Responses To Comments: 3G Auto-Off Mode

October 31, 2011

These comments are updated, from the comments on my last post:

dcl1982 on October 29, 2011 at 1:11 pm:
Larry King had an episode on this issue a few years ago. Consequently, I started seeing a whole bunch of people using blue-tooth.
M: From what I’ve now read, a bluetooth earpiece emits less radiation.  But an even safer way to go is a wired earpiece with a ferrite bead or just plain old speakerphone…Or no cel phone.
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L. on October 29, 2011 at 10:33 am:
hey Mike, my iPhone switches to wifi if i’ve turned on the setting that remembers wifi networks that i’ve previously connected to. doesn’t that mean that 3G is off already? =/

M: I don’t think so.  If you see the 3G or phone icon at the top (even if the WiFi icon turns on) then your 3G is still enabled.  Your phone may be choosing to use WiFi for most functions, but it’s not guaranteed. 

Also, keep in mind that if you have fewer bars, your phone is working harder to get signal, and therefore is emitting more radiation.

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kathyxx on October 29, 2011 at 9:49 am:
This is actually a difficult subject as the media puts a lot of muddle into it. The best way to become an expert on the subject is to skip the media, skip the anecdotes, and go straight to the scientific white papers. The ones with all the big complicated words in them. As far as KATHYxx knows, the dangers of cell phone radiation is exaggerated by media (Media lied about vaccines/autism. The sun is a more dangerous source of radiation. AM/FM radio waves are harmless, and I think each other type of protocol are using different strengths.  BUT I am no expert in radiation. Talk to me about computer science, but otherwise, go to Google Scholar and read the abstract and conclusions

M: This isn’t about media, to me. The W.H.O. made a statement about this, which I take seriously. Besides, I would rather weigh statements by reputable international sources than dive into the internet abyss, trying to pretend I can decipher scientific papers.
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…And there was this exchange, on Twitter, between me and someone I’ve never met:

DrAwesome37: @m_shinoda in the second sentence of the second paragraph, you spelled cell with only one “l”, just thought you should know :-)

m_shinoda: @DrAwesome37, you forgot to punctuate your name.

@DrAwesome37: @m_shinoda I’m a fifteen year old boy, you’re a rockstar petitioning to change the OS for the most used phone in the world.

@m_shinoda: @m_shinoda is now following @drawesome37

@m_shinoda: @DrAwesome37 Even though I have no idea who you are, I’m going to follow you for a month, and see what happens.

(Follow me & the conversation on Twitter, here)

mike

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Suggestion For Apple and Other Smartphone Makers

October 29, 2011


Like many people, when the World Health Organization announced in May that cell phone radiation was now classified in the same “carcinogenic hazard” category as car exhaust and chloroform, I was alarmed.  I suppose it doesn’t help that radiation seems to be a complicated matter, with conflicting studies and corporate spin making a lot of noise.  At any rate, there seems to be a pretty good reason to start being more careful.

In the past year or two, I’ve found out that two friends of mine have been diagnosed with brain tumors (brain lesions).  Because of that, the subject brain cancer–and the cell phone’s potential role in causing it–has been coming up more and more often.

I use an iPhone, which is constantly pulling information down from a 3G network.  I wanted to put a little more distance between me and the phone.  At first, I tried taking my phone out of my pocket every time I’m not driving or traveling…but I kept forgetting it in random places.  Since then, I’ve been trying to remember to turn my phone to “airplane mode” at home and at the studio.  But it’s hard to remember sometimes; and on top of that, the iPhone actually makes it cumbersome.  If I want to keep it connected to my WiFi network, I have to go to the settings, turn on “airplane mode,” then exit that screen and go to a different screen to turn WiFi on (and yet another screen if I want bluetooth).

With that said, I have a request for Apple.  Give us a “3G Auto-Off” mode.  When my phone detects its familiar WiFi network (home, office), it should automatically switch off 3G, but leave on the WiFi and/or bluetooth.  It’s not a perfect solution, but it’s better than keeping a “hot” phone in my pocket all day.

I realize that I’m not that well-versed on this subject, so if any of this is incorrect or needs updating, please feel free to let me know in the comments.  And feel free to continue the discussion below.

Please re-Tweet or post to Facebook if you like this idea.

EDIT: Thanks for all the great comments.  For the record, I know the link between cell use and cancer is still being researched.  Furthermore, I’m no extremist, I simply fall into the “better to be safe than sorry” category.  I’d rather do some simple things that keep me more protected.  Feel free to keep discussing, below.

mike

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The Roots “Make My”

October 25, 2011

Great.

mike

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The Raid: Film Score Update

October 21, 2011

The score for The Raid is steadily moving along.  In between Linkin Park studio sessions–which are also underway–I’m working on the feature-length score for this brutal Indonesian action movie.  With a good chunk of the movie now sounding good, and a lot of great hype and reviews coming from folks who have gotten a chance to see the film, I’m excited to tell you a little more about it.

Writing big, nasty parts for a fast-paced action scene have come pretty naturally for me.  There are lots of moments with big beats and unique, exciting sounds.  But one thing I’ve found that’s different in writing for film (versus an album) is being aware of how and when to make the music transparent. The music needs to be invisible at times.  Writing a Linkin Park song is usually about our personal stories, not someone else’s.  And an LP song is designed to draw you in, to catch your ear with words, melodies, and sounds.  Often, the techniques I might use to create a catchy sound or “hook” would actually take away from a scene in The Raid, so it’s been a fun challenge to learn when and how to let the movie’s story come first.

I also enlisted the help of Joe Trapanese, best know for his work with Daft Punk on the TRON score and soundtrack.  Joe also did strings on the newest M83 album, “Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming.”  Joe comes from a composing / arranging / film background, and we’re finding great ways to inform and compliment one anothers’ work in the music for this movie.

Here’s a cool (fan-made?) video for Joe’s favorite track he worked on, from M83′s new album, a song called “Wait”

 

EDIT: Check out this new interview I did about scoring The Raid – HERE

mike

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New LPTV – Secret Show for Japan

October 19, 2011
mike

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Billy Shire and La Luz de Jesus

October 8, 2011

La Luz de Jesus is one of the most important galleries in Los Angeles.  I remember the first time I visited the wild-looking building in the late ’90s; the vibrant colors and bizarre decor–an outsider’s mix of tattoo, pinup, and traditional Mexican art–told me right away that this was a unique place.

Clearly, the thing that made this gallery special wasn’t the decor.  La Luz de Jesus has featured and introduced some of the most exciting artists of its “whatever-you-want-to-call-it” scene: Frank Kozik, Tara McPherson, Gary Baseman, Owen and Aaron Smith, Shawn Barber, Matt Groening, The Clayton Brothers, Shag, Manuel Ocampo, Charlie Immer, Scott Musgrove, Marion Peck, Tim Biskup, Joe Sorren, and Mark Ryden, to name a few.

Last night was the opening of the 25th Anniversary show at La Luz, celebrating Billy Shire and his amazing gallery.  After the jump, you’ll see some of my terrible photos of the event.  To really enjoy the images, just head down to La Luz de Jesus.

mike

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Thank You Steve Jobs

October 7, 2011

(Hybrid Theory writing session, Apple Computer, circa 1998)

My family’s first computer was an Apple (a IIe, I think).  I remember learning to type on it, playing a game that calculated your words-per-minute.  My mom was studying to be a court reporter, and she could type very quickly; I would peck at letters with my two index fingers as fast as I could to see if I could get a score half as good as hers.

At the time, my Dad worked in aerospace engineering, and was impressed with the durability of the computer at work, so he decided to get one for the house.  The whole family shared time on it, working and playing.  I remember using it to write reports, and play games like LOGO, Loderunner, and Gold Rush.  As I got older, my interestes changed, and my time on the “Macintosh” was eclipsed by a Nintendo, and later a Sony Discman.

In college, I was reintroduced to Apple in a new way.  Having spent years honing my skills drawing and painting, I hadn’t yet had the chance to bring those illustrations into the computer.  At Art Center, there was a computer lab–a huge underground complex of rooms filled with computers.  And the computer of choice for the designers and artists at Art Center was Apple.  I loved the design, inside and out, and it seemed built for making art.  And once it was my computer for art, it became my computer for music.

It’s hard to think of all the ways that Steve Jobs’ vision has built a foundation for the products on which I work and create: Apple products have been used in making every piece of music Linkin Park has ever written, every album cover or poster we have ever designed, and all our music videos, ads, LPTV, and websites.

From the creation of our songs, art, and videos to the devices our fans enjoy them on, Steve Jobs’ vision has made an indelible imprint on everything we do. Multiplying that out into all the other bands and artists in the world who also use Apple products to write and record their songs or edit videos, movies, TV shows, art and photos, it’s hard to imagine anyone who has played a bigger role in shaping the world of modern art and music.

Thank you Steve Jobs,

-m

mike

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Conner Youngblood – Australia (Video)

October 5, 2011

I likes it.

mike

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