jonathan nausner

The echo of "Let them have cake!" is ringing in my head while reading this article. There was also a Freakonomics blog story of a multimillionaire heir following a squatter around to learn about his circumstances which illustrated this total detachment of classes.

Word.

"Tango, as we are slowly beginning to understand, is likely to be a low-cost version of Windows Phone that Nokia can use to sell cheap handsets around the world, in markets that might not be able to support a full-priced smartphone." Oh. That would be clever.

Dear Mr & Mrs Cameron, Why did you never take the time to teach your child basic morality?

Research with British and US offenders suggests nutritional deficiencies may play a key role in aggressive bevaviour

"How can you cease to believe in law and order, a moral universe, co-operation, the purpose of existence, and yet still believe in sportswear? How can you despise culture but still want the flatscreen TV from the bookies?"

There are looters who have nothing to lose. And there are looters who have nothing to fear. This article is about the latter.

"It costs money to care. But it also costs money to clear up riots, savagery and antisocial behaviour. I leave it to you to do the financial and moral sums."

And do you know why they think it is a bit of a laugh? It is because they don’t care.

And do you know why they don’t care? It is because no one cares about them.  

"Yes," said the young man. "You wouldn't be talking to me now if we didn't riot, would you?"

Is this a replacement for the funnel metaphor?

There are not many events that attract me with the same fascination and fear. My next wallet will certainly be wire-lined.

1 Marketing doesn’t have to be complex. Listen to the customer. They will tell you what they want. Just ask.
2 Commit to the core. Your credibility and ultimate commercial success depend on it. Kids can recognize posers easily and quickly.
3 Invert the scarcity model. Every kid wants to be unique, just like their friends. Think about that one. If your product is too hard to find, is aspirational yet unattainable then you will lose the customer. Be accessible.
4 Create real opportunities to foster a relationship with your customer. Be present at surf and skate events. Have your product available to trial at a basketball court Saturday morning. Be available.

Behind the DirecTV ads: "The concept is that you're never too rich for a deal."

"These questions are known as “context-free questions” and are designed “to encourage agents to look at a challenge from many different angles."
Very cool. Helps you get a jumpstart into every problem.

The origin of the high five.

Adam Harvey has concepted CV Dazzle, a camouflage from computer vision (CV). It is a form of expressive interference that combines makeup and hair styling (or other modifications) with face-detection thwarting designs.

Looking for icons? Search here.

Nice anecdote from Pixar's John Lasseter

The world consumes 1 million plastic shopping bags every minute – and the industry is fighting hard to keep it that way.
This is literally a mess. I switch to fabric bags today.

A desire path (also known as a desire line or social trail) is a path developed by erosion caused by footfall. The path usually represents the shortest or most easily navigated route between an origin and destination. The width and amount of erosion of the line represents the amount of demand.

Petter Forsberg built a DIY Segway for a mere 300$ in material. Pretty cool.

Treffend beobachted.

Treffend beobachted.

Treffend beobachted.

Al Gore is pissed. And America should be concerned. He makes a great point about the downfall of the democratic discourse in the age of mass media in the U.S. (and the world, for that matter)
Neil Postman saw this coming more than twenty years ago.

A look at the growing importance of data and statistics in football. Amazing.