video
It’s Friday, and I feel like watching online videos. This is a really good one that explains, via Aristotle, what it takes to persuade people. I don’t want to give away the video’s content, but get ready to learn three means of persuasion. Don’t worry, it’s easy learning.
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The year is winding down, and I’m sure many of you are making plans and promises for next year. For example, like many writers, I’m planning on writing more.
However, there is one plan I will work hard at achieving next year, and that is to help awaken possibility in people. No, this isn’t some New Age-Kumbaya goal. It’s simply an effort to help others see how powerful they can be on their own. It’s a positive take on my philosophy that we don’t need hierarchies (in business or life) in order to be productive or better people.
I thought of this resolution yesterday when I was re-watching a classic TED video (embedded below) from musician and conductor Benjamin Zander on the transformative power of classical music. Toward the end of his presentation, he talks about you can tell if you’re awaking another’s spirit.
Now, I had an amazing experience. I was 45 years old, I’d been conducting for 20 years, and I suddenly had a realization. The conductor of an orchestra doesn’t make a sound. My picture appears on the front of the CD, but the conductor doesn’t make a sound. He depends, for his power, on his ability to make other people powerful. And that changed everything for me. It was totally life changing. People in my orchestra came up to me and said, “Ben, what happened?” That’s what happened. I realized my job was to awaken possibility in other people. And of course, I wanted to know whether I was doing that. And you know how you find out? You look at their eyes. If their eyes are shining, you know you’re doing it.
I think we’re all searching for excitement in life and avoiding routine when we can. Perhaps if we all help awaken possibilities in each other, we’ll have much more fulfilled and happier lives. That’s my goal for next year. What’s yours?
(Image via Flickr: Chris James / Creative Commons)
Send to KindleAs much as I would like to edit materials online, I still do a majority of it on physical paper. And with that comes the risk of paper cuts, which can hurt like hell. Ferris Jabr, an editor from Scientific American, explains in the following video why paper cuts hurt so badly.
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New Order played in Dallas tonight, and it was amazing. They haven’t played here since 1993, when I saw them at Starplex with the Stereo MCs opening. A local band named Ishi opened the show tonight, and their first song was good. After the third song, though, all their drum beats were the same. Their set wasn’t long, which was good because you could tell the sold-out venue’s crowd was getting restless for New Order.
By the way, I found it interesting that Bernard Sumner was wearing a New Order t-shirt on stage. Was his laundry dirty? Doesn’t he know the rule that it’s not cool to wear a t-shirt from the same band you’re watching? Knowing the band’s career, I’m guessing he doesn’t give a crap.
The light show was fantastic, people were dancing everywhere (I had to make may way through a dance party outside the bathroom doors), and New Order even played an encore. Known for never playing encores, they surprised us by not only playing one, but playing one that featured nothing but Joy Division songs.
Below is a video from DaFunkyMex of New Order performing one of my all-time favorite songs of theirs, “Ceremony.”
Send to KindleDuring the conference I attended, I got offered a chance to talk with social media expert KiKi L’Italien. It was a casual chat about the event and a great bar in Vancouver. Check it out below.
Send to KindleMy friend fronts the band Nervous Curtains. He recently asked me to act in one of their music videos. I responded with a hearty yes and fist pump.
The video is for the song “Come Around Viral” off their album FAKE INFINITY. Thanks to Sean Kirkpatrick for letting me be a part of a fun experience.
Send to KindleI did it again. I participated in Rover Dramawerks‘ One Day Only festival. It was my second time to be a writer for the event, and it went really well.
The short play I wrote is called “‘Fraid,” and the acting and direction were really well done. The whole process of putting on a play in 24 hours can be stressful, frustrating and bewildering. In the end, though, it’s a rewarding experience for all involved.
Tetra Media Group filmed the plays, and below is mine. I hope you enjoy it.
Send to KindleI shot this video for MPI and One+ magazine.
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