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Time for Discovery Channel — Parallax Forums

Time for Discovery Channel

LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
edited 2014-06-06 23:17 in General Discussion
How about we all collaborate and write up a proposal for a reality show on the Discovery Channel that features the daily ups and downs of a mom and pop technology company in Rocklin, California (hint, hint... starring Ken and Chip Gracey).

After all, they have whaco gold miners, king crab fisherman, tuna fisherman, the cake boss, cooking shows, automotive salvage and reconstruction.

There has just got to be niche for viewers that can watch the stuggles and joys of Parallax.

Comments

  • Oldbitcollector (Jeff)Oldbitcollector (Jeff) Posts: 8,091
    edited 2014-06-06 09:37
    I'm not sure that either Ken or Chip are capable of the kind of "drama" that makes these shows a success...
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2014-06-06 09:52
    They can just listen to employees, suppliers, shippers, and customers... others will provide more drama than you can ever imagine. Nothing wrong with their roles being leadership and level-headed pragmatism.

    How do I know? In my youth, I spent a year working for Macy*s of California in their Customer Service department.
  • jazzedjazzed Posts: 11,803
    edited 2014-06-06 10:02
    I'm not sure that either Ken or Chip are capable of the kind of "drama" that makes these shows a success...


    No drama? Forums to the rescue. Again!

    LOLOL

    "How It's Made" Episode 5387: Parallax Sausage


    Right kind of drama?

    Maybe JonnyMac has ideas?
  • Dave HeinDave Hein Posts: 6,347
    edited 2014-06-06 10:16
    There's usually not much drama in "How It's Made", but it would be cool if Parallax was featured in that program.

    Television has a way to make normal people do silly things. The Discovery channel has done a few shows on the "Large and Dangerous Rocket Ship" launches that are held every year. I've attended a couple of LDRS launches, and they have a great safety record. The really large and "dangerous" rockets are launched from pads that are a quarter-mile away from the crowd. The Discovering channel tends to show the more "interesting" portions of the launch, such as the bowling bowl lofting contest or drag races where several large rockets are launched at the same time. In reality, the parts that make the show are a very small part of the launch.
  • whickerwhicker Posts: 749
    edited 2014-06-06 11:42
    Oh no we're missing a part for an "important customer"
    Reverse symbol crashing noise.
    Dramatic zoom in at purchasing person.
    Quick swaps between camera shots with almost unintelligible mutterings between the two people with hands at their hips.
    The big boss steps into frame and says it must get done tonight.
    Swing camera over to underling who throws down sheets of paper and storms off.
    Monologue from big boss about how important this customer is.

    Commercial break

    Recap of last scene, tense music starts.
    Cut right into present time, with focus now on concerned face of the person responsible for fixing this "mess".
    More vague statements about time pressure.
    Work Buddy #2 steps into frame of camera #2, which zooms to hands above waist and head visible.
    deadpans a solution in silence with some pointing motions.
    Music crescendo as camera swings over.
    ...ad nauseum...


    I hate Reality Television, and much more-so the production that tries to dramatize everything.
  • W9GFOW9GFO Posts: 4,010
    edited 2014-06-06 13:15
    whicker wrote: »
    I hate Reality Television, and much more-so the production that tries to dramatize everything.

    The real shame is that a few of the shows would be worth watching if the people would just act normal instead of being such idiots. It is as if the common person can't be interested in anything unless the subject matter is exaggerated.
  • abecedarianabecedarian Posts: 312
    edited 2014-06-06 16:36
    It could be a chronicle / prequel type thing covering the origination of Parallax, Basic Stamp and Propeller, projects and products using the chips. Also detail the process of adapting C as a language then segue into the processes involved with developing the next chip and such. Could probably make a decent season or two out of it, maybe more.

    Don't shoot me but maybe it could also cover other MCU's like PIC, TI MSPs RasPI and others that industry as well as educators and hobbyists have latched onto and how those designs came to be. Maybe switching between vendors during episodes like Deadliest Catch switches boats.

    Call it "From Dust to Diamonds: the Quest for Versatile Processors" or something less cheesy?
  • whickerwhicker Posts: 749
    edited 2014-06-06 20:24
    Call it "From Dust to Diamonds: the Quest for Versatile Processors" or something less cheesy?

    That would be a fascinating Netflix hosted documentary for a Sunday afternoon.
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2014-06-06 23:17
    Hmmm.. the Aztecs and Mayans had their ritual sacrifices, the Romans revived gladiatorial sports to stabilize the empire, and we have reality TV to occupy the attention of the bored masses.

    It is not that I am a fan of reality TV. I just think that the ongoing TV exposure would be good for Parallax's bottom line.

    Do we need more synthetic drama in the world? I doubt it.

    Do we need better TV? Definitely.

    It is not about the drama so much as the theme -- real people in a smaller enterprise coping and surviving in todays world with all the new challenges that digital technology and global interaction throw at them. Does one try to do the right thing or just become a shrewd jaded corporate zombie?

    The simple reality is that small business enterprises are the backbone of the American economy and yet they get much abused for doing all the heavy lifting.
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