There is no escaping "Gangnam Style," the meteoric dance craze performed by South Korean rapper Psy.
OK, it has a catchy tune and fun dance moves ... but how do you explain the incredible global response to "Gangnam Style," a song that's almost entirely in Korean?
Someone put a camera on a Hula Hoop and decided to call it a Hula Cam.
They let a bunch of people at the Burning Man event try it ...
Basically, a bunch of women at Burning Man are shown hula hooping from the hoop’s point of view.
Needless to say the video went viral.
It is a little bit "trippy" ... but somehow strangely interesting.
I was watching some of our team chat about the new iPhone 5. They shared the link for the video and said things like "Wow, dude ... I want one so bad!"
Here is a link to Apple's official iPhone 5 promotional video.
There is also a spoof of the video. It is very funny ... worth watching for a laugh and some perspective on how "big" the Apple brand promise has become.
In many ways, the spoof made me want the phone even more.
As a side-note, wouldn't it be great to design a product that was spoof-worthy?
As you think about what a spoof of your product or service would be, perhaps the bit of "truth" in the humor points at the real competitive advantage ... or at least towards the roadmap that leads towards creating one?
Imagine being a performing artist who has a song what's on the top of the charts. Now imagine how much time and effort you put in to getting that song "just perfect." The perfect phrasing; when to breathe just a little bit deeper in order to hit that note; the gestures and dance steps to make it even that much more special ...
Now imagine the other side of artistry ... The fact that it's "perfect" means that it's no longer challenging. How do you convey something special if it's no longer special to you?
It's just as true for business person is it is for a performing artist; there's always something new -- and there is always a possibility of something more.
Below is a music video put together by the artist called Gotye. You probably know him from his “Somebody That I Used To Know” video, which has now been played more than 300 million times.
The version below isn't the music video that made him famous. Instead, he put this video together solely from clips that he found on the Internet of people either imitating, innovating, or parodying his original work of art.
Watch Gotye's "Somebodies" ... In some ways, it may be better than the original.
What a great reminder that you can always find "just a little bit more" if you're committed to searching for it hard enough.
Too many times, a brainstorming session to figure-out how to do something turns into a discussion about how or why it can't be done.
Here's to getting it done anyway!
Sometimes a little extra is all it takes.
It's the extra degree of effort that often separates the good from the great.
For example, at 211°, water is hot. At 212°, it boils.
The one extra degree makes the difference. It's that extra degree that can power a locomotive.
This simple analogy reflects the ultimate definition of excellence. Because it's the one extra degree of effort, in business and life, that can separate the good from the great.
Here is a video.
It is from Mac Anderson's Simple Truths. I'm a fan of their work, which takes a simple idea and presents it in a memorable way ... with lots of great quotes and stories to illustrate the concept even better.
Yes, they have an iPhone/iPad app.
It's your life ... You are responsible for your results. It's time to turn up the heat! Are you content with just being pretty good? Or are you ready to go the extra degree?
As a public service, I am sharing this Formal Apology from the Bureau of Communication.
Failure to use it has consequences.
For example, have you seen this video of what an angry father can do to his daughter's laptop?
Do you applaud the standard he is trying to teach her ... or are you tempted to call Child Protective Services?
If she had just used the apology form ...
Inspiring and Fun! Seems appropriate for the start of the Holiday Season.
Beware, these three short videos may encourage you to travel, learn something new, move your body, or create something.
3 guys, 44 days, 11 countries, 18 flights, 38 thousand miles, an exploding volcano, 2 cameras and almost a terabyte of footage… all to turn 3 ambitious linear concepts based on movement, learning and food.
Click to Watch.
MOVE from Rick Mereki on Vimeo.
LEARN from Rick Mereki on Vimeo.
EAT from Rick Mereki on Vimeo.
While eating dinner a few nights ago, I heard a 3-year-old scream "iPad, iPad, iPad" until her parents handed one over. Was it just a child's tantrum ... or does it mark another step in our journey to the post-pc age?
To imagine the future of technology, sometimes it helps to look back. Here's a clever way to appreciate how much technology has changed the things we love to do.
And we are now moving beyond even that.
I just spent a week in Asia, and didn't bring a laptop ... relying, instead, on just an iPad and an iPhone 4S.
In 2009, Microsoft released a Productivity Future Vision. Watch how future technology will help people make better use of their time, focus their attention, and strengthen relationships while getting things done at work, home, and on the go.
They just released a updated view into their Productivity Future Vision. It is worth watching.
And here is a behind scenes look at how Microsoft Envisioning Labs conceived and made the Future Vision videos.
Amazing!
Here is a version of "The Crazy Ones" that has Steve Jobs narrating. It is a 'classic' even though the ad never aired in this format.
Here is the text.
Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.
The next vide is interesting because it is unrehearsed and unpolished. Ironically, Steve Jobs was known as the consummate showman and presenter. Here is glimpse at the man behind the curtain. This video shows his first television interview.
How far he came!
Here is a link to a video tribute to Steve Jobs.
