Undisputedly one of today's top 1.5 million blog posts

By Dan Strum

When you consider that language provides us the means to say virtually anything, it is a shame that some writers use it to say nothing at all.

Case in point: a subway ad proclaiming that some author is "Undisputedly one of the top thriller writers of the decade".

Well, I've got news for you – you are also one of the top thriller writers of the decade! As are, arguably, all but one of the other 6,888,986,739 people on the planet*!

Whoever made this claim neutered the power of the word "undisputedly" by qualifying it as "one of" anyone! This is bad writing, plain and simple. This might be excusable, except that it is being used to promote writing! The person who wrote it is surely among of the nation’s top publicists, but certainly not among the top ten!

*This is the world population as per U.S. Census Bureau calculations, as estimated on 12/20/2010. http://www.census.gov/main/www/popclock.html

Wikileaks: What we don't learn from history, we should at least learn from science fiction.

by Dan Strum

The controversy that has arisen around Wikileaks brings to mind the Isaac Asimov story “The Dead Past”, published in 1956. This story presents a future in which there exists a device that allows scientists to observe events in the distant past, though access to that device is so strictly controlled that no one ever gets to use it! Finally, one researcher is so driven to verify certain historical events that he decides to build his own device. The authorities catch up with him, but too late – by that time the damage had been done.

You see, according to Asimov's interpretation, there is no distinction between the "distant" and "immediate" past. The fact that the device could replay events of the distant past was relegated to being a mere curiosity – in light of its pernicious ability to replay events that took place just milliseconds ago! Indeed, the device in Asimov’s story opened that future society to a floodgate of constant and arbitrary surveillance!

Wikileaks was founded on a poetic, philosophical and abstract principle: that many people would act as whistle-blowers to expose corruption, injustice and fraud, if there was an anonymous way to "leak" documents that contained incriminating information. Like Superman, Wikipedia seemed to be here to "fight for truth, justice, and the American way"! The site was set up as a clearinghouse for such documents, with simple guidelines: documents would be published as they were, they would not be verified, and they would not be removed.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julian_Assange

Those simple guidelines, like the simple device in Asimov’s story, did exactly what they were supposed to do… and unexpectedly yielded dangerous power! How can Wikileaks remove information from their site without abandoning their principles? And if they do remove information from their site, what criteria must they implement regarding all future and past data that is published? And even if they were to shut down entirely, the genie has been let out of the bottle! The void left by one Wikileaks will surely be replaced by another.

http://213.251.145.96/

Related articles

• 'The Last Question' by Isaac Asimov (everythingisnice.wordpress.com)
• We're already living in the world of Isaac Asimov's The End Of Eternity [Book Review] (io9.com)
• futureseek: Wikileaks & The War Between Secrecy and Transparency | h+ Magazine (hplusmagazine.com)
• Turning WikiLeaks Into Video Games [Politics] (kotaku.com)
• Future Wikileaks release to cover UFOs (mnn.com)

the best 5...

...To Win a New Client

1. Listen, listen and listen.
2. Go right to the top decision maker.
3. Email interesting information both business and personal that can help someone
4. Email some samples of recent projects.
5. Get a referral

2012?

What will be happening on 2012? 

Nothing! But if you have some spare time...you can really have fun surfing the web...you will find "survivor groups", secret societies and more and more. Finally, I'm not afraid of Apocalypse but of humans fearing it!

I don't believe in these all crazy predictions.

Now, less then 5 weeks to the end of the year 2010. Which happy ending to work on?

2010 will be called the “Year of the Learning Curve” for me. All the changes I have implemented over the past 4 years will carry me into 2011 feeling extremely positive and focused. 

Being a Taurus (if that really means anything, I would like to believe so.) patience is something I don’t have.
Change can’t happen soon enough for me. 

Looking deep into myself, working on myself, laughing at myself have been three key ways that have me ready for the New Year ahead.

Green photo contest

Mayor Bloomberg came to my daughter's school and she suggested to him to put separate recycle baskets  in Central Park. After about 6 months, the recycle baskets were in. 

We have to respect the Enviroment  everyday in our lifestyle.

Green design, green building....How much do you respect the environment? How much does your company respect the environment? What is your idea of a green office/workspace? Greening your office  

Friedland Realty. Still my client today, 25 years later!

Driving through Dobbs Ferry NY 25 years ago I noticed a print shop closed in the middle of the day with a notice from the IRS.

I tracked down Ted, we gave him the money he needed. Bought the shop and he started to work for Into Graphics.

Friedland Realty was our first client, every time Jean and I talk business it's hard to believe 25 years has gone by. I was  investigating buying property In Las Vegas and Bob Friedland was my go to guy.

Preserving relationships and never forgetting the people that helped me and of course I helped back.

Keeping a client for 25 years: how? 

Respond to their needs very quickly. 

Take the time to listen. 

Never forget their Holiday gift. 

Rahul Desai Thinking Space

What is your current profession and how did you choose your career path?

I loved painting since when I was a child. Advertising attracted me. The combination of painting and advertising is a very fascinating thing

I studied in India and then in Georgia. And after that, I came here, to the great NYC to work. I'm a graphic designer at ScogoMedia.

I love create new stuff every day, new solutions, new design.
Every place I lived left me with new inspiration: Indian landscapes, the Southern quaintness and landscape of Georgia, the New York City skyline, different moods and different people.

Where did you grow up? How did it influence who you are today? 

I was born in Vadodara, Gujarat, India. it's a "mid size" city, not small neither big. It's a green city, full of nature and it offers you a lot of inspiring landscapes. The name of the city itself is a name of a tree.
These landscapes are painted in my mind. Nature is a great inspiration source for everybody

What are you passionate about, outside of work?

I relax listening a lot of music. it's my passion. 

What was the last thing that made you laugh?

A movie...Hangover

Why have you chosen this as your thinking space?

I'm paid to be creative...and this is my office. Unluckily people can enter ...but I'm working to keep them outside!
For me is very important to stay alone, when I'm alone I think, I create the best

MY THINKING SPACE 

Can you tell us about the different objects featured in your Thinking Space: what is the story behind each object? Is it of unique significance to you? What does it tell us about you? How would you feel if it went missing?

The important things are in my mind, the objects that surrounds me are only useful things (and sure the most usufull one are my Mac and Tortilla Chips)....if I must choose and object without I can't live...I think it's my iphone. I stay a lot of time reading news and connecting with my friends.

Do you have any favourite blogs or other websites that you check out regularly?

My website: www.adsoftheworld.com. I read sometimes blogs....but I haven't enough time to spend on it...to have a favorite one.

Do you have your own Spotify playlist or any other playlist? Who are your favourite artists, soundtracks?

I love Bollywood music. My favorite artist is Kishor Kumar

LINK: GREENING YOUR OFFICE - photo contest running 

Take/create a picture, write a post, upload it on facebook.com/scogomedia...and win a free subscription to your favorite digital newspaper.

http://www.facebook.com/SCOGOmedia

Scott Goldman Thinking Space

What is your current profession and how did you choose your career path?
I'm the founder and creative director of SCOGO Media - Digital Marketing Agency. Before I founded "Into Graphics". It was born when I was 25 years old, in College. Print was my vocation in High School.
I loved to feel and touch the texture and thinking about my future, sure, I wanted to have my time rules. Love for print + self management time rules = my Agency.
The starting point....sure when I found the right person to do it with!

Where did you grow up? How did it influence who you are today?
I grow up in Yonkers, New York. I run away and I moved to Manhattan as soon as I could. Now I'm really a product of this City, absorbing all inputs from all different cultures of the great metropolitan area, running always as all people are running and in the meanwhile growing my personal "sanctuary" where sometimes I take a breath: my family

What are you passionate about, outside of work?
Family and friends, meals and wines! hard to define what comes first…the best is when these all come together!

What was the last thing that made you laugh?
I'm not sure  ...I make a point to laugh every day. I have a great ironical mood to face life and work.

Why have you chosen this as your thinking space?
My window faces 57 street in New York City, the high and clouds reflecting buildings of Manhattan inspires me. In my office I can find the just disorder that I need to put order in my mind! Anyway, the ideas come up with me in every moment of the day and  in very different places, particularly when I'm driving in NY, people usually go mad, instead I find it as a great inspirational source.

MY THINKING SPACE

Can you tell us about the different objects featured in your Thinking Space: what is the story behind each object? Is it of unique significance to you? What does it tell us about you? How would you feel if it went missing?
My photo is a composit of different clicks. You need different perspectives to think.
My office is full of things as designs of my children, papers, coffee cups...and also a tequila bottle...and a copy of Crain's.

The thing that people notice first is the painting of the woman, everyone thinking she is my wife but she's not. She is a totally unknown woman, the painting was a present and I'm really fond of it
 

The thing I love more is my elephant toy, my daughter gave it to me...because it's a strong animal with an extraordinary memory, and I look at it inspire myself.

Do you have any favourite blogs or other websites that you check out regularly?
I have a long list in my reader ..I don't know, probably mashable is the best directory-blog and TED sure.. and I love www.helpareporter.comDo you have your own Spotify playlist or any other playlist? Who are your favourite artists, soundtracks?
Big band music, sure. The best artist for me is Frank Sinatra

LINK: GREENING YOUR OFFICE - photo contest running

Take/create a picture, write a post, upload it on facebook.com/scogomedia...and win a free subscription to your favorite digital newspaper.

http://www.facebook.com/SCOGOmedia

Exclusive: 100-day forecast

by Dan Strum

I went to the beach many times this summer, but I could have gone more. Unfortunately, the friend I was going with put too much credence in weather forecasts – especially in “10-day forecasts”. Never mind that weather forecasts are notoriously inaccurate, she rejected many possible dates because the 10-day forecast predicted rain.

The effect of the forecast on my friend’s plans led me to think of social media. We all want information about what’s going on or what’s going to happen! It doesn’t necessarily have to be right or wrong – it just has to be relevant. In a sense, just talking about hot topics is enough to create a buzz! But be forewarned — over time you also need to add value – if your your buzz is just noise, you just wind up losing credibility.

Anyway, it turns out that I have a knack for predicting the weather. I have no secret — I forecast the “average” weather, and when the pundits forecast that there will be precipitation more than three days in advance, I forecast that there won't be! I have become so confident in my forecasting abilities (and so has my beach friend), that I now announce my exclusive 100-day forecast: January 8, 2011 will be 28°F-34°F, with light flurries in the morning, and sun in the afternoon.

I find I can share more with women than with men.

By Scott Goldman 

Women are from Venus and Men are from Mars. Once upon a time Martians and Venusians met, fell in love, and had happy relationships together because they respected and accepted their differences. Then they came to earth and amnesia set in: they forgot they were from different planets.  (John Gray) 

Women have so many more facets to their lives than men. Even when under tight deadlines, they always have time for good conversation. It could be about a boyfriend, a girlfriend, or the ex-husband. Or there is always the bad date story ("his breath was sooo bad, I had to sit in the next state!").

Women communicate better than men; so you always know where you stand. If they are frustrated, they really open up about it... and  we move on.

Since women communicate better than men, a few tips can help the men. Men really need to learn how to hold a conversation! These are some good questions to ask:
How was your day?
What made your day so crazy?
These are questions that lead to deep conversations. You really get to know them! On the other hand, these are questions not to ask: Where do you live? Where are you from? What do you do? Hold off on the bad questions until the third date, because if you don’t spend some time getting to know her first, the third date will never happen!

For marketing we study the best way to sell a product to customers, men and women.   Women (ages 35-54) represented the highest percentage of websurfers. 
Advertise a product for women require more effort....more information, more study...but...can we loose reaching 143.4 million people?

Few links...

Predicting Your Gender Based On Web Surfing

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93420263

discover your gender! (It faild to me)

http://www.mikeonads.com/2008/07/13/using-your-browser-url-history-estimate-gender/

• Women in the U.S. spend more than $3.3 trillion annually (purchasing power)
• Women business owners employ 35% more people than all the Fortune 500 companies combined (how many of your clients are women-owned?)
• 95% of family financial decisions are made by women (who balances the checkbook in your family?)
• Women in business will invest $44.5 billion in high tech products this year
• 65% of women in senior management positions have children (they kept their job and are raising a family)  Source: Women and Diversity, WOW Facts 2001 - Business Women's Network 
• 60% of US women work outside the home, earning $1 trillion each year in aggregate (Source: Chicago Tribune, 1999)
• Today there are 9.1 million women-owned businesses in the U.S., representing nearly 40% of all businesses - Sources: NFWBO and SBA

        source: http://stopharass.com/article-women-marketplace.htm

Scott Goldman

The most important trait of a successful entrepreneur

by Scott Goldman

Relationships in general have always been important and will always be important.

Every opportunity to get to sit and talk with someone, take it.

Personal or business, being out with people and socializing is extremely important.

Some people are able to preserve their friendships from childhood. That sounds good to me! I always tell my single friends that they can't meet any one sitting at home on the couch. When I was single and really didn't feel like going out that night to a party, I would make a deal for myself and go for just an hour. If I saw a woman I was attracted to, I would get her number and split – that way at least I would have a date for the next week. I felt good about that.

What does this have to do with social media?

Everything! We talk about social media every day, and every day brings new technologies to let us connect. But I don't want to speak about technology. I want to keep in mind the connections I have with people! Through our connections, we build relationships, commitments, and success.

NEXT... coming soon

I find I can share more with women than with men.

Whose blog is it, anyway?

by Dan Strum

It was interesting to read a recent news story that described the FTC taking action against a PR agency because employees of that agency were posting favorable blog reviews about products offered by that agency’s clients (see full story here).
The FTC considered that the agency was providing a commercial service, and that all employees are “agents” of the agency. It ruled the agency’s clients were effectively paying for any communication produced for the employee. With that in mind, the fact that employees were presenting themselves as unbiased consumers meant that they were engaged in deceptive advertising.

In some ways, this parallels FTC regulations regarding the “special advertising sections” we often see in magazines – editorial content produced for the purpose of promoting corporate views must be distinguished. However, this ruling gets complex when we think of the nature of blogging.

 

Imagine an individual blogger who writes about many things – the weather, activities, impressions, people and products. Imagine that this blogger works for a film distribution company and gets tickets through his office to see a new movie release. Imagine this blogger takes a hot date to that movie! Now imagine this blogger’s blog entry about the evening – anticipation, meeting, the movie, dinner, and ensuing romance. Is it relevant to publish a corporate disclaimer? And if he does publish a disclaimer in which the his company’s name is disclosed, would that not compel the blogger to adhere to his company’s corporate standards (be it from restricting his recommendation of restaurants or refraining from carnal discussion of romance)?

Full disclosure: I am a copywriter and project manager for Scogo Media, and director of the language school NY Smarts!