2008+ The Gizmodo Archive

Published in: Gizmodo.com
Published Dates: 2008 - 2009
Category: Tech news, gadgets

Gizmodo is a design, technology, science and science fiction website originally part of the Gawker Network by Nick Denton. I was a writer for Gizmodo from 2008-2009, first as a Weekend Editor in New York City and then as Asia Editor based out of Shanghai, China.  Back then, Gizmodo.com was considered one of the most influential websites in the world, ranking consistently in the Top 1000 in traffic by Alexa.com.

The entirety of what I’ve written for Gizmodo.com, over 200 posts, are still up on the Gizmodo website in this archive for now.

Below are some of my favorites from my time as Weekend Editor and then Asia Editor:

MEETING BRANDO, HONG KONG’S USB WILLY WONKA

Excerpt: “The place looked like what would happen if a garage hobbyist, comp-sci college student, and nerdy teen mashed all their stuff together and exploded it into an otherwise sterile office. It was, in short, geek heaven.

Boxes, filled with USB cords, wacky flash drives, keychain laser pointers and who knows what else, were stacked on top of each other everywhere.

By one wall, they made a precarious citadel that towered over our heads like some gadgety sword of Damocles. According to Brando, a good chunk of these were being shipped out to other stores, including ThinkGeek. Now you know where they get some of their oddball products too.”

Link: https://gizmodo.com/meeting-brando-hong-kongs-usb-willy-wonka-5136739

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THINGS VIRTUAL REALITY CHINA WILL NOT PREP YOU FOR (AND WHAT YOU CAN DO INSTEAD)

Excerpt: “The U.S. is injecting a good $1.25 million into a new “virtual training ground” for American diplomats who plan on working in China called “The Second China Project.” It's a pretend city in Linden Lab's Second Life that purportedly will help almost-expatriots get used to the environment in the world's most populous nation. While some of the training activities sound useful (for instance, what to give as a gift, how to seat guests), as someone who's lived in this country for years, I can tell you there are things that diplomats should get ready for that the virtual world doesn't even seem to touch on.”

Link: https://gizmodo.com/things-virtual-reality-china-will-not-prep-you-for-and-5070802

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HOW TO BUY GADGETS IN CHINA AND NOT GET SCREWED

Excerpt: “Wallet full of cash and bags at ready, I stood, mouth agape, in front of the five-story electronics bazaar in front of me. It was one of several dozen in Shanghai, magical places where floor after floor are filled to bursting with gadget vendors begging you to stop by and see their wares. Like Circuit Cities on crack, everyone inside is desperate to make a sale and every price is negotiable. Welcome to the way the Chinese - or at least the majority who live in megacities like this one - buy their electronics.”

Link: https://gizmodo.com/how-to-buy-gadgets-in-china-and-not-get-screwed-5058737

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