🖋️ LongForm
Want to reduce the noice and just focus on things with a little more meat - the this category is for you. Like so much on this site we have a ‘WIP’ as i take some out - and put some in - but safe for at least starting in 2026.
Why Are Architects More Famous Than Builders?
Well. at least for real-world construction. As we build out the internet, I feel it is the other way round. Why is that? I wrote this just yesterday …
Frank Lloyd Wright, Julia Morgan, Zaha Hadid, Frank Gehry, Norman Foster, Gaudi, Le Corbusier … are legion in the world of architecture … yet few people know the names of the people or companies that built the buildings they designed.
Today I discovered this gentle and informative Twitter account that highlights the names of building designers - not building builders.
1999: Burj Al Arab in Dubai, designed by Tom Wright of WKK Architects
— The Cultural Tutor (@culturaltutor) October 31, 2022
99/100 pic.twitter.com/YbaTimr5rX
Is it odd that In technology, the ‘builders’ have become the industry names and we know so relatively few designers?
The Glass Cliff
What absolute crap and drivel …
“ Britain’s current dumpster fire (i.e. the British Pound reached its lowest level against the US Dollar in its entire history last week) began a long time before Truss came on board. She inherited the mess; she didn’t create it.
I am fully aware of the Glass Cliff problem - this is not an example.
Yes - she inherited a mess. She then doubled down to make it worse.
🎥 Everything Everywhere All at Once, 2022 - ★★★★
One of those multiverse movies that isn’t your usual. Well worth a watch. No disappointment.
🎥 The Gray Man, 2022 - ★★★
Let’s watch The Gray Man I suggested. We did, both of us looking at the arch other throughout .. the story seemed familiar. And then it didn’t. And then it did. We watched to the end. It was familiar because we’d watched it already. Just didn’t remember. And now … the following morning. Here we are again. Still not knowing what it was about.
We Are Becoming A Power Skills Economy
Josh Bershin writes that we are becoming a power skills economy.
In other words, automation did not eliminate work at all – it created new jobs, better jobs, and an acceleration of our workforce into what we now call the “service economy.” We are essentially shifting to the right in this model.
💬 Josh Bershin
BTW, in case you are wondering, ‘Power Skills’ is the 'new' name for ‘Soft Skills’. To be fair, it did need a new name. It’s also fair to say that whilst he’s not wrong, he fails to mention that in the last 15 years (where he references 2007) no mention that the average income of people is flat and that real income is declining.
But that's a different opportunity.
Oh - and maybe not so 'new' Josh was talking about this back in 2019 - and gave us a few clues as to what he was talking about, this is one of his graphics.
Here's My Take
1) Becoming? I think it is really more like that we are starting to recognize these skills. They have always been there - and though not necessarily recognised or even understood - I bet if you find successful people in that 'old' economy - they would demonstrate a lot of these traits.
2) Josh is not alone in highlighting these skills and their importance. What nobody is doing is organizing these skills into a taxonomy - much less an ontology. (What's the difference you may ask) Stan Garfield has a very simple explanation)
Taxonomy
Ontology
... except now there is.
More of this to come, but have to say, very excited by a company I have been talking to that has not only done a lot of research into these skills, but also which skills are most important - and why, depending on what you are trying to do.
Not only that, but they are releasing an app that will allow anybody to
- assess their personal strengths and weaknesses across all skills
- define which of those skills they should focus on to maximise their ability to be most succesful at what they are trying to do
- all through a self paced, self directed, learning program.
As I said - more to come. Just to say - the cavalry is on its way.
Featured Image by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash
The Lore Of The Rings
I was delighted to be joined on the People First podcast by Ramsey Avery who is the Production Designer for the Amazon series - Lord of the Rings - Rings of Power.
Wonderful conversation that I know you will enjoy.
🎥 Mr. Harrigan's Phone, 2022 - ★★★★
Maybe because I have recently been watching some below average / average movies recently - that this one stands out. On another day. I might rate it at 3 1/2 stars - but leaving at 4 for now.
Here’s the question … coincidence … or action from the grave?
🎥 Skandal! Bringing Down Wirecard, 2022 - ★★★★
It’s a documentary - so move on if you don’t like them. Personally - big as the issue was - I totally missed the story when it was in the news. BUT very good. I would like to have seen more delving into the Libyan connections - rather than a ‘simple’ fraud - maybe there will be a part two?
🎥 Cleanskin, 2012 - ★★½
Mindless. Watched as part of a binge-watch when I was feeling sorry for myself. Not too hard to keep up. Definitely don’t bother if you are sitting down to ‘watch a movie’.
🎥 Thor: Love and Thunder, 2022 - ★★★½
I have watched all the Thor’s and this one is VERY different - probably because Taika Waititi isn’t just the director (Thor - Ragnarok) but also the writer. Not sure what the ‘Marvel Heads’ will say / are saying … but for me it worked.
🎥 Blackout, 2022 - ★★½
Just like the character in the movie … I really can’t remember much. The script is out of some script hopper and this is the latest version of it,
I have a streaming cold … so in that respect perfect, too hard to switch off, and not much to track.
🎥 Glengarry Glen Ross, 1992 - ★★★★½
30 years ago. Seriously? It feels just like yesterday. Of course … it could have been. The script is timeless.
Dana Channeling Lennon?
The Fog of Global War, Dana Blankenhorn
“This is also no normal midterm election. This is an existential battle between democracy and fascism. Major media try to both sides it, but that’s increasingly impossible. Every possible -ism is rising against democratic compromise and common sense – sexism, racism, fascism, Christianism. All the evils bedeviling the rest of the world have come here to roost because Vladimir Putin invited them in.”
and concludes ominously
“I do know that, around the world, compromise is no longer possible. This world cannot continue half slave and half free. It will be all one thing or all the other.”
“Every possible -ism …”
Everybody’s talking about Bagism, Shagism, Dragism, Madism, Ragism, Tagism This-ism, that-ism, ism ism ism
💬 John Lennon
🎥 Uncorked, 2020 - ★★★½
It was on Netflix … and just wanted ‘something’. Turns out it was just what I needed. The storyline is recognizable .. with wine and barbecue this time. For all of that - well done.
Trust me, I don’t need to spend time reviewing a bad film … so I don’t.
🎥 The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, 2008 - ★★★★
It took me forever to get around to watching this film and when I finally did … oh my. Tears (mine) at the end - which to me is always a good guide to the quality.
🎥 Joker, 2019 - ★★★★½
I’m a sucker for the Batman franchise interpretation anyway…but they don’t always work. This ‘side story’ is a stunning film.
