So much static...

Give them what they want!

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 13:33:19 -0700

I think it is sometimes easy to confuse what consumers want vs. what they will put up with.

A funny example of this occurred on a panel that I participated on the other day. One of the panelists was arguing that consumers want shorter and shorter snippets of video to watch. To support the argument he pointed to broadcast television and noted that 30 minute shows used to have 27 minutes of content, then 26, now we’re down to 22!

Um, I don’t think that consumers were begging for more advertisements and shorter shows. By and large, they have been willling to put up with it, though time-shifting is showing that perhaps a wall has been hit there.

The main thing that I took away from this is that big mistakes can be made with products and services if there isn’t some serious pragmatism and honesty about which direction you are pushing towards. And here’s a hint: consumers are willing to put up with much less today.

Get happy

Thu, 08 May 2008 21:03:53 -0700

I’m really surprised by people who seem chronically unhappy with their work or other situations for that matter. I have distilled my advice down to two choices.

1) Get happy

2) Get out

I realize that not everyone is in a situation where quitting is a reasonable option and the work/situation really does suck. But most people I encounter who are vocal in their complaints do have a choice. Life is too short to waste time complaining and being unhappy, unless deep down that makes you, um happy.

"A situation is what you make of it. Not what it makes of you."

Wed, 07 May 2008 20:37:37 -0700

““A situation is what you make of it. Not what it makes of you.””

- John Challis, 18. Suffering from terminal cancer but making the most of the time he has left. He’s a courageous young man.

Yes We Can

Wed, 07 May 2008 11:10:00 -0700

In fact we must. Barack really sounded like he was ready for the general election last night. I’m so ready for him to be President. I think the whole world is.

You can't blame your work

Tue, 06 May 2008 09:51:27 -0700

I was running this weekend, and crossed paths with a *really* large dude riding his bike in the other direction. As he rode past, he sort of shrugged and said “I wish I could blame it on my job”… It was a funny, out of the blue thing to say, but I took it to mean that the guy realized at some point that being healthy is a choice that isn’t mutually exclusive from having a job, busy life etc. I was glad to hear that he realized this and was doing something about it. I’ve been on a similar journey so there was some serendipity to the interaction.

Tri* Crash Course: Day 2**

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:22:48 -0700

Biked 7 miles - 18.75MPH

Ran 2 miles - 6.5 MPH

*Sprint Tri is nothing like the Iron Man. It is .5 mile swim + 12 mile bike ride + 3 mile run…

**So far, all training has been in gym with no incline. actual real world results will vary ;-)

Yesterday's Training

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 10:15:03 -0700

Biked 6 miles at 18MPH pace

Ran 1.5 Miles at 6.5MPH pace

Gotta pick it up.

How to lose weight fast!

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 10:12:48 -0700

1) Over time, gain 15 lbs of unwanted weight. Cheer your spouse on as she trains for and competes in a sprint triathlon.

2) In August, go to a dinner party (eat and drink a lot) and in front of several friends and spouse, casually agree to do a sprint triathlon. It’s not until July, big deal.

3) Spend 7 months gaining a little more weight and exercising only very occasionally.

4a) Go to a dinner party (eat and drink a lot) and make sure that someone reminds attendees of your late Summer bravado.

4b) Let that small part of you that still prevents you from wisely swallowing your pride rise up, and reaffirm your plans to do the deed.

5) Panic.

6) Begin ridiculous training regimen. Watch the pounds melt away!

bijan: Wonderwall - Cat Power There is something wonderful...

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 09:03:00 -0700

bijan:

Wonderwall - Cat Power

There is something wonderful about this version. Original by Oasis. But I like this cover better.

Me:

I saw Cat Power live at a small venue last Friday. She seems so sincere, unrehearsed, and uncertain about her relationship with the crowd. It gave me the sense that she had to really find courage to be up there. I love her voice, and I love that she’s so unvarnished.

Combine race! This is one of a series of photos taken by Claude...

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 21:59:29 -0700

Combine race! This is one of a series of photos taken by Claude Zervas.

Coffee, pancakes, laughter, NYT. Good Sunday morning!

Sun, 06 Apr 2008 09:17:31 -0700

Coffee, pancakes, laughter, NYT. Good Sunday morning!

A recent work by Dan Webb. He is a gifted sculptor who has both...

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 09:39:58 -0700

A recent work by Dan Webb. He is a gifted sculptor who has both amazing technique and a gift for capturing flashes of whimsy, anticipation, and loss in surprising mediums. Seeing his work in person is highly recommended.

What is an idea worth?

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 07:10:05 -0700

This is a question that I’ve been pondering lately, mostly because a few ideas have sprung into my mind recently that I think might actually be good.

Without good execution, even great ideas are at best abstract (which is sometimes all they need to be), and at the worst poorly realized. Also, it seems that very few ideas are unique, and given how quickly the world is shrinking, good ideas won’t evolve in blissful ignorance of similar ideas thunk up somewhere else. This is especially true in the internet technology and media arenas, but I think applicable to most other industries.

Now, I’m not hating on ideas. We have to have them and see the best ones take form and shape. But I guess I’m just thinking out loud about the value of an idea in its purest state, a complete abstract. I think it depends entirely on the idea and what the originator hopes to do with it. For example, an abstract idea can have huge value if the goal is to change behaviour or to just get other people thinking (carpool!, be more friendly!). On the other hand if the idea requires execution and the originator hopes to derive value from the result, things get a little more tricky, if other people have to help bring it to life. In this latter category, I’m beginning to think that an idea is very often just the catalyst for a lot of other ideas and the spark for work to begin. It certainly has value, but not outsized to the blood, sweat and tears that will go into making it real. Finally, it seems like the best environments for ideas to bear fruit are ones that everyone involved can feel some ownership in and stewardship towards. In the end, I think maybe the question wasn’t the right one. We can’t worry so much about what an idea is worth. Instead we should focus on what an idea can become. Things happen that way.

Getting Away is Good

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 15:28:48 -0700

A short break to someplace where the focus easily shifts away from technology and hyper-communication to the natural environment and spending quality time with people you care the most about is a wonderful tonic. I’m ready to go again.

Photo

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 15:23:04 -0700

Found in a state park in the San Juan Islands. What a beatiful...

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 15:22:24 -0700

Found in a state park in the San Juan Islands. What a beatiful place.

Joost makes a great hire...

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 09:38:00 -0700

Joost makes a great hire...: Jason is a very smart guy and will bring a lot to the table at Joost. At this point, they need a lot…

I love this painting done by Joe Park. His work is worth...

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 20:39:52 -0700

I love this painting done by Joe Park. His work is worth checking out.

uh oh.

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 17:39:21 -0700

uh oh.: Hmm. I’m vaguely worried about this link, but I can’t really remember why…

make a family tree!

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 21:03:28 -0700

make a family tree!