Status And Selling Out

a guitar case covered in 90s era stickers, most importantly featuring "I hate Reel Big Fish" in the middle, a tongue in cheek response to "sell out"

When you know something is cool before anybody else really knows it, you feel special.  I don’t think discovery-status has “changed,” but I do believe that generationally, “what constitutes selling out and does anybody care anymore” is a question worth asking. How can one of the most profound emotional sensibilities of my teenage years not precisely … Continue reading Status And Selling Out

Podcast Of The Week: Will Storr On Status Games

Will Storr made an appearance on Making Sense with Sam Harris to discuss his book, The Status Game. I already riffed about this episode here, but I really do believe understanding status in interactions is one of the most critical elements in understanding any business. Any. Business. How they work with customers, why customers work … Continue reading Podcast Of The Week: Will Storr On Status Games

How To Use Status To Create (Or Destroy!) Value

First, as a rule, if you tell people “look how organized I am,” the universe will then throw a proverbial wrench into your gearbox and howl with a laughter only the cruelest of taskmasters can howl. Last night, after a marathon of calls and busyness, I was making dinner and remembering I still didn’t write … Continue reading How To Use Status To Create (Or Destroy!) Value

Status Symbols Don’t Work “UP”

Status symbols (titles, watches, cars, etc.) work to signal people “below you” in status. To the status-seeking person, these are the talismans of displaying achieved happiness.  But those same status symbols don’t work “up.”  The CEO is still patting the Vice President on the back and telling him, “Good job.” Who does the CEO want … Continue reading Status Symbols Don’t Work “UP”

The Time Joey Ramone And His Mom Went On Geraldo

I should save this for Mother’s Day, but I just can’t.  In a segment titled “Heavy Metal Moms” (I know, I know, just sigh it out and keep going), Geraldo asks questions to Charlotte Lesher, Joey Ramone’s mom, about songs like “Beat On The Brat.”  Pause for a second and ask yourself – what do … Continue reading The Time Joey Ramone And His Mom Went On Geraldo

Sunday Music: Rationalizing Glitterer’s “Rationale” (While Absolutely Loving This Record)

Seeing Glitterer live in the leadup to this release – I’ve been really excited for it. You know when you can see growth, as an iteration on the past without reiterating the past? That was the vibe. There’s no Title Fight rehashing here, but there is a band again, and most importantly – there’s the … Continue reading Sunday Music: Rationalizing Glitterer’s “Rationale” (While Absolutely Loving This Record)

Pop Vs. The Underground: Community Wins (Jay-Z + Eminem Vs. Kweli + Common Edition)

Choosing to be a great artist is an investment. It’s an investment in time and passion and sweat – all poured into captured performances. Because greatness is achieved in the audience’s reactions and remembrances. You can choose more than one type of audience to invest in as an artist.  It comes with tradeoffs.  Some financial, … Continue reading Pop Vs. The Underground: Community Wins (Jay-Z + Eminem Vs. Kweli + Common Edition)