Editor’s note: I know, I’m addicted to these guys. But the songs I’m unearthing now – this from their very first album – arejust so full of meaning. I’m doing a seminar for a friend’s school where she wants her teachers to learn to share their vulnerability so that the young people can feel more comfortable with theirs. And as a result of seeing their darkness, can break into their light. I will likely either open or close the afternoon’s work with this song.
Editor’s note: In this thoughtful book, we’re reminded that like any new “phenomenon” much is done to little effect in the social media business. Dr. Jonah Berger starts with a fundamental fact: that word of mouth is still the most effective way toget the word out about yourself or your business. Then he gives us six lessons (STEPPS he calls them) for gaining digital attention. His research is extensive and sound but what I like best is that Jonah uses plenty of examples and case histories for every point he makes.
Editor’s comment: Nice to see this video of two guys I enjoyed in college when I needed a lightener from Cream, Hendrix, Zeppelin and the like. This appears to be from just two years ago at a venue in their hometown of Santa Barbara. The harmonies and the mandolin that were their trademark then are apparently still intact. Favorite verse: “If you’ve been thinking you’re all that you’ve got, don’t feel alone anymore Cause when we’re together you’ve got a lot, as you are the river and I am the shore.”
Editor’s comment: In celebration of graduation season, here are nine graduation addresses collected and published by Vonnegut friend, Dan Wakefield. Reader be reminded that Vonnegut was an outrageous figure, a satirist even in speaking who can wrench your gut. But I marveled at this short read remembering that the great writers and teachers most of all make us think. At least once during each speech I laughed out loud and other times I set down the book to consider what he had just said.
Editor’s Note: Good memories flooded back to me when I saw that Cat Stevens, now Yusuf Islam, had been named to this year’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame class. Many of the songs from his seminal album “Tea for the Tillerman” (Wild World, Father and Son and Moon Shadow) are still known to me by heart and played often. But considering KaBOOM’s work in child health and exercise, it seems appropriate to choose this song from his “Teaser and the Firecat” album.
Editor’s note: Lewis has made our library again. Wall Street misbehavior, specifically in this instance high frequency trading is his topic and as with his best books Mr. Lewis is able to make a complicated real life story both interesting and simpler. (Warning to my fellow creatives: The numerical detail necessary to establish the scam’s techniques were at times a workout for my non-numerical brain.) Like Billy Beane in “Moneyball,” Lewis builds a hero to tell this tale, this time Brad Katsuyama. Like Beane, Katsuyama fights the system by creating new rules. Our hero creates a chance to end to a real life scam being perpetrated in recent years in our financial markets. Shortly after the book’s publication, our government began looking into changes needed in the system. Will new scams come up? Of course, but thankfully there will always be a guy like Lewis with the brains, balls and creativity to bring them to light.
Editor’s note: Time for another funny (to me) song. This one is Bruno Mars’ satirical take on the endless number of songs about unrequited love. He claims he’d take a grenade, put his hand on a blade and do anything for this woman but in the end (note: this is favorite lyric):
Editor’s note: Like “Fast Food Nation,” I found this work to be like any other that looks for a sole source of a complex problem. That is, blaming sub-prime lending on the pawnshop and fringe lending industry is rather like blaming obesity on McDonald’s. Way over the top for me. But like “Fast Food Nation,” we need to be reminded of societal problems in an interesting way. Rivlin most certainly accomplishes that with this very readable book. Our foundation has invested heavily in eradicating payday lending in Ohio by providing an alternative via www.employeeloansolutions.com so we believe in Rivlin’s point. Our current investment is helping pilot an employer-based alternative to store-front lenders (which Ohio voters thought we had outlawed by state-wide referendum a few years ago) by offering safe, affordable and responsible loans to this same audience that comprises (by Rivlin’s estimates) a $100 billion industry in the USA.
Editor’s note: As so many of the Brothers songs, the words to this song moved me to making it the last quote in my book, Empty Abundance. See favorite lyrics to read the “almost” final words from the book.
Editor’s note: Part of the research for my own book is to buy any book that promises to discuss life’s “meaning.” Learning other perspectives and avoiding repetition is my goal. The first chapter alone, where Lamott asks and provides her answers to life’s eternal question make the book worth reading. The book’s overall premise is that our lives are the quilt stitched together from our experiences, including such catastrophes as her designer curtains being ripped to shreds by her dog, then stitched back together by her friend. Humor and depth is a hard combination to achieve and this woman has it. It is a short and easy (if not, light) read and I recommend to all searchers.
