talkingDigital

Some people hear the word digital and they automatically translate it to mean hard data, or cold, clinical dots and binary format. But, through this or that power of transformation, you can always use digital technology to promote the arts, and indeed, some of the most beautiful arts have been coming from digital formats lately, thanks to new, complex but intuitive interfaces.

So what are some of the ways that you can do this, either as a person or as a brand for instance? The five follow techniques illustrate a few options, including setting up a YouTube channel, organizing your entire social media process, using cloud servers when possible, utilizing software suites, and using digital tools as a medium for practice.

Set Up a YouTube Channel

One of the easiest and most accessible ways to start promoting the arts as associated with your brand or company is by starting a YouTube channel – for example, look at the one Park West Gallery put together. You can do things like show interviews of curators, or show examples of your art, or tutorials about how you’ve made certain artistic advancements. With the right editing techniques, the videos themselves can even be considered art!

Organize Your Entire Social Media Process

As far as promotions in general go, establishing a social media presence is vital these days. That way all of your promotions come from the same point with the same voice, and all links are taken care of logically and professionally. The cleaner your digital social presence, the better looking you are as an artist, and the better the artists look that you’re collectively promotion. It’s almost difficult to separate the two these days!

Use Cloud Servers When Possible

Maintaining cloud servers is another interesting way to promote the arts. You can store pictures, videos, information, and whatever else you want on a cloud backup, and then give access to whomever needs it as required. This is a great way to both promote projects that are stored via the web, and also even to do collaborations across time and space.

Software Suites Are Great Learning Tools

And think of the power that something like Adobe’s Creative Suite gives people to express themselves. For a reasonable amount of money, amazing resources are available to promote both personal and professional artistic use – more than any time in history, now is when you can use computers to make what’s in your head into a real thing!

Using Digital Tools Saves Resources and Enhances Creativity

And finally, there are an amazing number of digital tools like styli and tablets that allow people to learn the arts with computers and electronics rather than resources like paper and pen. Though the medium is different, many of the techniques can be taught either way.

If all you are using your smartphone for is talk and text, you are really missing the point of the high tech device. Seriously, it gets you into a whole new world and you’re just using it like any other phone? That’s crazy, and kind of wasteful.

If you have a smartphone it’s pretty likely you are paying for some sort of digital package, or getting one for free, that gives you at least a certain amount of browsing time online and such. No matter what your digital plan is, you should be doing more with your phone if you are investing in the cost of a smartphone.

Use The GPS

One of the greatest benefits for people with smartphones that spend a lot of time in their vehicles is the fact that most of them come with GPS, so you don’t need a second device taking up space in your vehicle.

GPS isn’t just a way to help you get from point A to point B, but it also lets you check-in on your social media sites when you are visiting places or people. It’s also a great way to find what you need when you are in a strange area, since it allows you to search for nearby restaurants, stores, and more.

Do Some Browsing Or Shopping

Having a smartphone is a great way to stay connected to everything, even when you are nowhere near your computer. Sitting at the doctor’s office in the waiting room, bored, shop on Amazon right from your phone. Don’t want to haul your whole computer into the kitchen to use a recipe, search it on your phone and use that.

It streamlines your ability to browse and shop, and lets you do it from anywhere without the need to haul around your laptop. You can also spend time on social media, from your phone.

Play A Game

It’s counterproductive when you are trying to work, but when you are in a line or in a waiting room, why not play a game on your phone. There are plenty of mindless games that don’t take a lot of time or concentration in order to play. Do a match 3 or play Angry Birds, and have some fun.

There are games that you can play with your friends on your phone as well, so you can stay connected and have some fun.

Don’t just use your personal phone to talk on anymore, use it for so much more. There are also a million business things to do with your smartphone, if you are so inclined. The point is, smartphones are more than just a phone, they are a lifeline. Use yours for everything you can, instead of wasting its abilities.

For a person struggling with an addiction, the road to recovery can be extremely long and toilsome. It’s said for anyone who needs help that in order to change, they have to want change, and they have to work for it.

People tend to have different opinions when it comes to time estimates on how long it takes to get hooked on a substance. There are certain harder and definitely more dangerous drugs that have addictive qualities that act fast, but for most substances, the dependency on that particular substance or thing depends entirely on the individual taking the substance and how often they’re taking the substance.

Nobody can doubt the addictive qualities of drugs, the way they change people, and the way they rule lives. Although addiction is always grievous, there are perks to living in the 21st century that help addicts come out of the fire with a little more ease than what has been available in the past. Here are different technologies that can help people struggling with addiction.

Wearable Technology

Technology is so cool in that way that it can aid people when they most need it. Just as your iPhone or your iWatch can help remind you to go to appointment or connect with friends, other wearable technology can help in a big way, too.

There is a wearable device being developed by Chrono Therapeutics that gives those addicted to nicotine a calculated dose of nicotine based on an algorithm. The program knows when the cravings are at their worst and it will wean the individual off of the substance.

This technology is being developed for more addictive substances like cocaine or heroin, although the market for people wanting to come off of those substances is a little more limited. The technology is still in process and will be more effective than more traditional methods.

Apps that Aid Recovery

If wearable technology isn’t something that is up your alley, there are always apps available that aid in the recovery process. For alcoholics seeking recovery, there is an app called Sober Grid that is free and allows users to find and connect with others in the area who are facing the same challenges. There is also an AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) app,  NA (Narcotics Anonymous), and other apps that have a goal to help those suffering get free,  and they even offer advice as to other things to do to fill the time and void.

People say that the key to getting free is to have a support system. Those who try to do things alone are more likely to fail. Thanks to technology, the opportunity to connect is easier than ever. Even though technology helps in the process, it’s still important to get an individual into a recovery program that is structured to include everything an addict needs to get clean.