Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Lessons in Life and Meschlichkeit."
(Credit Photo: makamuki0 via https://pixabay.com/photos/hairdressing-barbershop-barber-2142482/)
Showing posts with label Social Media. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Social Media. Show all posts
August 20, 2023
Lessons in Life and Menschlichkeit
(Credit Photo: makamuki0 via https://pixabay.com/photos/hairdressing-barbershop-barber-2142482/)
March 8, 2022
Ukraine Effectiveness
January 25, 2022
iPhone Generation
Friends are all sitting on the boat together.
One is even getting married, a bride-to-be.
Sky is clear and water is blue.
Yet not one person is looking up from their screen.
Apparently the virtual world is so much more intriguing.
Soon everyone will be lost in the Metaverse.
The real world left to become a cesspool that perhaps no one cares much about anymore.
Is this really what we call progress?
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
July 30, 2021
Social Media and Life Guidance
Today is the Yesterday you will be embarrassed about Tomorrow.
It's good to always consider tomorrow (or the future) when you do or say something.
What may seem like a good idea today may put you in very bad stead another day and under closer, clearer inspection.
Think about the consequences for tomorrow and stop the stupid stuff today, online and in real life.
That is if you care about your long term image and reputation. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
January 31, 2021
GameStop Is What I Call A Sh*t Store
Let's face it, it's a sh*t store!
They have videogames (some that I like) that you can buy online for half the price and crappy toys and collectables (i.e. "made in China" trinkets)!
Hey, I think you can get some action hero socks on sale for $5.
The company makes nothing!
Their intellectual property is virtually nill!
Their assets are some leases in strip malls and shopping centers that have less and less traffic due to e-Commerce and Covid!
For those who drove the stock up from a year-low of $2.57 to a high this week of $483.98, congrats on showing that the market can be completely irrational and manipulated by the social media masses.
Like right before the dot.com bubble of 2000, showoff your brokerage statements and brag about your beefy balances, I remember the local yocals from the barber shop doing the same back then--when everyone was a stock maven and becoming a multimillion from the likes of Pets.com.
But GameStop and AMC (another almost dead company unable to face Netflix, Amazon Prime movies, and all the other streaming plus Covid) are probably worth in concept less than good 'ol Pets.com or the Tulip Mania of the 17th century (at least flowers are beautiful).
This will end in tears for the ever "greater fool" who's following the herd.
Let's hope they and the spiraling, out of control national debt don't take down all of us with them! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
October 28, 2020
Overwhelming Public Fatigue
October 10, 2019
Adding A Very Special Facebook Friend
My parents passed away 5-6 years ago already.
I always miss them so much!
Somehow, on Facebook, my dad's Facebook profile came up, which I was surprised to find.
Looking at it, I saw under his friends was of course, my mom.
I didn't even know my mom had a Facebook page (I don't think she ever really used it).
But I was so curious, I clicked on her profile.
I saw the prominent blue and white button to "Add Friend."
And I saw my hand reaching to press for that button.
I so wanted to reach out and be able to be with, see, communicate with her again.
Then I stopped myself realizing that the friend request, unfortunately, couldn't go to Heaven.
If only it could...I would be so happy to press that button and have my mom hear from me again. ;-)
(Photo of my dear parents from Florida)
January 24, 2019
Take Your Head Out of My Shopping Cart
I'm checking out on the express line with a few things.
First some tofu.
The lady at the cash register goes:
Hmm. Healthy!
Then some Meal Mart Buffalo Style Chicken Wings.
Again, the lady at the cash register comments:
Have you tried that? Is it good? It looks good!
Politely, I replied:
Yes, they are really good.
At the same time I was feeing smart-alecy, like what the heck, should I open the package on the conveyer belt and let you taste one--right here, right now.
Sure privacy is a big issue when it comes to technology, social media, and all sorts of surveillance these days
But even when one simply goes to the grocery store--there is the very basic privacy about what one is buying.
Yes, I see people looking into my cart, with eyebrows raised eyeing my goodies. I can hear them thinking:
What is he buying? Is it marked Kosher? (Uh, actually it is!] That doesn't seem like a balanced diet!
Another time, the checkout person asked me when I was buying a bunch of something:
Oh, are you having a party? What's the occasion?
While I appreciate the good-natured banter and people being friendly, it seems more than weird in a way to be discussing what I'm buying, why, and for whom.
Not quite Big Brother, but maybe that's the leftover small town feel in our lonely urban and high-tech living. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
December 31, 2017
Social Media Totalitarianism
I am not just talking about blocking Internet sites and free information flow.
They actually have mastered the use of social media for tracking and rewarding or punishing citizen behavior.
Their social credit system rates people's behavior online for everything they do!
Similar to likes and dislikes, you are either labeled a "model citizen" sought after for jobs and good housing or you can be an "enemy of the state" treated as a social outcast who can't even leave the country anymore.
Everything about you is now based on what you are rated (whether true or not)!
Now in China the government has added a snitching tool/app where people are encouraged through a points system that offers rewards like store discounts, coupons for coffee, taxis, and music streaming, in order to get them to report covertly on their neighbors--are their fellow citizens fighting, is there mental illness, are people cheating on their taxes, etc.
You're being surveilled not just by the grid system, where every 300 households are watched and checked-in on by a "grid manager," but you are subject to daily intrusion by anyone that wants to report on you.
Communication to "Big Brother" is way overvalued, while privacy and respect of the people are no longer important values or concerns.
Instead of a Security Operations Center to monitor and command response to life-threatening catastrophes and emergencies, now there is a "Social Governance Integrated Command Center" to display video and biometric surveillance from throughout the country as well as to show what are the "moods" and which "issues" are trending.
Talking about having a finger on the pulse of what's going on...
I say this is all brilliant and malign, because social media which can be a tool for connecting people and for the free flow of information and progress is instead used for near ultimate control and enslavement of the masses--both their minds and their behaviors.
People should not be treated as servants of the state and subjected to ever-encroaching social media surveillance and control that is not carefully balanced directly to absolutely necessary national security.
Rather the state and its levers of people's supreme power should be subject to the wants and needs of its people who must freely decide on their collective futures and maintaining human rights.
Totalitarianism by police state, imprisonment, torture and "re-education" is now unfortunately facilitated by social media monitoring, and credits system where truly you are watched by Big Brother in the flesh and in the bytes. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
October 5, 2017
Facebook Is Dead!
Facebook Is Dead!Who in their right mind would say something like that?
Facebook has 2 billions users!
Well I am one of those users.
But even though I use it.
I recognize that it is essentially useless and a waste of time.
Yes, there are cute videos and messages and photos on there.
But basically if you're honest, it's mostly a lot of garbage and time sink!
Twitter has a newsfeed purpose.
Instagram has a photo sharing purpose.
LinkedIn has a professional networking purpose.
But Facebook is a glorious made-up fad!
I believe that people are getting tired of the:
- Meaningless, mind-numbing posts of what they had for breakfast today (and every other fart, literally).
- Phony self-branding veneer as if everything is always perfect in their lives (look I'm on another vacation skydiving!)
- Virtual relationships rather than genuine friendships and real connections (I'm fiends with over 3,000 people!)
- The millions of empty slogans, political statements, and impersonal wishes to everyone for every occasion (have a really happy birthday!)
Frankly, I think that people are reaching the point of realization where they want more from the time they spend online.
- More depth of feelings
- More substance of thought
- More reality than superficiality.
Yes, we all need some downtime too to mellow and just laugh a little, but I am fairly certain that the time people are putting into Facebook is not really meeting their true social networking needs.
In the end, we will find out that Facebook is the epitome of the greatest fool theory--where everyone dumps their shit from the day, hoping that there is some greater fool who will superficially lopping it all up. ;-)
(Source Graphic: Andy Blumenthal)
January 17, 2017
Twitter BESTS Facebook
- Unadulterated News & Messaging
Twitter is where you can hear it from the President's mouth or the Kardashians or anyone else for that matter with no media bias and filtering (their very mission is information sharing), while Facebook is often about reposting stories, pictures, and videos that we find of interest already on the web. What's even more amazing is that anyone of us can tweet back to @realDonaldTrump or @SpeakerRyan...that is some unbelievable access we now have.
- Speed of Information To Market
Twitter is now considered the fastest way to get the latest (and greatest) on what's happening. From the US Airways jet crash into the Hudson River to up-to-the-minute updates on the Mumbai terrorist attack. You could even watch the election debates or the Walking Dead and get a real-time running commentary.
- Our Very Social Identity
Twitter is now part of our very social identity, so that everything from our blog writings to our resume has our Twitter handle. Mine is @AndyBlumenthal.
- It's Populism As A Movement
Twitter, while not technically as popular in terms of number of users as Facebook, is more popular in terms of the cultural impact. Politicians are putting out policy debates online and fighting it out there too, while celebrities and athletes are sharing personal updates, and the world is truly communicating directly and succinctly in 140 characters or less what's really important to them.
- Operating On A Global Open Platform
Twitter feeds are open to anyone who follows them and tweets are searchable on the web as opposed to Facebook which is predominantly a closed system to the web and you've got to be "friends" to get the real scoop with someone. Whether the Iranian Green Revolution or the Syrians Being Bombarded in Aleppo it's open and on Twitter.
- Get Your BIG Data and Feed Your Artificial Intelligence
Twitter has about 500 million tweets a day or about 200 billion a year. Even pulling out the ridiculous "What I had for lunch today" tweets, there is still an unbelievable amount of data to mine for analysis and artificial intelligence. Talking about a potential treasure trove of information and sentiment from over 317 million users, and computer algorithms are already churning through it to make the big data intelligible and usable for decision making.
Certainly Twitter (and Facebook) need to get their virtual arms around fake news and profiles, but the good thing about it is that others can call b.s. as soon as they see it in 140 characters or less. ;-)
(Note: I am so impressed with Twitter's prospects, I am putting my own money where my mouth is.)
January 3, 2017
The Trump Twitter Genius
At 70-years old, he has managed to use a millennial social media tool to take on the world, and despite opponents questioning of his temperament, so far he has unequivocally won with it.
Using Twitter, Trump defeated candidates from Cruz to Clinton in running for president of the United States and at a fraction the cost.
Using Twitter, Trump has shaped not only policy discussion, but national sentiments around healthcare, over-regulation, tax reform, and even updating our critical nuclear deterrent capability.
Using Twitter, Trump has strengthened alliances and friendships with nation and states from Israel to Taiwan and decreased escalating tensions with Russia.
Using Twitter, Trump has put competitors and adversaries on notice about bad behavior from China to North Korea.
Using Twitter, Trump is setting the stage for correcting economic problems and imbalances from unfair trade practices to shipping jobs overseas.
Using Twitter, Trump gets around media bias and messages and connects directly with the people of the world.
Of course, it is critical to vet important communications and ensure they are accomplishing the goal, but this needs to be weighed with the ability to reach out and get the message out quickly and effectively to the masses...and it's a most fascinating and delicate balance that needs to be achieved.
So far though, we are no longer working at the speed of government, but at the speed of the Internet.
This is an incredible awakening in politics, but also for everyone on the incredible power of social media tools to communicate directly, unvarnished, and with impact, and no one has done it better than Donald Trump.
The mastery of social media will continue to depend on messaging with speed, significance, and effect balanced with the vigilance as to exactly when to hit that crucial send button to the Twitterverse and the world.
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
November 6, 2016
Living In A Big F-cking Interconnected World
Yet if the world, as created, is just under 6,000 years old, then we only have these critical interconnections with each other for the last 100 years...that's only a tiny fraction of world history or less than 2%!
Pervasive and invasive communications and travel like the Internet (1990), television (1927), commercial airplane (1914), and mass produced automobile (1908) have expanded our personal universes.
Hearing stories as a kid about how people rarely traveled more than 25 miles from their villages and barely got news from far beyond that, it is very hard for me to imagine such a small world to be confined to.
Yes, some people look back with nostalgia yearning for the simpler times and "the good 'ol days," but they forget how on one hand, mundane it was and on the other, how unstable and violent it tended to be.
Now with social media, smartphones, 24/7 news coverage, and world travel, connecting with people and events irrespective of distance or even language is taken for granted, and we are always on and expected to be (the last part is one downside for sure).
Still yet to be conquered, but I am sure not that far away, is connecting outside of our own world and irregardless of time...reach forward or back and across the vastness of the stars--it's all one.
Frankly, I do not know what I would do in a world limited to just 25 miles and not being able to get connected online, anytime, anywhere...what a boring and small world that must've been.
In the same way, once we reach beyond our own world and routinely travel to and settle on other worlds, and can reach beyond the present into the past and the future, I think the next generations will be astonished at how small we too have lived.
25 miles...what the heck! ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
June 13, 2016
Walking The Pink Carpet
Only in Starbucks Florida...
Does Buddy the bird sing and dance inside the shop next to the coffee drinkers.
Here, my wife was doing some writing for the Federal Communicators Network.
And she is very serious about her writing--and don't bug her when she's into it.
But Buddy was a different story...
He proudly walked right over the iPad pink keyboard.
And then headed for another circuit around the table.
Picking up keys, ripping up the New York Times, hanging upside down, and playing with everyone who was only too happy to pay him attention.
When I asked Buddy if he liked Starbucks coffee, he started bopping up and down like crazy--it was hilarious.
As to my wife's computer and writing, this was about the only thing that she would allow to disturb her.
I was surprised she didn't eat the bothersome bird, but even she had to laugh at his gall to step into her virtual world of writing, brands, and social media. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
February 12, 2016
Oculus Rift Has My Attention
Zuckerberg's Facebook announced the purchase of Oculus virtual reality (VR) in March 2014.
I can't think of another piece of consumer technology that I want to try out more than this.
Initially for immersive 3-D experiences in all sorts of entertainment, including gaming, movies, television, and more.
But soon to follow are use cases for virtual meetings, classrooms, doctor's appointments, and anything requiring our interaction and communication.
Hush-hush is the more intimate use for things like virtual sex.
Also, there are opportunities for augmented reality where physical reality is supplemented with computer sensory input making your real-experience that much richer and informed.
With the Oculus Rift, I imagine myself immersed on a safari in Africa, flying into the reaches of space, relaxing at the most beautiful beaches, praying at the Western Wall, fighting my way through first person shooter and action adventures, and reliving biblical and other major historical events.
I don't see VR for myself as an escape from reality, so much as being able to experience many more of life's realities and possibilities out there.
My only fear is that as VR gets better and better, it becomes easier and easier to fall away from our challenges in the real world, and just live inside a mask with a controlled environment where our virtual choices and experiences seem all too convenient and real. ;-)
(Source Photo: here with attribution to Weston High School Library)
February 6, 2016
What does 600613 Spell?
Recently, Google paid an award to a former employee of $6,006.13.
The amount is special in two ways as you can see:
First of all, Google saw that, if you look closely, this number spells Google.
Secondly, it has the number mystical number 613 in it.
613 is a winner and so is Google, which is now the the most valuable company in the U.S. (worth more than Apple) at $554 billion!
If you use simple Gematria, where each letter is a number (A=1, B=2, C=3...Z=26), then Guess what other successful technology companies has the mystical 613 in their names:
(Also, see which amazing technology company has 613 twice in their name!)
In contrast, some ailing technology companies that do not have 613:
- Yahoo
613 is a reminder of G-d's benevolence to mankind in that he G-d us the commandments as a roadmap to live by. 613 is a symbol of faith in G-d almighty and in his holy Torah (Bible).
For those that keep His charge, we believe that Hashem will bless them and keep them.
Indeed, technology used for the good of mankind is a blessing to us all. ;-)
(Source Graphics: Andy and Dossy Blumenthal)
December 10, 2015
Bigotry Reveals Her Stripes
OPEN LETTER TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
What an outrageous article in the Daily News by morally-bankrupt journalist, Linda Stasi (yeah, like the repressive secret East German police in the Cold War).
Ms. Stasi calls out as deserving of death, the single Jewish victim of terror in the latest terror attack in San Bernardino that killed 14 and injured 21, where according to Stasi only "13 innocent people are dead", because the one "Born Again Christian/Messianic Jew" was what she judges as a bigot.
Stasi tries to create some sort of ridiculous moral equivalency between mass murdering terrorists who pledged allegiance to ISIS and mowed down dozens of municipal employees in California with the Jewish guy who posted some stuff on Facebook.
Vehemently anti-Republican, Stasi, lashes out at conservative, Mr. Thalasinos with posts that were supportive of conservative political commentator, Ann Coulter and "pro-NRA" and "anti-Planned Parenthood" -- neither of which are bigoted things, but are conservative political views in America!
Similarly, Stasi accuses the victim, Thalasinos of being "anti-government" for questioning things like whether politicians are "bought and paid for" or are "moron[s]" -- when Stasi should be aware that approval ratings for politicians (e.g. Congress) has slipped to a dismal 11%.
Finally, Stasi goes after Thalasinos for an inappropriate negative comment about a Muslim Million Man march and for saying G-d should destroy, Axis of Evil, Iran that has repeatedly threatened to Annihilate friend and Ally, Israel as well as threatens the entire Western world.
Apparently, Stasi is quite hateful of many many people as she is neither concerned about Iranian threats of Jewish Genocide, dishonoring victims of terror (which she has a history of doing such as with Charlie Hebdo), or accepting those with opposing political views to hers (i.e. Conservatives).
She has defamed the memory of the dead victim of terror, Mr. Thalasinos, and the Daily News owes it to itself and its readers to immediately dismiss the one true hateful bigot in this story, Ms. Linda Stasi.
(Source Photo: here with attribution to Blake Emrys)
October 5, 2015
A Ricksha With A Worthwhile Message
And it carries messages of hope and peace.
Some examples (visible in the photo):
- "Promote the Olympic spirit."
- "Hope for world peace."
- "Protecting mother earth."
It looks like he could be right off the streets of China or something and transported here to deliver and remind us of these important ideas.
What is interesting to me is that in this day and age of social media and online advertising where messages are often drowned out amidst the daily deluge we get, that here a simple ricksha can grab people's attention and perhaps have a positive influence on them.
With just some subtle messaging along the vehicle's canopy and with pictures and flags around the back.
Perhaps it's not only how much one advertises and promotes, but how thought-provoking and novel it's done.
I don't know how many miles this guy can pedal a day, but I bet he gets more likes than much of the garbage just being throw up online because it's so easy and available for everyone to do. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
December 27, 2014
Something Everyone Cares About
He bemoans that there are no virgins left in Vegas.
I tell my wife what he said.
And she says, "Well what does he expect in Vegas?"
I say, "I'm not sure, but I think he might be married and has kids."
So my wife says, "Then why does he care?"
I think for a second and answer, "It's someone everyone cares about like global warming."
And we both started to crack up laughing.
My wife ends the conversation with, "Andy, you are a funny guy!" ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
December 21, 2014
Graduation Day
So proud of Minna graduating from University of Maryland today.
And in only 3 1/2 years...record time, while she worked an internship too.
With a major in communication, please G-d she will go out as the keynote speaker said, "the glue that mends broken dialogue" in society.
Communications comes from community...from marketing and branding to public relations and diplomacy, communications is key in everything we do from vetting ideas, innovating, decision making, teamwork, and even social media.
Lots of luck in your future and may Hashem bless you in all that you do.
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
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