamist after its billionaire owner rejected a plea to unionize. What does this mean for the future of media when rich, powerful individuals can withdraw support at the drop of a hat?  Bobby Hundreds' reflections on ComplexCon 2017 Jeff Carvalho's insights on what transpired at ComplexCon < --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/maekanitup/message

On MAEKAN It Up #022, we invite our first-ever guest, Mikey Scott to chop it up over the US military's adoption of video games as a high-level training tool. We also examine the relevance and meaning of iconic graphic designer Barbara Kruger's art project with the New York Mass Transit Authority (MTA).  The Video Game That Could Shape the Future of War There's a Better Way to Board Planes Hey, quick question: Why are models so bad at planking?

On MAEKAN It Up #021 Charis co-hosts with special guest Nathan Kan. Nathan is an editor at MAEKAN and together with Charis they make it an episode all about dystopia. Charis talks about the Social Credit System in China that will soon assign ratings to all Chinese citizens. Nathan brings up the increased use of AI and hypothesizes about when robots might takeover creative jobs. Big data meets Big Brother as China moves to rate its citizens Black Mirror Season 3 Episode 1 "Nosedive" 

On MAEKAN It Up #020 (we made it to episode 20 somehow), Eugene and Charis discuss the case for adding sneaker culture to the school curriculum based on its importance within youth and popular culture. Eugene manages to show how out of the loop he is when it comes to memes. Also, we explore how media companies currently strategize their push notifications and what are things we should be aware of. Why Sneaker Culture Should Be Taught in Schools Bella Hadid Goes Sneaker Shopping With Complex Hey, quick question: Why are models so bad at planking?

On MAEKAN It Up #019, Eugene and Charis discuss the future of "corporate" geo-tagging based on a recent project between Snapchat, and Jeff Koons' balloon dog sculpture. It incorporates insights from Sebastian Errazuriz, a Chilean artist and a designer based in New York City who's been outspoken on the role of brands in our digital public spaces. We also discuss the big picture behind Dropbox's colorful rebranding and the suggestion that Dropbox is losing its focus on product. Jeff Koons’ augmented reality Snapchat artwork gets ‘vandalized’ Watch: Sebastian Errazuriz on corporate geo-tagging

On MAEKAN It Up #018, Eugene and Charis discuss an Apple Music interview that featured Jimmy Iovine, Zane Lowe, and Larry Jackson. Some interesting insights led them to dig deeper into how the future of streaming music will play out and Apple's positioning. Furthermore, we highlight a really great project that featured Daily Paper, a streetwear brand out of Amsterdam, and PUMA. The project focused on the creation of a football pitch in Ghana at an all-girls school as part of the 20th anniversary of sponsorship between PUMA and various African nations.  Apple Music's Long Game: Why Jimmy Iovine Thinks They're 'Not Even Close' to Success With Streaming

On MAEKAN It Up #017, Eugene and Charis discuss the what it means for Coca-Cola to sponsor a video game character and how social media and technology has changed and normalized food reviews. Coca-Cola nets its first ever virtual athlete in Fifa 18’s rising star Alex Hunter What Coca-Cola's sponsorship of Fifa 18 virtual footballer Alex Hunter means for the future of influencers

  On MAEKAN It Up #016, Eugene and Charis discuss the efforts by The Undefeated's photo editor Brent Lewis on improving diversity amongst photographers and the return of a familiar classic with Polaroid Originals.  Diversity in Photojournalism: ‘Talk Is Cheap’ (4:37) Chicago Sun-Times fires photographers, gives reporters iPhone camera training Polaroid Originals --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/maekanitup/message

On MAEKAN It Up #015, Eugene and Charis examine the cultural currency of objects, starting with a New Yorker magazine tote bag, and how Detroit's hiring of a Chief Storyteller makes us wonder about the idea of who can tell what stories amongst different demographics. How a free canvas tote became a bigger status symbol than a $10,000 Hermès bag (5:45) A Birkin Might Be a Better Investment Than the Stock Market (6:00) The New Yorker Subs --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/maekanitup/message

On MAEKAN It Up #014, Eugene and Charis debut a new "collaborative" drawing and start the podcast off with some good news. Then they delve into what it means to decentralize social media with blockchain and cryptocurrencies. They cap things off by discussing the idea of "hard work" and what is the line drawn with working too hard.  Decentralized social media is peer-to-peering into the future (5:45) steemit What is Blockchain and why are we exploring it at This Place?

Illustration by Charis Poon On MAEKAN It Up #013, Eugene and Charis discuss the bold move by Black Girls Code to say no to a $125K USD donation from Uber, and how creatives should look at their relationship with money thanks to a 2Bobs podcast (shout out to Myke for putting us onto it).  Eugene talks about the anxiety doing MAEKAN It Up (1:51) Black Girls Code says it turned down $125,000 from Uber (3:43) Black Girls Code Reflecting On One Very, Very Strange Year At Uber by Susan J. Fowler (4:45) Would you take money from somebody you didn't fundamentall --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/maekanitup/message

Illustration by Charis Poon On MAEKAN It Up #012, Eugene and Charis discuss the idea of creativity as we age and why a child-like approach to problem solving embraces psychedelic drugs and what does it mean for a PR agency like Derris to simultaneously invest and provide services for?  Typhoon Hato talk in Hong Kong(1:00) Changes in cognitive flexibility and hypothesis search across human life history from childhood to adolescence to adulthood (2:45) What Happens to Creativity as we Age? (3:00) Exploitation vs. Exploration thinking (4:53)

On MAEKAN It Up #011, Eugene and Charis look into the different sides of streetwear released by churches, and what does it mean when a tech-based mindset that focuses on innovation over regulation enters food with the Impossible Burger? Recap of Alex and Eugene's presentations at the Taku & Dropbox 823 event in Tokyo (0:45) The results of the speed listening experiment (2:07) Slowing down audio during emotional moments (3:33) This American Life Episode (clip heard) When's the best time to speed listen? (4:40) Is church merch the next big thing in streetwear? (7:07)

On MAEKAN It Up #010, Eugene and Charis discuss whether we should "speed listen" to our podcasts, and what does it mean when meme media companies are popping up and financially supported by politics?  Does speed listening compromise our comprehension of podcasts (4:20) Seven interviews with podcast heavyweights on speed listening (5:45) Overcast app, Eugene's preferred podcast app (7:25) Speed reading vs. speed listening (13:10) Twenty Thou --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/maekanitup/message