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Michael Venables

Seattle, United States of America
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About Michael
Independent journalist, content creator and corporate storyteller based in Seattle, United States of America, creating online and print content.

Experienced journalist writing on technology, science and culture with bylines in Forbes, Wired, Ars Technica and Medium. 
Creative copywriter for marketing, branding and social media efforts.
Writer experienced in Adobe Creative Cloud and various CMS platforms. 

Senior track record in the high tech industry on Agile teams:
Track record with both onsite and distributed, Agile teams in the high tech industry in:
sales, e-commerce, gaming and software industries (IBM, Amazon, Bungie and Microsoft). I've also worked as an educator, translator, localizer and interpreter. 

Skills: 
Writing, blogging, editing, photography, audio, video, HTML, CSS, Web production, Web development, Web metrics/analytics, project management, content management system (CMS) administration, search engine optimization (SEO), localization editing, localization testing, education, translation, interpretation.
Languages
French Italian
Services
Feature Stories Content Writing Corporate Content
+5
Skills
Fact Checking
Portfolio

Of Slaves, Prostitutes And Gladiators

18 Sep 2018  |  Medium
The article discusses the significance of teaching history to the younger generation through the lens of the Pompeii: The Exhibition at Seattle's Pacific Science Center. The author reflects on the importance of connecting contemporary experiences to the past, as highlighted by historian Eric Hobsbawm, and argues that understanding ancient history, like that of Pompeii, provides meaningful lessons for today's youth. The museum visit is seen as a crucial educational tool that allows children to engage with art and history in a tangible way, making the experience more immediate and relatable by observing the artifacts and everyday items of ancient cultures.

Why Two Hundred Twenty Eight Scholars Cautioned The APA

02 Oct 2013  |  Forbes
A group of 228 international scholars has raised concerns about the American Psychological Association's (APA) review of its 2005 policy statement on video game violence. The scholars argue that the APA's claims of a consensus on the link between media violence and aggression are unsupported by current research, which they believe is inconclusive. They caution against the influence of politics in scientific debate and urge the APA to consider all data, including research that does not support the hypothesis that exposure to violent media increases aggression. Dr. Christopher Ferguson, a signatory of the scholars' statement and chair of the Psychology Department at Stetson University, advocates for the science of psychology to avoid making moral statements disguised as scientific claims when the data is insufficient.

Armin Shimerman On The Star Trek Mythos, Mentoring Actors And Theater's Greatest Catharsis

01 Sep 2013  |  Forbes
Armin Shimerman, best known for his role as 'Quark' on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, discusses his acting career, his love for theater, and his role in mentoring actors. He reflects on his start with Star Trek, his work with the Antaeus theater company in Los Angeles, and his belief in the power of theater to provide catharsis. Shimerman emphasizes the importance of treating fellow actors with kindness and support, a practice he upholds as associate artistic director at Antaeus. He also touches on his voiceover work, including his role as Doctor Nefarious in the Ratchet and Clank franchise.

Star Trek Las Vegas Takes 2013 World Record For The Most People Dressed Up In Star Trek Costumes

12 Aug 2013  |  Forbes
The U.S. Star Trek community set a new Guinness World Record for the most people dressed in Star Trek costumes at the Rio Las Vegas Hotel and Casino, with 1,085 fans participating. The event surpassed the previous record of 1,063 held in England. Actress Terry Farrell, who played Jadzia Dax in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, was the final participant to be counted. The event was a celebration of Star Trek culture and diversity, embodying the Vulcan philosophy of 'infinite diversity in infinite combinations.'

Planetary Resources' Lewicki On The New Space Economy And The Second Space Race

21 Jun 2013  |  Forbes
Planetary Resources' ARKYD Kickstarter project has been a success, raising over $1 million with goals to enhance the telescope's capabilities for exoplanet detection and asteroid spin-properties measurement. CEO Chris Lewicki discusses the democratization of space discovery, the importance of private-public partnerships, and the company's plans for a constellation of ARKYD space telescopes. The company's approach aims to reduce environmental impact on Earth by mining resources in space and supports the establishment of space colonies. The conversation also touches on the need for NASA's overhaul and the recent equipment failures of the Kepler spacecraft.

Java Pioneer Chris Melissinos on How Video Games Are Changing The Future Of Our World

10 May 2013  |  Forbes
Chris Melissinos, curator of The Art of Video Games exhibit at The Experience Music Project and Science Fiction Museum in Seattle and a pioneer in Java-based game development, discusses the evolution of video games as a cultural force and their recognition as an art form. He argues that video games are a dynamic and expressive medium that amalgamates traditional art forms and should be protected and allowed to reach their cultural potential. Melissinos also addresses criticism from journalists who claim video games are not art, emphasizing the subjective nature of art and the importance of personal connection. Furthermore, he explores the role of video games in education and predicts a rapid integration of gaming literacies into teaching methods. The article also touches on Melissinos's work at Sun Microsystems and his advocacy for a deeper understanding of video games beyond their surface-level perception.

Frakes On Meeting Roddenberry, The Riker Beard, His 'Next Gen' Family And Learning To Direct

22 Apr 2013  |  Forbes
Jonathan Frakes discusses his initial unawareness of the Star Trek phenomenon, his audition process, and the influence of Gene Roddenberry on his character, Commander Riker. Frakes highlights the close-knit relationships formed with the cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation and the impact the series had on their lives. He also details his transition from acting to directing, crediting his preparation and learning at 'Paramount University' for his success. Frakes is open to future Star Trek roles and is currently involved in directing various television series.

How Lego Makes Safe, Quality, Diverse and Irresistible Toys Everyone Wants: Part Two

20 Apr 2013  |  Forbes
Lego's production of elements increased by 83% over four years, with 45.7 billion elements produced in 2012. John Hansen, Senior VP for Engineering & Quality, detailed the collaborative engineering process, emphasizing safety and compatibility with existing elements. Quality control standards are consistent globally, and training is shared across facilities. Lego's commitment to children and parents is reflected in the design of 'irresistible' toys. The EU Toy Safety Directive, effective July 2013, aligns with Lego's stringent safety standards. Lego explores environmentally friendly materials and has reduced packaging size. New products include the Lego Lone Ranger, and the company maintains a strong reputation, as evidenced by the Reputation Institute's ranking. Lego's manufacturing precision results in only 18 out of a million pieces being discarded, showcasing their commitment to quality.

Jared Diamond On Traditional Society, Warfare And Eschewing Technology Plus Updated Commentary

12 Feb 2013  |  Forbes
Jared Diamond, author of 'The World Until Yesterday', has been critiqued for his portrayal of tribal societies as perpetually warlike without strong state governments. Stephen Corry of Survival International criticized Diamond's views as colonialist and overlooking the oppression of West Papuans by Indonesia. Diamond's rebuttal on a BBC interview was also contested by Survival International. The article discusses Diamond's book themes, including trade, war, technology, and lessons from traditional societies. It also highlights the exploitation of West Papuan resources by companies like Freeport-McMoRan and Rio Tinto, and the human rights abuses by the Indonesian military. The author suggests that instead of focusing on theoretical critiques, attention should be given to the real-world exploitation and oppression of indigenous peoples.

Stephen Hawking Rocks the Scientific World: From Time Travel to Chickasaurs

01 Jul 2012  |  Ars Technica
The article discusses Stephen Hawking's contribution to making complex scientific concepts accessible to the public, highlighting his appearance at the Seattle Science Festival. Hawking, along with other scientists like Leroy Hood and Jack Horner, spoke on various topics including time travel, reverse evolution, and personalized medicine. Hawking's humorous experiment on time travel, Horner's work on creating a 'chickasaur' through reverse evolution, and Hood's vision for P4 medicine were detailed. The article also touches on Hawking's views on M-theory as a complete theory of the universe, his quality of life living with ALS, and his skepticism about the existence of intelligent extraterrestrial life within reach of Earth.

Zachary Levi Talks STEM Skills, Digital Literacies and Human-Centric Tech

11 May 2012  |  WIRED
Zachary Levi, known for his acting and hosting roles, discusses his involvement as a judge in the National STEM Video Game Challenge and his passion for technology and gaming. Levi, who founded The Nerd Machine, emphasizes the importance of integrating gaming-based literacies and future-tech into education. He believes that video games can positively impact decision-making skills and that technology should be embraced in educational settings. Levi predicts that digital tools like tablets will replace textbooks in classrooms and that gaming can make learning more engaging and memorable. He also touches on the potential of augmented reality and virtual reality to change sedentary lifestyles associated with gaming.
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