PyData

PyData conference is happening in London on 21-23 February. A mixture of tutorials and applied tools would add much to the repetoire of a Python Developer in Data Analytics. The conference is planned to cover recommenders, financial analytics, video action recognition, probabilistic data structures, optimizations, visualizations, embedded use, cloud computing, databases, textual classification, graph plotting, massive parallelism, data discovery, and much more. 

Mick-Off

Interesting mick-off without the vocals. The two look like ducks on stage elaborating on the typical Mick Jagger moves. 

Pizza Pilgrims

Pizza not to die for but still authentically scrumptious if not cold at time of service. Pizza Pilgrims are a bit stingy with the toppings but perhaps that is an understatement if one classes such a pizza as authentic. Although, they are reasonably priced with more focused tastes. Authentic crust is not for every one's taste but if one likes the feel of a stone baked sort of pizza then it might work as an option. There are plenty of options available. At least for me the pizza is a lot better than commercialized options like Domino's, Pizza Hut, Pizza Express, and even Papa Johns. But, certainly not at the level of Zizzi. There are yet to be any pizza outlets in London that provide for a truly deep dish pizza. Below are a few more pizza places in London that potentially are at league of their own. 

Saporitalia
Sacro Cuore
Santa Maria Pizzeria
Story Delli
Santore
Pizza Metro Pizza
Franco Manca
Sartori
Pizza East
Rossopomodoro
Arancina
Homeslice

Fashion and Style Trends

An interesting area for data mining is fashion and style trends. Understanding what people want now and how that influences what people might want in future. How tastes and fashion changes over time. It seems fashion is a very unpredictable affair. Often styles are influenced by multiple factors. Especially, trends develop from word of mouth even by noticing what a celebrity has can create a fad. Perhaps, social trends are important as a measure of predicting or even forecasting to some degree what will be on next so people can design and purchase. WGSN, Trendzine, Editd are a few interesting sources for fashion trend forecasting and analysis. There are obviously others that provide trend intelligence. However, as a commercial service a lot of the data is closed for inspection and accessibility with an added premium. It may be an idea to explore fashion as a semantic ontology by way of curating data. Then providing such data in an open data format for much analytical inspection on the web. Social influence graphs and sentiments could also help in assessing the right factors as to where a particular trend is likely to be in near future as well as individual preferences. Fashion trends are especially appropriate to women and there is a huge market that can be tapped. Better fashion sense means people will be more informed about what they should buy now as opposed to later. Also, it helps shops and designers plan their products and sales more appropriately. It also means people are always aware of what is currently trending in market now and potentially in next twelve months. Obviously, the more long-term the forecast is, the less accurate the information gain will appear.

Using big data to forecast the fashion future
Dress to kill how semantic web can help

Elementary

Another show just like The Mentalist and Perception. It is a bit like the creators have almost struck a cord where they appear to think anything investigative with an overly observant man and a woman seems to work and provides for a tangible chemistry. Apparently, it does work based on ratings. Perhaps, even in reality it does too. There are an awful lot of shows now on TV that explore the law, forensics, or criminal investigation. Some like Elementary explore the need to recruit a consultant to help solve cases. In a way, such shows mock the existence of law enforcement officers as not being astute enough that they need to hire an untrained consultant. 

Entertainment Trends

Finding trends in entertainment can be a root to understanding what people are interested in at any given time. It seems information that can be gathered from such findings can lead to not only better rated shows but more contextual programming at any given time. Also, such analytics could be of value to many TV networks, music services, social networks, mobile providers, gamers, movie productions, and even entertainment related websites. Context is often the key to any information gain. And, media moves in swift beats often chasing the next mood or trend that arises. Entertainment in all its forms is driven by people and the way in which it can keep them continuously tuned in. There are various data sources that can be utilized for such analysis and even curated. Going further such information can unlock options for forecasting and predictions. There is even value here for semantic ontologies for contextual entertainment. Nielsen is one such source which provides data on what Americans are watching, reading, playing, browsing, buying and more. Understanding such trends at global scale could also be an option to provide further insights on tastes in entertainment within any given region. Although, as Nielsen has such a tight hold on this consumable data it makes it all the more necessary to curate, unlock and make accessible this information as an open linked data which could be available to all.

Sochi Games

A massive opening to the Sochi Games marks a new start to the Winter Olympics. Although, the ceremony was symbolically tarred with the failed snowflake, it did not deter the auspicious display of the ceremony. Even the fireworks display was better compared to the London New Years Eve. It is yet to see how the Gay rights agenda will dissipate into the commencement of the Games, with the competing athletes, and the Olympic audience. There is much at stake for Russia and the spectacle on display for the whole world to see. However, Winter Olympics have never really captured the same level of audience as the Summer Olympics. The Games overtime have become a commercialized event for global marketing at a massive scale. Only later do the economic effects of such expense become visible both for the good and detriment of the country.

sochi2014
winter olympics 2014
sochi
sochi worst olympic travel destination

Black Swan

Black Swan is one of the most overrated movies with a complete lack of story direction. It is surprising how such a movie can even win awards. Or, it exemplifies the way awards are judged based on PR and a lot of sucking up. Even the acting of Natalie Portman was lackluster not to mention she stole a lot of the recognition from the professional double. The story was also quite perverted in manner of how artistic professions exploit women. It leaves one to question the justification and authenticity of critics and film awards.