[For this pre-Christmas post I’ve collected links to some interesting and potentially restorative recent examples of presence – enjoy! –Matthew]
[Image: Source: Capture the Atlas]
Presence via building façade:
Louis Vuitton window installation (Noel Y. Calingasan • NYC via Twitter – Day and Night)
“Louis Vuitton unveiled its holiday window installation featuring a colorful, towering Christmas Tree that scales the entire corner facade of their Fifth Avenue [New York City] store.”
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Presence via still images:
The 2021 Northern Lights Photographer Of The Year (Capture the Atlas)
“There aren’t many events as moving as seeing the aurora borealis dance and illuminate the night sky with mesmerizing movements and vibrant colors. … [W]e present the 25 best aurora images captured around the world. Buckle up because this trip is going to take you from the remote boreal forests of the Arctic to the far landscapes of the Southern Hemisphere, passing by spectacular frozen forests, volcanoes, mountains, and beaches along the way…always with the Northern Lights dancing in the sky.”
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Presence via standard video:
The Lord of the Rings | Relax in Middle Earth, 1 hour (HBO Max via YouTube)
“Enjoy the beautiful and serene sights of Middle Earth. From the forests of Rivendale to the sweeping landscapes of The Shire, there are plenty of places to unwind, take a nap, or eat a feast made for a Hobbit. So sit back, relax, and let the marvelous world of The Lord of the Rings suck you in.”
[See also Lord of the Rings | Middle Earth Music & Ambience, 3 Hours (Ambient Worlds via YouTube)
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Presence via 360-degree video:
Union Pacific Railroad 2021 Big Boy Tour – in 360° VR (Union Pacific via YouTube) [A personal favorite –ML]
“Join Ed Dickens and the Union Pacific Steam Crew as they operate the world’s largest operating steam locomotive though some of the most iconic places in America. Twenty-five Big Boys were built exclusively for Union Pacific, and No. 4014 is the only one in service.”
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Inverse presence in Iceland:
“Introducing the Icelandverse” parody video (Inspired by Iceland via YouTube)
“The Icelandverse is unlike any other open-world experience with’-verse’ in name, because it’s real. Plus, you don’t need a funny-looking VR headset.”
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Tools to escape Zoom fatigue in the new year:
“‘Busy Simulator’ Inflates Your Importance With App Noises To Help Exit Meetings” (DesignTAXI; Busy Simulator)
and
“Zoom Escaper lets you sabotage your own meetings with audio problems, crying babies, and more. ’Oh, is my connection bad? I’m so sorry, I’ll just drop out and fix it’” (The Verge)