Martin Scorsese is dropping some pretty intense philosophy in this GQ profile. The filmmaker is wrestling with what he’s still holding onto and fighting for at this point in his career. And it’s all through the lens of what he’s (finally) letting go of. It's not easy to be "good" at something. In part because … Continue reading Martin Scorsese On Just Letting Go
Why Do I Even Care? What Do I Even Know?
A friend was (rhetorically) asking, “Why do I even care?” I told him I’m guilty of it too. Comparing myself irresponsibly, recklessly, pointlessly, etc. It’s like the shame and frustration are so insurmountable. Instead of permission to walk away, it feels like a rejection. Like a rejection letter. Or getting a test back with an … Continue reading Why Do I Even Care? What Do I Even Know?
Can Do – The Seabees Motto
Building bases, roads, and airstrips during a war is no small task. It’s no small task in peacetime either. And the Naval Construction Battalions (or CBs, or Seabees for short) were some of the best at the task. Their service is recognized with a special Memorial in Arlington National Cemetery. It features their motto, “Can … Continue reading Can Do – The Seabees Motto
Sunday Music: Why Does Azealia Banks Still Hit So Hard
I remember having a 2012 conversation about how there was a noticeable lack of danger in pop music. I was ranting at the Billboard chart. I did a lot of ranting in those days (usually to myself, to be perfectly honest). My argument was centered around how you could see the edge people were willing … Continue reading Sunday Music: Why Does Azealia Banks Still Hit So Hard
Podcast Of The Week: Maria Bamford Is Back (New Book + Conan)
Maria Bamford’s You Are A Comedy Special was my top non-business business book of 2020. Her new book, Sure I’ll Join Your Cult: A Memoir of Mental Illness and the Quest to Belong Anywhere is out now so she’s doing some book promo spots. Her interview on Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend didn’t disappoint. This … Continue reading Podcast Of The Week: Maria Bamford Is Back (New Book + Conan)
Apples And 8-Balls, Better Vs. Different, And Marketing For Market Share
Knowing when to use better vs different comparisons, or apples to apples vs. apples to 8-balls, is knowing how to market for market share. It’s also how, as consumers of products and information, we can understand how we are being marketed to. Let’s get critical. If you want to make a comparison, talk about how … Continue reading Apples And 8-Balls, Better Vs. Different, And Marketing For Market Share
Get Down On It: What Else I’m Up To, 9/28/2023 Edition
How you gonna do it if you really won’t take a chance The YouTube/podcast parade continues - We have a NEW episode of Breaking News up this morning, “Voldemort 2024! The Biden/Trump Rematch Nobody Wants.” We talk about the strategies political incumbents use to defend against newcomers, why this election will be the mud-slingingest yet, … Continue reading Get Down On It: What Else I’m Up To, 9/28/2023 Edition
Progress Over Perfection
In Steve Willison’s book, Prospering,* he keeps coming back to the expression, Progress over perfection. So simple, so important. It doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to keep moving forward. And it will keep moving forward with or without you. So maybe you want to roll with it. https://youtu.be/9TlBTPITo1I?si=nzAUZhZY9xixoJg6 *Prospering is one of … Continue reading Progress Over Perfection
Different (Philosophical) Strokes For Different (Life-Staged) Folks
In my fascination with communicating across generational lines, I keep coming back to Kierkegaard's idea that life’s got three primary stages: the aesthetic, the ethical, and the religious. We can use these for guiding which types of stories will work AND which types of stories will fall on deaf ears. One housekeeping note first - … Continue reading Different (Philosophical) Strokes For Different (Life-Staged) Folks
How Mediums Make Culture (Hip Hop’s Vinyl Librarians Edition)
Language forms around common words. Anything that bottlenecks words into being “more common,” influences the language, and in turn, how we all communicate. Music history is full of examples. The lessons for marketing and basic communication strategies are nearly endless. And we don’t talk about Breakbeat Lou nearly enough. In the 80s, sampling was a … Continue reading How Mediums Make Culture (Hip Hop’s Vinyl Librarians Edition)