Stephane Hessel’s “Indignez vous!”, has already become an editorial phenomenon in France selling more than 600,000 copies in the first three months. He is disgusted by complacency and is calling for people to "Cry Out" and get outraged again!
Hessel argues that French people (and I'd argue all people) should re-embrace the values of the French resistance, which have been lost, driven by indignation and the French people need to get outraged again.
"Indifference, the worst attitude" was the chapter that resonated the most with me. As we live in a complex world where "Who controls, and who decides" is not always clear. We live with inter connectivity and interdependence and there are still somethings that are unbearable. The worst attitude is INDIFFERENCE, saying "I cannot do anything, I'm doing my job." We already see this playing out with the ever widening gap between the rich and the poor. The lack of universal rights for all people. What are we doing? How are we crying out? Are we making a difference? Or being complacent?
To quote his last sentence and within that coupled with my own desire, we say "CREATE is to resist. RESIST IS TO CREATE."
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Iphone, LTE, Tablets. Are We Really Connected?
The first 15 days of 2011 have already been very intense. The recently concluded Consumer Electronics Show (CES) showcased a multitude of new networked/convergence devices which promise to connect us and other gadgets in an easier and faster fashion. Nigeria, a third world country is also rumored to be launching their Long Term Evolution (LTE) network which is said to deliver internet connection at 4G speeds. Just as I was reeling from this, Apple and Verizon announced the availability of the iphone on Verizon's network.
At the same time, we've seen senseless shootings in Arizona. Southern Sudan is fighting for their independence, Tunisia's president of 23 years steps down and flees the country, and the Catholic Church is accelerating the beautification of the late Pope John Paul the second. All these in the pursuit of unity and bringing people together.
But, are we really connected? On one hand we have technology and increasingly sophisticated gadgets that deliver connectivity. On the other hand, we have worldly events that are reaching for unity, but in reality have been tragic.
So, as we set out into 2011, what is the meaning of "connected" to us as individuals, to the brands we support and to the world that we live in. Merriam-Webster.com defines "connected as joined or linked together." How can we and how should we deliver "connectivity" in 2011. What will it mean to us and to our brands. How should we deliver promises that enhance this connectivity? WHAT ROLE WILL YOU PLAY?
At the same time, we've seen senseless shootings in Arizona. Southern Sudan is fighting for their independence, Tunisia's president of 23 years steps down and flees the country, and the Catholic Church is accelerating the beautification of the late Pope John Paul the second. All these in the pursuit of unity and bringing people together.
But, are we really connected? On one hand we have technology and increasingly sophisticated gadgets that deliver connectivity. On the other hand, we have worldly events that are reaching for unity, but in reality have been tragic.
So, as we set out into 2011, what is the meaning of "connected" to us as individuals, to the brands we support and to the world that we live in. Merriam-Webster.com defines "connected as joined or linked together." How can we and how should we deliver "connectivity" in 2011. What will it mean to us and to our brands. How should we deliver promises that enhance this connectivity? WHAT ROLE WILL YOU PLAY?
Monday, January 3, 2011
What is the value of your smart phone?
Bonne Annee et Bon Sante!
I just got back from a wonderful holiday vacation in France and although it was a vacation, I could not help but put on my account planner/ work hat.
All over the newstands in Paris were mobile/ smart phone magazines...yes, glossy, well designed, beautiful magazines - "think GQ like" for quality and content. The particular one that caught my eye was titled "Your Phone, Your Magazine." So, this got me thinking just how important our mobile devices have become to us, so much so that they command their own high quality magazine. If you think about it, we are talking about phones - devices that allow us to connect and communicate and yet we are celebrating the hardware and technology within these devices. It is amazing how far we have come with technology. In just a few short years, a whole new publishing genre is emerging. I don't know how successful the sales of the magazines are, but they are clearly addressing a consumer need. I don't know about you, but I can certainly imagine kicking back with my copy of "Your Phone, Your Magazine"...on a subscription basis of course:)
I just got back from a wonderful holiday vacation in France and although it was a vacation, I could not help but put on my account planner/ work hat.
All over the newstands in Paris were mobile/ smart phone magazines...yes, glossy, well designed, beautiful magazines - "think GQ like" for quality and content. The particular one that caught my eye was titled "Your Phone, Your Magazine." So, this got me thinking just how important our mobile devices have become to us, so much so that they command their own high quality magazine. If you think about it, we are talking about phones - devices that allow us to connect and communicate and yet we are celebrating the hardware and technology within these devices. It is amazing how far we have come with technology. In just a few short years, a whole new publishing genre is emerging. I don't know how successful the sales of the magazines are, but they are clearly addressing a consumer need. I don't know about you, but I can certainly imagine kicking back with my copy of "Your Phone, Your Magazine"...on a subscription basis of course:)
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