No reason for Sir/Madam technology here to feel down in the dumps.
Yes, we love you technology.
And not just sometimes, but always! ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
November 5, 2014
Good Spreads Good
"To the good samaritan who picked up an Amex card on 11/3: Thank you! You are awesome."
Look at how good deeds work and spread:
Someone lost their Amex credit card.
Another found it and went out of their way to take the time to safeguard it and turn it in.
The person who lost it then got to recognize the kind act and in turn make the effort to write this nice thank you note and post it.
Other people passing this by get to see this and learn from it, and hopefully do similar nice things when they are presented the opportunity.
Do you look the other way and run off to do just your own (selfish) things or do you take the time to help others when they are in need?
The answer may not be obvious to everyone or all the time, but we can all learn and grow. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
November 4, 2014
My Favorite Couch
100 Times Harassed!
After my last blog on stopping sexual assault, a colleague brought this other video to my attention.
32 million views and 120 thousand comments and counting.
This young lady walks around the streets of New York for 10 hours in jeans and a t-shirt and is verbally harassed a 100 times--not including winks and whistles.
Women (and men) should not have to live in fear, shame, or be abused doing nothing but living their lives peacefully and respectfully.
Darn, can the folks out there show some respect and decency.
This could be your mother, wife, sister, or daughter...think about it.
Video sponsored by IHollaback.
Stop Sexual Assault
Saw this poster coming off the Metro today in Washington D.C.
"It's on all of us to stop sexual assault."
It reminded me of this article I read in the DailyMail about this father of a 14-year girl in India that was raped in her home by a medical supply salesman.
The young girl was raped and impregnated by a 45-year old man who boasted that he was "too well-connected" to ever be prosecuted.
After some time passed, the father invited the rapist to dinner!
The rapist came.
The father overcame the rapist, and repeatedly burned the man's genitals with hot thongs.
The rapist died.
This one rapist will certainly not be doing this again.
While blatant violation of the law and vigilantism is not okay, the poster is right that we need to "stop sexual assault."
Statistics in this country are that 20% of college women are sexually assaulted before they graduate.
Unacceptable!
Laws protecting women (and men) from sexual assault need to be strengthened, penalties stiffened, and we all need to be on the lookout for inappropriate behavior and speedily report this to law enforcement.
And no one should be above the law and basic morality.
"It's on us."
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
November 3, 2014
Orange You Glad I Didn't Say Banana
Took this photo of this very cool looking Orange Fridge.
It actually comes in all sort of vibrant colors including pink, blue, and even "Union Jack."
Made by an Italian appliance maker called SMEG, whose tag line is "Technology with style."
I like technology, and I like design...so this is great stuff!
For home and Museum of Modern Art. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Disabled Be Heard
Promising technology coming from Israeli startup Voiceitt.
Chosen by Wall Street Journal global technology conference as an audience favorite application.
This technology will help the disabled who have trouble speaking to effectively communciate with others.
The application translates sounds and intonation patterns into words that can be understood.
Victims of Stroke, Parkinsons, ALS, Cerebral Palsy, and Autism may benefit from this.
The founder of the technology himself has two siblings with Cerebral Palsy and he is driven to personally address their challenges.
Application is expected to be released 2nd quarter 2015.
To me, it is especially encouraging when we use technology to help the disabled live a fuller and more comfortable life.
Life is tough enough on people the way it is already, so if we can help make things better for those who are disadvantaged in any way, what a great, great thing to do! ;-)
November 2, 2014
Exodus Hollywood Style 2014
Very excited about the new Exodus movie coming next month.
Looks high budget action and with great special effects.
Hopefully, not a disappointment like Noah (2014 film)--I don't think it will be.
Good wins over evil--well, we all know that already from the Bible!
According to the Passover Haggadah, we are supposed to retell every year, from generation to generation, our story of going from the cruel enslavement by evil dictators to the redemption by the merciful Almighty G-d.
It's timeless and our history! ;-)
(Note: Movie name is Exodus G-ds and Kings, but there is only one G-d.)
"Wicked" Contact Lists
One, technology is better when it's chocolate. Pictured here are telephones, cell phones, and smart phones made of luscious chocolate. Only problem is that the technology is too beautiful to eat!
Two, kids these days are putting in some very creative names into their smartphones' contact lists to identify their parents. For example, one of my daughters friends who went out with us today told me about three names her friends are currently using for their mothers:
- Birth Giver
- Financial Aid
- Mental Case
Ah, while we have to appreciate creativity in our young ones, perhaps too much of anything is no good.
Anyway, I'm glad that I'm still "Dad" on my girls' phones--or at least I think that what they are still calling me! ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
November 1, 2014
Swarovski's Crystal Balls
Crystal balls hanging in a display case.
Purples, pinks, greens, and more.
Feels fanciful and otherworld-ish.
These aren't the type you look in and see the future, unless you want to see more of the same crap we are in as a society today.
Well, hopefully, please G-d, things will be getting better soon.
And as long as these all don't start swinging...I won't need to puke!
P.S. After reading this one with a double entendre, my wife says I'm sort of a crazy guy...but funny!
So what's wrong with having some fun and being a little provocative? ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
More Information, Please.
Printed: "Labcorp is no longer in this building."
Followed by in handwriting, "Then Where is it?"
Almost to the familiar reframe, "Well I dunno--do you? If not you--than who?"
These were plastered in multiple locations exactly like this.
It's funny, we think we are giving people information--the stuff they need.
But when it comes across to the other person, perhaps all we've done is left them with more questions than answers.
In an age of information technology, business analytics, big data, and artificial intelligence...we still can't even seem to figure out the basics of managing information and communications with each other.
Lots of products being heralded as the answer...including IBM's Watson, but aside from answering Jeopardy questions, the jury is still out on whether this can really evolve to true AI.
If it was just a technology issue, we may already be getting close, but the bigger piece of this puzzle is people really understanding the challenges they confront, and being able identify and work with the information to solve these.
Then maybe we would finally have the answers or at least where it is! ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
October 31, 2014
Draining Our Life Force
He's telling the evil Galactus, who drains planets of their life's energy, to "Stop!"
He yells at Galactus, "You have facilitated the Corporate Fascist Agenda long enough."
I think we all know a Galactus (or two)!
In every company and agency...there are individuals that seem to literally suck the creativity, problem solving, and life force from the bowels of the organization.
They complain incessantly, make excuses for their lack of support and contribution, erect obstacles to progress, and needlessly put down other people's ideas and contributions.
These Galactuses facilitate their own or a corporate agenda in order to raise their stature, power, and purse.
They can be--almost G-d like figures in the organization that are feared and cowed to--but in the long term it's counterproductive to enslave humanity to them.
You can be like the Fantastic Four, who recognizes problem people and calls them out for bad behavior--you can be part of changing the culture from a BIG VILIAN negative to a SUPERHERO positive.
It starts, like in the comic--by identifying their personal agendas and bad behaviors and telling them to stop as well as by working with or around them to facilitate progress.
Galactus, you are finished! ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
October 30, 2014
G-d, Nature and Technology
War Of The Coffees
It's All In The Execution, Baby!
This lady was wearing this gorgeous shirt.
The words: "Hope, Progress, Change, Action. Yes we can Believe."
Aroud it were the tie-dye colors emanating like the sun,
It is very inspiring!
I was reminded of a similar 1960's slogan of "Peace, Love, and Rock & Roll."
Also good stuff and especially with the cool VW brightly painted minivan--who doesn't want that?
We all want great things from life.
The key is getting us from idea to execution.
Maybe not such a little thing, but that's what life is all about! ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
October 29, 2014
From Hymietown To Chickenshit
In 1984, Rev. Jesse Jackson (later the democratic Presidential candidate) referred to the Jewish people and New York as Hymietown.
Roll forward to 2014, and we have "senior administration officials" who have called Israel's heroic Prime Minister Netanyahu a "Chickensh*t."
In 1624, Rembrandt painted this beautiful work from the Bible of Balaam riding on the way to curse the Israelites.
The problem for him was that an Angel of G-d stood in his path--his donkey saw it, but not Balaam! (Numbers 22:21-39)
In Genesis 12:3, God says to Abraham: "I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse."
Of course, the Israelites have to be deserving of this and act according to G-d's word and by a strict moral code.
For those who act shamefully, with arrogance before G-d, and unapologetically, and use their political platform to name-call, curse, and degrade Israel, no man ultimately needs to answer this, G-d provides the answer himself.
Kudos to House Speaker John Boehner for speaking up against this grotesque, "disrespectful rhetoric" unbecoming the leadership of the United States of America.
Congress should take up a vote unanimously condemning these disgusting, derogatory, Anti-semitic remarks--for those who bless Israel shall be blessed! ;-)
(Source Photo here via Wikipedia)
Who Makes Change Happen?
Personally, I like to see everyone think creatively about what they do and how they do it--looking for efficiencies and to create positive change, where warranted.
Not change for change itself...but where requirements have changed or methods and/or tools have changed to create opportunities or mitigate threats.
While there certainly are "tied and true" ways of doing things, we are an evolving species, and change is fundamental to survival. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
"Chickenshit"?
Yes, it's in the Washington Examiner today.
Forget about being completely rude and disrespectful--how utterly impolitic!
Sinking to new political lows globally with our friends and allies--while the ratings sink (and sink) to new lows for these politicians.
Imagine, Israel Prime Minister Netanyahu defends his nation by putting real boots on the ground in Hamas-run Gaza for the 50-days of fighting rocket barrages and terror tunnels, and builds apartments in Jerusalem, the Capital of Israel--Sorry, that is not Chickensh*t.
While domestically, we have been seen as in full global retreat, abandoning our bases in Iraq and Afghanistan, carpet bombing from the air in Syria and not punishing chemical weapons use (remember the "red line"), leaving key portions of Ukraine in the hands of Russia, seeking to forge WMD-losing deals with the devils in Iran, and watching the situation deteriorate as we "Pivot East" to Asia, and as we all know, much more.
- Finanically--we can't balance a budget,
- Ebola Epidemic--we can't put together a sensible quarantine policy (while the States fill the void)
- Imigration--we can't muster a realistic bill
- Veterans--the scandal of not caring for our veterans is still scathing.
And the list goes on, virtually without end.
Horrible name-calling and snubbing leaders on the world stage, let alone of our best allies and friends, is not only politically immature, but morally disgraceful--but psychological projection is a very real possibility.
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
October 28, 2014
^^^To The Six Million^^^
May G-d have mercy on their souls and in their name bless us, the survivors, to do his holy bidding and good deeds.
Thank you G-d for bringing me to this time and for all your enduring kindness.
May you give me the strength and inspiration to carry on as a hopefully positive influence in this world.
(Source Photo of Miami Holocaust Memorial: Andy Blumenthal)
Yes, Awkward
This book was a New York Times Bestseller!
There is a book, a Kindle edition, a board game, a calendar, and a website to upload your photos.
On Amazon, there are also versions with awkward family holiday and family with pet photos.
I can't believe this is for real either.
Awkward, indeed. ;-)
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