Monday, July 24, 2006

Read This Book

I just finished reading a life changing book by Daniel H. Pink. The book title is “A Whole New Mind – Why Right-Brainers Will Rule The Future”. Pink also wrote a popular book – “Free Agent Nation”. The premise of the book is that organizational and corporate culture is evolving. Pink asserts that US culture is moving from an Information Age dominated by left brain dominant workers. From the introduction “think programmers who could crunch code, lawyers who could craft contracts, and MBAs who could crunch numbers.” He presents an excellent argument that we are moving to a Conceptual Age. Persons of the future are - “creators and empathizers, pattern recognizers, and meaning makers. These people – artists, inventors, designers, storytellers, caregivers, consolers, big picture thinkers – will now reap society's richest rewards and share its greatest joys.” These are the right brain thinkers. Those of us who can find the balance will find success and reward.

Pink's contends left-brain thinkers are beginning to wield less influence, particularly in the US. The reason this is happening boils down to three “A's” - Abundance, Asia, and Automation. The chapters that follow highlight six “senses” that the author feels are worth developing. They are high concept and high touch. Each sense – design, story, symphony, empathy, play, and meaning – takes the reader on a thoughtful path. The examples used are fascinating and readable. Each chapter is followed by a portfolio of ideas, exercises, and possibilities for further study. As expected, much of the added study occurs via Internet. As an aside, Pink was a speech writer for Al Gore. Former Vice President Gore is an avid user of technology. He got a bum rap on his Internet comments – never saying he “invented” the Internet but being alleged to have said it. I won't go into the rest of the whole sordid mess.

I found the book entertaining and highly readable. I could have read it quicker but it was far too enjoyable. I rather enjoyed taking small bites and letting it melt in my conscience.

What I find truly astonishing is the conversation generated on Slacker Manager about outsourcing technology. I posted early and am watching it go back and forth. Steve Rubel, at Micro Persuasion, even checks in.


Sunday, July 23, 2006

Change the World

over at Slacker Manager, Bren posted a little nugget about this social network to Change the World. Its a small step and one worth taking. Especially for all you altruistic sorts.

I set up a little profile here. And even a pod on bicycling.

Thats enough links for today. As you can see - I'm high on this new social network.

Combine it with music and I've rekindled the fire.

Thursday, July 20, 2006

The Viral Garden: Your 24-hour guide to creating buzz with blogs

The Viral Garden: Your 24-hour guide to creating buzz with blogs

Here is a link to "what happens when a movie executive takes time to talk with a blogger". This link got here by click the link to this article button on The Viral Garden. Like I say, a lot of this is still magic to me.

Tuesday, July 18, 2006

Been Away But Now I'm Back

To those few who have visited - thank you. You may note the lack of activity on the blog. So many decisions it becomes overwhelming. I've taken a bit of advice from Mack at here and thought about passion. I've also been visiting a fair number of blogs. Spending more time reading other bloggers. When I find something that fits into my myriad interests, I'll drop a comment. And always leave the url for this blog as my website.

It seems to drive views of my profile which have tripled in the 30 days since the first post. Not particularly astonishing but an increase nonetheless.

Now, I need to shamelessly plug a few bloggers. These are people - just like you and me - who have taken time to respond to my comments on their blogs. Near as I can tell Huckabuck is a search engine that searches and combines other engines. Within a couple days of my first blog post Paige had sent me an email. She asked that share their search engine by writing about it on my blog. That is being on top of the game! Sorry it's taken so long, Paige. And I apologize for such little traffice to my blog - yet anyway! I've found the engine to be comprehensive and thorough - it is part of my bookmarks. Its key difference is the "search tuner" which allows the user to fine tune the search. What I really like is the organization is based in New Orleans. I have no idea how search engines make money. But the people working on this project are passionate about it. And any help sent toward the Mississippi Delta is help sent with love for the people who are rebuilding that beautiful part of the US.

I've also set up a Technorati profile, messed around in digg, and discovered the internet archive - which I believe was called something else at one time? These sites are popular with bloggers - they are new to me. Remember, I'm building a network here.

Check links to the right for other places I've been spending time.

Boing!!!!

BoingBoing talks about newspaper marketing

I'm not certain exactly where this leads. What I do know...if something gets boing-boinged it causes a rush to action.

I also know that a simple, available, and FREE office suite will have a pile of users.

You can pick it up here:
the free office suite

Wednesday, July 05, 2006

Sinatra: A Man and His Music opening number

lets see how this works