There’s nothing more bewilderingly mind-numbing than watching a science-fiction movie franchise get butchered and killed then brought to life again, re-butchered and murdered once again. It’s sad in a way because I really love this time-bending, robot monster, chase story. The potential, even without branching away from the hunter and the hunted plot device, is endless. Bewildered? With all this goodwill and talent, and money involved, how the hell could they get it so wrong? This is a major iconic brand. “The Terminator” is embedded in the brains of at least two or three generations of consumers. There is no shortage of creative talent nor money that prevent this story from working its magic, yet the IP owners have achieved nothing else but toss stools of shit at audiences across the globe. Sure, the movie industry wins, artists, technicians and executives got jobs, and the marketing machine scored, but tossing shit at the audience’s faces was still the end result.
Now the next time Skynet returns to threaten our future chances are audiences will be a little suspect before handing over money, or even waste time and bandwidth to illegally download it. Skynet will hopefully learn from past mistakes and deliver the killer blow they’ve been trying to throw since it first hatched up the plan to go back in time and kill John Conner.
It is likely that the future will see the emergence of multiple internet protocol platforms. The current internet has already evolved significantly since its inception, and we can expect further advancements and diversification in the way of new internets with protocols that are developed unilaterally and implemented.
As demand for better security and functionality grows, new internet platforms will continue to evolve, ias different protocols and infrastructure will compete to address specific needs or cater to different use cases. This diversity could lead to a more adaptable and resilient internet infrastructure, offering enhanced security, performance, and functionality for various applications and devices.
THE COBWEB
This old internet that we are currently using is a dysfunctional mess that has been held together by various patches and updates over the years. Despite being a vital part of our daily lives, it is plagued by numerous issues such as slow loading times, security vulnerabilities, and rampant misinformation. Since its inception in the twentieth century, this outdated and clunky internet still exists, but it will be viewed as an antiquated relic of the past. No one in their right mind would choose to use it when faster, safer, and more efficient alternatives are readily available.
SATNET
Meganat‘s private internet, which was designed and deployed by Jim Dochersky, is a revolutionary service that utilises low-earth-orbit satellites to connect paying customers. This technology allows for unprecedented speed and reliability, making it an ideal solution for individuals and businesses that require high-speed internet access in remote areas or regions with limited infrastructure.
Unlike traditional internet providers, Meganat’s private internet is not dependent on terrestrial infrastructure, which can often be costly and difficult to maintain. Instead, the service uses a network of satellites to deliver high-speed internet directly to customers’ homes or offices. This means that even those living in rural areas or regions with limited infrastructure can enjoy fast and reliable internet access, making it easier to work, study, and stay connected with friends and family.
The low-earth-orbit satellites used by Meganat’s private internet are positioned much closer to the earth than traditional satellites, which makes them faster and more efficient. This means that customers can enjoy faster download and upload speeds, as well as a more stable connection, even during peak usage times. Meganat’s private internet is a game-changer for those who require high-speed internet access in remote areas or regions with limited infrastructure. With its innovative use of low-earth-orbit satellites, the service provides fast and reliable internet access that is unmatched by traditional providers.
AMBERCAST
This closed Wide-Area Network (WAN) is a highly secure and private internet network that is exclusively used by governments and corporations for their internal communication needs. This network is designed to provide a high level of security and privacy to ensure that sensitive information and data are not leaked or compromised in any way. One of the key features of a closed WAN is that it is a closed system that is not connected to any public internet and every user is authenticated. This means that it is not accessible to the general public, and only authorized personnel within the government or corporation or domestic premises can access it. This ensures that the network is not vulnerable to external threats such as cyber-attacks, which are becoming increasingly common in today’s quantum age.
Ambercast is also designed to be highly scalable, meaning that it can handle large volumes of data traffic with ease. This is essential for governments and corporations that need to transfer large amounts of data quickly and efficiently. A closed private WAN is an essential tool for any government or corporation that needs to communicate sensitive information and data securely and privately. It is the first line of defence against external threats and provides a reliable and efficient means of communication within the organization.
EPISOFT
A peer-to-peer, NearMe-Area-Network is a cutting-edge technology that enables seamless communication between devices in close proximity. This open internet technology utilizes handsets that act as relay mesh stations for communication traffic, allowing for the creation of a highly efficient network that can transmit data at lightning-fast speeds. The beauty of this technology lies in its ability to harness the power of nearby devices to enhance network coverage and speed. The more devices in the vicinity, the faster and deeper the coverage, making it an ideal solution for densely populated areas such as cities.
This technology is particularly useful in situations where traditional network infrastructure is unavailable or unreliable. For example, in the aftermath of a natural disaster or during a large-scale event, communication networks may become overwhelmed or even fail completely. In these situations, a peer-to-peer, NearMe-Area-Network can provide a reliable means of communication, allowing people to stay connected even when traditional networks are down.
One of the greatest benefits of this technology is that it is highly scalable. As more devices are added to the network, the coverage and speed of communication increase proportionally. This makes it an ideal solution for businesses or organizations that require a flexible and adaptable communication system. Episoft represents a significant step forward in the world of communication technology. Its ability to provide reliable, high-speed communication in even the most challenging environments makes it a valuable tool for anyone looking to stay connected in an increasingly connected world.
ANGRY TREE
This skilled hacker has a unique way of navigating the internet. They have mastered the art of using internet funnels, which allows them to navigate through existing communication networks seamlessly. By employing a sophisticated dryware system, they are able to create multiple branches between different communication networks, making it easier for them to access the information they need.
The use of dryware technology is crucial to this hacker’s success. It allows them to create a virtual web of connections that can quickly and efficiently link different networks together. This technology is also highly secure, ensuring that the hacker’s identity and location remain hidden at all times. The branches created by hackers between different communication networks establish connections between disparate systems, allowing them to access information that would otherwise be difficult to obtain. This is particularly useful when the hacker is trying to gain access to sensitive information, such as financial data or classified government documents.
Despite the challenges posed by the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity, The Agree Tree remains at the forefront of pirate and free access to information. Their ability to create complex networks of communication channels and navigate through them with ease is truly remarkable. With the continued development of dryware technology and other advanced tools, hackers are sure to remain a force to be reckoned with in the world of cybersecurity.
Through the bustling crowd I spot a sleeping bag on the cold marble steps of a shopfront. Some loser has made the alcove underneath the Dralise shop window their home. Camping gear, pillows, and a knitted crocheted blanket.Continue reading “The Crochet Blanket”→
I must be fucked in the head, even for my standards. I go out for a walk amongst the city crowd to enjoy the crisp winter air and all I can think of is the urge to murder somebody.
This is how to time travel on the subway. Look at the platform and imagine it being the destination platform. Walk to where you imagine the exit location is, get as close to it as possible. Then board your train carriage at that location.
As we enter a new chapter in the James Bond movie franchise, staunch fans like myself are apprehensive or intensely curious about what direction the franchise will take, and about who will be chosen to play the next 007. The naming of the actor to play the MI6 spy appears to have turned into a cultural festival that runs every decade or so, much like the naming of who will host the next Olympic Games. It’s a media tradition ever since George Lazenby famously turned his back on the franchise.
This is a tradition that revolves around a list of candidates, sourced mostly from public opinion and a little from industry insiders, and necessitates rounds and rounds of gossip and speculation.
MI6 Recruits
As of the time of writing, this is the list in order of whom I think will get the role.
Tom Hiddleston – With ex-head of MI6, Dame Judi Dench advocating him and reports that Barbara Broccoli is giving it serious thought, and the fact he’s coveting the role overtly, positioning himself with the right roles such as The Night Manager and the Jaguar commercials, I suspect he may snatch the role.
Aidan Turner – Well, he was involved in “talks” to play 007 last year, and is the right age and at the right point in his career, much like his rival Hiddlestone, and similar to Craig when he got the nod in 2006.
Tom Hardy – Occupies this spot because he can, without a doubt, pull off the Bond character without a hitch. But he may not want to do it, (and end up regretting it like Burt Reynolds) or his price tag may be a bit too high.
Damian Lewis – Looks like he was used by producers to intimidate Craig, just like they did with James Brolin when Roger Moore had second thoughts about playing Bond. He’d do the role easily, but I think time is against him if Eon Productions want to do another four to five films. And the fact that his ‘ginger’ hair doesn’t qualify him is ridiculous. He could do it but do only one, Lazenby style. Or do two, Dalton style. Gone are the days of a James Bond in his late 50s snuggling up with a twenty-something beauty.
Idris Elba – The general public has placed him as a contender. Again he’s in the same position as Lewis. He definitely can pull it off just as well as Lewis. But unless Sony and co. decide to do a one-off Bond film as a breaker between the Purvis-Wade-Haggis-Logan story arc and the next 007 story arc then I think this is not going to happen for him.
Resume for 00’s
What does an actor have to do to build a resume to be a serious 007 contender? Easy. Do a spy thriller (or something very similar) that has a bondesque element to it.
Roger Moore did The Saint (1962-1969) and The Persuaders (1971).
Timothy Dalton did Permission to Kill (1975)
Pierce Brosnan did Remington Steele (1982-87) and The Fourth Protocol (1987)
Daniel Craig did Road to Perdition (2002), Layer Cake (2004) and Munich (2005). Okay, he played gangsters in most, but he wore a suit.
George Lazenby was the only one who actually did nothing at all. He simply walked off the street and pronounced to Cubby that he was his next Bond. And Lazenby to this day is the closest actor to emulate Ian Fleming’s character.
On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
See, anyone can be James Bond. The notion that actors who are “gingers” or have “non-English English” backgrounds can’t play James Bond is absurd.
Anything and everything can happen in Bond movies.
Ian Fleming added Scottish ancestry to James Bond’s family history after seeing Connery in action on the big screen. Lazenby broke the fourth wall during the pre-title sequence, “that never happened to the other guy.”
Moore went into space and fought bad guys with lasers. Not to mention the blaxploitation, the Kung-fu exploitation and… did I mention the blatant Star Wars exploitation?
Bond faced off with Bond in 1983 as Kevin McClory took on the Broccoli clan. What a strange moment that was. That’s the thing with Bond fans, their loyalties are to Ian Fleming’s material, not some film studio.
Dalton escapes this one clean, well, that winking fish statue was ridiculous.
Then we have Brosnan, who after a solid stint as 007, ended up playing with invisible cars and space lasers and ice castle… these guys… How do you start the damn thing so good and ended up making it so bad?
Evolve Bond, Now.
Anyway, the thing with James Bond is that he evolves. He has gone from strangling women with bikini tops and slapping them around, to metrosexual to sensitive new-age brute. This is how MI6 Agent 007 has stayed alive all these decades. The producers have painstakingly stuck to a formula that works and balanced it with modern relevance. Yes, it has many times devolved into ridiculousness, but they have learned this lesson. For Your Eyes Only (1981) is a perfect example of when they learn, so too is Goldeneye (1995). Unfortunately, they forgot these lessons in Die Another Day (2002), with invisible cars, space lasers and …ice castles.
But the team at Eon may have backed itself into a corner with Purvis-Wade-Haggis-Logan story arc. Before Casino Royale (2006), there existed no interconnected storylines between the movies. Dr. No/Goldfinger was basically a template for all the other films that followed. No narrative was carried from the previous film. It took six films for Bond to acknowledge the death of his wife, and even then, in the same film (FYEO), they killed off Ernst Stavro Blofeld, just one of the few carryovers in the franchise, just to spite McClory who had won the rights to Blofeld, SPECTRE, and Thunderball at the time.
Reboots are Forever
By ‘rebooting’ 007 and having each film as direct sequels; with Bond earning his 00 status, exploring his Skyfall heritage and facing off with his long lost ‘stepbrother’, who turned out to be, yep Ernst Stavro Blofeld; for them to attempt another reboot to accommodate the actor or director, at this stage would be tiresome for even the staunchest of James Bond aficionados. The Spiderman franchise is a classic example, how many times do we have to see the damn spider bite Peter Parker? But wait, now that Sony has relented and joined the Marvel Universe, how can they ever disengage themselves from it? This current 007 story arc and style of character still has a cycle to go before a major makeover would be required. The Bond that exists now can be only softened a little or hardened a little, modified to a certain degree, otherwise Ian Fleming’s Bond ceases being Ian Fleming’s Bond.
It’s a hard balance, keeping the James Bond tradition and canon intact as well as keeping him invigorated and relevant. How do you change or maintain the franchise without abandoning a formula, backstory, and continuity built up since 1953?
I think Eon might be missing an opportunity with this behemoth IP, the oldest continuous media franchise of its kind ever. As other IP owners grapple with their own never-ending story universes, Paracosms are what they are calling them, Eon is faced with either pressing the repeat button, or they could venture out into a brave new world.
The motion picture arts are always evolving.
It started with adaptations. As the new medium was born there was a mountain of books available for filmmakers to base their stories. The Birth of a Nation (1915) was an adaption from the novel The Clansman, by Thomas Dixon, Jr.
Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ by Lew Wallace was first adapted in 1907 as a short B/W silent film. No one sort permission to use the book’s IP at the time, which was standard until somebody sued for copyright infringement and gave birth to the beginning of what would a hundred years later become conglomerate media franchises, i.e. paracosms.
Remakes became a good way to retell an old story and milk a known story to death. The 1925 version of Ben Hur, also a black and white silent film, was remade again in 1959, in Technicolor… with Charlton Heston. In 2003 it was remade as an animation and again starring Charlton Heston. Now in 2016, we have another remake coming and this time it’s in 3D. They call them “reimaginings”, “reinterpretations”, “re-adaptations”, or “new interpretations” depending on how shit they are. If it’s good, then it’s just a remake.
Sequels have their beginnings in early novels and novellas as authors sort to protect and expand their income streams. The first-ever film sequel is considered to be The Fall of a Nation (1916), a sequel to The Birth of a Nation released the year before. It’s all about market forces, if people want more, they get more. When they get served rubbish, they stay away.
Prequels first appeared in novels and were used to explore the backstory of a story. In cinema, it was Star Wars that popularize this type of sequel.
Reboots are all technically prequels. They came about as the early paracosms began to evolve. It was the exhaustion of the sequel format that brought this on. When a sequel can’t be maintained past number three, producers hit a brick wall. Reboots; when done right you end up with Casino Royale. Done wrong you end up with the Hulk, and a second Hulk until producers saw the light and went down the road of the Marvel Paracosm.
All this is an evolutionary process towards media paracosms.
Broccoli proved a character can basically live forever, Lucas proved paracosms exist, and Marvel is doing it. Now every content producer is diving in.
Now back to Bond.
What would a Fleming Paracosm look like? Who are the other superspies ready to serve Queen and country? Well, there are all the other Double O’s in waiting, each one unique in personality, skill set and backstory. When 007 sat in at a briefing during Thunderball, with all the other 00 agents, there was Eon’s Paracosm.
The need to pump out the same old movie is eliminated. MGM/Sony can do what Disney is doing with Star Wars, pump out spin-off movies between the main story arc. Instead of trying to please all audiences at once, they can explore, take risks, target different markets, and expand the fan base, without endangering the main canon established by Ian Fleming.
You can set one back in the ’60s, The Man from U.N.C.L.E (2015) style, and revisit the Connery era. Guy Ritchie’s U.N.C.L.E really worked in my opinion, and when you consider Fleming created Napoleon Solo, there is no reason why MGM/Sony can’t do something similar.
A more violent, sexier, R-rated 00 agent? The market is there. Look at how competitors like Deadpool (2016) and Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014) have stirred up this market.
And MI6 has plenty of 00 agents ready to get this job done.
001 – Edward Donne
002 – Bill Fairbanks
004
003 – Jason Walters / Jack Mason
004 – Aidan Flemmings
005 – Stuart Thomas
006 – Alec Trevelyan
007 – James Bond
008 – Bill Timothy
009 – Peter Smith
002
009
0010 – John Wolfgramm
0011 – Cederic
0012 – Sam Johnston
0013 – Briony Thorne
James Bond can do a cameo, come to an agent’s aid or compete with them. Imagine the charm factor when two egos clash, especially when one steals an asset meant for the other as what 007 did to 009 in SPECTRE (2015), a scene that really worked. A new agent can be introduced during the main canon film, and if taken in by audiences, a spin-off movie could follow. How about a 00 agent that continuously breaks the fourth wall? The possibilities in a Fleming Paracosm are endless.
With Dan Simmon’s Hyperion Cantos and Isaac Asimov’s Foundation series inching closer to television screens, a question resurfaces, a question I’ve been asking ever since first reading these two works of classic science fiction, both of whom have been fighting an eternal battle for the number one spot on my favourites list.
It is sad to watch a great nation bludgeon another weaker nation, a supposed ally and friend, into submission and humiliation, especially when both sides are at fault over a debt situation that has spiralled out of control. Yes, Greek voters did take the easy path since the 1970s. I myself remember arguing against further integration back in the summer of 1991 when I visited the place. Older folk and younger kids, die-hard communists and fascists alike were all for it. I nearly got stabbed when I stated, “One day, German tanks will be rolling down the streets of Athens once more…”
