Culture

2012-01-29T11:36:00.000-08:00

American universities are sitting on a gold mine of research, data, stats and analysis. And while some of it makes it way to the general public, one gets the sense that the majority does not.

The American people have literally invested trillions over the years in the production of this information...we need a better way to access it, interpret it and use it.

Perhaps that method is out there, but I don't know of it.

I would like to challenge the gurus at Facebook and Google to develop technology to harvest that information and make it available to the taxpayers out there.

Our friends at MIT are doing something quite similar. MIT has developed MITx that will allow anyone with access to a computer to do free course work and to receive a certificate...this is valuable in ways unimaginable. Let's hope there is more of this to come.

Blogging for more than just other Bloggers

2011-06-26T10:07:00.000-07:00

We all blog. It’s fun. It’s a hobby. It can also affect change. But most bloggers, myself included, need to approach this medium with some form of standards. Right now, it is just so random. My point: Bloggers are talking to one another and do not have an audience in mind. A few thoughts – for myself – as well as for other bloggers:

• If you are going to advocate for some form of change, be specific. Have a cause and outcome in mind. Address the person, group or organization that owns the problem. Address them by NAME. Layout a proposal and an outcome. If they are public servants, then express your desire to support their opposition if they do not act;

• Don’t be afraid to step on toes. You cannot affect change without doing so. If you are only trying to make nice and not offend – then, let that be your blog, but don’t kid yourself: You are not going to make an omelet without breaking an egg;

• Be consistent in your advocacy. You cannot change the entire world. Work locally. Choose one, two or no more than three issues and dissect them thoroughly;

• Give freely of your blog. Encourage people to take the information, photos and anything to help with the cause. The internet is not the place for those not interested in sharing. People must see you as a resource;

• Don’t neglect your blog. We all get busy and have days when we cannot blog. However, I don’t return to blogs with no new content. You wouldn’t return to a store with nothing on the shelves. Content is your product. No new content is the same as a store with nothing on the shelves. You are in the content business;

• Blog bravely. Don’t be afraid of your content. If you are afraid to call out names in your community, then this type of blogging is not for you. It is that simple. If you make your living off of the very organization or company that is causing all the problems where you live – then you need to rethink yourself;

• Don’t blog stupidly. Blogging bravely is not the same as blogging stupidly. Don’t run with rumors. Don’t gossip. Don’t lie;

• Creating an audience. Bloggers it seems, as mentioned before, write to and for other bloggers. However, learn to target the real audience who can affect change. Don’t spend all of your time promoting your blog to just your friends, target the people who can hold community leaders responsible.

GUYS, LISTEN: SHE’S TALKING

2011-06-19T07:02:00.000-07:00

My Canadian friend, Irene, has taught me more than most people in this world. Irene and I used to work together in Korea, and would often walk home with one another after work. It was on these long, hilly walks in Seoul that she would just start rambling – there was no algo to her rithm. But Irene, who has since changed her name to Rene, was perceptive, smart and very knowledgeable in the classical sense; she generally knew a lot about everything.

Rene was particularly sharp in the area of male and female interaction. She studied men and their behavior, but more over she studied women too. There is nothing politically correct about her – she tells it like it is (some of us like that – others hate it.)

It was her walking-lecture on men interrupting or ignoring women when they speak that I remember most vividly – as I listened intently. Ms. Rene pointed out that when men and women are in groups (say a social setting of sorts) men not only dominate the conversation, but don’t fully listen to the women and will interrupt or basically cut of the women when they are speaking.

I didn’t buy it – at first.

But then I started paying attention. I noticed at parties and meetings and any type of group setting, that the guys were not listening at all. Indeed, it was a type of faux listening where they were simply waiting for a pause – any form of break in the speaking pattern – and the guys would pounce. Moreover, and perhaps, consequently, the women generally allowed it to happen. Perhaps they’ve grown accustomed to it or weary of it.

I challenge the guys reading this to do a discreet survey next time you are in a group setting. The awareness is like a slap in the face. But, I also challenge parents, guardians, teachers and whomever, to be aware of it too. This is more than a little rude. This is a form of disrespect that can shape a culture that does not shape whole people.

Plan B

2011-06-09T12:36:00.000-07:00

I was listening to This American Life a while back on the radio and they did a show on Plan B. Plan B is the life people are living because they aren't living the life they dreamt about. Some of the people in the audience told the host they were already on Plans C and D.

Back to Plan B. As bad as it may seem for people, in the United States or the West in general, to have to reinvent themselves - and, get a different job or two or three........ Let me repaint the picture for you:

AT LEAST YOU CAN!

Living abroad I can tell you this: Plans B, C, D and even E, mean you have options. It means you live in a land where you can reinvent yourself if you want or if you must. You live in a land of unlimited plenty. Indeed, you have so many options it can be frustrating, but know this: It could be worse.

I honestly believe that life is short. Too short. But I am intent on squeezing as much out of it as I can. In my mind, I wish I had settled down somewhere and taken roots. But, my friend Tom Collins, who, like all good friends, threw a glass of icy cold realism in my face when he told me that I would never be satisfied and would always keep moving around. I didn't want to believe him (I still don't.)

But at least I can move around. At least I can reinvent myself whenever or however I like...and so can many if not all of you. We have all heard the saying that "everybody dies, but not everybody lives." Living can be defined in myriad ways. I define it as not living a life of regret.

So bring on Plan B...C...D....the entire alphabet, really. If we run out of letters, we can switch to numbers. The point of this post?: Be Thankful.

Are You Somebody?

2011-06-06T22:33:00.000-07:00

What do you do?

How many times have you been asked that question by someone you’ve just met? In Western culture, it has not only become perfectly acceptable, rather, it is the norm. It is the proverbial ice breaker. It is the thing that can get the conversation started or, end it immediately.

I don’t like it.

I am bringing this up because someone in West Virginia was just telling about her son and another family member looking for a job. She said they hate it when you ask “have you found a job yet?” Let me tell you – I am sure they do. If you are unemployed and you haven’t heard from someone in weeks or months, and the first thing they call to ask you – indeed – the only thing they call to ask you about is your employment status – then it is pretty damn rude.

It’s acceptable if you are the father or mother of that person and are supporting them; I suppose that is your right. But it is a jarring question for a person that has spent the entire day job hunting or getting 20 emails from various companies saying “thank you, but no thank you.” Imagine starting your morning off like that everyday for weeks or months. In the long run, they know that you are asking because you care, but there is a better way to package it: How are you doing? How is the family? What’s going on with you today?

Unemployed people still have lives. They still read books, watch television, have conversations – even go to movies, etc. No need to treat them as if they are dead.

The bigger question is “why do we approach people asking them “what do you do?” As if man is the sum total of his resume. You are what you earn – nothing more, nothing less. Truly, we know why that question is asked: Because, in a flash, it can tell a person’s income status, education attainment and level or ring of society they inherit – in most cases. Someone may know all they need or desire to know about you when you answer that question.

If it is a superficial question generally asked in a superficial situation, then why pretend we care? Why not ask: What movie have you seen lately? What books are you reading? Have you traveled anywhere interesting lately? Or, the one question, that we dare not loose into the atmosphere: “Tell me about you.”

Imagine that. Imagine a platform which leaves the door wide open to allow a person to express themselves on their terms. This is how I see me. This is not how my office of human resources categorizes me. Imagine talking to someone as your intellectual equal. You might be surprised what you hear. You will definitely find it more interesting than discussing their job or jobs (it’s a reality in this economy.) And you may encounter someone you had always hoped you’d encounter.

Give Me the Night

2011-06-02T13:02:00.000-07:00

I love cities and I love night-time. If could stay up all night, every night, I would. There is something about being up when everyone else is asleep. There is a world out there of people who make things happen while the rest of us - most of us, anyway - are sleeping away.

Enter Give Me the Night.

I have always wanted to do a radio show in a big city called Give Me the Night. It would come on the air well after midnight and would be written, produced and broadcast for those folks working -or who are just up -throughout the night. There is an entire world of these people out there.

George Benson, the jazz/blues musician did a great song by the same name that would make an excellent theme song.

A mix of interviews, talk radio, music, parodies and night feel would make it truly special and unique to that particular city. It is a dream of mine...a goal....perhaps someday a reality.

Esse Diem and finding the questions to life's answers

2011-05-31T10:57:00.000-07:00

One of my biggest complaints, about myself, is that I live too much inside my own head. But, this post is not about me.....

This is about Liz Gaucher.

I don't really know how to describe her, but I do know this: She doesn't live inside her head. She actually is one of those people that take it day by day and squeeze every moment out of it. (Personally, I am just learning how to do that.) Liz has a blog...it has evolved over time - even the name of it changes as it morphs - You should read it, often.

www.essediemblog.org

I was once told that if you want to get the right answer, you've got to ask the right question. Esse Diem is about finding the right questions. You owe it to yourself to give it a read.

TOB

Lawyers

2011-05-30T11:31:00.000-07:00

Why can't these guys hibernate like bears? They should sleep until we call them.

Radio

2011-05-29T13:25:00.000-07:00

Radio is my favorite medium. It is more important to me than the Web, newspapers and TV. I like it because it has nothing to hide behind. It is powered forward, like a good novel, by great writing and intelligence. Unlike TV or the Web, there are no graphics or pictures to distract you.

I don't know why talk radio today has become angry. I don't understand how those guys wake up in the morning looking for something to be mad about.

Until something knocks my socks off - radio is the thing to beat as far as I am concerned. And while I like some national radio shows, it is the local shows that are distinct and unique that drive me back to the dial. With the new formats on the Web, you can go straight to those local shows without having to fool with national shows. Goody Goody for us.

Radio rocks.