Many a successful business person has read the book Good to Great by Jim Collins. It tells the story of eleven companies who made the leap from being just a good company to a great, long-lasting, household name. The test must be difficult to pass because out of the 1,435 companies followed, only eleven made it to great.
So what does it take to make the grade?
In an article by Jim Collins on Fastcompany.com, he says, "A company had to generate cumulative stock returns that exceeded the general stock market by at least three times over 15 years -- and it had to be a leap independent of its industry. In fact, the 11 good-to-great companies that we found averaged returns 6.9 times greater than the market's -- more than twice the performance rate of General Electric under the legendary Jack Welch." These companies had to do well year after year before they could call themselves great, but Collins offers a very different view of just how to become great. He says"
"I want you to forget everything you've ever learned about what it takes to create great results. I want you to realize that nearly all operating prescriptions for creating large-scale corporate change are nothing but myths."
Collins goes on to say what allows a company to make the leap from good to great is not a radical program, bonus incentives for compliance to change, or fear-based tactics. What does work is having "a down-to-earth, pragmatic, committed-to-excellence process -- a framework -- [to keep] each company, its leaders, and its people on track for the long haul." He makes the point that employees don't need to be motivated; they are self-motivated. Additionally, these companies don't buy into starting a big revolution of change in order to build business, as this almost always fails.
I think his points are valid for success in any occupation; people need to be self-motivated and working toward a common goal. Also, the idea that there is no over-night miracle is a good lesson for anything in life because the easy way out eventually tends to backfire, even if it is years down the line.
Meatcards is a company that provides business cards made out of beef jerky with information applied via laser to the meat. The website boasts "MEAT CARDS do not fit in a Rolodex, because their deliciousness CANNOT BE CONTAINED in a Rolodex" which I think is pretty funny.
Business cards made out of meat? This is a little hyper-masculine, but it is more interesting than getting handed a regular business card. I don't know how practical this is, but it is an untraditional way to get your business out there. This tactic does accomplish one thing, and that is marketing a completely unique, and rather innovative, product and service. The only thing I am confused about is whether people are supposed to eat these cards if you give them one or save the beef jerky card forever.
I would love to see the people that get handed one of these by an interviewee or new business partner. How do you take that seriously? But in certain situations it would be more appropriate; for example, I could see these being given out as samples at a butcher, meat shop, or even a leather store. It would also be funny to see the guy who slips one of these in those restaurant jars to win a free lunch or something.
There are some amazing things you can do with physics. It explains the reasoning behind every earthly phenomena from gravity to microwaves. Even simple physics can be incredible, and I wish I still remembered all that I learned back in eleventh grade. This video shows a seemingly "simple" experiment: pouring sand on a table and then vibrating that table with sound waves at certain frequencies will produce these interesting, kaleidoscope-like designs. I do wish, however, that someone "creative" would take these shapes and make a more innovative video or art display.
Being surrounded with creative people and creative assignments all the time sometimes makes me feel like I am losing any mathematical ability I once had. I think having some understanding of things like physics always comes in handy for creative stuff because physics contains the laws which make construction, sculpting, and design possible. Sometimes I think specializing in one area forces you give up maintaining a vast knowledge of other subjects. Not that I was a brainiac in physics, but I wish I had managed to retain some of that information!
Most people would agree pirating/illegally downloading material online is unethical and wrong. It cheats the creators and distributors of the material out of earning any sort of profit; who is going to pay for a movie they can get at no cost or hassle through the Internet? Clearly, stealing material online is becoming a bigger issue in our generation, and it looks like things will only become more accessible in the future.
However, the easy access of file-sharing does present some unique opportunities, if people are innovative enough to find ways to capitalize on them. In an article on CNN.com called "Is online piracy a good thing?" the point is raised that file-sharing "has great opportunities to be at the center of a dynamic cultural life where you don't need large resources to participate and get a global reach where hidden gems from the cultural history can be revitalized." The vast amount of information available on the Internet means people can obtain most of that information at record speed, with relatively low cost (especially if it being pirated for free), and in the convenient location of wherever their computer is. I agree that having a computer with access to the Internet is basically an essential for staying in tune and connected to the events of the world around you. So, in one sense the value placed on online information is increasing the digital divide immensely so that people without the means or skills to access the Internet are getting left way behind.
On the other hand, there are more positive opportunities for what can be done with the world of downloading. "For example, due to file-sharing, people discover a broader range of films than before but cinemas have done nothing to work with this insight." Film is apparently one area that is actually experiencing growth because of the access to all kinds of media, as people are becoming interested in all kinds of movies they might normally never be exposed to. The problem then becomes how to use this information. The film industry needs more creative people looking into how we can make insight like this work to the benefit of those involved in the industry, instead of just benefitting the pirates.
"In today's economy, innovation and new expression comes from the margins, from unexpected directions. Giving access to all is the best way to promote the creative diversity that makes society resilient to changes and shocks."- I think that pretty much sums it up.
boys like food. boys like sports. boys like girls (sometimes). boys like cars. boys like sex.
They watch ESPN like it's going out of style. They speed and think they won't get caught. They play video games from the time they are five to sixty-five. They are maturely-disadvantaged compared to girls until about college, when they learn to work up "to their potential" and surpass us all. They have a dating disease until they get married. They leave the seat up. They can get ready in five minutes. They play computer games when they are not playing video games. They have penises. They lift weights. They are domestically challenged (sometimes). They help make a baby.
These are some generalizations about the male sex, and they might be a little stereotypical but you kind of have to make sweeping generalizations when trying to talk about a large group of people. Stereotypes are not always true, but they also don't come out of thin air. I know it's not good to make assumptions about people before you know them and it's bad to stereotype, but sometimes you see individuals who complete fit and behave in ways that perpetuate stereotypes. I found some exaggerated stereotypes of certain kinds of boys/men; yes, they are dramatic but you have probably seen these guys out in public.
These guys are loud and persistent.
My new haircut is one big parade of profanity, but guys quote it nonstop. And if you have ever been to the Jersey shore you have definitely seen these guys.
Still, guys will do nice things for girls they like. Really, the only relevant part of this SNL skit is the beginning when the guys start answering their girlfriend's calls. The rest is funny too, but it shows that they can make sacrifices and commitments when it's important.
Somewhere, someone with a little too much time on their hands, located and compiled these scenes from various old Disney movies that bear striking resemblances to none other than...other Disney movies. Part of me is amazed at just how exact the duplicated scenes are between the different movies, but part of me feels like my childhood self was a little taken advantage of. I loved Disney when I was little, but I had no idea that the numerous movies I loved were all the same movie!
I guess when you find something that works, you just stick with it. But then again, where do we draw the line in creative acts between just doing the same successful routine and taking a chance on something new. It is good to produce work, any kind of work, that people enjoy; however, as creative thinkers, we also have a responsibility to encourage people to think along different avenues.
As an imaginative cultural icon, Disney surely has this responsibility to show work that is engaging but also innovative. Despite this clip, I don't think Disney has anything to worry about. Over the years, they have been the first to jump on new video technology, explore every possible angle for stories and characters, and capitalize on consumer products ranging from washclothes to comforters. Disney is an empire, but they still need to keep pushing for new material.
Who knew your favorite frugal Euro furniture store was so scandalous!?! You don't have to look hard to find naughty Ikea spots filled with sexual innuendo; I found five in less than five minutes, all with the headline that they were banned commercials (at least in the U.S.).
I guess a little sexual humor is okay, and the only good thing about these spots is that they acknowledge older, I presume married, couples in a sexual light. So, at least they are being somewhat responsible with what they show our youth. Still, Ikea, you sell furniture-why do you have to make that edgy and sexy? You make cabinets and tables and chairs, so calm down on the innuendo.
That's not something you laugh about five years later.
I don't know what twelve year old boy told these people boners would be funny. Boners are not funny, they are a sure fire way to make everyone watching feel uncomfortable in under 30 secs.
Awesome Ikea, promote bad child care and whorish behavior.
Oh, it's really a man dressed as a woman! original.
It is 2009, and women still get paid less than men. This is not a problem for just the United States; it is worldwide. While society is making progress in other areas of women's rights (woohoo! we can vote and go to school), the ratio of earnings between genders is still not quite balanced.
So clearly, if you are a woman, Sweden is the place to be. It seems that these Nordic European countries, like Sweden and Finland, have an extremely high quality of life: low crime, great public education (usually free), no pollution, and now great pay for women.
I love this spot. This is a Swedish commercial made for Equal Pay Day, which occurs every year and is the date which symbolizes how far into the new year women must work to earn as much as men made by December 31st the previous year. (If you are wondering, Equal Pay Day 2009 is set for April 28th.)
The injustice of paying women less than men is something I just can't believe still exists. I think it is blatantly unethical, and I don't understand how it is even allowed to continue in the work place when everyone knows it is wrong. Despite my rage, I am going to try to argue something...anything...in support of the other side.
Why women should be paid less than men:
Some statistics show that women choose to enter lower paying professions, such as social work or teaching, which indicates it is their decision to work in a lower paying profession. Additionally, women decide to start families and have babies; this leads to women needing to take more time off than men, including maternity leave and the many days taken for sick kids and doctor appointments. Since they are not at work as often, they should not be compensated for hours they are not putting in. Furthermore, because men do not take as many days off, they cost the company less in PTO and should be rewarded. When women do decide to start a family (since this is entirely the woman's decision which she makes with no input, verbally or sexually, from her male partner), they often decide not to return to work at all. This leaves the man as the sole breadwinner who must support the rest of his family, so he needs to make more money to cover the expenses of his unemployed wife and children.
Alright, that's all I got; I really don't think there is any valid argument for the perpetuation of this injustice, but for the sake of the blog I tried.
Inventions are supposed to raise the standard of living and help mankind progress, but sometimes I think we are reaching the point where inventions are just a product made to make us even lazier, not more efficient.
I won't lie, I think Wii Fit is decently fun and definitely addictive to play, but it is really just another excuse to keep people indoors, living vicariously through a little gremlin Wii character of themselves, instead of going outside and getting some real exercise. And this parody is pretty truthful in that you repeat the most simplistic shifts of weight and call it a game.
There are some products introduced to the world that people really just shouldn't pay for because there is no need for them anyway. You know those ads that are a complete waste of time and space because everyone assumes there is no one quite dumb enough to risk their money on one of those. There are already too many of these products out there (the Topsy Turvy Tomato Planter, Strap Perfect Bra Clips, Aqua Glow Watering Bulbs), but I think two of the worst are Shamwow and the Snuggie. Shamwow is basically a huge sponge, and if you truly think using a sponge is a hassle, there is no hope for you. As for The Snuggie, this thing is literally a backwards robe without the tie, so if you are dumb enough to buy an oversized robe that is posing as a revolutionary new blanket, then I guess you deserve to lose $19.95 plus shipping and handling.
My issue with products like these are that they are too similar to regular products people already use, and these newer, better products are either not practical, don't actually work, or are not legitimately improved upon. I mean even the charms that people put on Crocs sandals are a better invention; at least they were the first of their kind and were useful enough to attract a wide market of buyers (although now the shoes are proving to be dangerous on escalators and such).
Despite the awful dramatic acting and over-use of powerpoint pop-ups, these inventions make great material for parodies.
No time to send some tweets to your tweeps? Luckily, a newer, faster version of Twitter is on the way.
As the world of "nanoblogging" is taking off, people are becoming accustomed to updating the world on what they are doing or feeling at any given time. Facebook introduced this with the "status updates" and that was okay because people didn't feel the need to change that thing every time they ate some cereal or took a shit. Then Twitter comes along and puts a limit on the characters of what you can post, so the entire site is a laundry list of what people are doing, all day long.
I think social networking is fine as a whole; it's a great way to keep in touch with people, communicate, and even advertise. Sometimes, though, people need to get off the computer and stop worrying about what everyone else is doing, and they especially need to stop updating people on what they are doing when it is not important and nobody would care to read about it. A good way to determine whether something is worth twittering, would be to consider this scenario: "if I were to call a friend and inform them of what I am doing/twittering, would their response be something like..what the hell, why did you call me to tell me that?" If this is a likely response, then don't waste the 140 characters to tell the world because no one needs to know.
Let's hire some of these Twitter police to run around and put a stop to the useless information people are putting online.
Today was the 1st of April, otherwise known as April Fools Day. I had no idea that pulling pranks was okay for people working in corporations, governing institutions, or really anyone with a lot of public influence. Apparently, it's okay though, because I found an article on Time featuring the Top 10 April Fools' Pranks. These are some big pranks too. Some of my favorites are the 1957 Switzerland Spaghetti Tree incident, which is featured below.
The BBC made this report about spaghetti trees that grow in Switzerland, and people believed it and even asked how they could get their own spaghetti tree.
Another good prank took place in 1996 when Taco Bell purchased a ton of ad space in newspapers and claimed they had bought the Liberty Bell and renamed it the Taco Liberty Bell. lol. According to Time, "The prank's real victims were hapless National Park Services manning the phones at the Liberty Bell. Unaware of the media blitz, they spent their April Fools' day reassuring Americans that no, their national monument hadn't been sold off to the highest bidder."
And then, just two years later, Americans proved to be even dumber when they literally bought into Burger Kings new "Left-Handed Whopper." The fast food chain announced this new burger that had moved all the condiments 180 degrees to accommodate all the lefties out there. What is even more sad that lefties buying this burger is righties taking precautions to get the correct burger. And no, no one realized they could just rotate the burger 180 degrees themselves because it is a circle.
These are all quite humorous, but I don't know that I agree with these big, trusted institutions playing a joke at a nation's expense. I think April Fools is funny when you fool your friend, but not so much when the general public is confused. Then again, anyone that believed the Burger King thing deserves to be confused.
So my video won't embed or hyperlink, but I found a good one on ebaumsworld. So check it out by clicking the title.
The social phenomena of "going green" could not have come at a better time because we are really starting to exhaust our resources. It is scary to think of how long we have until Earth reaches its breaking point and can no longer sustain anymore life. Americans are by far the worst abusers of energy and resources, but luckily, the only thing we are worse abusers of is blindly following any new fad. Recycling isn't a new idea, energy conservation isn't a new idea, and organic foods are by no means a recent development; however, it is only now that these eco-friendly activities are gaining in popularity. Now that it is widely promoted and pretty trendy to "be green" people are finally taking notice.
People are buying organic popcorn, driving hybrids, and printing clothing on "100% recycled fabrics" (yea right) that make sassy comments about living a green lifestyle. I work retail part time, and it amazes me when new shipments of clothing come in. They have been printing all sorts of graphic tees with slogans like "save water, shower together" and "don't panic, go organic," but the amazement comes from every article of clothing being individually wrapped in plastic and shipped in dozens of cardboard boxes. It's sickening that every store in every mall probably receives their products the same way.
Talk about waste. Fortunately, TIME has found some new ways to be more environmentally friendly. I found the magazine's "Top 10 Odd Environmental Ideas," and they are all real.
1. Reusable Toilet Wipes- Euros use them and they come in prints and patterns, but that still doesn't make me want to use a washcloth on my ass 2. The French Letter Condom Company makes eco-condoms and plant lubricant- not a chance 3. Staple-Free Stapler- stitches paper together, using strips of paper 4. Biodegradable plates and utensils made from pig urine- leave it to the Dutch 5. Bar Surya dance club have spring floors that produce electricity from dancers' feet- it only produced 60% of the club's needed electricity but it sounds cool
6. Urine batteries- why are we discovering all the new uses with our pee!?! 7.The greenest Democratic convention in history- equipped with 950 volunteers to make sure people threw away trash and recyclables responsibly 8. Resomation- a new way of disposing of dead bodies that liquefies them, because supposedly cremation and embalming are bad for mother Earth 9. Bra with a chopstick pocket- that way Japanese women are never without their recyclable utensils 10. Tempura oil for fuel- once again, the Japanese are one step ahead
The lesson here is you don't always get what you pay for when buying online. Still, online shopping is taking over as a favorable means of purchasing consumer products, which poses, or will eventually pose, problems for retailers. Not only do stores have to compete with other stores selling the same or similar products, but they must also compete with third party auction websites that sell everything.
Craigslist, eBay, and Amazon make it impossible to feel like you are getting a good deal on any product you buy in a store. Because despite buying the cheapest sweater, computer, or cereal on sale, it is likely that someone is selling it at an even lower price online.
You can find and sell everything on Craigslist, from furniture and clothing to even a house or high class hooker. Since you can buy and sell such a wide variety of items through these sites, some people's livelihood could be compromised. If you can successfully sell your house on Craigslist, then what's the point in paying a realtor? The ability to make money off of your old stuff means people will be donating less, too. This I wish would not happen because there are so many organization who need donated materials, but at the same time I know everyone needs to make a buck.
But seriously, some people are just starting to get stingy with the things they try to make money off of. Like the guy Jimmy Kimmel visits who puts a $5 shirt up on Craigslist; only the beginning is really relevant to the subject, but the rest is irresistably funny.
Texting has revolutionized the way people communicate in general, but especially in dating and relationships. When used appropriately, texting can help you communicate better because you can send a quick text to check in or update your bf or gf throughout the day. However, more often than not, texting becomes the means of viscous, drawn out fights. It's easier to say something cruel that you don't really mean via text rather than over the phone. The lack of personability in texting seems to give people the courage to say (or write) things they would not normally be inclined to say.
Perfect example. Texting makes it easy to prolong a break up; sending a text to your ex isn't quite as ballsy as actually calling so it gives just the right amount of mixed messages to leave everyone confused. It is definitely not as big of a gesture as calling or even emailing really, so the risk of rejection isn't as high. Still, the easy accessibility of texting means the lines of communication stay open for much longer, and this relatively new gray area in a relationship makes dealing with a break up that much harder.
People who are creating even bigger problems with texting are America's youth. How many articles do I have to come across, ABCNews, about teens sending "lude" photos of themselves to classmates via cell phone? Apparently, this new fad is called "sexting," and kids in this country are making headlines with it. This gets brought into the news and courtrooms when people try to argue that such images are child pornography.
In one article entitled "Federal Judge Blocks Charges in Pa. 'Sexting' Case" written by Michael Rubinkam, he explains the outcome of one (of many) cases in stating, "A federal judge on Monday temporarily blocked a prosecutor from filing child pornography charges against three northeastern Pennsylvania teenagers who appeared in racy photos that turned up on classmates' cell phones." They couldn't press charges because the photos were not quite racy enough to qualify as pornography; Witold Walczack, legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania was grateful for the decision but said, "This country needs to have a discussion about whether prosecuting minors as child pornographers for merely being impulsive and naive is the appropriate way to address the serious consequences that can result."
I think I agree with Walczack in that prosecuting those kids for something many others have gotten away with would have been pretty harsh. I think this country needs to have a discussion about why minors think it is necessary or appropriate to send nakey pics of themselves via text. However, it is kind of disgusting that in addition to adults exploiting child pornography, we now have to worry about the children doing it themselves.
Clearly people are outraged with the changes of the Facebook layout. This just reinforces my belief that people do not like change as much as they say they do. People like what is familiar because they understand it, and it is familiar! This is called the Mere Exposure Effect, which basically states that people claim to like change because it promotes progress, but in reality they like what they are used to. (You can't help but wonder how people will really respond once Obama stops talking about change and actually changes something.)
What I really like on this video comes at about the last minute or so when the point is made that people ban together to bitch about how much Facebook sucks-on Facebook. People have made several groups against the new site layout but wouldn't think about deactivating their own account. This also reinforces my belief that people generally talk a lot but rarely back it up. If the online community really wanted to show how bad it sucked, they would all ban together and stop using the site. I know stop Facebook, that would be an epic day. Nevertheless, the clips of real people going crazy/getting mad/becoming clinically depressed are hilarious; it really does a lot to make the world's youth look as ignorant to the REAL issues as older people think we are. Good job guys.
Now that I've officially declared my major, I am just praying the advertising world isn't exactly like this.
I'm all for sarcasm and bitching about work, but when even Charlie Brown can't make you look good- there's trouble.
This spot was done humorously as an intro to the Addy awards. It's funny because it was done as a spoof of a spot for Monster.com (something you would know if you are familiar with intertextuality-horizontal intertextuality in fact.)
Both spots are hilarious because everyone can relate to at least one, if not both. Beyond the humor is a more nostalgic, sad message about what we envision our lives to be and what they end up as in reality. Clearly nobody hopes for a future in filing, but more often than not life gets in the way of dreams as we get older. Kids pick out professions based on the kind of cool uniform or attire you get to wear to work, and -surprisingly- the kind of work they want to do. It never fails, as we grow up and approach the "real world" we settle for a path that is not necessarily easy, but accessible or doable, or one that makes money (especially in this economy.)
I think it would be funny to see more of these kinds of ads for specific professions, just to get a taste of how bad everyone else's job sucks. Then at least you don't feel so bad. I've already started on a subject I will encounter in my life, God willing I can get a job when I graduate: being a woman in the workforce...here goes,
I wanna be a woman in the work force.
I wanna look forward to the threat of sexual harassment on a daily basis.
I wanna get passed up time and again for promotions and end up working the same middle management position until job cuts lead to my resignation.
I wanna wear sneakers everyday on the train and slap on my pumps on the way in the door.
I wanna assert my authority and get called a bitch, while my male partners can act the same and be called powerful.
I wanna walk that line of being the office slob or the office slut, just based upon the cut of my suit and the color of my hair.
I wanna feel the insecurity of walking alone in a parking garage at night.
I wanna get 2 1/2 weeks of maternity leave, only to come back and have been replaced.
I wanna have a black president, an Asian boss, and still get paid less than my male co-workers- now that's equality America.
First off, I am no filmmaker or film student; I can barely work a computer, but after only minutes of searching on Youtube for something inspirational and profound I found it. I never understood the lure of making films, even small ones, because the entire process seems so unfathomably daunting I try not to even think about it. After watching this short clip though, I think it is exactly what the world needs more of: art and advocacy-together. Like I said, I couldn't make one legit comment on the technical filming, but clearly this one was good because it was the Tropfest NY winner in 2008 (which is apparently the world's largest short film festival...who knew?!?).
It's true that mankind is no island; no one would be happy in a life of desperation and loneliness. So, why are we letting people live that way? I think some non-profit corporation should get a hold of this film, legally of course, and then compress it into a spot for TV. People need to see more of this kind of work that gives a call to action. A lot of people donate money, and we think that makes us good people, that we are doing our part; however, those could be the same people hustling by the homeless in this film. You see in the video that people don't even glance at, or give consideration to the needy people they pass. I'm not saying we should feel guilty for not giving every homeless person a couple dollars because let's face it, some people just like to manipulate and take advantage of the system.
Still, there is nothing more powerful than seeing the truth, and the truth is we walk right by our world's problems everyday. The truth is that 1.1 billion people live on less than $1 a day. The truth is that people are poor around the world, but it is also the truth that countries have their own agendas. What I mean is that in 1974, the Bengal famine was clearly well known as a problem around the world; the Australian government donated $65, 000, 000 to help the cause...sure this is nice of them. However, they also spent about twelve times that amount building the Sydney Opera House. Interesting, very interesting. Actually, it is not so much interesting as it is disheartening.
The governments are the ones who are ultimately in control of what money goes where; they are the big players in shelling out big dollars to make a dent in a huge world problem. But it is the "little" guys, like brilliant filmmakers, who recognize and capture the problem-on film in perfectly clear quality. We are the ones with the perspective to realize when things are wrong in the world; I mean we whitness it everyday.
Still, we are the ones who can actually do something about human suffering; no matter how caught up in our own lives we get, we can always empathize with the human condition. No one deserves to live a life of solitude, it's just too sad to even think about, but people live that way- they live that way everyday around the world. I think there is hope though. We have the power, especially in advertising (the kind done ethically) to bring problems to the attention of the masses, and ignite some sort of fire under humanity's ass. It doesn't all have to be about selling and products and slogans. Advertising is so much about relating to the public, and because no man is an island (or mankind is no island in this case), it is our responsiblity to do what we can with the power we have...and when you determine the media, internet, and everything visual we encounter, that's a lot of power.
The good news is Obama made the comment about this issue stating, "it was 'not acceptable for children and families to be without a roof over their heads in a country as wealthy as ours.' " As for whether or not the government will actually see success, let alone take action, only time will tell.
hah. The title of this video is funny, but what's actually going on with AIG is not even the slightest bit funny. Everyone knows the insurance giant doled out millions in bonuses after the government bailed them out. Not only is this obviously unethical, but it has been taking the U.S. government longer than preferable to figure out a constitutionally acceptable way to take that money back (since it's our taxpayer money). The clips mocks the inefficient processes and procedures of the new treasury cabinet, who wouldn't be in such a tough position if true capitalism had let those big institutions fail like they should have. I think it is absolutely unbelievable that a corporation so publicly recognizable tried to get away with this after the government stepped in and saved their ass.
What was also unnerving were the comments Obama made in his conference regarding how long it took him to respond publicly to the situation. An irritated Obama makes the statement that it took him so long to make a statement because he "likes to know what he's talking about before he speaks." He gets a little defensive in this CNN clip.
Okay, I understand not wanting to sound like an idiot in front of the American public. I mean, look at Bush, the guy says strategery once and never lived it down, poor guy. Now at least those who blamed Bush for the economic crisis can now see that the economy is a CYCLE and no person can single-handedly affect that cycle. Anyway, I disgress, but I don't think it should have taken Obama more than a couple hours to have his cabinet brief him on what is happening and make a statement that the government acknowledges that what AIG did was wrong. Come on, anyone can hear that story and know it's completely unethical, especially in business. So I don't buy in to him liking to know what he's talking about; isn't a president supposed to be able to respond quickly in a time of crisis? Yes they are.
On a larger scale, I hope ethics don't continue to suffer as much they seem to be lately. With all the scandalous news about fraud, bribery, and prostitutes, one can't help but think the moral code of America has gone down the shitter. I guess now is no different than anytime in history though, and one thing is for sure, if you want to hear a sad story just flip on the news.
pencil shavings from a pencil sharpener. sharpen your mind. create your own coloring book. a coloring book with no lines, no boundaries, and no color-by-number. creativity is coloring. it's not so much about the artist talent or the shading of your still life replica; it's about the release, the expansion, and ultimately the relief for getting it out. a big exhale. a big sigh. for a second your body is empty, and maybe your thoughts can pause. the constant scratching of pencil on paper is methodic and lulling. then you have to inhale again and begin your next picture. you can sit and admire the work you created, but you know there is always more to be done. still, it feels good to something completed, and if nothing else, it is something that has meaning for you. you can see the flaws, the things you wished you had done better. ignore them. deny judgement. it's hard, really really hard; we are often our worst critic. it is likely no one will see your errors, but if they still don't like it, screw them.
photo from: Julia Malakie/APTiger Swallowtail butterflies at The Butterfly Place in Mass.
"We’re always hearing about the animals we need to save, but have you ever wondered why? While we certainly don’t want to be responsible for destroying any species, it turns out that in some cases, if we do allow animal populations to suffer, we’ll also be hurting ourselves. Here are five animals that humans can’t live without." That comes from an article on findingdulcinea.com, and it reveals these five mystery animals we need to keep around.
Besides the usual domestication of pets, and the whole slaughtering for food deal, animals are integral part of our world, both physically and culturally. However, with the on-going issue of endangered species, it seems like the animals associated with our culture are fairing much better than the actual animals we want to protect. For example, animals make great characters for movies, TV shows, and books;additionally, there are a select few that have become an integral part of holidays (ie: Easter bunny, Christmas reindeer, and the obvious Thanksgiving turkey.
Additionally, they make great advertising tools, but this can sometimes get exploited. Everyone knows about the Geico gecko and the Chick-fil-a cows. While these are acceptable incorporations, there are some companies that need to chill on the characters- I'm talking about you Kelloggs. Every cereal these people come up with seems like it has an obnoxious animal to help sell it to world's youth. There's Tony the Tiger for Frosted Flakes, Sam the Fruit Loops tucan, and that terrible Honey Smacks frog.
Every once in a while animals even break into technology and machinery. The rare ones get chosen as a car name (Jaguar), and even Mac picked up the leopard as part of its software operating system, the Mac OS-X Leopard. I don't think it is far fetched to say society relates better to the jaguar with an engine than the rare ones in the wild. There are always going to be people fighting to save the whales and pandas, but there are five animals-often overlooked-that we literally can't live without.
It also says something about our culture that younger generations are becoming more and more acquainted with learning about animals via the internet or claymation movies. I think it is sad to think that eventually children might not have the opportunity to see a live panda or bald eagle, but younger generations are also becoming more and more content to live their lives through a computer monitor.
In any regard, here are the five animals we need to survive, they all make sense but you wouldn't necessarily think of these five as the essential survival tools!
1. bees- essential to the food supply because they are responsible for 80% of insect pollination 2. bats- they eat insects, pollinate crops, and fertilize crops 3. butterflies- they can forecast the future of climate change 4. fish- they can actually combat climate change 5. worms- compost trash we throw out
Hard to believe we need the one on the right more.
The brown bag lunch is a popular tool I have come into contact with in college. They seem to be most useful to people on the go, those who need to receive information while still being able to multitask, in this case by eating lunch at the same time. I think brown bag lunches are great for lectures, presentations, and performances. Every semester the dance department at SMU puts on a Brown Bag dance series with student choreographed pieces, and we perform them for an entire school/work week in the lobby our the arts building. The shows are free and open to the public, and I think they are a great tool for community events. The shows are only an hour long during the lunch hour, making it easy for working people or busy people to get a break from their routine without taking too much time out of their day. We always have a unique audience of middle schoolers, stay at home moms with their kids, parents, students, faculty, and seniors. Most of the people know someone in the show, but there are a surprising number of people I have met who keep coming because they like to see the new dances each semester. Every show has a different feel depending on the type of choreography or music selections, but generally there is something that appeals to everyone. Although I have not yet choreographed a piece, I have danced in several pieces, including those shown below.
“The newest computer can merely compound, at speed, the oldest problem in the relations between human beings, and in the end the communicator will be confronted with the old problem, of what to say and how to say it.” This quote comes from the U.S. broadcast journalist Edward Murrow; in it, he seems to suggest that no matter how advanced technology or science becomes, people still have to figure out how to communicate with each another. I think this is a reasonable conclusion because at the root of all human interaction is the need to communicate and understand others, as the basis of most problem-solving involves an element of compromise or moderation between opposing forces. These days, we have a multitude of means for communication, which is why the means are not really the issue anymore-it's the end that's a problem. It's people. We are losing our ability to communicate with those who are different than us- either because we are constantly trying to be politically correct and avoid offending anyone, or because we think our stance, position, or way of doing things is better than anyone else's. I recently wrote a scholarship essay based on a little physicist/novelist by the name of C.P. Snow. He delivered a famous lecture about the “Two Cultures,” in which he argued society was divided between the scientific and literary communities, or the two cultures. He also argued that until each side could gain an understanding of the other, neither realm would advance. This is something which I still consider a problem in our society; however, I think it exists in much narrower communities as well. Snow claimed that “in our society we have lost even the pretence of a common culture. Persons educated with the greatest intensity […] can no longer communicate with each other on the plane of their major intellectual concern. It is making it difficult or impossible for us to take good action." This is still very true; for instance, when two departments of an ad agency (ie:the age-old creatives vs. the suits) are trying to come to an agreement, neither side will be willing to budge on their stance if they look past what the other is saying and don't see the benefit of a compromise. This attitude puts horse blinders on us, in that we only pay attention to exactly what affects us and ignore what happens in the world outside us.
My new obsession with the Food Network is becoming more of a problem than a pastime now. Every time I start watching any show on that channel, I get hungry for whatever the chefs are making. Usually I don't even know what half the ingredients are, but they look delicious and after watching it never fails that I'm inspired to cook something. I think genres of television shows have this sort of advertising effect on viewers, in that they can excite you to take an interest in whatever industry the show is centered around. The kinds of shows we create can have this same impact; it is like an unexpected place to advertise or promote certain occupations or vocations. For instance, you don't have to think too hard to name some popular shows about the medical field; I can think of E.R., Grey's Anatomy, House, Scrubs, Private Practice, Nip/Tuck, and Dr. 90210-just to name a few. In addition to medicine, we as a society seem to be obsessed with law and lawyers as well; there are now about twelve different versions of Law and Order. I have to wonder whether these shows inspire people to seek those same career paths because of what they see on TV. In one sense this could be a good thing because we need things like health care professionals, but on the other hand people might also be pursuing career options because of the glamorous and heroic triumphs of the shows they see. If this turned out to be true in some sense, that people are in fact influenced by the industries they see promoted on television, then maybe we could learn to use our advertising powers for good. Who knows, eventually there could be more shows like Extreme Home Makeover, that inspire people to do things like help others?!?Dare to dream!
I just wanted to see where my mind would take me with a little stream of consciousness/word association/divergent thinking activity. Looking back on the series of words I formulated, I can tell that my mood and the events I dealt with throughout my day certainly influenced where my mind went. It is difficult to objectively look at one word and determine what comes to mind without being biased toward a word that you relate strongly to. Perhaps even when you let your mind wander as freely as possible, it still flows in the best direction for you to let out your stress, fears, and anxiety. It is therapeutic because your mind allows you to get out whatever you have been keeping in.
So the world is 3/4 water. We need water to live; we drink it, clean with it, bathe in it. In fact, dirty water is the number one means of spreading disease in impoverished nations. Beyond the survival aspect of water, we love to swim in it, at least people who can swim or wear floaties usually love to swim. People flock to pools, lakes, and beaches to vacation. Still, our relationship with water is based predominantly on convenience; it is certainly not unconditional. We don't mind being soaking wet when it is on our terms, like if we have a bathing suit on and want to go swimming. However, if it is raining and we don't have an umbrella, then we don't really feel the desire to get wet. Kinda selfish. I mean it's a similar scenario, but we only like water when we want it. During a drought, we love it. During a flood, not so much. It is our life force, but it only takes one rainy day on a long awaited vacation to be on bad terms with water. The first picture above is from a past family vacation to Ft. Walton beach, where my family went religiously for about five summers. This was taken before a big storm one late afternoon, and as much as I love the feeling of sand right after it rains, I was pissed taking this picture from our hotel balcony. The second picture is from a vacation to Aruba I took last summer, which was-if you can believe it-my first time traveling outside of the country (not bad for a first trip right?!?) Anyway, this is just one of the postcard perfect beaches I got to romp around on; in this instance water was my source of tranquility and joy, at least for one week out of my year.
So, today I celebrated my 20th birthday. So now not only can I not buy my own drinks, but I am also no longer a young, vivacious teenager. Although I did not eat any birthday cake this year, I definitely ate... way too much. With the exception of this year, I have enjoyed a multitude of delicious, decorative, and calorically dense cakes each year for my birthday. This is a common celebratory practice on birthdays, at least in the US. Even babies get a little cake for their birthday, which I don't know if that is healthy or not, but I do know from my first birthday onward I had a face full of frosting and sprinkles each year. With the way the population is growing, it makes me think about the staggering amount of cake we produce and consume annually. The cake industry is one I don't tend to think about, or at least I try to keep from thinking about, until my own birthday or someone else's I know rolls around. Grocery stores and bakeries must bank on cake batter, icing, and those dingy candles. It doesn't cost a whole lot to make your own Betty Crocker delight, but those sales have to stack up with all the birthdays celebrated year-round. Furthermore, if you want a really nice cake from a specialty bakery, it doesn't run cheap. Birthdays, like doctors and funeral homes, are a constant fuel to the economy because people are always sick, will eventually die, and can not avoid a birthday-no matter how desperately you may try. Birthday cake is often despised at the work place because co-workers are always having birthdays, and you don't want to look like the prick who won't eat a piece of cake; at the same time, this is why dieting in America is so difficult! Everything we do to socialize and connect with people involves food! Anyway, back to cake: we spend a relatively large amount of money on birthday cake for our friends and family. According to partyworks.com, most bakers sell their cakes for three to four times as much as it costs to make. Still, it's a tradition that isn't going to cease because of its frivolous expense or contribution to obesity, and recently I have seen cake makers on Food Network that design some cakes that are serious works of art. The really intricate cakes they show involve creativity, artistry, and architectural skill. I found some pics of a few of my favorites.
Every year, I think at least three different studies come out with breaking news about people being sleep deprived. This is clearly nothing new, so let's get back in the lab to find a cure for something, please. What I don't understand is why if everyone is so tired, we don't do something about it. I think Spain got it right, with that siesta thing every afternoon; these days, adults don't recognize the value of a little nappy nap in the middle of the day. Napping is something that is not so cool in kindergarten, but would be great if implemented in the work place. The reason nap time is unsuccessful for young children is because those cots absolutely suck, and no one can expect you to fall asleep with twenty other people right next to you watching you sleep. However, if there was a movement to bring back the nap for adults, I think it could be successful. All it would take are some bunk beds and designated napping schedules so that employees can sleep without being disturbed by non-nappers. By mid-afternoon, I know I'm wiped out and my productivity level starts to dwindle, but when I get the chance to nap, I wake refreshed and have enough energy to finish out the day. If adults had the freedom to do this, not only would they be able to round out the end of their work day with a good attitude, but they could also use that extra energy in their evening routine with kids and family responsibilities. Moms could run carpool and cook without being grouchy, and dads could come home from a long day at work with the stamina to do more than open a beer and watch TV. This idea sounds great in theory, but I have strong doubts that America would ever implement such a thing. Why? Because we are America, and we don't get ahead by taking naps...but maybe we could. Maybe instead of working ourselves to the bone, we could accomplish more with less time and energy. It's good economic principle; use the least amount of resources, to get the maximum results.
I love The Office and think this clip is hilarious simply because it is from The Office. However, towards the end, at about four-ish minutes, the value of a nap is discovered! Kelly chooses napping as the theme of her birthday party. While her options for birthday themes were not exactly top knotch, she still chooses napping, showing it has significant value for working adults.
Bacteria has such a negative, nasty connotation. When I hear bacteria, I immediately think of germs, sneezing, green goo, and those high school biology videos you see that show a million little bacteria multiplying and swimming around under a microscope. I think of furry little gremlin-like germs hopping inside and having a party like on the Mucinex commercials; those commercials tend to make germs look more obese than disease-carrying. I think it is safe to say that the public perception of bacteria is not a positive one. I mean it does feel great to cloud the air with Lysol, or vigorously scrub some Scrubbing Bubbles into your bathtub, and even to douse yourself in Purell, because afterwards you feel pretty clean. It feels like a real accomplishment to have rid yourself of 99.9% of all that ungodly bacteria. In reality, though, sometimes bacteria helps us out. The drug penicillin was made out of mold, which is sort of bacteria, or close enough for the purpose of my blog. Even our own immune systems can't function or protect us properly without enough of certain bacteria in our bodies. Not to mention, the delicious food, yogurt, is made out of milk and two special bacteria. In case you are wondering exactly what those bacteria include, it is the streptococcus thermophilus and lactobacillusbulgaricus- compliments of "Wikianswers." So a little bacteria is actually good for us, but I would still Purell before every meal.
When people find something that works in life, they tend to stick with it. This is especially true in brands. It's brand loyalty, and everyone is loyal to some extent. When a customer's preferred brand is more expensive than other similar brands of the same product, most shoppers still mindlessly pick up the brand they are used to. Oftentimes, people remain loyal for years because their parents used the same product while they were growing up, so there is something natural and homey about that particular brand. My first thought of being brand loyal is that the general public is just a sucker for advertising and the prestige of a brand name. However, on a more moral level, there is something noble about a person remaining loyal to a particular brand or product. The pressures of life don't always make it easy to stay dedicated to one person, thing, or idea. With the stress of building a career, let alone getting a job, we sometimes have to put ourselves first in order to climb the corporate ladder; the saying about stepping on the small people to get where you are didn't come out of nowhere. Politics and political views, especially in this generation, are becoming almost a trend, like it's cool to support a candidate-any candidate-just because everyone else seems to have such a strong opinion. However, our views often change of political figures, or any famous figure, based on their actions or opinions. We can hardly say we are loyal to certain celebrities or actors because as soon as an icon we used to like turns into a drugged out lesbian or keeps their bong next to their Olympic medals, we turn our back on them. It is exceptionally hard to remain loyal to people for a long time because people do things that hurt us or we disagree with, and our view of that person is altered. Of course there are certain people, usually family and close friends, that we stay loyal to because they reciprocate the same loyalty to us. In a world of changing loyalties, it is funny that we remain set on a brand of laundry detergent or cars, but it is because brands value our loyalty and never let us down. As long as we always get the same product we are used to, there is no disappointment, and therefore, no reason to find ourselves a new brand.
As a culture, we tend to be drawn to things that are miniaturized. Once we become acquainted with the regular size of any certain item, we like it even better when it is released in a newer, much smaller form. Food is one huge genre of items we like to see shrunken down; it started with individual, "fun size" bags of candy, which progressed into the empire of M&M's Minis, tiny Ritz crackers, mini muffins, and the infamous 100 Calorie snack pack. The 100 Calorie pack has gone above and beyond making little bitty chips, pretzels, cookies, and crackers, and they are a hit. Let's not forget the Mini Cooper-a great automobile, compressed to take up only half a parking spot. Another thing we love to see minis of are pets; who doesn't love any dog breed that begins with "miniature...,"mini horses, or dwarf hamsters. Yet another area we miniaturize are toiletries; travellers love to buy baby sized toothpaste, shampoo, and shaving cream. I have even been given a set of mini office supplies once as a gift; it was from my grandparents, and next year I just asked for the fifteen dollar check. My set included a little stapler, bite sized highlighters, and a foldable ruler that must have been used by ants. The funny thing about mini products, is that usually they cost more than a normal sized version. Why does a dollop of toothpaste cost almost as much as the entire tube? Is it because you are paying for convenience? Or are we just paying for the appeal of a cuter, smaller product? Recently, Burger King re-launched its mini burgers, which they introduced first in 1987. The first commercial is more about the fun aspect of having multiple, little burgers, rather than the sheer cuteness of the food. However, the latest commercial (not yet available on YouTube) definitely focuses on the cuteness of the minis, as practically the whole commercial is a bunch of girls gawking over the little bitty burgers.
This is a spot done by Wieden+Kennedy for Coca-Cola in 2008; the spot is called "Jinx" and first aired in February for the Superbowl. The premise of the ad is that two opposing forces, the Democratic and Republican parties, learn to put their differences aside and bond over a Coke. I think it is a clear example of vertical intertextuality because it connects the genre of advertising with the genre of politics. Both the characters in the ad are prominent political figures in the U.S., but without any knowledge or understanding of American politics, this ad would not make sense. Furthermore, the respective parties are identified by either a blue or red tie, which differentiates their political stances; this would not have any meaning to the viewer unless he or she was knowledgeable about characteristics of each party. I am not completely certain, but I am inclined to believe that the pop culture phrase "jinx" used in the beginning of the ad is also an example of tertiary intertextuality. Tertiary intertextuality comes from connections that are either personal or public commentary on cultural texts. I think "jinx" would be an example of this because it is, or at least was a few years ago, a well-known phrase used mostly by kids whenever another kid said the same thing at the same time; the first person to say "jinx," commonly followed by "pinch, poke, you owe me a Coke," is the winner, and the other person can't speak until they follow through with that Coke. Because this is a reference to pop culture in America, and is knowledge you become aware of from word of mouth in the general public, I believe it is a tertiary intertextual connection. Overall, I think this ad in rather endearing, and the company aired it at the perfect time during an election year when political tensions usually run high.
I first found the ad on Wieden+Kennedy's website but was unable to embed that video into the blog; for more info on this spot, go to http://www.wk.com/#/works/1095/.
Pasta is a very under-rated food in regards to its artistic prospects. It comes in a wide variety of shapes and sizes; it is available in the typical angel hair, bow tie, and penne, but also in the many cartoon stylings of Kraft macaroni. Kraft has really capitalized on, and some might even say exploited, the dynamic shaping ability of pasta. Not only have they created macaroni noodles shaped like characters from Scooby-Doo, Spongebob Squarepants, and Spiderman, but they also created some of the most intricate and detailed noodle designs. Every themed box of macaroni has a holistic assortment of shapes or characters, so kids never get bored guessing what they are eating. For example, my brother went through about a three year period when he would only eat Kraft macaroni with the Scooby-Doo shapes, and in that box, you can find Scooby shapes, some dog tags, a mystery machine or two, and even little Scooby snacks. The shapes themselves are impressive, but what you can do with uncooked macaroni has opened up a world of possibility for kindergarten and elementary school teachers. I mean who has gone through the public school system and not made some macaroni art? For some reason, gluing on hard, dried noodles is much more entertaining than gluing on construction paper or googly eyes. Uncooked macaroni can also be used in noise makers (inside for functionality or outside for aesthetic purposes), as placeholders in BINGO (they are much more appealing than lima beans or plastic chips), or in jewelry making activities (they fit nicely on string of all widths). Way to go for pasta though, that's one food that really should be commended for all of its contributions to society, in and out of the kitchen. Pasta has crossed some boundaries, and it is no longer restricted to the boiling pot of water for plain spaghetti. Pasta offers people a choice, as many restaurants have adopted the popular "Create Your Own Pasta" option to their menus. Additionally, it has become a great tool of artistic leverage in the classroom. It is often ignored, but I think pasta has been sold a pretty amazing capacity. As long as there are cartoons and kindergarteners, I don't think pasta is going anywhere.
As a dancer or actress, you are always told to have some "special skills" on your resume; professionals in "the biz" make it clear that it doesn't matter what these skills are, but you should have at least three at the bottom of your resume. Special skills can be things like rollerblading, gymnastics, accents, basket weaving, stilt-walking, and so on. The purpose is really just to make you stand out when you go to an audition and let the casting people know that you can bring something unique to their production. However, special skills are becoming a more useful tool for any profession these days; you can make a career on some relatively useless skills. For example, there are people who get hired as "professional organizers," and their job is to organize...professionally...and someone pays them. Also, there is the much sought-after "personal shopper;" I mean I don't know anyone who is or knows of a personal shopper, so the field must be small but still exists. I have seen a professional dog masseuse on TV, along with professional magicians, and food artists (my neighbor was a food artist and did arrangements for Albertson's commercials; she cut up fruit into flower shapes and that kind of stuff). It's pretty amazing the things you can get paid to do in America, or rather, the things that people pay for. At first glance, it seems a tad superficial that someone could make a career out of professional shopping, organizing, or magic, but then again I guess they were able to find an untapped market. So, I'm not sure whether these people are brilliant for fulfilling a need, or just couldn't hack it at a more normal job. Regardless of what it is you do, I think it is commendable to see an opportunity and do something with your skill set. I would still like to know how to break into the personal shopping industry though.
Speaking of special skills...these Chines acrobats are incredible. I'm not sure just how marketable this skill is, but it is unique.
Weather is the one factor in our lives that is truly unpredictable and impacts us beyond our control. Even though we have the most advanced technology we have ever experienced to help us predict the weather more accurately, we still end up wrong some of the time. Weather can provide the most nurturing sunny day that keeps your spirits up all day long, if for no other reason than "it's a beautiful day outside." However, it can also bring on some obscenely dreary days of cold, dark, and rain; not to mention the horrors of natural disaster. Extreme weather like hurricanes or blizzards does not discriminate against economic status, race, ethnicity, gender, or any other factor; those suckers tear up anything and everything that gets in their way. In a strange way, weather is the most pure and lasting impartiality in the world, and I kind of like that a tornado won't ever hop over a big ass mansion, or spare the life of a rich celebrity, on its way to my house. We haven't figured out how to cheat the weather yet, we only know where to live to avoid it- but even then, people live in California with earthquakes, Florida with hurricanes, and right here in Texas with tornadoes. It always seemed stupid to me when I was younger that someone would choose to live somewhere they knew something bad could happen in, and then I found out my parents decided to raise me in the middle of Tornado Alley. I didn't understand why they would take the risk of losing everything when we could just live somewhere "safe." There really is no safe place though, it just depends what kind of bad weather you would prefer-wind, rain, or fire, take your pick. I also never understood why people just jumped up and started rebuilding entire cities after a natural disaster destroyed them. It's not that I think we should prolong our pain or not move on with life; I didn't really understand why society would choose to spend so much time, money, and manpower to redo all the infrastructure that was just demolished, especially when disaster could strike again. Then, we would be right where we started, all over again. Still, history has shown us, when the weather knocks something down, we just build it right back up again. It is reassuring to see how the world really does come to the rescue when people have faced disaster; it lets you know if that were ever you, someone would help. So, I like having the uncertainty of weather in my life. It keeps us humble by reminding us just how small we are in comparison to the workings of the world; this, I think, is beneficial to us all because nobody is bigger than the weather.
This is a picture I took while driving (not the safest tactic) on my way to visit my boyfriend at Texas Tech. While driving six hours in west Texas is not the most exciting or scenic trip to take in your life, it has its moments. I actually don't mind making the drive because it gives me a sense of calm and rejuvenation from escaping my ordinary routine for a short while. Plus, it reminds me of how the simplest things in nature, like a sunset, can be the most impactful on your day if you take the time to let it.
