This summer, I spent a week in Plymouth, Vermont, birthplace of Calvin Coolidge. It turns out that he was kind of a hard-ass. Here's a couple of quotes. "Don't expect to build up the weak by pulling down the strong." and Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; … [Read more...] about Calvin Coolidge was super-judgmental
“TO DO: Don’t ignore your dreams; don’t work too much; say what you think; cultivate friendships; be happy.”
Paul Graham, founder of start-up incubator YCombinator … [Read more...] about “TO DO: Don’t ignore your dreams; don’t work too much; say what you think; cultivate friendships; be happy.”
Dear recommendation engine: Sometimes I want to experience the interplay of human emotion…
Dear recommendation engine: Sometimes I want to experience the interplay of human emotion and other times I want to see stuff blow up. Plus, it is my daughter who likes fairies. … [Read more...] about Dear recommendation engine: Sometimes I want to experience the interplay of human emotion…
The Religion of Analytics
Here are a few notes from a recent cross-country flight. I'm not sure what I was reading at the time ("The Lean Startup?"), but it's sound advice. Any really good accountant will tell you that the numbers should inform your decisions, not make them. Analytics work best when chasing incremental … [Read more...] about The Religion of Analytics
Nothing Like A Content Strategy Discussion That Ends With “Shut Your Dirty Whore Mouth”
Anil Dash takes some good-natured ribbing from Lia Bulong. (Wikiquote tells me that the phrase is from the television show "Popular.") … [Read more...] about Nothing Like A Content Strategy Discussion That Ends With “Shut Your Dirty Whore Mouth”
The Totem of Chat
The totem of chat: The lowest, that would be Facebook, followed by Gchat, then texting, then email, then phone. Face to face would be ideal, but it’s not of this time. -- Lena Dunham of HBO's "Girls" … [Read more...] about The Totem of Chat
Listening to Users: “Go Away Pig, What Do You Know About Bacon?”
In an essay entitled "The Age of Criticism," Randall Jarrell said that most critics' attitudes toward living poets was, "Go away, pig! What do you know about bacon?" When you plan new projects, launch new products or market your site, how much do you listen to your users? … [Read more...] about Listening to Users: “Go Away Pig, What Do You Know About Bacon?”
Definition: “Opportunity Cost”
The thing that you team didn't do with the time they spent on Project X. Or the thing your company didn't buy with the money they spent on Project X. … [Read more...] about Definition: “Opportunity Cost”