I have just lived through a bizarre experience, watching news of Michael Jackson’s death propogate across the Internet in real time.

I saw the news first on Twitter, where microbloggers tweeted and retweeted the news that had been broken on the TMZ website. Whilst traditional media, such as BBC News 24, tried to confirm the story, I was able to watch it metamorphose into something else time and again.

As I write this, the news has just broken on the BBC, the first news source that I trust enough to believe it. I have also had four messages that he is not dead, two that he is in a coma, one that it is a publicity stunt, and eight jokes (none funny). Some people praise, others decry. I am sorry to say, a few celebrate in a manner that tries to disguise ghoulish glee for a moral compass.

A friend has just IM-ed me to tell me that the Wikipedia page has already been updated. I have no doubt the eBay auctions are already being set up to auction off tickets to concerts that will now never play.

All of which makes me wonder something …  is this the way that the worth of our lives will be measured in future; not by the deeds we do, but by the tweets and blog posts about us when we are gone?

I have 296 Facebook friends. I worry that this is not enough of a legacy.

For anyone who hasn’t already heard, GI Joe Resolute is an eleven episode animated series based on the ‘Joe franchise written by UK scribe Warren Ellis.

Originally broadcast on the [adult swim] network, this is certainly a more mature take on the franchise, the cartoon that adult fans of the ‘Joe franchise will no doubt refer to as “The GI Joe Cartoon we’ve been waiting for”.

Having seen the trailers for the new “Rise of Cobra” ‘Joe movie, and eyed the “accelerator suits” with some suspicion (unless it leads to a GI Joes/Transformers crossover movie that is), I thought I’d make sure that anyone who hasn’t stumbled across Resolute has it as an example of what the ‘Joes can do.

Sit down and seriously digest.

YouTube Playlist – GI Joe: Resolute.

Clearing through my email back-log, I found an interesting link that had been forwarded on by Snark and Fury a while back.

10 Privacy Settings Every Facebook User Should Know.

I was pleased to find that my Facebook data was already nailed down pretty tight, but I know those settings are/were not the default and thought it would be worthwhile passing the link on.

So, before that friend from school tracks you down …  Sort out the 10 Privacy Settings Every Facebook User Should Know on your porfile.

I am no doubt so far behind the curve with this blog post that you may be forgiven for thinking that you are in my ancient archives or that brand new shiny broadband is some how connected to the past.

But fear not. I am just tardy. Slow. Late.

Never the less, just in case there are people out there that are even more tardy than me, I recommend that you check out Rich Johnson’s new “Bleeding Cool” website. Imagine Lying in the Gutters, but on a daily basis and with a smattering of Warren Ellis column-age to spice things up. And forums.

As I say, it’s … bleeding cool.

The Birmingham International Comics Show (BICS) is back, bigger and better than ever before for 2009! And, as usual, Monkeys with Machineguns will be there!

After our exhibiting hiatus at last year’s BICS, we will be proudly sharing a double sized exhibitor space with the fine fellows of Orang Utan Comics and David Wynne at the 2009 show. Having seen life on both sides of the table at last year’s Birmingham International Comics Show, the first convention I have ever attended as anything other than an exhibitor, I think it is a fantastic show and one worthy of pride of place in the autumn/winter convention schedule.

As well as exhibiting our wares at the table I am single handledly trying to have dubbed “Monkeypalooza”, Stu and I will also be spending some time at the Markosia stand where you will be able to talk to us about our upcoming projects The Magpye and The Dark, and at the Insomnia Publications table where I will be talking about my new project The Fictionalists. We will also be at the pre-show party on Friday night. At present, however, we have no plans (despite encouragement from quite a few people) to repeat the monumental feat of Monkeys with Machineguns Live! (Although, anyone who wants to see if they can goad Pete Rogers and I into finally having our “write off/face off” …)

Overall, BICS is shaping up to be a fantastic show and if you haven’t already booked tickets, a table, or registered as a professional, I heartily advise the application of skates to feet … pronto.