Posts tagged recommendation
speaking & silence
Jun 17th
The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing at the right time, but also to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.
- teen blogger Taychyka
Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.
- Winston Churchill
I have an upcoming post on ‘effective communication’ or maybe better said ‘the art of rhetoric.’ But that is one side of the equation in communication. The actual speaking and what to say.
The other side of the equation is silence.
And I wanted to begin my thinking with a 16 year old quote and a Winston Churchill quote. Huh? Yup. Sometimes teens really do get it.
The funny thing is I believe all of us know, especially when we are younger, that there is a time to ‘not talk.’ Then.
School makes “filling space with words” a competitive arena and starts making us believe it is a way of life.
And in the business world this competition for words and ‘speaking your ideas to get credit’ goes to an entirely new level … it’s on steroids.
It takes courage to not speak.
It is often leaving something unsaid that is the most difficult thing to do in conversations and dialogue.
Silence is a funky thing to most of us.
Most young speakers appear to have a deadly fear of silence. And as they proceed into ‘not so young’ their behavior continues and become aggravating non stop talking machines.
Unless someone says “pause and think.”
But. It seems we are becoming a people who if for even a fraction of a second nothing is coming out of their mouth they feel that something is wrong.
The result? Well.
Actually two things:
1. The ever aggravating “uh,” “um,” “eh”, “ah”, “you know” and other useless things that dot the monologue (all barriers to an actual dialogue by the way).
We employ these unnecessary noises seemingly because we dread the “sound of silence.” It’s as if someone has told us that that something must always be coming out of their mouth, at all times, under all conditions, no matter what.
We all know, in fact, that is not true. Even the non stop talking machines understand this (in whatever quiet moments they may have with themselves assuming they aren’t talking to themselves in the mirror). We all know that silence is a natural and necessary part of any good presentation of whatever you are talking about.
2. The wrong thing. It is quite possible we all need a lesson in what saying the wrong thing means versus silence. I often believe we forget that (thanks for reminding us teen blogger).
Saying the wrong thing, especially at the wrong time, kills ideas, kills conversation, kills relationships … it just kills. I just don’t believe we teach this enough. I just don’t believe we think about this enough. And, this may be funny in this post, I just don’t think we speak about this enough. We discuss “silence versus missed opportunity to say the right thing” all the time. “Speak up if you have something to say” is the message we start teaching early on in life. Balance. We need to teach balance.
Anyway.
I try and keep it simple in my own head. “Don’t fill empty space simply because it is empty.”
In a non-stop world, we have become non-stop speakers. For this reason alone, silence is a powerful tool. Think about beginning a presentation with silence. It takes courage. But it gives your audience time to breathe as well. We live in a crazy world where silence is not easy to find. And, frankly, it’s just not that easy to use either.
Silence. Don’t shun silence. Embrace it.
One of the most poetic thoughtful thoughts I can think of with regard to silence comes from lyrical wordsmiths Simon and Garfunkel:
- “People talking without speaking, people hearing without listening. No one dared disturb the sound of silence. Hear my words that I might teach you, take my arms that I might reach you. My words like silent raindrops, fell and echoed in the wells of silence.”
Oh.
One last, kind of odd, thought on speaking and silence.
Think about this. This is a legal thing.
Legally you must speak out in order to benefit from your right to remain silent.
No shit.
So. In a narrowly split decision the Supreme Court recently expanded the Miranda rights limits. The decision reflects that suspects must break their silence and tell police they are going to remain quiet to stop an interrogation (just as I guess they must actually speak out to tell police they want a lawyer).
What this means is you still have the right to remain silent, but if you want questioning to stop you need to invoke it by first speaking. The goal here is not to protect the constitutional right to silence, but to tell the police when questioning must stop.
I am not sure what to do with this information but maybe if you get arrested silence isn’t such a good thing (I think).
global generation 5: education messaging underpinnings
Jun 14th
So. Under the whole “objectives, strategies and tactics” mumbo jumbo I would imagine this post falls under the objective silo.
Therefore message underpinnings (and by message underpinnings I mean “how do we choose what to have as content on the web educational platform?”) would have an objective to:
- Fight ignorance.
- Or call it an anti ignorance initiative.
- Maybe suggest fight intolerance through education.
What I do know for sure is that I hesitate to call it a human rights objective but in my infamous “stimulus – response” thinking I would imagine a response from this program would be enhanced human rights (but that isn’t a direct objective).
The intent of the education platform is rather than having countries, or culture, impose a belief system on children permit children to understand the belief system choice and decision and empower them with enough basic knowledge an critical thinking knowledge they can move forward in life and ‘make choices.’.
My thought always seems to center on cultivating behavior and belief systems.
So. Whatever you want to refer to educating a global generation program go ahead and call it what you want (although I attack this issue again in a later post).
This post is on messaging. Global generation 6 is the tactical plan of action. This one may be the trickiest. Okay. It is the trickiest. But ultimately this education platform is to develop a healthy respect for “understanding of choices” (note: not freedom of choice but understanding of choices).
It has to be cross cultural. It has to be unbiased. It has to cross government ideology. Education shouldn’t be dictating style of culture and government (or ‘Bill of rights’) it should inform people to be able to make choices and understand choices. Sure. It may ultimately affect culture & government & law and things like that but it shouldn’t dictate it.
So. Let me tell you what I think. Objectives include:
- remove cultural filters
- abandon destructive behaviors
- stimulate individual creativity and ingenuity.
In the book 2048 they outline a human rights bill with basic freedoms – religion, from fear, from several other things.
And I would imagine on that bookend (I describe my bookend thought in Global Generation 4) in the legal world those types of freedoms need to be identified (so they can be implemented with boundaries).
Within this particular “education bookend” it is all about informed choices. Maybe thinking about it as limitless boundaries.
Understanding choices within each cultural or government construct as well as crossing cultural/government lines. Maybe this is all about fighting intolerance? I don’t know. I do know that there are some cornerstones of a generational education plan of action that create a foundation for smarter choices by individuals leading to more enlightened decisions. I strongly believe that if we want a less conflict driven society we have to work for it and the best place to start is by teaching our children that:
- “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood”.
And I believe you can only do this through teaching and not ‘telling.’
I truly believe while intervention initiatives like Amnesty International and Human Rights Action and etc. are important it is only through teaching our children critical thinking (how to think) in combination with mutual respect for all people that we can ever hope to obtain a more peaceable, or an enlightened conflict, world. Because an education program builds behavior rather than managing behavior (like the other programs I mentioned).
So. Me being me and liking contradictions. I see this as having two messaging platforms that intersect in a crossover of “positive friction” decreasing ignorance and enhancing a sense of “competitive camaraderie.”
So. On one side it is “thinking stuff:”
- History. Learn from others. Respect for other cultures through historical learning.
- Thinking/problem solving (or call it Critical thinking fundamentals).
- Religious belief underpinnings.
- Education fundamentals (abc’s – multilingual – basic arithmetic, writing).
Note: This isn’t a college preparation platform but rather a life preparation platform. Basic educations skills prepare a generation to be successful (if not more competitive) in life.
Ok. Before I move to the other side of the platform let me take on a couple of these thoughts.
Critical thinking methodology for kids? Yup. Albert Einstein, icon of intellect and insight, said “We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” the rising generations of kids are going to be solving problems we cannot even envision at the moment. In addition many of those problems are ones we created (and haven’t solved). We need to make sure this generation can think.
Why do I feel so strongly about this? Well. I wrote not long ago about “unlearning.” We begin far too early in the education to encourage “memorization to learn” versus “understanding to learn.” My friends at Flying Rhinoceros have developed a wide variety of web based game that encourages critical thinking ‘brain muscles.’ It can be done.
Next. The elephant in the room. Religion. Those who insist that all ethical teaching must be religious in origin are talking nonsense. Some of it may be but much of it isn’t. The truth is ethical guidance is something we have never actually been short of. All I really believe at this stage (young children) is setting up the foundation for choices – cross culturally and cross religion. If you talk to any true evangelist in ANY religion they would tell you that if someone truly has all the knowledge the choice is obvious. True evangelists don’t seek to ‘convert’ they seek to educate. And that is all about overcoming ignorance.
And specific content? Some people (Facebook’s new peace initiative and an organization called 2048 and even Google) have danced with the idea of digitizing all books for the betterment of everyone but most of the existing programs are focused on changing belief systems rather than cultivating a belief system. This content would most likely be some digitized book, some already developed education material, some existing online education content and some newly developed information. Maybe call it an “infopedia” for children.
On the other side is “how to act” (or behavioral) stuff:
- How to win and how to lose
- Respect
- Value of human life
- Understanding failure and success
- Valuing the environment
These are “big topic” type items and unlike the other side of the chart these are not simple logical educational “factoid” driven topics. These are situational behavioral type learning things. Does this mean they have their own “education sections”? Probably not. They get incorporated into the content and the interaction style of the games and learning techniques.
But. Notice I am hesitating to use words like values or ethics because I don’t believe we humans, and kids in particular, lacks those things. As discussed in Global Generation 3, I, and Nietzsche apparently, believe these things are inherent in human psyche.
Yes. There will always be the few who will want to test the boundaries seeking individual benefit.
But a Global Generation attitude won’t solve “the few” it will only empower the “many” to stop the few before they can do too much damage. A great, or strong, attitudinal generation values base will curb (or possibly not eliminate but diminish the extremes) range of conflict within a value/ethic boundary.
So under the behavioral aspects there are a couple of personality characteristics which would be helpful to encourage within the educational construct. These are things I am not sure you can “teach” but rather keep in mind as characteristics you would like to encourage or foster as you develop an educational initiative. What I mean is that there is no sense in teaching people ‘things’ if behaviorally they aren’t strong enough to step up and take action in some way with the knowledge.
Ultimately I would imagine we are seeking to help raise a courageous generation. A generation with respect (for human and global life). And ultimately a wiser more knowledgeable generation.
As for generational characteristics? Probably three main underlying traits I would build into the message underpinnings within the program are:
- 1. Modesty.
Modesty is important because it is the basis for learning. It is the acceptance that it is impossible to know everything. A humbleness to seek ‘more.’ Modesty in a person, and groups of people, means among other things the fitting of form to the meaning, and not mistaking style for substance. A modest generation, for instance, would have to think for a moment to remember whether their choice was the right, or best, one as well as probably less likely to encourage a “gossip driven media” society. Acquiring modesty in our public life would be a big step towards developing a realistic sense of an individual’s (or country’s) size and position in the world.
- 2. Intellectual curiosity.
This follows upon the heels of modesty. It is the component of modesty that insures enlightened conflict and ongoing learning. A wakefulness of mind might be another term for it. A generation conscious of itself and of its history, and of every thread that made up the tapestry of its culture. It would believe that the highest knowledge of itself had been expressed by its artists, its writers and poets, and it would teach its children how to know and how to love their work, believing that this activity would give them, the children, an important part to play in the self-knowledge and memory of the nation. Leading to countries where this virtue was strong would be active and enquiring of mind, quick to perceive and compare and consider. Such a nation would know at once when a government (or an individual leader) tried to interfere with its freedoms. It would remember how all those freedoms had been gained and an attack on any of them would feel like a personal affront.
- 3. Courage.
Maybe this is courage to make mistakes (or is it courage to make decisions and handle the repercussions?). We cannot start this belief too early in someone’s life.
Courage is foundational. It has so many dynamics integral to a successful enlightened generation I am not sure I could list them all. Suffice it to say it’s what we need so as to be able to ‘do the right thing’ even when we’re afraid, in order to exercise good and steady judgment even in the midst of confusion and panic and to accommodate long-term necessity thinking even when short-term expediency would be easier. A courageous generation would continue to do what was right even when loud voices of leaders were urging it to do wrong. And when it came to the threat of external danger, a courageous generation, or enlightened groups with countries, would take a clear look at the danger and take realistic steps to avert it.
So. That describes what I would consider the message platform for the Global Education program initiative. Global Generation 6 will discuss the tactics. And some costs.
Bottom line. I don’t believe we are developing a global education program asking the globe to be people united as one. I don’t believe it is possible and probably more importantly I don’t believe it is a good thing to do. I believe some positive friction throughout the world has some massive positive benefits. Therefore the message underpinnings of education or created with some type of conflict in mind.
Simplistically. We are all unique in our own body, we are different in gender, language, race, nationality, childhood, location, cultures and environment. But we share a globe. That’s it.
Philosophically I get excited every time I discuss the idea with anyone because in the end with this program we all need to remember that the same spirit resides in all children (and probably all of us in some form or fashion). A spirit of goodness. It is only as they shift into adulthood and experience things that goodness gets challenged.
The same spirit that recognizes ethical, or value based, motives and can speak cross culturally with respect in mind. With the advent of the web globally we have a ‘one time’ opportunity to do something good. And create a Global Generation with attitudinal behavior aspects to manage a conflicted world.
Global Generation 4: role of an education plan
Jun 13th
So. This Global Generation I keep talking about. These kids some of whom haven’t even been born. I have been struggling a bit to explain the implementation of the education platform. And then I opened up the new Economist and there were two articles back to back on Human Rights. The key article to me was a short article discussing how Amnesty International, UN Human Rights Council and Human Rights Watch are unaligned on advocacy of civil liberties and the rising issue that several key Western governments (including America) are giving less priority to Human Rights. 
But what really hit me square between the eyes was how focused these organizations are on intervention. Setting up a legal process to deal with people who abuse Human Rights and highlighting existing problems (abuse). And when that hit me it was a good thing I was on an exercise bike reading The Economist because I began a pretty vigorous rant in my head.
If I had these people in front of me I would ask them:
- Have you not learned anything about the power of people?
- Have you learned nothing about the power of grassroots programs?
- Have you learned nothing from historical revolutions?
- Have you learned nothing about managing human behavior?
- Haven’t you gotten tired of running around putting out fires?
- Wouldn’t it be better to maybe teach people it is better to not start the fire?
Look. I have the utmost respect for the results and intent of these organizations.
But.
At its most basic level my Global Generation idea is about human rights. About the fact education or understanding choices is the foundation for a values system (within individuals) ultimately creating societal (within varying cultures) value underpinnings.
It made me realize that this global education program for a Global Generation is actually a discussion of preventative versus intervention attitude.
And, to be honest, we need both.
However it appears most human rights organizations focus on intervention (and that’s not bad) which is half the equation … maybe even less than half if you look at it from a long term vision standpoint. In the business world this would be considered ‘long term death to a business’ by running around trying to stop problems (and gaining credit for them) rather than isolating why they happen and coming up with a plan to stop them from even occurring.
So. Isn’t this idea I am discussing really a long term grassroots human rights initiative?
And if I think about it that way then describing implantation is a lot easier.
The premise? Let’s just say human rights are about righting wrongs as well as having and claiming a right or rights. While there is certainly a place for say “a UN declaration of human rights” (which we have actually had since 1948 but has no “teeth”) ultimately it comes down to people’s choices (and that means education). Therefore the vision of Human Rights advocates shouldn’t be to run around pointing at adults and trying to change their behavior but rather try to affect behavior by educating your core target.
Youth. And from birth if you want to truly affect a generational attitude.
This kind of thinking takes vision and fortitude. And media and investors will come ‘a gunnin’ for it year in and year out because you won’t see results (or major ones) for 10 years. Heck. Maybe 20 years.
Why did I say major? Because even though you are aiming at youth invariably some other older age groups will be affected (let’s say a smaller group of like minded young adults an existing advocates who you hope are influential in some way).
This is a plan where the world will not see its complete benefits until maybe 2035. Let’s say even 2045 (and that date becomes more important later in this post) Uh. That is what grassroots is about. Building a groundswell of attitudinal underpinnings which encourage desired behavior patterns.
Oh. And also. This is what revolutionary behavior is about. The great revolutions took a generation to come to fruition. First. Adults became unhappy with status quo (but are unempowered by the majority to do anything). Second. Their children learned attitude and behavior aspects growing up. Third. And when rose to adulthood shed the status quo when assuming leadership & decision making roles.
(note: yes. That was a simplistic description but a relatively true generalization)
Let me be clear. In the Global Generation I am not talking about a revolution level of conflict. But rather a revolution of global enlightenment (or conflict with societal/behavioral rules).
I am talking about implementing a grassroots anti ignorance campaign.
But. While I ranted about the existing Human Rights initiatives truly the best way to impact global human rights behavior is probably a bookend strategy.
But. One without the other is wasted effort (in my eyes).
One bookend is these existing organizations. With an emphasis on the UN human rights Council (this is where 2045 becomes relevant).
There is a UN human rights declaration (a global initiative) developed in 1948 after the atrocities of WW2. Yes. It exists. It has no teeth and needs support. And there is an interesting book I happened across at the local bookstore that suggest by 2048 we could have the legal system in place to actually have a viable global UN backed human rights high level sanctioned program. And I am all for it. And it is needed.
I have not read the entire book yet (just scanned it) but it outlines a systematic process to establish the global legal bookend. However, the author speaks about the process as a ‘grassroots’ program and I would debate with him whether it is grassroots (but that would be another post). to me it is simply a nice systematic approach to building a necessary legal foundation for human rights (a superior intervention program & process).
Anyway. That is one bookend. Ultimately it empowers PEOPLE to stand up for human rights (although some bonehead is going to argue its intent is to be able to sanction those who don’t meet human rights standards. Uh. But that is using conflict to resolve conflict).
No.
This first bookend is really only effective if you are building an opposite bookend at the exact same time. Create a Global Generation of people who are willing to point to the declaration (and what it says and stands for) as important. I do not mean global leaders to point at it and say it is important (although influencers are always good). But rather a generation of people. Working people. Everyday people. Farmers. Villagers. Factory workers. Town mayors and spokespeople.
People who in their heart of hearts understand the choices that could lead to abuse of human rights (and say “no”).
This is a program where the attitudes of a generation rise INTO leadership (instead of challenging existing leaders) positions and are empowered by the other bookend to steady the shelf of nations and their actions in (what I am calling) enlightened actions. Less ignorant actions. Less human rights abused conflict. Ultimately enlightened conflict.
So I would tell these folks at these high falutin’ initiatives. You are going to fail unless you invest in the other bookend. You are ignoring basic human behavior aspects. You are firefighters in dire need of a fight fire campaign (Smokey the Bear was embed
ded in a generation of children who understood forest fires).
I would tell them they have a fairly unique human generational opportunity in front of them.
I would tell them to stop and think and with their vision in mind course correct actions for a longer term effect (who in Amnesty International forefathers foresaw a global web based platform when they constructed their vision? They couldn’t).
I would tell them remember effective grassroots programs. And remember human behavior, real human behavior and belief system changes, occur thru generations and not in 5 year plans.
I admit. I read an article like this in the Economist and it drives me a little nuts.
Organizations with great intent and more money than a good smart business person could ever spend and bureaucracy and in fighting and media attacking “lack of results” and possibly some people who can’t see the forest for the trees and it comes to wasted effort. Ok. That was harsh. Inefficient long term effort. Kills me.
But. Maybe I am biased. I am the guy who believes we can impact the behavior of the Global Generation. I am the guy who believes we can build a global education foundation. So. Maybe I am the guy who is nuts.
Well my site. Nuts for everyone.
easter eggs
Apr 4th
I wasn’t sure whether I wanted to write something for easter (I missed St Patrick’s Day which seems a missed opportunity for some drunken stupor like post). Anyway. I figured out what to write about. Chocolate eggs. Why chocolate (and eggs in particular)?
- Hard boiled painted eggs are for wimps (or easter neophytes).
- Chocolate bunnies don’t have eggs (and the only good parts are the ears anyway)
- The right chocolate egg is a solid unqualified sugar high (best legal drug out there)
Anyway.
As I pondered the chocolate Easter egg, slightly drooling, I took a moment to wonder what Easter Eggs and rabbits had to do with Jesus’ resurrection (I am not sure I have ever seen a rabbit in one of the classic Jesus Italian renaissance paintings).
So. The origin of Easter and why we have Easter Eggs.
Easter is commonly believed to be a Christian festival where the death of Jesus is remembered and resurrection celebrated. But the history of Easter actually has an earlier association with pagan rituals of spring. The name Easter comes from a pagan figure called Eastre (or Eostre), the goddess of spring, by Northern European Saxons. A festival called Eastre was held during the spring equinox by the Saxons to honor her. (here is where the rabbit comes in)
The goddess Eastre’s earthly symbol was the rabbit (a symbol of fertility).
When the Saxons came to Britain in the 5th century they brought this Eastre festival which included re-birth and fertility rituals involving eggs, chicks and rabbits. Christianity gradually replaced the pagan religion of the English Saxons around the 7th/8th centuries and the Saxons began celebrating the death and the resurrection of Jesus. The death and resurrection took place at the feast of Passover in the Jewish calendar which coincided with Eostre, so that’s what the early church in Britain called the celebration, Eostre or Easter in modern English.
(here is where the egg comes in) As well as adopting the pagan festival of Eostre, the Egg, representing fertility and re-birth in pagan times, was also adopted as part of the early Christian Easter festival and it came to represent the ‘resurrection’ or re-birth of Jesus after His death on the cross.
The birth of the chocolate egg
No. some German didn’t figure out how to engineer a hen who could crank out a chocolate egg. It was just some people who liked chocolate (and easter). In Great Britain and Europe the earliest Easter eggs were painted and decorated (still done on in many parts of the world today). And the first chocolate Easter eggs appeared in Germany and France in the early 1800’s and soon spread to the rest of Europe. The first chocolate eggs were solid and they were soon followed by hollow eggs. By the 20th Century, the molded Chocolate Easter Egg was fast becoming the Easter gift of choice in England and many parts of Europe, and by the 1960’s it was well established worldwide.
Now. To today’s the chocolate egg.
Find one from the Chocolate Alchemist.
First. Any place called the chocolate alchemist has to have their shit together when it comes to anything chocolate (and they do).
Second. You are looking for an egg with serious chocolate, delivered at a serious thickness.
Look. You can take some hollow crème filled chalky milk chocolate if you want but the best egg is a rock. Third. The darker the chocolate the better (hey. this is my site so I can set the standard).
The best about this advice? Contrary to Halloween when you have to fight the kids for the chocolate, if you stick with the above advice most children believe dark chocolate is the devil’s work. They do not want things painted with oriental images or are wrapped in ribbons and chiffon paper or proclaiming loudly their cocoa solid content. They want something sweet and ideally a hidden surprise (so fork something over to them so you can chow down on the serious egg).
Plus. Almost anything by The Chocolate Alchemist is so thick a child couldn’t get through it unless they stole a chisel from the tool box. The Chocolate Alchemist? An award winning organic chocolate manufacturer based in England (working in a converted stable in the countryside) that hand makes their chocolates. All their products are hand-made and stylishly packaged in cool contemporary packaging by a small happy staff who ride bikes to work. (happy and in a sugar coma)
This year?
Milk Chocolate Fudge Jeweled Egg. Sold out.
Organic Dark Chocolate with Peppermint Polka Dots Egg. Sold out.
The jewels (in the first) are nuggets of creamy, melt-in-your-mouth fudge. The fudge extras are nestled into an egg made with an amazing chocolate (sorry. No Hersheys here.). The Alchemists source it from small family producers in Dominican Republic (their milk chocolate has an awesome texture and vanilla-spiced flavors).
But beware beyond The Chocolate Alchemist. There are expensive eggs (dark chocolate or otherwise) out there decorated with a delicate hand painted image of birds, gold lace, expensive chiffon or some other female looking shindiggery. And then you get a nifty $30 price tag and you gulp (but don’t gulp the egg cause it ain’t worth it). They’ll be okay but don’t justify the price tag.
Remember the infamous chocolate easter egg advice “An egg that is beautiful to look at, but not much fun to eat is a waste of everyone’s time and money.”
Addictive song: Jack’s Mannequin “The Resolution”
Feb 20th
Jack’s Mannequin is probably one of the best kept secrets around. And I have been waiting for them to come back around again with a catchy, addictive song as an excuse to talk about them. The Resolution is a nifty little song which incorporates what they do best – let Andrew McMahon bang away on the piano, use his catchy style of singing (he has impeccable timing for repeating words and not wasting time injecting unnecessary words) and a nice hook or two. The rest of this CD is okay. It is very personal to Andrew’s dealing with leukemia.
But.
The leader of this band, Andrew McMahon, is an incredible songwriter and performer. He wrote great songs for Something Corporate (which disbanded when he took time off to get treatment for his diagnosed leukemia) and created an incredible first CD for Jack’s Mannequin called “Everything in Transit.”
That CD has some amazing songs like Dark Blue (awesome. No clue why it didn’t get played more), the catchy Mixed Tape and a number of other well crafted songs (I’m Ready and Holiday from Real).
Oh. One more thing. They created a movie/video called Dear Jack which opens on the day Andrew McMahon is diagnosed with leukemia and continues on through the intensely personal events that follow. All proceeds go to the Dear Jack Foundation for Leukemia. Pretty amazing powerful stuff from a pretty amazing young singer-songwriter.
Anyway. Heard this one on the radio and knew who it was immediately. Catchy and fun and energetic. Pretty much everything Jack’s M does consistently.
Addictive new song: Barenaked Ladies “You Run Away”
Feb 14th
It’s hard to believe it’s been 12 years since Barenaked Ladies dominated the radio with One Week (a song which I hated). And, I admit, I have never really been a Barenaked fan. But this new song is really really nice. Kind of a mid-tempo, sorrowful ballad, but really nice.
The band has had some issues. Co-founder/vocalist/songwriter Steven Page left the band last year (and his iconic voice wasn’t replaced with anyone). The bands other singer, Ed Robertson, has in amazing voice, and the song is serene and melancholy and an almost tragic beauty. If You Run Away is representative of the album, All In Good Time it should be a good record.
The song is beautifully textured. It could be a song about a failed relationship (it could be about Page’s departure), but it’s not an angry song. The melody may be one of the finest Barenaked Ladies have crafted in their 20+ years together.
Oh. And here is a neat thing. The new album from the Barenaked Ladies is coming March 30th. But this first single from the album hit the web January 8th on the band’s website, MySpace, iLike, Facebook and Twitter (and is getting some airplay on the radio now). Nice example of how to introduce something in a grassroots kind of way. Also a nice recognition on their part of choosing the right song to do this plan of action with.
Anyway. it’s a nice song. I can’t envision many people disliking it.
A Recommendation For Professionals: Teach a High School Class
Jan 20th
This is something I recommend for everyone. I try to donate a couple days of my time every year to the high school I graduated from as well as accept as many other opportunities to teach kids as I am able to fit into my schedule. Many people ask what I teach (and I will tell you below) but frankly it doesn’t really matter that much. High school teachers are typically so overworked and time challenged, if you can absorb even some of their daily commitment, you are helping. In addition, the kids love access to some non-teacher, real world access to break up their school life.
But. Specific topics I have presented and discussed in school:
- Ethics in communication
- Ethics in business.
- Entrepreneurship (or starting your own business)
- Effective presenting – presentations
- Evaluating ideas
- What history can teach us about today
- It’s ok if you don’t know what you want to be when you grow up
- Collecting moments (or learning from people and experiences)
- Listening and responding
- What it takes to succeed
But I have also helped with history, social studies, business and English (although my grammar is spotty at best).
There are two reasons I do this as often as I can (you find your own reasons). One is selfish. One is less selfish.
1. Selfishly the experience hones my presentation and listening/responding skills. High school kids have incredibly short attention spans. There is no continuity or linearness to the line of questions you receive. Questions range from incredibly insightful to seemingly pedantic (but often there is a not so obvious insightful thought buried in the question to be mined and explored). They make me better. And selfishly I use them to become better.
2. Non selfishly…well…kids don’t know what they don’t know and they know that. And they are sponges for information at this age. Even the most cynical in the back row has something he/she wants to know. Teachers do the best they can (and they do a great job) but even they are sponges for additional information and perspective. I love teaching (but I am fairly confident I couldn’t do what our teachers do). So. If I can be a relief pitcher for a couple of innings so the starter can keep their arm fresh then I am willing to play that role. And hopefully some kid comes out of the room that day with a slightly more hopeful look at the world around them.
Go do it. I guarantee you will be more tired at the end of the day than you have in a very very long time. But you will also feel better than you have in a very very long time.
I am behind the times but an addictive song: “Help, I’m Alive” by Metric
Jan 16th
Metric is an indie pop rock group from Canada led by singer-songwriter Emily Haines. Their music is best described as a mix between new wave and modern dance rock. Suffice it to say it is energetic. The band’s sound is glammed-up 4/4 synth rock, with songs within songs and complex rhythm changes.
“The idea is, we’re taking [René] Descartes and kicking him down,” front woman Emily Haines said of the French philosopher who said the psyche and body were mutually exclusive. “We’re saying soul, mind and body are together and kicking him where it hurts.” (Awesome manifesto even if you don’t like their music).
Back to the addictive song. “Help, I’m Alive” is from the newest Metric CD Fantasies. The trouble with showcasing “Help, I’m Alive” is that the cd has maybe 5 or 6 addictive songs (the radio is just playing that song now – and “Gold Gun Girls” just last night).
Metric’s Fantasies has turned out to be one of those rare gems that you can enjoy all the way through. Beyond the incredibly addictive “Help, I’m Alive,” I highly recommend “Gimme Sympathy” (which is frickin awesome), “Gold Gun Girls” (which is frickin awesome), “Twilight Galaxy,” and “Blindness.” The album ranges from mellow rock to slightly edgy, never harsh. Perfect for driving or if you need something to get you going in the morning beyond the strong cup of coffee.
Why I Have This Link: Trendwatching.com
Jan 16th
I subscribed to trendwatching.com for two straight years at my last company. We wasted the opportunity to appropriately use the information as a company, but I personally used the information throughout client and company experience all the time.
Incredibly interesting, forward-thinking consumer trend information that is delivered in interesting sound bite fashion. While I highly recommend buying the full report if you use this kind of stuff, I even more highly recommend watching for their free stuff (old and new). It makes for great thought fodder on general issues and they are very good at spotting interesting things that are happening globally. (And what they call their trends is worth the visit alone).
