imnotbored.net

..and I feel fine. Actually, I feel GREAT!!

I had this theory that I would cut my hair, play nice and bring the system down from the inside. Seems like my efforts won’t be all that necessary, as the system is collapsing under it’s own weight. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again - the 20th century is over. Your business models don’t work here.

: Douglas Rushkoff - Weblog ::

Michael Giest

CBC Coverage

The creative class are more than just serfs to the MBA empire. The Cold War is over - this generation won’t be duped by selective math, big words, and a firm handshake. This video, via Underwire suitably sarcasticizes the issue:

I could use a little more of this: Patience

Seemed like a good idea at the time: Parachute pants

To Do

Today - Relax.

Next Week - Finish project .

Next Month - Fully engage yuletide denial as coping mechanism.

Next Life - Less running with scissors, more looking both ways before crossing.

Song stuck in my head: “Caroline No”, by The Beach Boys.

My most recent attempt at being quotable: If you stop learning, you’re screwed.

I could use a little more of this: Time to read.

Seemed like a good idea at the time: 1980s fashion.

To Do

Today - Cook something yummy with fish.

Next Week - Begin preparing for final exam.

Next Month - Christmas, cultivate patience for.

Next Life - Eat more vegetables and less cookies.

Song stuck in my head: Family Guy theme.

My most recent attempt at being quotable: A good jelly donut can turn the day around.

I could use a little more of this: Peace and quiet.

Seemed like a good idea at the time: Learning Japanese from manga. It turns out the phrase “We missed the last train to Shinjuku, now we will have to teleport.” is not as useful as it first seemed.

To Do

Today - Catch up on homework.

Next Week - Start new novel. Most likely William Gibson.

Next Month - Try not to freak out about Christmas.

Next Life - Watch the instant replay and see if I died a foolish death.

Crazy idea that just might work: Sub-dermal fiber optic implants, aka light tattoos.

Song stuck in my head: Careless Whisper, by Wham. Don’t ask - I don’t know how it got in there either.

My most recent attempt at being quotable: If you want a degree, you need a college. If you want an education, you need a library card.

This post (and comments) over at Schneier on Security on this article doesn’t really surprise me. From the Yale Daily News:

In the wake of Monday’s massacre at Virginia Tech in which a student killed 32 people, Dean of Student Affairs Betty Trachtenberg has limited the use of stage weapons in theatrical productions.

What do they hope to achieve by banning obviously fake weapons in a play when there is real violence on front pages every morning, and featured heavily in every newscast? I grew up in the 70’s, and was encouraged to be involved, to be a good citizen, to be aware. This meant watching the news and seeing violence everyday for most of my formative years. Footage of the Vietnam war is a childhood memory. Likewise tanks rolling over hilltops in Afghanistan. I grew up with images of international conflict being resolved by violence. Serial killers like Son of Sam and Clifford Robert Olsen made headlines and their images joined us after dinner every night on the TV news.

I really don’t think realistic swords in a stage play will push someone over the edge. This isn’t about security, it is about limiting liability should a post grad student go ballistic. Is there a word for the unreasonable fear of lawsuits?

How did we develop a culture of fear and lawyers? Who thought that would be a good idea? Probably the marketing department.

Technorati Tags: Media, political, Public Relations, puppy, Security

Corporate vernacular excels at making an impression without providing information.
Don’t drink the Kool Aid.

Technorati Tags: advertising, humour, Media, political

Links and quotes from elsewhere, Italics are my two bits worth. Happy Friday!!

My TV Blew Up - I Think the Universe is Telling me Something

Well I have been asking for a few things like getting better organised, making more money, getting fitter and losing weight - all of which cannot be achieved lying on the sofa watching TV! It’s funny how in the past few days, even over Christmas, I have got so much more done because there is no TV - So I have resolved not to replace the TV and tomorrow I cancel the Sky (satellite) contract. Perhaps 2007 is going to be a really successful year at last.

I’ve long felt TV sucks the life out of people - nice to see evidence that I’m more likely correct than paranoid.

Six Reasons You Should Be A Freak!

Here’s Tom Peters’ six reasons he loves Freaks, from one of his speaking engagements:

1. Because when Anything Interesting happens…it was a freak who did it. (Period.)

2. Freaks are fun. (Freaks are also a pain.) (Freaks are never boring.)

3. We need freaks. Especially in freaky times. (Hint: These are freaky times, for you & me & the CIA & the Army & Avon.)

4. A critical mass of freaks-in-our-midst automatically make us-who-are-not-so-freaky at least somewhat more freaky. (Which is a Good Thing in freaky times—see immediately above.)

5. Freaks are the only (ONLY) ones who succeed—-as in, make it into the history books.

6. Freaks keep us from falling into ruts. (If we listen to them.) (We seldom listen to them.) (Which is why most of us—-and our organizations—-are in ruts. Make that chasms.)

So, be a Freak! Be a revolutionary! Work on your personal brand. Never stop self-teaching. Go out and sell your expertise. Go out and start something. A business, a blog, an initiative, a foundation, a scholarship…ANYTHING. Just do it. And Make a Difference.

I once had a prof in music school who encouraged us to sing along with the muzak in the supermarket as an ear training exercise.When someone asked “Won’t people think we’re weird?” He replied with what has become a classic line:

” Do the math - there are already way too many normal people in the world.”

Old media vs new media

It is understandable that some will hark back to another era in the media. But we cannot pretend that the media is not changing. As with all change, some things are better, some things are worse. I, for one, are encouraged by the possibilities of new media. It all depends on what we do with it.

STOP using it like new version of old media. Old media forms opinions and mass markets. New media creates niches. New media allows information to flow like water, taking the path of least resistance. New media is powered by irony - editorial decisions and distribution become less powerful as they become de-centralized and commonly available.

Technorati Tags: education, geek, Media, entrepreneur, TV