New York Times Video: David Pogue On Making Technology Interesting To Real People

David Pogue is a popular columnist for The New York Times, responsible for the Technology Beat. Pogue is not only a writer, he’s also a creator of a growing library of instructional videos. Frustrated with reviewing what seemed to be an endless stream of digital video devices and describing their features, Pogue decided what readers really wanted was real-world examples of how to use technology to do everyday things. So he set up a weekend family art project that would demonstrate one useful thing that you can do with a digital camera: create stop motion claymation videos.

In Stop Motion Video, Pogue and family use Playdough, a PC, and a digital camera to create a series of stop motion short flicks. There’s no focus on the process, no camera features (nor brands) are mentioned, and no step-by-step instructions are provided. Instead, the video focuses on showing the “coolness” of the creations themselves, along with the value of technology as a vehicle for creating fun and meaningful family projects.

Of course, Pogue’s right on target. Consumers are bombarded with marketing messages about products (features, functionality, and pricing), but marketers seldom (Apple iPhone videos excluded) design sales messages that show prospective customers what’s possible nor how the products can enhance something as important as family project day.

Read David Pogue’s Technology Column