New look, new slogan
I’ve just given my site a new look and a new slogan.
I think the new look is a bit cleaner and easier on the eyes. We’ll see.
As for the slogan, I’ve dropped “Straight thoughts on effective living in a defective world” - which is more than a mouthful - and replaced it with a simpler phrase that hopefully captures the spirit of my writing:
Yes, I realize not all my posts are deep but at least a few will get you wet
New crooked wisdom coming soon. In the meantime, if you find any bugs with my new site design, please let me know.
Thanks!
P.S. I just discovered a half-dozen or so older comments that hadn’t been approved yet. So if you left a comment and wondered where it went, I apologize. They should be there now.
Posted on Tuesday, January 22, 2008 at 11:40 AM
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Talking Pictures
Legendary Hollywood producer Irving Thalberg once said, “Novelty is always welcome but talking pictures are just a fad.”
Some may laugh at his prediction, but I think he was actually correct.
Though talking pictures obviously caught on, the importance of talking in pictures has been buried beneath special effects, rapid-fire editing, and head-splitting soundtracks.
And unfortunately, it seems something similar is happening in our daily lives.
Despite our ability to communicate faster, easier, and on a larger scale than ever before, I encounter very little “deep” conversation going on anywhere. Depth and significance have been replaced by speed and scope. And to make matters worse, I don’t think many people miss it. Perhaps they would, but they’re too busy tapping out instant messages laced with emoticons or gossiping on their mobile phones at 70 mph to notice its absence.
Some might wonder if we’re really missing out on much, as if the sheer volume and velocity of present day communication could somehow fill the void.
For them, I invite them to go to their local video store and pick up a few movies that might change their minds.
The first two I’ve mentioned here before:
13 Conversations About One Thing
and…
The Big Kahuna
Two of my all-time favorite films.
But I’ve just stumbled upon another “talking picture” that has taken its place beside them: Jerome Bixby’s The Man From Earth.
I won’t attempt to review the film here as I won’t be able to do it justice. Besides, if you’ll spend a few minutes poking around online you’ll find dozens of reviews that are far better than I could write here.
However, I will say that if you love talking pictures - as in movies that are centered around deep, interesting, meaningful conversations - odds are you’re going to love this one.
So in a sense Thalberg was right; talking pictures were just a fad. But thankfully, every so often, some brave souls come along and make one that shows us just how powerful “talking” can be - not only on film, but in our lives as well.
Posted on Sunday, December 16, 2007 at 03:41 PM
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I am not ignoring you
If you have been trying to reach me lately by e-mail or phone and I haven’t responded, I am not ignoring you. Really.
I have been extremely busy working on a number of projects that I’ve left undone for way too long. And when I get focused like this, unfortunately one of the first casualties is my communication. I wish my brain didn’t work like this, but it does.
Still, I’m this close to finishing a few projects and will be able to catch up on phone calls, e-mails and such soon.
Till then, I apologize for my silence and appreciate your patience.
P.S. Most of the projects I’m finishing up are private, but one is a new website I am about to launch. It won’t cost you a penny, but, if you’ll give the material a chance, you may find it will be priceless. More soon.
Posted on Saturday, November 24, 2007 at 03:02 PM
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Jeremy Dean post on happiness
Here’s a great new post from Jeremy Dean on happiness:
Sustainable Happiness: Why It’s All About the Day-to-Day
I really like this because it’s optimistic and - this is critical - realistic.
Despite my rants, I do love inspirational material. I just want it to be legit, not bullsh%t.
P.S. I’ve said this before, but I’ll say it again: If you’re interested in psychology, do yourself a favor and subscribe to Jeremy’s blog. It is one of the few that I’ll drop everything to read.
Posted on Wednesday, November 21, 2007 at 04:26 PM
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How to Lie Without Really Lying
Lying without really lying is easy. Just embrace two simple ideas:
1. Language is powerful and can be twisted and distorted to mislead and manipulate people without their awareness or consent.
2. People are 100% responsible for everything that happens in their lives - including being unknowingly misled and manipulated.
Embrace these two ideas and you are free to tell others whatever it takes to take whatever you want.
Simply mislead others as necessary. Then, if they complain, assure them they are responsible for “misinterpreting” anything you said. This leaves your hands clean and your pockets full.
But beware: Not only can you fool others using this “logic” - you can also fool yourself.
And that’s no lie.
Posted on Monday, November 19, 2007 at 07:02 AM
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