![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2026/9f136ed72e.jpg\")
Another post restructure - and reissue.
\n", "date_published": "2026-02-05T17:20:07+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2026/02/04/coherence-is-the-new-moat.html", "tags": ["? Music","? Links","? Quotes","? Videos","? LongForm","People First","? Organisations"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2024/10/12/revenge-of-the.html", "title": "Revenge Of The Nerds - Real Revenge", "content_html": "Back a few years ago - I raised the idea that 🖇️ ATS systems should just be banned.. Nothing changed.
\nThen I found this clip from The Monkees TV show that aired in the late 60s … 🖇️ The Monkees Predicting ATS software THIRTY YEARS before it appeared. Yes - 30 years is right - that’s when these things started to appear.
\nOf course in the intermediate time - they have just got better worse.
Even to the point of AI🖇️ Avatars Doing Job Interviews
\nYou cannot make this stuff up!
\nA lot of my objections about so much of this tech is that it;
\n… and all the time never does anyone build a similar system for people. AND corporates don’t end up recruiting the best people for reasons like;
\nUntil now. Brilliant …. The new story is from 404 Media. I haven’t checked but - does this tickle your fancy? It does mine …
\n\nThe solution is sitting in Github -\n🔗The solution is sitting in github so I am not qualified to comment on how well this works - but I have friends.
\nOf course corporate HR is going to declare ‘no fair’ because their systems are going to be swamped … too bad.
\nI presume that someone is going to fork the code and use it to apply for contracts .. and it wont be long before their AIs contact someone on Amazon Turk and convince them to register and sign on (on their behalf) for Job Boards and Recruiter sites - so we can do the same thing there. (Of course it won’t be long before the AIs can also do that.)
\nWe know that the retaliation is going to happen - example case - someone inside the company uses their brains and writes code to get their 5 day job done in 2 to 4 hours - and then take a second job - repeat - and a third job - repeat … what do you think the corporate does when they find out? Promote them?
\nMy prediction - they will work out how to block this access.
\nLet the battle begin.
\n", "date_published": "2024-10-12T13:13:52+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2024/10/12/revenge-of-the.html", "tags": ["? Links","? LongForm","People First","? Links"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2024/05/15/when-the-city.html", "content_html": "🔗 When the city told him to hide his boat, he complied — sort of - The Times of London - sorry 🍎 📰 - just couldn’t resist. A fine example of creativity besting bureaucracy.
\n", "date_published": "2024-05-15T15:06:42+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2024/05/15/when-the-city.html", "tags": ["? Links","People First","? Apple"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2024/05/06/spotted-on-the.html", "content_html": "🎈127/366 Spotted on the ‘Book of Face’ ….
\n![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2024/e21f6652bb.jpg\")
\n",
"date_published": "2024-05-06T08:21:29+12:00",
"url": "https://john.philpin.com/2024/05/06/spotted-on-the.html",
"tags": ["People First","366"]
},
{
"id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2024/05/05/excellent-point-from.html",
"content_html": "Excellent point from Don.
\n\n![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2024/890e93ccd5.png\")
\n",
"date_published": "2024-05-05T16:51:03+12:00",
"url": "https://john.philpin.com/2024/05/05/excellent-point-from.html",
"tags": ["? Links","People First"]
},
{
"id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2024/04/11/two-pieces-that.html",
"content_html": "Two pieces that in some ways seem to contradict each other and themselves - even down to one being quite serious and the other with more humor.
\n🔗 Fergie Chambers Is Heir to One of America’s Richest Families and Determined to See the U.S. Fall. (Readwise with Highlights)
\n… 🔗 The original Rolling Stone Link)
\nand
\n🔗 America is too Lazy for a Second Civil War (Readwise with Highlights)
\n… 🔗 The original Sam Colt Link
\nThat said, you can read both and wonder where you fit on the spectrum, because to me it is not altogether clear.
\n", "date_published": "2024-04-11T13:09:32+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2024/04/11/two-pieces-that.html", "tags": ["? Links","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2024/04/07/you-know-hes.html", "content_html": "You Know He’s Right.
\n![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2024/img-1975.png\")
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2024/img-1976.png\")
As is so often the case.
\n", "date_published": "2024-04-07T14:28:21+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2024/04/07/you-know-hes.html", "tags": ["Gaping Void","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2024/04/07/homeless-people-soccer.html", "title": "Homeless People - Soccer - Movie - Awareness .....", "content_html": "I watched a lovely little movie last night - fresh out on Netflix with Bill Nighy in the lead role.
\n\nGreat movie? Not at all. Just one of those lovely little movies that I happen to enjoy - and seemingly that Bill happens to enjoy making.
\nAnyway - it got me to wondering. Is there really a soccer World Cup for homeless people? Turns out yes - yes there is …
\nThe Real Story Behind The Beautiful Game
\nMember Countries — Homeless World Cup
\nI am part of a burgeoning collective that is out there and can be found - but we aren’t yet promoting. Homelessness is one of the threads running through the collective. I haven’t heard talk of this particular event - BUT - I am going to post this post into the timeless space and see what I can find.
\nWant to know more about that collective and what we are doing - Let Me Know
\n![\"straight](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/ca962a7041.jpg\")
![\"The](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2024/e16b57e768.jpg\")
Identity continues to be core thinking in the work I do with people. In particular with a company down here in Aotearoa.
\nThe Founder is a deep thinker - as are his communications. One of my jobs is to take those thoughts and write words that ordinary people might understand.
\nIn the ‘biz’, it’s a different challenge. Like any other ‘biz’, there are words and phrases that get used and we all think we understand them. But do we? Particularly when you are trying to reset thinking. Even a little bit. Why? Because specific words have specific meanings in certain contexts and ‘the experts will hear th word and some they know what comes next.
\nTherefore you have to be careful when you use them. BUT, if you don’t use them, you find yourself having to keep redefining things so you don’t lose the frame of reference!
\nThat’s the hard part, but now lets get back to the plot.
\nLast week I needed a ‘twofer’.
\nI needed to summarize the essence of what we are talking about in ‘*everyday English’. I knew the recipients were on the ‘fringe’ of the biz, so they had an understanding of ‘identity’, but our pitch was to have them look at identity in a different way. Plain English needed but reset required.
\nWhen he saw my email he wrote;
\n\n\n“I like the Johnising of Alan.”
\n
… which I am taking positively and assuming I am not too off beam - recording for posterity - with a few tweaks to protect privacy.
\nIdentity is about people - ordinary people - not devices, not technology … people.
\nAND
\nPeople necessarily have to deal with businesses in three main contexts
\nIn person
\nOn the phone
\nOnline
\nAND
\nA lot of identity processes are really kluges that get bypassed all the time. (Personal experience just last month with a bank where I had to prove who I was - and every single proof that they needed I failed - since I had been out of the country and all the ‘check points’ had changed. It took me about 15 minutes together my access back - and I know I legally failed.)
\nThink of it as ‘theater’. Like taking your shoes off at the airport.
\nAND
\nThere is no single safe mechanism that allows for all three contexts. In fact some things you need to do just cannot be done in certain contexts.
\nAND
\nThe tech industry’ is mainly working on ‘number 3’. (Even though numbers 1 and 2 will not be going away. They are mainly being ignored because I suspect that the tech industry really thinks about ‘tech’ and seems to exclude ‘people’ and ‘place’. You only have to recognize that if you have someone’s device, then to all intent and purposes, you can assume their identity and place … who needs ‘place’ - we are all in one place. It’s called the internet!
\nOK - I am being a little unfair - but you know what I mean. Right?
\nAND
\nThey are often only working on two party authentication - I am me - here is my proof that I am me - and you will believe me on providing that proof to you.
\nAND
\nThe complexity, problems and potential losses are exponential when you consider three party authorization … i.e. I (party a) have an account with a business (party b) that grants me a discount at another business (party c). How do you make that work efficiently - across all three contexts?
\nClear use cases include KYC (Know Your Customer) .. a global process that is increasingly necessary as part of more and more laws - to ‘protect’ us. But it is theater. It’s a theory gone amok leaving with organizations that deal with people as a business have been forced to implement expensive, drawn out, and costly (for both business and customer) processes that are not really working.
\nThere are many many more cases we will (are) work(ing) on.
\nSometimes you will hear that ‘Web 3’ is going to solve it. Sometimes ‘DIDs’. Hell - even the NFT unicorns were making promises at one point. ‘Cyber’ … ‘AI’ … there is an ongoing barrage of people that talk hypothetically about the problem - but there still isn’t really a solution. They might well be the answer - maybe - but not today
\nWe call all that Identity 3.0 - and who knows - just like Web 3.0 it may happen one day.
\nWe call our solution Identity 2.5 - because it does not use tech that is not available - rather it sits in existing infrastructure that is already in place.
\nWe have a working demo. We have patents. We have commitment from the NZ Govt. We believe we are unique - and nobody that has seen it disagrees.
\nWe are moving forward.
\nThis seems to have caught attention since I originally posted it, so in order to save you time, if you are interested in what I am talking about and want to learn more, you can drop me an email - and be sure I will get right back to you. My thanks for your attention.
\n\n\n\n\n\nAt the beginning of the year I had grand plans for this series. A daily long-form post about something that was rattling my brain that day. And then life. For a while, I was even just dropping markers - to revisit. I came to realise that part of the problem was the complexity of the structure for each post - so that went away. Simplicity really is rather nice. As I write on 240413, I am now going back and filling in the gaps. PLUS - unless something strikes me immediately, I will not classify until the end of the day and go back to move one of the posts of the day into the 366. Also - if you are wondering how I have update the words at the bottom of over 100 posts at a stroke, well - THANK YOU Andy Sylvester and his Glossary plugin.\n\nHe was (is) a lovely man. I had to lean in to hear what he was saying. So I did. Our conversation continued and he apologized for his speech. No apology necessary, but he had identified that it was hard for me to hear (loud place aside), he was also a little ‘croakey’.
\nHe explained that he had had cancer.
\nCancer of the throat.
\nThree times.
\nHe was diagnosed in 2017. The doctors recommended he have surgery. He went through the surgery and ‘radio’ and ‘chemo’. “Let’s see” they said.
\nA year later in 2018, the doctors did a PET Scan, and found ‘some more’, so they recommended he have surgery and ‘radio’ and ‘chemo’. “Let’s see” they said.
\nA year later in 2019, the doctors did a PET Scan, and found ‘some more’, so they recommended he have surgery and ‘radio’ and ‘chemo’. “Let’s see” they said.
\nHe got his clearance a year later in 2020, and as I write, it is 2023. Finally he is three years clear.
\nHe is such a positive, focussed, alive person … despite not having eaten solid food for 5 years. Despite having to grind the pills he needs to take daily into a powder before he can swallow them. Despite having lost so much of his throat where the surgeon had cut and cut and cut … to remove the cancer. Despite having had his vocal cords so damaged that the raspy, quiet speech is now his voice. Despite no longer having any of this teeth left because of the radiation therapy. Despite all of this and so much more … like going through all of this totally alone.
\nHis positivity was absolutely awe inspiring.
\nNo ‘poor me’. No ‘why me’. No ‘sad face’. Just happy and grateful to be alive - and alive he most certainly is. Living life as much to the full as he can as he put it.
\n—
\nAll of this resonated deeply.
\nMy cancer diagnosis was January 2021. It was identical. Both of us were ‘T2, stage 4’, with three significant differences.
\nAs of now, it looks like we beat it … having got my two year clearance just a few weeks ago.
\nThat said at the time, hospitalized twice, in the first visit, Jax was told to be prepared for me ‘not to make it’. I was warned that everything that Cody is experiencing could be me plus, needing a cane to walk, maybe even a wheelchair. For me, I have essentially blocked this all out (my way of coping), so this served as a massive wake up call … a bigger one than I experienced when I walked into a new doctor who looked past me waiting for ‘John’ … expecting to see me hobbling in at best. Or another doctor here in the US who knew my background from the advance files that he had received and was stunned that they hadnt operated and ‘looked this good’.
\nSure I have side effects, some of which I am told will be with me for the rest of my life, but compared to Cody … so insignificant that I shouldn’t mention it. I tend not to, but sometimes people ask.
\n\n\n“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, ‘Wow! What a ride!’”
\n
💬 Hunter S Thompson
\n.. I try, but ain’t nothing compared to Cody who is doing just that … in Spades.
\nThis is a story from my occasional series ‘🖇️ Travels Without Charley’ - my small ‘homage’ to John Steinbeck. The names are changed to protect the innocent, but they are all true and based on conversations I have had with people that I have met around the world … and who’s story resonates.
\nThis particular one - more than any other in the published (and unpublished) series - resonated more than any other.
\n", "date_published": "2023-09-09T09:36:45+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2023/09/08/people-cody.html", "tags": ["? Links","? Quotes","? LongForm","People First","Travels Without Charley","? Links"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2023/09/06/over-on-linkedin.html", "title": "Why Large Organizations Often Fail To ‘Innovate’, Where ‘Tiny Companies’ Succeed.", "content_html": "Over on LinkedIN, a friend of mine shared a post by Phil Morle 🔗 on whether institutions / corporates can be founders. I wrote a long reply which caused LinkedIN to barf and reject my reply, which in turn caused me to publish two separate pieces; 🖇️ Don’t Trust The Silos. and 🖇️ Friends Don’t Let Friends Use Silos To Publish Their Thinking., neither of which are pertinent to understanding the flow of this ‘reply’, but I wanted to highlight why this isn’t a reply on the post.
\nI asked ChatGPT to summarize the post. 🖇️ In 200 characters AND 200 words … not by usual gorgeous style 🤣 - but not wrong.
\nThe piece was good and I wanted to add my two cents, since on initial read I found it confusing. My interpretation of the core premise is to better understand some of the reasons behind why large organizations often fail to ‘innovate’, where ‘tiny companies’ succeed.
\nThe confusion I had started in the title of the piece, ‘Can Institutions Be Founders’ … which extended into the piece itself.
\nConfused because IMHO, founders are people and whether an organization is big or small, new or old, innovative or staid … they are not people, though they are made up of people … and processes, strategies, plans …
\n![\"IMG](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/img-1500.png\" "\\"IMG_1500.PNG\\"")
\n… yes … AND … the organization doesn’t allow the founder to behave like one.
\nPayPal, to randomly choose an innovative start up, was an organization with a large number of subsequently famous founders that went on to start many other successful innovative companies that changed the landscape of business. The founders were/are people. It is people that are the innovators. The startups, the organizations are the vehicles that enable that change.
\nOne of the great unspoken truths of the start up world is that despite our worship of the individual, we ignore that they don’t do it by themselves. They have an idea and build a company made up of many people to realize their vision. The team all contribute to the organizations success. Don’t look to me to document the traits of a great ‘founder’, plenty of places to check that list, just to say that an organization can allow those traits to soar and create … or they can kill it.
\nJobs, Gates, Ellison … insert your ‘hero of choice’ … are great at what they do/did because of their original vision, their leadership, their focus, their tenacity, their communications, their sales ability and so much more … but none of them succeeded without their team to realize their ambition.
\nIn other words .. it is the Organisation that delivers the vision.
\nSo the real question is why does it more often than not, take an organization called a startup to deliver those transformative innovations rather than an existing organization? (Yes - there are exceptions.) Remember Gates and Ellison seperately out innovated IBM, Jobs, Xerox, FinTech startups are leaving Banks and Financial Institutions in the dust, Bezos destroyed the bookstores … it’s an epidemic .. but we associate the founders name with the innovation and success .. and forget that without the team of people they assembled they could never execute.
\nWith that caveat out of the way, arguably Ellison could have joined IBM and … with an instant team, and finance ‘ready to go’ would likely have failed. Bezos could have joined Barnes and Noble … and failed, the Collison brothers could have joined Citi .. and failed, Jobs … you get the picture.
\nThey would have failed, not because they didn’t have what it takes, because clearly they do, but rather because because the organization would have clipped their wings.
\nWhy?
\nThe topic has been very well studied and reported on in a book called 🔗 Zone To Win by 🔗 Geoffrey Moore possibly more famous for 🔗 Crossing The Chasm
\nIn the pages of ‘Zone To Win’ you will find a pretty solid analysis of why established organizations fail to innovate. Turns out the first job is to identify what kind of innovation we are talking about …
\n![\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/7e71161870.jpg\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/7e71161870.jpg\")
… and build from there.
\n(Interesting to note that when we talk about ‘innovation’ our minds automatically jumps to what Geoff describes as ‘disruptive innovation’ on the left in the diagram, but there are also ‘sustaining innovations’, which tend to operate inside those large organizations.)
\nMeanwhile, the founders build their organizations in their own image, make their own rules, and relentlessly drive their vision over years … sometimes to the frustration of people inside this companies who have their own ideas as to what could happen. For example both Marc Benioff and Tom Siebel are Oracle alumni that had the vision of ‘software for sales’ respectively (not respectfully) creating Salesforce and Siebel. A vision that at the time was not shared by Larry, so they left. Subsequently LJE became a believer having been an early investor in Salesforce, launching NetSuite and eventually buying Siebel.
\nIn the end, I don’t believe that Phil and I are that far apart in thinking. His summary of the seven people traits are not wrong … but hand in hand with that goes the need for the organization to not just support the fledgling initiative but to actively defend it from the cuckoos who inhabit the rest of the organization.
\n.. and a framework to unpack the challenge and work out what an organization can do about it.
\nIf there is interest I can expand a lot further, but for now, if you have got this far, THANKYOU. What do you think?
\nPlease throw in your two cents below and let’s see if together we can make a buck.
\n", "date_published": "2023-09-07T11:37:47+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2023/09/06/over-on-linkedin.html", "tags": ["? Links","? Quotes","Quotewise","? LongForm","People First","? Links"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2023/09/05/friends-dont-let.html", "title": "Friends Don’t Let Friends Use Silos To Publish Their Thinking.", "content_html": "🖇️ I wrote a related piece yesterday.
\nThis one takes the thought a step further, because it’s not just original posts … but also replies.
\nAs so often happens to me these days .. I start to reply to a message somewhere in one of the interweb’s silos … you know where they are in control - not you … even down to how long your message should be … because … you know ‘they’ know best. When that happens, I start a new post on said silo .. where there isn’t a character limit .. but I find myself doing that less and less … because why do I want to give my original thinking to a silo that stores undifferentiated commodities like bulk chaff? That’s why I don’t write ‘content’ …
\nBut these days there’s even more reason not to use the Silos for being the prime origin of your IP, your work, your thinking.
\n🖇️ The short ‘case study’ just yesterday is all about the problem.
\nMy next post started as a reply to a very good LinkedIN post .. and is a prime example of the ‘too long’ problem. I’ll link to here when it is finished.
\n", "date_published": "2023-09-06T02:54:45+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2023/09/05/friends-dont-let.html", "tags": ["? LongForm","People First","? Links","? Organisations"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2023/08/27/104521.html", "content_html": "💬
\n![](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/a29df22111.png\")
\n",
"date_published": "2023-08-28T05:45:21+12:00",
"url": "https://john.philpin.com/2023/08/27/104521.html",
"tags": ["? Quotes","Quotewise","People First"]
},
{
"id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2023/08/25/podcastphilpincom-is-a.html",
"title": "Podcast.Philpin.Com Is A New Place For An Established Podcast.",
"content_html": "It’s been in hiatus for a while now - but getting ready to start again. AND YET - despite being in hiatus - turns out it has a ‘global ranking’ in the top 3%. Really? What the hell are the other 97% doing? And who are ‘ListenNotes’?
\n![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/2e98686bd9.png\")
\nAs an example comparison - Core Intuition is in the top 1%. (Now THAT makes sense.)
\nAll this to say that if you used to follow my podcast - know that it is now in a different place - so do please subscribe. It can be found here.
\n![\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/podcast-cover-artseason-3.001.jpeg\" "\\"")
\nInteresting side note …. There are a LOT of People First Podcasts - and even with the hiatus - apparently still doing better than most.
\nSide Note: The image featured on the cover art is by Alina Grubnyak on Unsplash here
\n", "date_published": "2023-08-26T09:36:58+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2023/08/25/podcastphilpincom-is-a.html", "tags": ["? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2023/08/08/105125.html", "content_html": "![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/27a484a590.jpg\")
\nPart of an occasional series focused on the 🧶 thinking and methods. of 🧶 People First. Time will tell if it becomes something bigger like a book or ‘manual for survival’ (though that is the plan.)
\n![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/f377016404.jpg\")
\nPart of an occasional series focused on the 🧶 thinking and methods. of 🧶 People First. Time will tell if it becomes something bigger like a book or ‘manual for survival’ (though that is the plan.)
\n![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/645703915e.jpg\")
\nPart of an occasional series focused on the 🧶 thinking and methods. of 🧶 People First. Time will tell if it becomes something bigger like a book or ‘manual for survival’ (though that is the plan.)
\n![\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/93d8baf8-871f-4990-8703-b36b52444b1c.png\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/93d8baf8-871f-4990-8703-b36b52444b1c.png\")
and then there is this ….
\n![\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/1b3e1fc7-0ebe-4085-99fa-97d7bd83f313.png\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/1b3e1fc7-0ebe-4085-99fa-97d7bd83f313.png\")
… she’s talking about Sam Altman
\n🔗 You can read the whole piece by Molly here, which includes substantial thinking on the challenges of decentralized identity.
\n\n\nThe cryptocurrency industry is rife with projects that embrace the idea of “progressive decentralization”: beginning out as a highly centralized project run by a small group, but promising to eventually turn over control of the project to a DAO. Few ever follow through,10 but it is a convenient way to stave off criticism.
\n
💬 Molly White
\nIn my same ‘reading session’ this piece from my friend Alan Mayo : The Reasonable Future: Identity 2.5 appeared. He concludes;
\n\n\nSome of the world is hell-bent on achieving Identity 3 Decentralization and, ironically, this is not going to happen anytime soon. With our current proven technologies we have all the building blocks to build sophisticated Identity solutions that provide a good customer experience and good security. That is where we should be spending our time, rather than dreaming of an impossible future.
\n
💬 Alan Mayo
\nThe Antidote?
\nStop listening to people who are playing both sides of the ‘Business Equation’ - even better … stop acting on their recommendations. Altman isn’t the only one.
\nThis is a 🧶 People First post - to see others in the series, click here.
\n", "date_published": "2023-08-01T07:11:58+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2023/07/31/the-antidote-to.html", "tags": ["? Links","? Quotes","Quotewise","? LongForm","People First","MyCrafts"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2023/06/25/i-know-lets.html", "content_html": "I know … Let’s build a wind-farm to power an oil field.
\nThere’s that language thing again … Farms and fields … don’t they sound nice?
\n", "date_published": "2023-06-26T03:10:08+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2023/06/25/i-know-lets.html", "tags": ["People First","? Asides"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2023/06/13/220745.html", "content_html": "💬
\n![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/ba6aeb4792.jpg\")
\n",
"date_published": "2023-06-14T17:07:45+12:00",
"url": "https://john.philpin.com/2023/06/13/220745.html",
"tags": ["? Quotes","Quotewise","People First"]
},
{
"id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2023/06/09/will-ai-benefit.html",
"title": "Will AI Benefit People - Or Corporations?",
"content_html": "![\"Will](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/fe4e6675c7.jpg\")
Is he right?
\n![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/631e5adcb6.jpg\")
\n",
"date_published": "2023-05-31T04:08:14+12:00",
"url": "https://john.philpin.com/2023/05/30/is-he-right.html",
"tags": ["People First"]
},
{
"id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2023/05/05/my-last-travels.html",
"content_html": "My last 🔗 Travels Without Charley makes for a short, thoughtful read.
\nThinking Allowed
\n\n\n\n\nThis is a People First post that was originally on the People First domain. It has been moved here as part of my domain consolidation program. It’s a steady and slow WIP as I check each entry, so do please bear with me.\n\nThe particular comment I was responding to was in a private group hosted in New Zealand - hence the opening paragraph. BUT - I think it pertains to any country. In that post, this link was provided — I think New Zealand has more businesses (and hence ‘small’ businesses) per capita than pretty much any New Zealand just doesn’t have the people to support it. \n
\nBUT - when you leave New Zealand … there has been something happening for a while now. I will try to discover the article I wrote a while back …. \n
\nHere’s the nub … In the US (but I am pretty sure this applies to most countries) 50 to 60 years ago, big employers like GM and GE were the dominant market cap companies on the financial exchanges. Not entirely un-coincidentally, they were also the companies that employed the most people. Fast forward to today … the market caps of the biggest companies are an order of magnitude higher than the ones back then and the number of people they employ is an order of magnitude less. Meanwhile the population of America has doubled? Tripled? \n
\nSo where are all those people now working? Answer small … or at least smallER businesses. \n
\nSome of this has been achieved by improved efficiencies … we no longer need banks of people directing calls, typing up documents, manufacturing cars …. But also … since the 70s there has been a steady drip of those organizations getting those people ‘off the books’ .. why employ people if you can off shore, outsource, automate processes … and the new one - use AI. The result is that more and more people are in smaller and smaller businesses but often working in service to a larger organization. \n
\nQuite simply - If I am building a house (actually - or metaphorically) .. do I employ everyone full time … or contract with the right resources at the right time to get the job done?\n
\nTongue in cheek .. but for the longest time, I have had this vision of the ideal company comprising a single individual with ‘agents’ managing their ‘virtual supply chain’ that they need to deliver value to their customers. \n
\nThis thought informs the graphic below - 'The Business Equation' - and is foundational thinking in the People First domain.\n
\n![\"The](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/6affb71fd3.jpg\" "\\"The-Business-Equation.001.png\\"")
\n",
"date_published": "2023-05-05T09:19:34+12:00",
"url": "https://john.philpin.com/2023/05/04/small-businesses-in.html",
"tags": ["? LongForm","People First"]
},
{
"id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2023/05/03/ten-things-that.html",
"title": "Ten things that you can do to embrace the future of AI whilst mitigating the threat of losing your liveliehood.",
"content_html": "\n1. Stay informed: Keep up-to-date on the latest developments and trends in AI and automation, and how they are affecting your industry and job market.
\n2. Develop new skills: Continuously learn new skills to stay relevant in the job market, such as programming, data analysis, or other skills related to AI.
\n3. Pursue higher education: Consider obtaining a degree or certification in a field related to AI, such as computer science or data science, to prepare for the jobs of the future.
\n4. Explore new career opportunities: Look for opportunities to work with or alongside AI, such as in fields like robotics, automation, and machine learning.
\n5. Be adaptable: Embrace new ways of working and be open to adapting to changing work environments as AI and automation continue to transform the workplace.
\n![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/dbe6735be5.jpg\")
6. Build a strong professional network: Connect with other professionals in your field and seek out mentorship and guidance to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in AI.
\n7. Be creative: Explore new ways of applying your skills and expertise to stay ahead of the curve and capitalize on emerging opportunities in the AI economy.
\n8. Consider entrepreneurship: Starting your own business or pursuing self-employment can provide greater control over your livelihood and allow you to take advantage of emerging opportunities in the AI economy.
\n9. Advocate for policies that support workers: Encourage policymakers to create policies that support workers and address the potential negative impacts of AI on employment, such as job retraining programs and income support for displaced workers.
\n10. Stay positive: Embrace the potential benefits that AI can bring, such as increased productivity and efficiency, and stay positive about the opportunities that lie ahead.
\n", "date_published": "2023-05-04T09:29:16+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2023/05/03/ten-things-that.html", "tags": ["? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2023/05/03/142418.html", "title": "Ten things that corporations can do to empower their employees and their use of AI whilst NOT reducing their workforce to increase profits.", "content_html": "\nInvest in upskilling and reskilling: Provide opportunities for employees to learn new skills and develop expertise in areas related to AI, such as data analysis, programming, or robotics.
\nFoster a culture of innovation: Encourage employees to experiment with new technologies and processes, and provide the resources and support necessary to implement new ideas.
\nPromote collaboration: Encourage cross-functional collaboration and knowledge sharing, to bring together employees from different departments with diverse skill sets and expertise.
\nEnsure transparency and communication: Be transparent about the company’s AI strategy and communicate clearly with employees about how AI is being used and how it will impact their work.
\nEmphasize ethical considerations: Ensure that AI is being developed and used in an ethical and responsible manner, and prioritize the well-being of employees and society as a whole.
\n![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/f57ac828fc.jpg\")
Implement AI for augmentation rather than automation: Use AI to enhance human decision-making and productivity, rather than replacing human workers with automated systems.
\nPrioritize employee well-being: Consider the impact of AI on employee well-being, and take steps to mitigate potential negative effects, such as stress or burnout.
\nEncourage employee feedback: Solicit feedback from employees on how AI is being used and how it could be improved, to ensure that employees feel empowered and engaged in the process.
\nReward creativity and innovation: Recognize and reward employees who come up with innovative ways to use AI to improve the company’s operations or products.
\nInvest in long-term goals: Focus on the long-term benefits of AI, rather than short-term cost savings, and invest in initiatives that will create sustainable growth and benefit both the company and its employees over the long term.
\nDaring Fireball: More on GM Dropping CarPlay
\n![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/4208313098.png\")
\n",
"date_published": "2023-04-30T06:55:32+12:00",
"url": "https://john.philpin.com/2023/04/29/daring-fireball-more.html",
"tags": ["? Quotes","Quotewise","People First"]
},
{
"id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2023/04/26/its-called-global.html",
"title": "🌡️ It's Called Global Warming",
"content_html": "Ever wondered why we used call it ‘Global Warming’ - and now we call it ‘Climate Change’?
\nSaid it before - say it again - Language is important. More than important - it shapes how society thinks.
\nFrank Luntz understood that …
\nMemo exposes Bush’s new green strategy. is a 20 year old article describing how Frank Luntz first introduced the idea of ‘changing the dialogue’.
\nDoesn’t ‘climate change’ sound so much nicer than ‘global warming’?
\nWhich is why 20 years later we read these kind of headlines quite regularly.
\nOne in three people on the planet hit by ‘monster Asian heatwave’
\nI spotted this car parked near a Farmers Market - I walked on, wondering about the owner and what their story was.
\n![\"The](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/d150ef9c50.jpg\" "\\"The")
\nReturning a few hours later, I saw a couple of cars stopped at a junction. They weren’t moving and as I got closer saw an elderly man using his feet to propel him and his wheelchair backwards across this small, pot hole riven junction … up a small incline.
\nI walked over and asked him if he needed any help.
\n\n\n“No thanks. I’m fine.
\n
Are you sure?
\n\n\n“No really. I’m ok … Thankyou.
\n
Pushing harder with his feet for the final assault on the slope.
\nI waved to him ... ok then ... and kept going. He shouted out.
\n\n\n“Thankyou. Thankyou very much. I’m ok ... really."
\n
I turned around to wav to see him by his car, wrestling with the door to get in, carefully watched by his lady friend, sitting patiently to one side of the road in her wheelchair.
\nI still don’t know the story of the car, nor it’s owner - but clearly, despite what the car might say to a passer by ... he was a proud, well mannered, graceful man. I really wish I knew his story.
\n", "date_published": "2023-04-24T08:16:28+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2023/04/23/people-the-driver.html", "tags": ["? LongForm","People First","Travels Without Charley"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2023/04/08/identity-is-here.html", "title": "Identity 2.5 Is Here", "content_html": "This is a new identity newsletter from my Kiwi friend Alan Mayo - it’s the start of a journey he is embarking on talking about Identity 2.5. …. wait what? … 2.5?
\nDon’t fret - I’m not going to steal Alan’s thunder and get into what ‘2.5’ is - but Alan and I have had enough conversations for me to know that if you have an interest in identity - this short series is going to be well worth your time and his 2.5 solution is really rather clever.
\n\n\n“This is about Identity, not Digital Identity.”
\n
And no - that is not code for the newsletter being deeply philosophical - exploring the Id etc … but rather recognizing the challenge that most tech conversation is about digital identity and essentially ignores ‘real world’ identity … and this is true even if the blockchain does finally solve identity.
\nQue?
\nLet’s assume that we crack ‘digital identity’ - and in case you don’t know - we are a long way off that - but stick with me - ‘when’ it is solved what happens when you (say) catch a plane, phone a call center, walk into a store, visit a bank, get a mortgage … then what?
\nIf you have explored these scenarios, you already know that it’s a mess and digital identity is not going to solve for those scenarios - except by morphing the real and digital worlds. Beyond that, ‘real world identity’ is
\ninconsistent
\nunreliable
\nhardly secure
\nrandom
\n… which typically means that organizations have to create - and support - multiple workflows and systems.
\nA certain Gas company in Southern California has a ‘call center’ security level that goes as follows …
\nThat’s it. At that point I am free to meddle with that account as much as I like.
\nHow do I know this? Because I have done that three times in the past week. THREE times. I am not asked for ‘social’ - though why that is ever considered secure in this day and age is beyond me. The number I call from is detected at their end - and it is NOT the phone number they have on the record for that account. That doesn’t matter. No secret questions were asked. No texts sent to the number on record.
\nFull disclosure - I did this for a friend who was traveling and had full knowledge and permission from him (the account holder). Why? Because it was a simple issue that needed to be resolved. BUT had I used my real name I wouldn’t have even been able to have a conversation - because my information wouldn’t have correlated.
\nBottom line however - if you find anyone else’s gas bill you could play havoc.
\nI wrote a piece recently called An Afternoon With Kafka
\nIt was meant to be a fun piece describing the trials and tribulations of renewing my US drivers license. In the end I got my license.
\nKey point … the official address they have on record for me required me to prove my identity by providing third party utility bills. BUT, that address is up in Northern California - and I am currently in SOUTHERN California - so I asked if they could send my license to a local SoCal address.
\nNo problem …. it was done - BUT - in DMVland, what that means is that my US Drivers license now has that temporary, non official address on it and I did not have to prove it was connected to me.
\nI was asked recently to show my license to ‘prove my identity’. I ignored the oxymoron, showed them my license and they dutifully wrote down the address. On that occasion, it made no difference - but what happens if that address was important?
\nMost people would look at the ‘official government doc’ and take it at face value.
\nOk - that’s it - do please subscribe.
\n", "date_published": "2023-04-09T08:51:03+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2023/04/08/identity-is-here.html", "tags": ["? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2023/02/18/should-we-declare.html", "content_html": "Should we declare ourselves a networked state? A Balaji Srinivasan concept.
\nA Substack with bundles of links : 🔗 Digital Countries are the Next New Thing
\nWho’s already started : 🔗 The Network State Dashboard
\nThe Book : 🔗The Networked State Book (free and downloadable)
\n", "date_published": "2023-02-19T05:42:30+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2023/02/18/should-we-declare.html", "tags": ["? Links","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2023/02/17/palo-alto-a.html", "content_html": "🔗 Palo Alto: A History of California, Capitalism and the World is a new book by Malcolm Harris.
\nHe talks about it on this podcast 🎙️The Dark History Of Silicon Valley with Sean Illing.
\nOh my!
\n", "date_published": "2023-02-18T15:09:39+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2023/02/17/palo-alto-a.html", "tags": ["? Books","? Links","? Podcasts","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2023/02/17/it-has-occurred.html", "content_html": "It has occurred to me that while I have been posting to this blog at the rate of knots, this blog has been not feeling the love. I have some thoughts on how to fix that. I am going to try the first idea for a while and see what happens. Stand by!
\n", "date_published": "2023-02-18T12:49:41+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2023/02/17/it-has-occurred.html", "tags": ["People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2023/02/17/the-beckn-protocol.html", "content_html": "The 🔗 Beckn protocol “allows you to create open and decentralized digital ecosystems”. So far, the word ‘blockchain’ is mentioned nowhere (that I have found). I also haven’t found how it handles ‘identity’ before it facilitates a transaction, though it says it does ‘identify each other’ but I’m not sure that is the same thing?
\nCan anyone share their experiences. It looks really interesting from a ‘People First’ perspective.
\nExtracts from their world …
\n\n\nidentify each other and perform transactions with each other without the need for a central intermediary
\n
\n\nBeckn Protocol is an open commerce protocol with an abstract core, which is enabling market players to reimagine building seamless digital experiences and networks. This is very similar to how HTTP, while being a simple and open protocol has fueled seamless interaction between multiple systems and led to an explosive growth in internet adoption.
\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-02-18T04:10:21+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2023/02/17/the-beckn-protocol.html", "tags": ["? Links","? Posts","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2023/02/10/that-content-word-again-you.html", "content_html": "The beckn community is an open community. So, no registrations. No memberships. No partnerships. Just a minimal footprint of an open and equally accessible Beckn Protocol that anyone can use. Multiple businesses and organizations have started using beckn protocol to fuel their digital acceleration. The credo of being an open protocol creates a level-playing field for any market player, small or large.
\n
🎛️ That ‘Content’ word again.
\nYou might have read my 🔗 many posts about ‘content’ .. and my singular objection to that word. Turns out I am not the only one. Will Arnett waxes lyrical about that exact issue on Smartless.
\n\n \n \n \n \n![](\n\"[john.philpin.com/uploads/2...](https://john.philpin.com/uploads/2023/302d1dc795.png)\")
\n \n \n\nThe Full Podcast: 🎙️ Smartless : Dana Carvey
\n", "date_published": "2023-02-10T16:56:00+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2023/02/10/that-content-word-again-you.html", "tags": ["? Links","? Quotes","? Podcasts","MyPodcastSnippets","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2022/11/09/my-speciality-generality.html", "title": "My Speciality ? Generality !", "content_html": "A slightly edited version of a post originally published on February 14th 2016 @ Beyond Bridges, now archived here
\nA friend and reader of this blog just sent me this link, which is a third party version of the LinkedIN map below. It seems to be limited due to LinkedIN's API constraints, so it can't map more than 499 of your connections. That said, there does seem to be a lot more information and analysis that surrounds the graph. Andy it means YOU can go try it out on your network. Thank you David.
\nA good friend of mine messaged me through LinkedIN. He is a fast thinking, witty, bright, intelligent, big thinking kind of guy. He's also interested in his next gig - so let me know if you want an introduction. Anyway, to my point. He had been on my LinkedIN profile and commented;
\n\n\nI think you would be well served to pare that list (of skills I had listed in my summary) to maybe 4-5 distinct and specialized areas where you really shine better than the rest. Things like Leadership, Marketing, Communications are too generic and readily available in the marketplace.
\n
And I agreed. In fact, so much so that I pared it down to zero. My skill list is summarized in another part of the profile anyway. But it got me to thinking.
\nI am a big fan of Mike Pesca over at Slate who delivers a daily podcast called The Gist. Try it. You won't regret it. A couple of weeks ago he had Eric Weiner on as a guest, and they spent some time talking about where genius comes from. Turns out that Eric has just written a new book about 'how genius happens'. One of my takeaways was that genius emerges from generalism - not speciality. For example, he talked about the fact that Einstein was not the most knowledgeable physicist of his time, but his value was that he was broad in both interest and knowledge. A 'Renaissance man' if you will. This an absolute opposite to what we live with today. We eschew the 'polymath' in favor of the 'monomath'. From the site Gain Weight Journal;
\n\n\nUnfortunately, we live in an era of monomaths now. This means specialists. The problem with that is that people get stuck with one way of thinking, they have blinders on, and cannot see the big picture, including the relationships and similarities between different things.
\n
I know, even our education system is driven to a singular focus and it seems to be getting worse. For myself, I focussed on Maths and Physics in my education from the age of 15. Maybe I was bored. Maybe I could see the future, but despite that formal focus, I did put an effort into ensuring that I didn't get locked up in that world and miss out on everything else that there was to offer. (Though I probably shouldn’t have read all three volumes of Lord of the Rings over a two week period shortly before some year end exams!). Back to the plot. Reading that quote reminded me of what we used to say back in my Group Partner days ... \"The Last Thing You Ever Need Near A Problem Is An Expert\" Good. Because I am not. LinkedIN 'Labs' used to run something that visually mapped your connections so you could see clusters of people in your network. They closed it a while back, but at the time I wrote about it, dubbing it 'Cloud Hopping'. I also observed that most people had a very tight network of very few 'clouds'. This was mine.
\n![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/d1df9667ba.jpg\")
A highly distributed interconnected network, emerging from European and American networks in finance, technology, application and social disciplines. I think Derek was spot on. My strength is not my speciality. My strength is my generality. And, while I would absolutely not describe myself as a genius, I am definitely a cloud hopper. A connector. And there are not many of us around, or at least we tend to keep quiet, because we live in an age where value is placed on 'what you know'. The 'who you know' is almost written off as 'the old boys club' . But once you understand the value of the role that Gladwell calls out in The Tipping Point - the pieces fall into place.
\nMy Speciality? Generality!
\nI first published this post on Beyond Bridges on February 10th, 2016. That site has gone, the words archived,
\n", "date_published": "2022-11-10T10:30:07+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2022/11/09/my-speciality-generality.html", "tags": ["? Posts","? LongForm","People First","? Graphics"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2022/11/03/return-on-effort.html", "title": "Return On Effort", "content_html": "\n\n\"This time he was here to help us understand some truths about how we really run the business, make decisions, and value what's worth doing. When I say value, I don't mean a list of generalized \"values\", or the bullshit phrase of \"adding value\", but how we attribute value when evaluating our options and making tradeoffs.\"
\n
💬 Jason Fried
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-11-04T14:16:26+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2022/11/03/return-on-effort.html", "tags": ["? Quotes","? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2022/10/17/we-are-becoming.html", "title": "We Are Becoming A Power Skills Economy", "content_html": "Josh Bershin writes that we are becoming a power skills economy.
\n\n\nIn 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.
\n
💬 Josh Bershin
\nBTW, 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.
\nBut that's a different opportunity.
\nOh - 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.
\n![\"What](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/da73423919.jpg\")
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.
\n2) 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.\n(What's the difference you may ask) Stan Garfield has a very simple explanation)
\n![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/f34a8a4d9c.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/aaa0163104.jpg\")
... except now there is.
\nMore 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.
\nNot only that, but they are releasing an app that will allow anybody to
\nAs I said - more to come. Just to say - the cavalry is on its way.
\nFeatured Image by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash
\n", "date_published": "2022-10-17T22:17:11+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2022/10/17/we-are-becoming.html", "tags": ["? Quotes","? Posts","? LongForm","People First","? WIP"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2022/10/17/the-lore-of.html", "title": "The Lore Of The Rings", "content_html": "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.
\nWonderful conversation that I know you will enjoy.
\n\n![](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/661d486c3b.jpg\")
\n",
"date_published": "2022-10-17T21:48:30+12:00",
"url": "https://john.philpin.com/2022/10/17/the-lore-of.html",
"tags": ["? Podcasts","? LongForm","People First"]
},
{
"id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2022/09/16/the-attention-economy.html",
"title": "The Attention Economy",
"content_html": "![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/a06dddd3b7.jpg\")
\nIt’s funny how 'xx is the new oil' keeps cropping up … this one is kind of related - but focussed not specifically on data - but rather, The ‘Attention Economy’ ….
\n\n\"For the better part of the past century, the most important commodity has been oil. Wars have been fought over it — Pearl Harbor was a preemptive strike to secure Japanese access to Indonesian oil — and it elevated desert tribes to the ranks of the wealthiest cohorts in history. But the sun has passed midday on oil’s supremacy. We’ve moved from an oil economy to an attention economy.
\nWe used to refer to an information economy. But economies are defined by scarcity, not abundance (scarcity = value), and in an age of information abundance, what’s scarce? A: Attention. The scale of the world’s largest companies, the wealth of its richest people, and the power of governments are all rooted in the extraction, monetization, and custody of attention.\"
\n
Some other phrasing that caught my eye and mind …
\n\n\n\"If Facebook is Exxon and Netflix Shell, TikTok is fracking king Chesapeake Energy, the rule-breaking insurgent armed with novel extraction methods that threaten the established order.”
\n\"everyone is trying to outTik the Tok”
\n\"MrBeast … most popular video (is) a real-life reenactment of Squid Game, which cost $3.5 million to produce (the cost of an episode of Mad Men). It received 300 million views.\"
\n
You can read the whole Scott Galloway piece here.\n
Thinking Allowed
\n\n\n\n\nThis is a People First post that was originally on the People First domain. It has been moved here as part of my domain consolidation program. It’s a steady and slow WIP as I check each entry, so do please bear with me.\n\nNo - not the 🎶 pop group - they were 'NSYNC' ... just an acknowledgement of how nice it is to find like minded travelers on the journey.
\nThe quote below found here
\n\n\n“We need to resist the narratives that are frequently served to us by corporations that sell these technologies, that these models of the future are dependent upon the particular technologies that they’re selling, that it’s always some future that is just around the corner that we have to buy into, when in fact the future is already here.”
\n
Featured Photo Credit: Gabriel Gusmao on Unsplash
\n![](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/31d07cae31.jpg\")
\n",
"date_published": "2022-08-01T11:30:05+12:00",
"url": "https://john.philpin.com/2022/07/31/in-sync.html",
"tags": ["? LongForm","People First"]
},
{
"id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2022/07/30/unpacking-the-potential.html",
"content_html": "Unpacking the Potential of Web3 Publishing - Tokens, But How?
\n", "date_published": "2022-07-31T17:16:20+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2022/07/30/unpacking-the-potential.html", "tags": ["? Links","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2022/07/30/know-your-value.html", "content_html": "Know Your Value So You Can Charge What You're Worth
\n", "date_published": "2022-07-31T17:13:49+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2022/07/30/know-your-value.html", "tags": ["? Quotes","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2022/07/30/artificial-intelligence-for.html", "title": "Artificial Intelligence For The Creative Professional", "content_html": "![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/331efd15d3.jpg\")
There are a group of companies springing up that are doing for the written word what Dall-E, MidJourney and Craiyon are doing for images, which is to say - enter some core text and let an AI generate the output.
\nMy mind explodes when I see the 'image' results.
\nI think ‘meh’ - so far - when I see the 'written' results.
\nI am pretty sure that the engines are as sophisticated as each other, so I wonder if my reaction is more to do with my own abilities - as in I have NO artistic ability when it come to creating images, but I can - and do write - so my bar is higher?
\nFor more background, you might enjoy this from The Verge;
\n🔗How independent writers are turning to AI
\nNote - all of the words you read on peoplefirst.business are not created - or even suggested - but any AI tool. (Can you tell?). 😂
\n", "date_published": "2022-07-31T17:00:57+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2022/07/30/artificial-intelligence-for.html", "tags": ["? Links","? Humour","? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2022/07/28/232006.html", "content_html": "![\"The](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/8bd8be2a49.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/ca0381f0ad.jpg\")
\n\nCome gather 'round people\nWherever you roam\nAnd admit that the waters\nAround you have grown\nAnd accept it that soon\nYou'll be drenched to the bone\nIf your time to you is worth savin'\nThen you better start swimmin'\nOr you'll sink like a stone\nFor the times they are a-changin'
\n
💬 Bob Dylan
\nWith the financial problems ricocheting around the world - I see occasional headlines from 50 years ago.
\n![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/9853130acb.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/583b85c6f7.jpg\")
I get the subtle shift in the back story, just an observation.
\nThinking Allowed
\n\n\n\n\nThis is a People First post that was originally on the People First domain. It has been moved here as part of my domain consolidation program. It’s a steady and slow WIP as I check each entry, so do please bear with me.\n\nI am sitting in New Zealand writing this. It started as an idea in my head and was typed into a local file on my computer. I copied it to Wordpress (my blog hosting software of choice) and saved a draft to my People First server.
\nThe words were then sitting on a server in Iowa, USA.
\nFrom this point on, as I edit the draft, I am in New Zealand, the words I am editing are in Iowa - where am I working?
\nBy the time you read this post, I will have published and anybody in the world can read it.
\nExample, a visitor in Kenya pulls up this web site in their browser and these words are 'automagically' read in Kenya.
\n![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/66924350c2.jpg\")
Where is ‘the work’ done?
\nI ask because once you know where the work was done, you should have an idea on where you should be taxed and arguably where you should be licensed to work.
\nThis conversation doesn’t seem to be a major part of public discourse, because the scenario is an edge case. But for how much longer?
\nNew York has a law that says anybody working IN NEW YORK pays New York Taxes and from that emerges things like the NY, NJ and CT tri-state tax agreement.
\n\n\n\n“Like all states with broad-based income taxes, New York has asserted the right to tax nonresident income earned within its borders. But unlike most other jurisdictions with significant cross-border commuter flows—such as Illinois and Indiana or Virginia and Maryland—New York has never given nonresidents a tax pass in the form of ‘reciprocity’ with their home states.”
\n
But if my servers are in Iowa, my customers are in Europe, my bank account is in California and I only live in New York, should I pay New York taxes?
\nI write more about where we work in this week's newsletter.
\n", "date_published": "2022-07-26T10:15:00+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2022/07/25/where-am-i.html", "tags": ["? Posts","? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2022/07/24/why-non-of.html", "title": "Why Non Of My Books Are Available On Audible", "content_html": "Why none of my books are available on Audible is a 'spoken essay' from Cory which will eventually be the only entry he has in the Audible library.
\nTake a listen to find out why.
\nThe link takes you to a page on his Craphound site, or go directly to 🎙️the podcast
\n![](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/4a94ce0398.jpg\")
\nThinking Allowed
\n\n\n\n\nThis is a People First post that was originally on the People First domain. It has been moved here as part of my domain consolidation program. It’s a steady and slow WIP as I check each entry, so do please bear with me.\n\n![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/6614c7586b.jpg\")
In 2013, Mark Cameron wrote
\n\n\n‘Data is not the new oil, it is the new soil.’
\n
He concludes;
\n\n\n"Generating business value from consumer data isn’t about technology at all. It’s about how you use data to create a fantastic experience for your customers. If you can help your customer get value from their own information they will reward you for that effort. If you continue to use data to spam your customers or provide value to your company, you may find yourself wondering where everybody went."
\n
💬 Mark Cameron
\nIMHO it's a soft article with most of the cleverness centering on the (S)oil pun.
\nData is the new .... was the theme of an article I wrote for BizCatalyst a few years ago; Time To Terminate Analogies
\n\n\n"Sure, we wrap the idea up in customer care and nurturing, just as one does when growing plants in a garden, but at the end of the day Cameron’s argument – which seems to emerge from the work of David McCandless who writes at Information is Beautiful is simply a clever play on ‘(s)oil’ and sits squarely in old thinking. "
\n
💬 John Philpin
\n\n\n“The soil analogy is certainly better than big oil but to me, it’s still about personal data being something that’s owned and used by marketers, rather than recognizing that data is used by all of us – both individually and collectively.”
\n
💬 StJohn Deakins
\nThe other day an interview with Jerry Michalski appeared in one of my feeds, where he talked about Data Is TheNew Soil - nice piece - though no mention of Mark Cameron (rightly probably).
\nI still think the analogy needs to die - but there was a lot more insight and thinking around the idea (definitely not surprised - Jerry is a thinker). I can highly recommend the whole article which isn't just about the (s)oil pun, but includes many other topics, including these that tickled my particular fancy.
\nand a whole lot more.
\nDo take some time out and have a proper read.
\nIn case you were wondering .. yes this is the same Jerry that runs Jerry’s Brain. I am even in there - though it is clear that a few updates are needed!
\n", "date_published": "2022-07-20T13:16:32+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2022/07/19/data-is-the.html", "tags": ["? Quotes","? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2022/07/12/what-is-web.html", "title": "What Is Web5", "content_html": "![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/9303f53357.jpg\")
Good question.
\nPutting aside Molly White’s tweet from a few weeks ago, though she does raise a very good point ...
\nI did want to share a podcast I just listened to It's Mike Brock of Block (seriously, filed in the 'can't make this up' bucket) - and no I don’t think he is Dave Brock's son talking with Tech Dirt's Michael Masnick.
\n\n\n\"Web5 is a new evolution of the Web that enables decentralized apps and protocols.”
\n
Count me in the camp (though I am still with Molly) that this makes far more sense that anything I have heard describing the Web3 world - except isn't that how they described Web3?
\nWell yes - but that isn't what is going on. Of course whether Mike et al can make it happen remains to be seen - but at least when he talks he makes sense - and also clearly separates himswlf from the 'get rich quick / stay rich libertarian world that we keep reading about.
\n", "date_published": "2022-07-13T13:04:05+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2022/07/12/what-is-web.html", "tags": ["? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2022/07/04/trust-autonomy-privacy.html", "content_html": "Trust, Autonomy, Identity, Privacy and Agency.
\nIt’s 30 seconds long and nails it.
\n\n![\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/60a5cb9e86.jpg\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/60a5cb9e86.jpg\")
In case you aren't subscribed ...\n
\n![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/29cbc6d842.jpg\")
Would You Keep Your Most Valuable Possessions In The Vault Of A Company That Might One Day Just Close Their Doors And Block You From Getting All Your Stuff Back?
\nA few years ago … let’s call at it the ‘advent of social’, common wisdom suggested
\n\n\n‘Email is dead … long live Social’.\nIf you know me, you will not be surprised to learn that I disagreed with ‘common wisdom’.\nI even wrote how the people at the vanguard of the movement were not just wrong … they were really wrong.
\n
Fast forward to 2022 and it is clear that email has not disappeared… in fact for the past few years it has really caught hold … with everyone.
\nI publish my newsletter over on Substack, a company that when it launched just 5 years ago was greeted with a general shrug of shoulders and comments that could be rolled up into the umbrella term of ‘What Are They Thinking’.
\nI decided that what they were thinking was really interesting and when they announced their public beta in 2018, signed up to explore more, launching my first ever Substack newsletter on February 8th, 2018.
\nAt the time my Wordpress Blog was at people-first.net … before moving to people first.vision and then on to people first.business. But I also had a mail chimp account which I used to send occasional missives … so needed to move my subscribers from there over to Substack, but life was busy and more importantly, IMHO Substack wasn’t quite ready for what I needed.
\nIt was a year later when I threw my entire lot in with the company, closed down my Mailchimp account and moved my subscribers and committed to a weekly missive. Since then Substack functionality has gone from strength to strength. There are still oddities in some of their design decisions … like why can’t I center text if I really want to center text .. but on the whole … all good.
\nOf course lots of companies have woken up to the phenomena … both on the newsletter creation side and software to generate said newsletters. The ‘arms race’ is in full swing.
\nIt was at the end of 2021 that the Microsoft company ‘LinkedIN’ launched its own newsletter functionality. If you are on LinkedIN, you know this because you are receiving messages from many people … too many actually, to sign up for their newsletter. But it is clear that people are signing up for them - the question is - are they reading them?
\n\nWilly Sutton was a bank robber in the United States, dying at the age of 79 in November 1980. There is an apocryphal story where a reporter asked him why he robbed banks. Willy replied;
\n\n\n“ Because That’s where the money is.”
\n~ Willy Sutton
\n
People often ask me why I am on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter et al
\nWilly knows - BUT - being there doesn’t mean these platforms are there only places where my thinking, IP, articles, ideas et al reside. All of that starts here - or over on that newsletter. In documents on my hard drive. In my Obsidian vault. Oh so many places - joined together by one common denominator.
\nI have control over where and how that content is managed and how it is found. No algorithms. Not 'at the will' of a faceless corporate bureaucrat.
\nJust my stuff. Where I want it. So when I want it, I can find it.
\n", "date_published": "2022-06-24T17:27:02+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2022/06/23/where-to-keep.html", "tags": ["? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2022/06/23/people-are-visiting.html", "title": "People Are Visiting The Archives", "content_html": "\n
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/a1ae4d07f5.jpg\")
Photo by Darius Bashar on Unsplash
\n\n
After my unscheduled hiatus, I have been thinking about the podcast. It is going to be different. I mean everything is going to be different. Isn’t it? Why would the podcast not be different?
\nI recorded the first one earlier this week (don’t worry - you didn’t miss it - I haven’t dropped it yet). If you know me, you’ll know that I definitely err on the side of ten words where one will do … I’m working on it!
\nBrevity. That’s one of the changes.
\nIt’s only 5 minutes - so far so good!
\nThat’s also the thinking behind the newly launched ‘Short Sharp Shock’ - an ‘image lead’ sister publication that will come out weekly questioning what I am calling ‘The Status Futurus’. (Think Status Quo - except in the future.)
\nMeanwhile, the Blog has been redesigned to allow for easier navigation, titleless less short asides (why should everything have a title - including a Powerpoint slide) .. The book is still for sale, I am toying with a second book - similar principle - totally different topic,
\nAnd then there are the archives.
\n… and talking of archives and the use thereof?
\nQ: How do I know that people are coming given that I don’t overly bother with analytics?
\nA: Because people keep on writing to me telling me that a link is broken.
\nSadly, yes, I know and as they are raised I either fix them or remove them.
\nThe problem stems from using a series of People First domain changes over the past few years. Older posts pointing to people-first.net, the experimental wiki and glossary just will not work.
\nMy sincere apologies.
\nWe're getting there.
\n", "date_published": "2022-06-24T17:11:45+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2022/06/23/people-are-visiting.html", "tags": ["? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2022/06/23/215806.html", "content_html": "💬
\n![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/ad283d9234.jpg\")
![\"The](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/9e476e4a3c.jpg\")
You can read the article here.
\nIt’s not really a question as to whether New Zealand is being left behind. I think there are many countries facing this challenge … but the question is what is the challenge?
\nI ask because I believe that there is a massive conflation of this as people make their arguments..
\nDoes a 4 day week mean
\nOR are we really talking about reducing the number of hours of a standard week to 32 hours?
\nIf the latter we are essentially awarding people a 20% increase in their wage/salary… really? From businesses who argue that they can’t afford a 2 Percent increase in salaries?
\nIf it is the former … what’s the big deal? It isn't that hard to reschedule the teams .. and the benefits to the staff ... priceless!
\nImagine cutting out 20% of these rides every week!
\n![\"This](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/a37e9ec33e.jpg\")
![\"physical](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/6cfc2ea5e6.jpg\")
If you are wondering why I put this under the ‘Work’ category - it is because I think there is a court fight waiting to happen as to where work happens.
\nThe thinking behind this case will be funneled into the new case.
\n", "date_published": "2022-05-22T16:53:32+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2022/05/21/netflix-to-pay.html", "tags": ["People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2022/05/10/the-future-of.html", "title": "The Future of Personalization", "content_html": "\nDon’t get too excited - it’s a McKinsey paper.
\n\n\nThe future of personalization - and how to get ready for it.
\n\n\n... wait - what?
\n\n\n\n\n\n\"Empathy will scale.\"
You can't make this stuff up. Talk about buzzword compliance!
\n\n\nThen - when I was looking for a suitable image to use for this post ... I came across this doozy from Sitecorp.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n![](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/dd2c981546.jpg\")
\n",
"date_published": "2022-05-11T14:37:49+12:00",
"url": "https://john.philpin.com/2022/05/10/the-future-of.html",
"tags": ["? LongForm","People First"]
},
{
"id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2022/05/10/decentralized-identity-startup.html",
"content_html": "\nDecentralized identity startup Spruce wants to help users control their sign-in data.
\n\n\n\n\n\nChang sees “sign-in with Ethereum” and Kepler as the two main products Spruce plans to develop using the new funding, he said. “Sign-in with Ethereum,” in particular, is likely to be a catalyst for Spruce’s growth, he added.
Music to my ears …
\n\n\n\n\n![](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/1941b6ec62.jpg\")
\n",
"date_published": "2022-05-11T14:23:31+12:00",
"url": "https://john.philpin.com/2022/05/10/decentralized-identity-startup.html",
"tags": ["People First"]
},
{
"id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2022/05/10/if-you-dont.html",
"title": "If You Don't Add Value - Why Are You There?",
"content_html": "\n![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/a1d3f4ad4f.jpg\")
It is telling that someone like Doug Rushkoff can write these words;
\n\n\n\nOnly individuals who create value for the company are awarded new stock proportionate to their contributions.
\n
💬 Douglas Rushkoff
\n\n... without questioning the principle.
\n\n\nThe corollary is of course that there are people that work inside a company that don't add value, which for yours truly is of course like a 'red rag to a bull' - because as the title of this post suggests, if you are employed by a company and not adding value to that company - then why are you there?
\n\n\nStakeholder capitalism (apparently) 'solves' the problem.
\n\n\n\n‘Stakeholder capitalism’ is the buzzword du jour for business practices that strive to achieve more than profits and a high stock price.
\n
💬 McKinsey
\n\nIf you want to read more - you can:
\n\n\nPutting stakeholder capitalism into practice.
\n\n\nTo be fair, the idea of 'Stakeholder Capitalism' has been around for several decades, although who actually coined the term is up for debate, with names including Klaus Schwab (Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum), Peter Drucker and Tom Peters.
\n\n\nStill wondering? This is not a bad primer.
\n\n\nSo yes - it is not a new idea - it's just that as the world's conversation is moving into fairness and equality, as we see a (kind of) resurgence of Unions and as 'capitalists' are pushed into the corner of 'defending their position' ... the term is emerging and arguably being positioned as the logical next step for a 'sustainable economy'.
\n\n\nI wrote about this over three years ago when I shared a Ted Talk from Nick Hanauer. Today, that video has had over 5 million views. At the point of 'first discovery', I had not heard of Nick - but as I pointed out, the principles of what he was talking about are engrained in People First thinking.
\n\n\nToday, you can hear the same language when people talk about DAOs in the world of 'Web3' and quite a few other places.
\n\n\nBut then many steps before 'Stakeholder Capitalism', there was something called 'The Cooperative Movement' which got its start in 1844 in Rochdale a small town in Lancashire, England.
\n\n\nSo far, I have not read anything that clearly articulates the distinction between Stakeholder Capitalism and Cooperatives and which and why each might be better or worse than the other. Sometimes I wonder if 'cooperative' is too 'radical' in this world - so we keep inventing new words to describe the same thing.
\n\n\nI have always liked the New Values/Old Values - New Power/Old Power model originally developed by Jeremy Heimans and Henry Timms nearly ten years ago.
\n\n\nSo, picking on a random target company like Uber, which despite hanging its hat on 'the sharing economy' is actually 💯 an 'old thinking' capitalist company.
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/f0ce0999fe.jpg\")
Now consider a company called ATX Coop Taxi - a cooperative taxi service based in Austin that has been around for over 5 years. NO - they aren't as well known - but their service is a 'cooperative'.
\n\n\nThe question is why hasn’t it taken off?
\n\n\nThat is for another time.
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-05-11T14:19:57+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2022/05/10/if-you-dont.html", "tags": ["? Quotes","Quotewise","? Posts","? LongForm","People First","?????"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2022/05/02/the-marketoonist-nails.html", "title": "The Marketoonist Nails Data Protection", "content_html": "\n![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/5c6327cdd0.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/d4eac68511.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/913467167d.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/d3f0d850e2.jpg\")
Funny.
\n\n![](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/16130b4aa8.jpg\")
\nThinking Allowed
\n\n\n\n\nThis is a People First post that was originally on the People First domain. It has been moved here as part of my domain consolidation program. It’s a steady and slow WIP as I check each entry, so do please bear with me.\n\nReally happy to report that the redesign here at People First is done. More to come, but first spending a little time cleaning up some a lot of the older posts.
Let me point out - again - that the answer to the question is useless - because the question is badly framed. I have written about this before here, here and here and a whole host of other places aswell.
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/a8c9d7aa4c.jpg\")
Fast forward to a LinkedIn graphic that was presented to me last week.
\n\n\nIt appeared in Brett King's LinkedIn stream. Brett and I are connected on LinkedIn, and have a couple of very good mutual friends in common. Brett, like another 'futurist' Gerd Leonhard is doing a great job in 'getting the word out', but I worry that the word being got out is not just oversimplified but actually harmful because people are being lulled into a false sense of security.
\n\n\nFirst, I assume that 'Aritificial' is a typo and not some new technological development ...
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/718cc596ca.jpg\")
... but the lack of proofreading of a single sentence might be a clue to how substantial the thinking is that underpins the idea.
\n\n\nImportant: Please do not take this post as my taking an anti position on Brett. I don’t know him, but do follow and pay attention. He is not wrong on a number of issues. Like these two ..
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/d9fce4dde5.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/293db76838.jpg\")
The Original Post on LinkedIn (sorry - I wanted to embed it here - but LinkedIn is the only site that seems to fail with a WordPress embeds) ... go figure.
\n\n\nThe crux of my issue is the flip approach to what is happening in the world of business today.
\n\n\nI limited my response to a few lines ... hoping that a reader would be able to 'read between them', Brett read the lines, but not between them.
\n\n\nBrett duly responded ...
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/194c021900.jpg\")
Readers of this blog will know that this is something I understand.
\n\n\nBUT
\n\n\nThe point I was trying to make is not about the future of work - we know is being redefined through outsourcing, offshoring, automation, AI, the gig economy, zero hour contracts ... and it is clear those jobs aren't going to come back.
\n\n\nMy point is (and always has been) more 'People Firsty' ... that is as all of this comes to be - how will people make income to live their lives in the future?
\n\n\nIn the comments in Brett's thread people referenced the four day week - and everyone is talking about how it is already happening. The assumption seems to be that a staff member will no longer work 5 days and instead work 4 days.
\n\n\nThis is quite brilliant and lovely and utopian and - all those things we want to have in and around our lives and existence. Who doesn’t want to work less ...
\n\n\nIf their salary is not affected.
\n\n\nBut let's just take a couple of seconds to do a pretty shallow dive ... if people are working 4 days, not 5, then they are working 20% less. To let them work less and not pay them less is the equivalent of companies giving each of those people a 20% salary increase.
\n\n\nAre companies going to do that?
\n\n\nThe answer is in plain sight because we have a stalking horse in the race. Thanks to COVID we have proof points all over the world that people don’t want to 'go back to the office' and in turn, some companies have responded with
\n\n\n\n\n\nThat's ok - work wherever you want!
Spectacular - until you read the small print ...
\n\n\nThis isn't the only article out there, do a search and you will find hundreds, if not thousands of articles debating the merits of paying your staff based on what locals earn.
\n\n\nCase in point - move 200 miles up the I80 from San Francisco to Reno, salaries are nothing like that of the Bay Area. On top of that since Reno is in Nevada - there is no state tax. In California - well like most places, it varies, but here is one slice ...
\n\n\n| $115,648 – $590,746 | 9.30% |
- so moving your life 200 miles reduces your cost of living substantially just based on tax savings. But there's more ...
\n\n\nBeyond the tax break, the Reno cost of living index is just 116.2, compared to San Francisco's at a whopping 244 - and that does not include the tax break just described.
\n\n\nSo if you can do your job remotely, why wouldn’t you want to move to a cheaper place - and collect the same income. (Putting the comparison of living in Reno versus San Francisco aside.)
\n\n\nIt does seem to be a perfect idea - except your employer is not generally going to allow that - because they do - and will - pay you based on where you live - not where you work!
\n\n\nI get the argument, I really do - but that's my point. If companies aren't going to pay people for value delivered, but based on where they live, then why are they suddenly going to pay you a higher daily rate because you want to work less?
\n\n\nTo me, the 4 day week is an experiment to cut salaries - legally. It won't happen suddenly - just over time. They might well leave your salary in place, but everyone's? ... and when you leave will they continue to pay your premium rate to the next person?
\n\n\nAs more and more people leave their cubes to follow their dreams and passions - which is what everyone is telling you to do - right? Follow your dreams - it will all work out.
\n\n\nWhat dream and passion are you going to follow?
\n\n\nLook around today and you will find little societal support for artists, musicians, writers, poets et al. Imagine if the number of such people suddenly doubled, grew fivefold or even tenfold as we all follow our dreams ... are all those people suddenly going to be earning a lot more? (it's a rhetorical question.)
\n\n\nWe are also told that there is so much opportunity in the professions of care-giving, social services, teachers, hospital workers, elderly care. They are right. Lots of opportunities. They are all on the ‘hot professions’ list, but before you get too excited, go talk to the people who work in those areas now. Ask them why Teachers are resigning en masse? Why do nurses get trained and don’t go into health services?
\n\n\nThere are countless examples of how society (that's you and me), value these professions. We don't.
\n\n\nBack to musicians - we pay Spotify 10 bucks a month to stream an 'all you can eat' flow of music to your ears. The artists are generally not well rewarded. But it's not as if Spotify aren't making good money. How else do they afford to $100 million to sign up a single podcast - or buy company after company as they seek to lock up the world of podcasting. (BTW - they are doing it because the more you listen to that - the less they have to pay out.)
\n\n\nTo conclude, as wonderful as it is for all of us to follow our dreams and passions - so we can all live fulfilled lives - we also need to earn an income. And we are barely doing that today, so how is that going to get better?
\n\n\n\n\n\nI said something better change
The Stranglers
I said something better change
I said something better change
I said something better change
Or maybe we will all move into social services, hospitals, caring for the elderly - since they are all on the ‘hot professions’ list. That said, the last two years have clearly demonstrated that while ‘society’ might value the people in those roles, it is clear that the paymasters do not.
\n\n\nIn short, as we replace jobs with automation - and people don’t have a way to replace that income, something is not adding up.
\n\n\nBottom line - as organizations remove people from their vendor supply chain and automate sales to improve business efficiency, more and more people will be left out of the workforce - and no matter how many Norman Tebbits (Sorry old English reference), how about Kim Kardashian's words of 'motivation'.
\n\n\nI have a way of looking at the issue. I call it ...
\n\n\nAt the simplest level, the business equation recognizes that every commercial entity has an input - where it creates something using people, money and/or assets to create a product or service that is sold - the output. The 'black box' in the middle is the business. Your business. Any business.
\n\n\nTo maximize shareholder value, the business seeks to reduce the cost of what it produces or increase the price of what it sells. Yes there all kinds of techniques that are used - but reduce it all down and you are left with
\n\n\nIt is a simplification, but the logic holds.
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/9d68fb3879.jpg\")
It is also true that on the left-hand side of the equation the fixed costs of 'people' is really high - which is why over the years, companies have sought to cut those costs by 'getting people off the books'. That's where outsourcing and offshoring got their start. Automation through Robotics is now turning into AI and then at contractual levels, the gig economy / zero-hour contracts all play into the needs of corporations who keep on pushing the boundaries of 'just in time' 'people'.
\n\n\nAnd you thought the days of people being cogs in the corporate engine was a thing of the past!
\n\n\nNow imagine every company big and small working to remove people from the equation in this way. Where does it leave people? Every mini Business Equation on the left of that diagram is doing its bit to outsource, offshore, automate .... and where do people fit in that equation?
\n\n\nTo quote my friend Geoffrey Moore ...
\n\n\nThat's What I Think - What Do You Think?
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-04-02T14:39:47+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2022/04/01/what-is-the.html", "tags": ["? Posts","? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2022/03/29/outsourcing-and-its.html", "content_html": "\n'Outsourcing' and its sibling ‘Offshoring' often suffer from 'abdication syndrome' as the company focuses on cutting its costs to virtualize their supply chain.
\n\n\nBUT
\n\n\nIf you don’t have people inside the company who understand what the outsourcing company is up to .... how do you manage the relationship, contracts and work done?
\n\n![](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/bbad416c63.jpg\")
\nThinking Allowed
\n\n\n\n\nThis is a People First post that was originally on the People First domain. It has been moved here as part of my domain consolidation program. It’s a steady and slow WIP as I check each entry, so do please bear with me.\n\nIn my book ‘For Business Leaders Slapped In The Face By A World They Thought They Knew’, I referenced an organization called 'The Prout Institute'.
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/f9a38f4593.jpg\")
It came to mind as I watched this relatively unwatched (in the big scheme of things) video.
\n\n\nAndrew Pancholi is definitely an interesting man.
\n\n\nIt's a 2022 video - but predates the invasion of Ukraine, though not the build-up with the result that we have an immediate feedback loop on some aspects of how right or wrong his thinking is. (He seems to be right.)
\n\n\nThe talk is only 35 minutes or so of the nearly 1-hour video (the rest is a Q and A) - and touched on many topics including China's penetration into the world that Peter Frankopan - amongst others - wrote about in his 2018 book The New Silk Roads. (The Guardian). An excellent book that if the future of the world is interesting to you, this book should be either on your bookshelf - or (as in my case) in your iPad.
\n\n\nThere is part of me that questions the pattern making ‘proofs’. Kind of like the ley lines of England … that are in the canons of ‘lost knowledge’. If you are loose enough with definitions and correlations then yes - everything is going to align.
\n\n\nStill, for all of that, it’s a good 35 minute listen - and it gets harder to say that as each day passes.
\n\n\n\n\n", "date_published": "2022-03-25T14:49:23+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2022/03/24/its-a-pattern.html", "tags": ["? LongForm","People First","? WIP"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2022/03/16/people-process-then.html", "content_html": "\n
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/be337f21d3.jpg\")
\n💬
\n\n![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/f9bbbd7933.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/78ca1114b1.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/79d62a05d2.jpg\")
\nTo understand what I mean - you might want to check out this earlier post. Meanwhile, on my personal thoughts microblog, I have been collecting a series of links - you can find them here.
\n\n\nMeanwhile, I was thinking that it probably makes more sense to include them on this blog. Thus we have a new living post, starting with that list and expanding - as I find then - below.
\n\n\nProbably the most important blog that relates to this post is
\n\n\nAdded March 11th
\nWorld’s ‘First NFT Vending Machine’ Didn’t Work And Neither Did The NFTs
\n\n\nOriginal Links
\nWhy Web3 matters - by John Henderson - The Idea Exchange
\nLine Goes Up – The Problem With NFTs - YouTube
\nSo … what the hell is Web3? With the Chernin Group’s Jarrod Dicker - Recode Media
\nThe New Get-Rich-Faster Job in Silicon Valley: Crypto Startups
\n\nThe Web3 Renaissance: A Golden Age for Content - by Li Jin
\n\n\nWeb3's Instant Rush to Centralization
\n\n\nMatt Birchler summarizing Moxie’s piece
\n\n\n\n\n\n\nVia Doc Searls ...
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n", "date_published": "2022-03-02T11:33:44+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2022/03/01/web-whatever-that.html", "tags": ["? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2022/02/22/thomas-keneallys-s.html", "title": "We MUST Abandon the Language of the Market to Reclaim our Humanity", "content_html": "
🔗 Thomas Keneally’s 2020s vision: We must abandon the language of the market to reclaim our humanity
\nI posted this link at the time it was published (2020).
\nIt surfaced the other day through my DayONE - and I decided to repost it in the category 🖇️ ‘Language Is Important’- ‘Tom’ and I are on the same page.
\n", "date_published": "2022-02-22T16:18:14+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2022/02/22/thomas-keneallys-s.html", "tags": ["? Links","? LongForm","People First","? Links"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2022/02/20/two-posts-many.html", "title": "Two Posts - Many Coins", "content_html": "\nThis post, by Dave Rosenthal caught my eye this morning. It's long, it’s deep and is written with authority and knowledge.
\n\n\nWho is David Rosenthal? In his words
\n\n\n\n\nI worked with James Gosling on CMU's Andrew project in the early 80s. I was a DE with him at Sun later in the 80s working on window systems including X, and file systems. I quit to be employee #4 at Nvidia where Curtis Priem and I did the basic I/O architecture, then was an early employee at Vitria, the second company of founders of Tibco. Before I start talking about cryptocurrencies, I should stress that I hold no long or short positions in cryptocurrencies, their derivatives or related companies.
\nDavid Rosenthal
\n
It obviously also caught Cory Doctorow's eyes, because he went on to write a post as well. To many Cory's will be more readable - I guess helped by him being a professional writer and Dave's original post actually being a summary of notes and slides he presented at Stanford's EE380 Whether you read Dave’s or Cory’s - if not both, the conclusion is the same ...
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/9b6dcf1855.jpg\")
https://pluralistic.net/2022/02/14/externalities/#dshrhttps://blog.dshr.org/2022/02/ee380-talk.html
\n\n\nFeatured Image Copyright: Copyright by MaxPixel
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-02-21T12:48:53+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2022/02/20/two-posts-many.html", "tags": ["? Quotes","Quotewise","? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2022/02/15/183220.html", "content_html": "💬
\nNice way to think about it. To phrase it.
\n![\"We](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/538aab6927.jpg\")
If you are interested in this world - Sangeet Paul Choudary is well worth a follow.
\nI found his latest newsletter interesting
\nPipelines to platforms to protocols: Reconfiguring value and redesigning markets
\n… not least because I have been riffing on this for a while now - particularly after I heard Tim talk about this at an IIW a few years ago.
\n![\"Protocols](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/6ea29dfa31.jpg\" "\\"Protocols")
\n.. which is kind of how one of the People First Tenet’s emerged …. a while back now.
\n![\"Pipes](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/150b343080.jpg\" "\\"Pipes")
\n",
"date_published": "2022-02-14T15:12:24+12:00",
"url": "https://john.philpin.com/2022/02/13/pipelines-to-platforms.html",
"tags": ["P F Tenet","P F Quote","? LongForm","People First"]
},
{
"id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2022/02/11/the-game-is.html",
"content_html": "\n\n“The game is free … but you could spend up to $1,000 US Dollars just to buy the assets you need to play the game.”
\n
Another example of redefining language.
\nThis from 🔗 Paul Butler
\n", "date_published": "2022-02-11T15:50:18+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2022/02/11/the-game-is.html", "tags": ["? Links","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2022/02/10/privacyis-another-interesting.html", "content_html": "4Privacy is another interesting site found by the inimitable Doc Searls.
\nLooks like they are launching via Kickstarter- as of writing;
\n\n13,052 backers pledged $604,985 to help bring this project to life.\n", "date_published": "2022-02-11T13:47:19+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2022/02/10/privacyis-another-interesting.html", "tags": ["People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2022/02/10/languageisimportant-a-new.html", "content_html": "
‘Language Is Important' - a new category now available on this blog.
\nLATER
\nCategory depricated - that said 🔗 🔎 click here - and all those posts re categorized will come up - along with a lot more.
\n", "date_published": "2022-02-10T16:34:01+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2022/02/10/languageisimportant-a-new.html", "tags": ["? Links","People First","? Links","? Searched"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2022/02/09/a-hot-new.html", "title": "A Hot New Watch", "content_html": "A hot new watch from IDZ … or is it?
\nThey call it ‘The Identity Watch’. The web site reads more as a manifesto for privacy, data security and identity, I love it!
\n![\"The](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/33705f47d6.jpg\" "\\"store_watch_desk.png\\"")
\nvia Doc Searls
\nBy the way - if you want one, even they say it’s expensive and the buy button takes you to Open Sea (according to their web site / he first and largest NFT Market Place) … get your crypto ready!
\n", "date_published": "2022-02-10T13:12:00+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2022/02/09/a-hot-new.html", "tags": ["? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2022/02/07/we-are-open.html", "title": "We Are Open - Again!", "content_html": "It’s a new year, and a spectacular new one at that. More of that to come - but good reasons for my extended absence.
\nAs we reopen the doors, I have decided to offer up some shorter thought posts and links beyond the longer articles that I have put here in the past. So along with a new workflow that utilizes Drafts I am hoping that you will find more to read, more regularly - but not necessarily taking more time.
\nMight also be a good time to remind you that there is a newsletter available, that can get delivered to your inbox. Just like this blog and the podcast, it too has been in hiatus. It’s coming back - but not yet reached it’s weekly cadence.
\nOnwards - and my thanks for your attention and support.
\n", "date_published": "2022-02-08T08:51:06+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2022/02/07/we-are-open.html", "tags": ["? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2021/12/18/remember-the-semantic.html", "title": "Remember the ‘Semantic Web’?", "content_html": "\nDon't you get fed up with the alphabet soup of tech terms that people introduce into our daily conversation?
\n\n\nIt gets worse …they then go on to use terms that most people can’t understand to ‘explain’ what they are talking about!
\n\n\nAnd even when we do get simple language it still doesn’t get there … because we essentially use product descriptions and features and don’t describe the benefits to ordinary people.
\n\n\nTake Web 3.0 .. please!
\n\n\nIf you read the interwebs you would think that a new religion came of age in 2021. Google Trends tells a different story.
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/e50bfe3c13.jpg\")
So when you are next reading about Web 3.0, forget about Crypto, Algorithms, DIDs, Sovereign Identity, NFTs, Wallets, Coins, Blockchains - and all of the rest of it. Just know that IF we get Web 3.0 right … and it is far from clear we will - but if we do …. then it is the start of finally realizing the value that everybody expected back when this web thing started.
\n\n\nI thought this was an interesting little doohickey that you might find an interesting explanation - though I have some issues with a few of them.
\n\n\nBehavioural Advertising for example. God I hope not. I wish it read 'Intent Casting' - but that's an idea that doesn't seem to have arrived in the mainstream.
\n\n\nAnd despite Zuckerberg's best attempts Blogs are not going away.
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/44c184cdde.jpg\")
But more importantly, some of the thinking is just BAU!
\n\n\nOne of the most important things I would add is that Web 1.0 was 'pipes', Web 2.0 is really all about platforms. Web 3.0 is all about protocols. That's one of the People First Tenets!
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/1639f26d17.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/5962685100.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/c2c93abb13.jpg\")
Introduced in 2004 by Kim Cameron
\n\n\n\n\n\nNot exactly an 'update' from Doc Searls, but definitely a link with reading, remembering Kim who passed at the end of last year.
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-11-20T14:34:10+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2021/11/19/the-seven-laws.html", "tags": ["? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2021/08/10/the-end-of.html", "content_html": "The End Of Ownership: How Big Companies Are Trying To Turn Everyone Into Renters
\nNot called out specifically … but you can add ‘homes’ to the list.
\nAnother nail in the coffin of The ‘American Dream’.
\n", "date_published": "2021-08-11T15:14:10+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2021/08/10/the-end-of.html", "tags": ["People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2021/08/10/sell-your-value.html", "content_html": "A ‘Firstism’
\nSell your VALUE … skills, degrees, time, knowledge, certifications - all of them are useless if you don’t improve the customers life - and you do that my giving them more time OR improving the quality of the time they have.
\n", "date_published": "2021-08-11T15:12:05+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2021/08/10/sell-your-value.html", "tags": ["People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2021/08/10/the-creator-economy.html", "content_html": "The creator economy is in crisis. Now let’s fix it.
\nA great read that highlights the challenges of the much touted creator economy.
\n![](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/d5abc12962.jpg\")
\n",
"date_published": "2021-08-11T15:05:45+12:00",
"url": "https://john.philpin.com/2021/08/10/the-creator-economy.html",
"tags": ["People First","Newsletter"]
},
{
"id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2021/03/21/substack-has-a.html",
"title": "Substack Has A Problem",
"content_html": "\nI'm a fan of Substack - but it looks like they might be hitting some issues as they rush to attract famous writers to the platform - and paying them. On the outside it looks good that famous writers use you - but if you are paying them - and not discllosing that - we have an issue.
\n\n\nBeyond that, to pay someone means that you are choosing not to pay someone else - at which point you are becoming a publisher - not a platform and thus arguably support/agree with those writers words and opinions. What then distinguished you from any other publishing vehicle.
\n\n\n\n\n\nThen again there is this (spolier alert - an opposite pov : Adding My Data Point To The Discussion Of Substack Advances.
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-03-22T09:50:17+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2021/03/21/substack-has-a.html", "tags": ["? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2021/03/03/143245.html", "content_html": "\n![\"\"](\"https://peoplefirst.vision/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Ellen-Langer-Work-Life-Balance.jpeg\")
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/9416ca3368.jpg\")
Over on the podcast and in the newsletter - oh and in the People First network, I have been ruminating about remote work.
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://peoplefirst.vision/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/christine-roy-ir5MHI6rPg0-unsplash-1024x685.jpg\")
Specifically about work visas and wondering where work is done and once you know where it is done - then - do you need a work visa?
\n\n\nQuick example. You LIVE in P0rtugal. You connect to servers in the US. You are paid in London. Your value is delivered (eg where the code (for example) is rendered and turned into something that can be charged for in Canada.
\n\n\nWhere do you work?
\n\n\nSeems like I am not the only one, Adam Ozimek from Upwork shares his ideas about nomadic workforces with Matt Yglesias. He is really only talking about the US - but still raising valid and related questions about the other side of the where do you work equation - where do you go if you cant work. Which state?
\n\n\nThey discuss the implications for migration, local governance, and the elusive concept of work/life balance. (Where have I heard that one before?)
\n\n\nAdam argues strongly for the whole work thing in America to be Federalized.
\n\n\nListen to the podcast here. If you don’t have a full 60 minutes to listen - scoot through to minute 4o for the pertinent stuff.
\n\n\n\n\n", "date_published": "2021-02-23T14:13:00+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2021/02/22/the-future-of.html", "tags": ["? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2021/02/12/switch-it-off.html", "title": "Switch It Off Already", "content_html": "\nI'm kind of over people complaining about how LinkedIN sucks because ... or Facebook users are ... or Instagram Photos are ....
\n\n\nSocial Media channels are like TV channels. If you don’t like them you can ignore them or even delete them.
\n\n\nJust do that. Why fill my feed with your rubbish.
\n\n\nIn fact you can refine your feed even further ... block, remove, delete the people that offend you. It is
\n\n\nthan writing a screed on why you feel so upset.
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-02-13T07:40:19+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2021/02/12/switch-it-off.html", "tags": ["? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2021/02/09/why-do-you.html", "title": "Why Do You Work?", "content_html": "\n![\"\"](\"https://peoplefirst.vision/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/https-bucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com-public-images-a50a37e2-b023-4473-9b6f-6f70a5a8bb16_1456x971-1024x683.jpeg\")
I promise, Manton, Daniel and I did not coordinate this - I think sometimes synchronicity just happens.
\n\n\nIn last weeks newsletter I asked the question
\n\n\n\"Why Do You Work?\"
\n\n\nA reply post will be available this Saturday.
\n\n\nThere have been some great answers, but that is not the reason for this post.
\n\n\nManton Reece - the brain behind Micro Blog 1 and Daniel Jalkut - the brain behind Red Sweater 2 have a weekly podcast called Core Intuition. This week I learned that they have been running their podcast for twelve years. A remarkable feat even of itself. Both of them are independent developers and this week the conversation turned to employment. A really nice discussion between two professionals that wrestle with following their dreams and passions, while balancing the need to put bread on the table.
\n\n\nHave a listen - you won't regret it and very pertinent to the discussion 'Why Do You Work'.
\n\n\n1] If you want to see MicroBlog working in the real world, my web site - John.Philpin.Com is powered by MicroBlog.
\n\n\n2] If you want to see Red Sweater working in the real world, that’s a little harder - but Daniel has a superb product called Mars Edit that I am using to write and post this article. Seriously. If you are a Mac user that writes a blog - you should be using Mars Edit.
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-02-10T13:12:13+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2021/02/09/why-do-you.html", "tags": ["? Podcasts","? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2021/02/07/when-zero-is.html", "title": "When Zero Is Everything", "content_html": "\n\n\n\nFor decades, the business world has embraced worker empowerment. But recently a countermovement—workforce optimization—has been on the rise. It treats labor as a commodity and seeks to cut it to a minimum by using automation and artificial intelligence, tightly controlling how people do their jobs, and replacing employees with contractors. This approach is especially prevalent in the tech sector and the gig economy. And it is cause for deep concern.
Peter Cappelli
I can only agree.
\n\n\nRead what Doc Searls has to say about Zero Party Data
\n\n\n\n\n![](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/dd5063b1be.jpg\")
\n",
"date_published": "2021-02-08T13:19:03+12:00",
"url": "https://john.philpin.com/2021/02/07/when-zero-is.html",
"tags": ["? LongForm","People First"]
},
{
"id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2021/02/07/shaped-by-history.html",
"title": "Shaped By History?",
"content_html": "\n\n\n\n”I thought back to the day I decided to go to law school. It was a warm spring day. May 4, 1970. I was a freshman at Oberlin College. A few days earlier, President Richard Nixon had expanded the Vietnam War by invading Cambodia. Antiwar college protests erupted throughout the country.
About 1 p.m. in the afternoon, the news hit us in the gut as we huddled around TVs and radios on our sheltered college campus. In just 12 seconds, the Ohio National Guard fired over 60 shots at student protesters at nearby Kent State University. Nine students were wounded, one of them paralyzed for life; and four students — Allison Krause, Jeff Miller, Sandra Scheuer, and Bill Schroeder — were killed.
Bill Schroeder was an ROTC student watching the protest; he was shot in the back. Sandy Scheuer was walking to class. I didn’t know them, but I’ve never forgotten their names.”
Lee Fisher
![\"\"](\"https://peoplefirst.vision/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/andreea-popa-PknaOrb1lVo-unsplash-1024x640.jpg\")
That quote comes from an article that my friend, colleague and 'he that keeps me on the straight and narrow' … Stuart Robbins just shared with me.
\n\n\nStuart, thank-you.
\n\n\nMy father fought for the British Army in the second world war. If you are 75 or under, you were not on planet earth during that war and as a result, the impact it had on that generation is being lost - if not forgotten.
\n\n\nThe Vietnam war is much more recent, but still, is - like WWII being lost into history, so when I read first hand experiences, especially something as personal as the words Lee wrote, I like to stop and reflect for a moment.
\n\n\nAnd who is Lee Fisher?
\n\n\n\n\n\n”Lee Fisher is dean of Cleveland-Marshall College of Law at Cleveland State University. He is the former Ohio attorney general, lieutenant governor, director of the Ohio Department of Development, chair of the Ohio Third Frontier Commission, president and CEO of the Center for Families and Children, president and CEO of CEOs for Cities, state representative and state senator.
But there's more. He recently came on to the People First Podcast and talked with Stuart about Law - and, IMHO, more importantly Leadership in Law. If you don’t want to jump off to another site, you can listen to it right here ...
\n\n\nOr follow the link to a great interview, weighing in at under 30 minutes of 'gold'.
\n\n\nI often find that knowing a little more about people, their history and what shaped them, helps me understand the context of who they are today and what they are saying. Lee is no exception. In fact I think it is possible to draw a straight line from the experience he described in that quote above to his life's work. I hope you agree.
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-02-08T13:10:48+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2021/02/07/shaped-by-history.html", "tags": ["? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2021/02/07/slack-solves-the.html", "title": "Slack Solves The Wrong Problem Really Well", "content_html": "\nOr as Cal puts it …
\n\n\n\"Slack is the Right Tool for the Wrong Way to Work.\"
\n\n\n\n\n\n”The future of office work won’t be found in continuing to reduce the friction involved in messaging but, instead, in figuring out how to avoid the need to send so many messages in the first place.”
Cal Newport
Cal nails the problem I have with Slack that I have never managed to nail down.
\n\n\nRead the article in The New Yorker
\n\nThinking Allowed
\n\n\n\n\nThis is a People First post that was originally on the People First domain. It has been moved here as part of my domain consolidation program. It’s a steady and slow WIP as I check each entry, so do please bear with me.\n\nPeople First?
\nIt goes back to the Romans!
\nThe battle of hearts is what wins wars
\n", "date_published": "2021-01-27T18:35:07+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2021/01/27/people-first-it.html", "tags": ["People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2021/01/07/it-used-to.html", "content_html": "\n\n\n\n\n\n", "date_published": "2021-01-08T04:57:22+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2021/01/07/it-used-to.html", "tags": ["? Quotes","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2020/12/18/where-do-you.html", "title": "Where Do You Work", "content_html": "\nIt used to be that we lived in private and chose to make parts of our lives public. Now that is being turned on its head. We live in public, like the movie says (except via micro-signals not 24–7 video self-surveillance), and choose what parts of our lives to keep private.
Ben Schott - 2010 - TEN YEARS AGO
A response to a recent newsletter. Specifically one where I explored Work Location. (You might want to click in and have a read to get the context.)
\n\n\nSometimes people have a lot to say, but they don’t join into the dialogue - nor even make comments. I get it. I really do. Another post from an anonymous reader, this time answering something I wrote in a newsletter and again - reproduced with permission from the original writer.
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://peoplefirst.vision/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/https-bucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com-public-images-f19b4747-fc6b-425d-90d0-123aeda85ed6_5472x3648-1024x683.jpeg\")
\nNow, this is a subject that really gets to me!!
\n\n\nI have long argued that the biggest conflict in the world today is that between global and tribal politics. I have met anthropologists who maintain that the human-animal is basically tribal - pre-programmed by history, if not genetics, 'to want to belong'. They argue that this is at the root of all sorts of things we see today - including racism/xenophobia at the most serious level and, more prosaically, things like fashion fads, football fans, pop group mania, etc., at the daily level. However, there is, in my eyes at least, clear evidence of emerging subsets of humans who want to throw all that away in favour of seeing the world, and our species, holistically.
\n\n\nOne rather crude indicator of this - a frequent topic in my Operations and Supply Chain Management consultancy and teaching - is the tension between global companies (not of all which are the spawn of the devil, planet-destroying, secret cabal members, but simply businesses whose raw materials, skill-base and customers cannot be defined by random, historical, “lines on the ground\") and national Governments, most obviously over issues like differing tax regimes (and where it’s paid) and customs (import/export) processes.
\n\n\nExtend this to the individual with the option of working at very long distance from 'the office', and we see similar issues. Some 6 years ago, I did a piece of work for a Greek client, itself funded by the EU, whose direct customers were mainly from the new Eastern EU member states. HMRC was out of the traps like a top greyhound: within days I was in receipt of paperwork explaining what I needed to do to make sure that my work was taxed (and subject to National Insurance) 'here in the UK' (despite me NOT actually being in the UK), rather than in Greece. I presume the argument would be that we are a UK-registered company, I am a UK citizen and the education/experience that enabled me to win the contract were gained in the UK, some of it at University, at the taxpayer's expense. That’s fair enough. However, many of the people who would say “quite right too” are EXACTLY the same people who complain when a US company, say, elects not to be taxed in the UK on earnings made here. Yet, those companies are employing UK people, who pay (quiet a lot) of tax, when you take NI, VAT, duty etc., into account as well as direct PAYE, they are renting or buying UK property, and paying local tax on it, they are consuming UK products and services that create more jobs and tax, etc. If they moved all their operations out of the UK, would we win or lose? It’s not such an easy calculation as the 'red top fury' suggests.
\n\n\nSo, back to your individual, living where (s)he wants to live but working for a company 'back home', or, in the extreme, in the economy that places the highest monetary value on her/his skills. Would (s)he pay tax in the country of residence, the country of origin, the country employment, or several of these? Would the value of the residence (shopping local tax, etc.) be offset against the value of direct employment taxation in deciding policy?
\n\n\nOr is this another nail in the coffin of nationalistic division?
\n\nThinking Allowed
\n\n\n\n\nThis is a People First post that was originally on the People First domain. It has been moved here as part of my domain consolidation program. It’s a steady and slow WIP as I check each entry, so do please bear with me.\n\nAs a reader of this blog and newsletter or as a listener of my podcast - you know that I am a keen supporter of the broad category of ‘creative professional’ - and specifically ‘musician’. What follows are not my words, but those of a musician that wrote to me recently. Reproduced with their permission and names and venues changed/anonymized to ‘protect the vulnerable’.
\nI just got my first real paying gig since March 17 for Saturday December 26th. Meanwhile, due to an uptick in local COVID cases the county has announced that restaurants are to remain open, but no one allowed at the bar for the next 2 weeks.
\nBy my calculation from today (Dec. 10), that takes us to December 25th. So, December 26th we will be back to normal?
\nAfter 9 months of ‘COVID communications with the owners of a local ‘hostelry’ - and having played there every Friday for over fourteen years, I have now experienced a full u-turn, so instead of returning to my Friday Afternoon slot - which they said “would be there for me whenever I was ready to return”, they have instead told me I will be “on call”, if they need a last minute substitute as ‘their schedule is booked full’.
\nI told them actually no …. no I won’t.
\nBeyond that, they are no longer paying what they used to - and that was never a lot to begin with!
\nThe business (music AND the hostelry) has never been stacked with integrity, but this has to be a new low. Maybe to match the pay rates of the stand-ins?
\nMeanwhile on the other side of town, my Tuesday night gig (again over 14 years) has been taken over by a guy playing bass with a karaoke backing machine … in return for ‘a burger and a beer’ !!
\nThe musician said “he did not want to steal my night” … funny - because he did. He could have said no. I guess the burger temptation was too great.
\nHe was offered the gig by the owner because his belief was that I wouldn’t work for free. (Correct!).
\nI grew up in a Union town. I remember what those kinds of people were called.
\nI get it. I really do. I know the venues are struggling with finance like us all - musicians included - but if they can’t afford musicians - why bring them on at all?
\nIf your business model is to offer live music - shouldn’t you pay for it?
\nAnd sure - I can hear the gallery calling down - you’ll make it up in tips.
\nWith luck - but in reality - no.
\nSo take a share of the profits of extra beer sold …. yeah - good luck with that! When THEY are doing well, YOU are on a fixed (low) fee - “make it up in tips”. But now they are down … well, you know how it goes.
\nAs you know I’ve made my living as a full time musician and creative all of my life, so sad to reflect on COVID lessons;
\nloyalty - out of the window\npromises - not worth the paper they are written on\ndogs - they will eat dogs\nDon’t get me wrong, the competition is just getting ramped up. The number of musicians - in this area seems to be growing by the day - and I am pretty sure that the number of hostelries are reducing. (One of the biggest just 10 miles away has announced that it is closing for GOOD. )
\nNot sure how this is going to play out - but I stand with my belief that a business should only offer what it can afford - and the race to the bottom of price is not a race I am going to join in.
\nWhen I order Lobster, I don’t expect to eat it and then renegotiate the price - but that seems to be the life of the live performer.
\nStill - one door closes, another opens - I wonder what happens when two doors close!
\nThinking Allowed
\n\n\n\n\nThis is a People First post that was originally on the People First domain. It has been moved here as part of my domain consolidation program. It’s a steady and slow WIP as I check each entry, so do please bear with me.\n\nWhy employee surveys, like political polls, are misleading.
\n\n\nThey should have called me!
\n\n\n![](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/de0cc2acbd.jpg\")
\n",
"date_published": "2020-12-06T14:52:32+12:00",
"url": "https://john.philpin.com/2020/12/05/employee-surveys.html",
"tags": ["? LongForm","People First"]
},
{
"id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2020/12/05/digital-nomads.html",
"title": "Digital Nomads",
"content_html": "\nThe War For Digital Nomads Heats Up As Greece Passes New Tax Law
\n\n\n\n\n![](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/fa46099d7e.jpg\")
\n",
"date_published": "2020-12-06T14:44:54+12:00",
"url": "https://john.philpin.com/2020/12/05/digital-nomads.html",
"tags": ["? LongForm","People First"]
},
{
"id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2020/11/22/business-bifurcation.html",
"title": "Business Bifurcation",
"content_html": "\n![\"The](\"https://peoplefirst.vision/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/23691052-512d-4c00-b3ff-95e6f2b3819e.jpg\")
Another Gaping Void nails it. Full piece here, though they don’t use the phrase 'business bifurcation'.
\n\n\nFor a long time, it has been clear that business is bifurcating. The two models are either;
\n\n\nGaping Void's piece brings you right up to date with stories form Saville Row - a set of businesses you might expect to fail in thelight of (say) Brookes Brothers collapse. But no - business bifurcation.
\n\n\nTo be fair - those high-end examples aren't the only way to be in that niche space. Business that scale and deliver low price, do so at the cost of service, value, the personal touch, sometimes quality ...
\n\n\nIf you are a small business - don’t wonder how to compete with Amazon ... work out how to differentiate from Amazon. What worked 20, 30 years ago - still works. It's just that the 'what' is different.
\n\n\nAnd the first 'what' is 'what business are you in'. It might not be what you think. The business you are in is your 'core'. Everything else is context. (To borrow from my 'old' friend Geoffrey Moore.)
\n\n\n", "date_published": "2020-11-23T08:23:57+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2020/11/22/business-bifurcation.html", "tags": ["Gaping Void","? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2020/11/22/dont-fear-the.html", "title": "Don't Fear The Future Of Work", "content_html": "\nThe Massachusetts Institute of Technology is the source of this piece on The Future of Work. I don’t disagree with the headline, but the article itself falls short of providing solace. In fact it falls short of being an article - but that's another story.
\n\n\n\nAn altogether disappointing piece that ends ...\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n“I really come away from this concerned about the direction [of work], but optimistic about our ability to change it.\"
David Autor, Co-chair, MIT Task Force on the Work of the Future and MIT Professor of Economics
\nOn what grounds? Their was nothing of substance in the piece. Just opinion.\n
\n\n\n", "date_published": "2020-11-23T06:35:22+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2020/11/22/dont-fear-the.html", "tags": ["? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2020/11/21/philosophy-week.html", "title": "Philosophy Week", "content_html": "\n![\"podcaster\"](\"https://peoplefirst.vision/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/jeremy-enns-1vrWiQvtxW8-unsplash-1024x683.jpg\")
Part 2 of my conversation with Cristina DiGiacomo, M.S. goes live at 5 am Pacific Standard Time on Monday 23rd. You are going to love it. Hell, we loved it so much that when we finished - we just kept going - you'll see what I mean.
\n\n\nPart One - if you want to catch up first.
\n\n\n\n\n\nAnd it's not as if there is a theme going here BUT - later on in the week, part 1 of my conversation with Tim Walters Ph.D., goes live.
\n\n\nIt must be philosophy in the workplace week!
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-11-22T14:01:32+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2020/11/21/philosophy-week.html", "tags": ["? Podcasts","? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2020/11/20/war-what-is.html", "title": "War - What Is It Good For?", "content_html": "\nAbsolutely Nothing! Say it again.
\n\n\nSimon Sinek talking about what game theory teaches us about war.
\n\n\nThinking Allowed
\n\n\n\n\nThis is a People First post that was originally on the People First domain. It has been moved here as part of my domain consolidation program. It’s a steady and slow WIP as I check each entry, so do please bear with me.\n\nIt's an old one that I rediscovered in the archives. Time to publish.
\n\n\nIt just seemed right, timely and very 'People Firsty'.
\n\n\n", "date_published": "2020-11-21T12:25:31+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2020/11/20/american-business.html", "tags": ["? Videos","? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2020/11/17/a-hidden-side.html", "title": "A Hidden Side Of One Of Our Podcast Guests", "content_html": "\n\n\n", "date_published": "2020-11-18T14:50:55+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2020/11/17/a-hidden-side.html", "tags": ["? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2020/11/17/managing-complex-change.html", "title": "Managing Complex Change", "content_html": "\n🚧 Brought to my attention by Stuart Robbins, who went on to write ....
\n\n\nIt is known as the Knoster Model for Complex Behavioral Change (circa 2000). For those who would like to know more, search for Timothy Knoster. In sum, Knoster identifies the 5 key elements needed for any Change Management initiative to be successful, and the relative symptoms caused if/when one element is missing.
\nStuart Robbins
\n\n\nInteresting. I went of looking further and found an even better image (see below) that adds context to the steps and happy smiling emojis that reflect the expected feelings! :-)
\nThe keen observers amongst you will also spot a different order and an extra step - but the principle holds. (The principle being - as Stuart said in his original message to me ... (I paraphrase) ... how much information can be packed into a single image (doffing hat to E. Tufte.)
\nJohn Philpin
\n\n![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2024/knostermodel.png\")
Coops Europe and Fair Trade team up to promote people-centred businesses.
\n\n\n(Via 'Friend of People First' - Jeff Mowatt)
\n\n\nI love how co-ops seem to be making a big comeback.
\n\n\n", "date_published": "2020-11-16T15:16:11+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2020/11/15/coops-europe-and.html", "tags": ["People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2020/11/13/describing-the-cynefin.html", "title": "Describing The Cynefin Framework", "content_html": "\nI first referenced the Cynefin Framework and published this link on my old Beyond Bridges - now decommissioned - site on June 18th - 2017. Needless to say, though the site is going away, the articles are already archived and dropped safely on my 'words site'
\n\n\nIt seemed important, right and relevant to reference it here as I build the archives of frameworks and models relevant to People First.
\n\n\nFor sense-making - not categorization.
\n\n\n![\"cynefin](\"https://peoplefirst.vision/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/The-Cynefin-Framework.png\")
\n\n\nToday, we have the skills and technologies to listen to the universe. But often we don't listen to the people around us.
Jim Macnamara, Organizational Listening
\n\n\nListen. I'm gonna tell you a story.
Max Bygraves
I had the privilege to sit in and watch (and listen) to a presentation this past week. Can't say too much (Chatham House Rule (sic) and all that), but if I were to tell you that I hauled my ass out of bed at 4:30 am to listen live - even though I could have watched the recording later - maybe that will provide you with the import I laid on this talk.
\n\n\nThat and the fact that I can share who presented ... Kristin Little who has The IEEE, 14 years at The World Bank and Fellow of The People Centered Internet - to name but three institutions on her resume. To summarize ... well worth 'tuning in'.
\n\n\nWhen a meeting, or part thereof, is held under the Chatham House Rule, participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any other participant, may be revealed.
\n\n\nThe point of this piece is not to take you through what was said idea by idea, but rather to provide some key points that you might find interesting. Each headline groups one or more takeaways that I thought were interesting.
\n\n\nA lot was talked about and covered and I am real happy to get into a dialogue about this and other threads around the challenge of listening. For now, though, this is it.
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://peoplefirst.vision/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/sandy-millar-Tzi2AUCdHKg-unsplash-1024x683.jpg\")
Most important .... in 40 minutes nobody said anything like ‘you were born with two ears and one mouth - use them in the same proportions' ... and for that, I was truly thankful. So, here we go.
\n\n\nOn average, around 80%, of organizational resources devoted to public communication is focused on speaking.
\n\n\nSome organizations even were up to 95% of their so called communication was outbound.
\n\n\nAt the individual level, we've diminished our ability to have real listening and real conversations. We're now able to voice our thoughts and opinions easily, social media has allowed us a platform to do this.
\n\n\nAt the same time, we willingly or unwillingly customize our feeds. We end up hearing views that are just similar to our own. And we filter out the others, it feels like everyone is speaking and not enough listening is happening.
\n\n\nListening is more important than ever.
\n\n\nWell, I guess that is exactly what I did. I said nothing. I asked nothing. I just listened. (I know - right? ME!)
\n\n\nCame up a few times during the talk, not just between different languages, such as English to German, Japanese to Russian etc but also cross-disciplinary translation. This is something I talk about a lot in my world. I am a 'cloud hopper', and I can do that, because my superpower is 'translation' (not language translation, which tends to be the assumption, but cross-disciplinary translation; sales to marketing, customer to vendor, American to English.
\n\n\nIt's that last one that confuses people the most. Surely both countries speak the same language?
\n\n\nThey do. They don’t. We hear similar words, so we assume we have understood. My view is that we spend less time listening - and thus understanding if we don’t have to concentrate too hard on what is being said. In other words, we assume. (How many times do we leave meetings and each one of us has 'understood' the conclusions, only to discover at the next meeting that this simply was not the case. Partly I think this is because we hear words we recognize and so assume we understand them.
\n\n\nBack to the talk. What really made me sit up was the idea of cross-species translation. The lady that spoke said she 'swims (and talks) with the dolphins' daily. We know that the animal kingdom communicates. Few of us really think about communication with them. In fact I would go as far to say that if we hear such talk - at best we 'raise our eyebrows'!
\n\n\nThe speaker spoke of post mortem analysis around projects and programs that she has been part of. An audience member suggested that rather than using post mortem, postpartum be considered as a more positive alternative. In their words ... \"the line ahead as being a death experience as more like a birth experience.\"
\n\n\nPostpartum - opening up the possibility to the idea that lessons are being learned and that a new beginning would be possible the next time. Post mortem implying dead, over, passed and definitely not being revisited (my paraphrase).
\n\n\nUses 'iterative feedback' to reach consensus (one way to drive more listening in an OODA loop spirit.)
\n\n\nA way of driving towards consensus by everybody giving an opinion and then iterating on that opinion, until everybody agrees on a consensus. It's iterative and a useful technique.
\n\n\n(Delphi Method and OODA)
\n\n\nIt’s hard to transcend a combative question. But it's hard to resist a generous question. We all have it in us to formulate questions that invite honesty, dignity, and revelation.Krista Tippett\n\n\n
A twist of the expression 'thought leadership', and instead focus on thoughtful leadership.
\n\n\nThought Leadership offers ideas so as to 'lead' in the marketplace of ideas.
\n\n\nThoughtful leaders listen first, before they pronounce.
\n\n\nNot to mention that Mindy Gibbins-Klein has a book out on this very topic.
\n\n\nSomeone who went into a meeting and said, Why is everyone looking at their laptops for the entire meeting. There was nobody who looked at the speaker. \nTurned out that it was a special meeting for people who were on the autism spectrum. It was meant for them to be watching the speaker on their laptop and replying that way, because that's what was comfortable. That's how they could best function.
\n\n\nI gave a talk recently at a conference for blind people and was shocked to find out that when I was talking, everyone was looking at me. So I was very perplexed. Because I thought well, I would think they would be looking down at their screens. Well, of course, they can't see the screens, but they really loved engaging by looking up at the faces that they couldn't see. Because it made them feel part of the conversation.
\n\n\nIt's distracting when, people don't seem to be looking at you in the eyes.
\n\n\nSide (authors) note - there's a fix
- place the camera further way from you
- place the camera focussed on you as close to the person on the screen as possible
Smaller groups tend to benefit more interaction.
\n\n\nBreak out rooms are very helpful in bringing out people who might otherwise remain quiet.
\n\n\nEncouraging people to be on camera is good,
\n\n\nWhen you start a meeting, ask a question, an easy question that people can answer,
\n\n\nAnd so much more, that all felt very much motherhood and Apple pie. Maybe that it is because Zoom and all the other video conferencing tools have just been part of me for a long time. It was nearly twenty years ago that my startup was building 'across the firewall collaboration tools' that included embedding video conferencing software and chats right into the dynamically generated collaboration sites ... twenty years ago? Ok - eighteen!
\n\n\nSeparately, I thought this was an interesting exchange. To me, it clearly demonstrates a before and after scenario. The questioner and presenter, both appeared to be in what I would call the old paradigm, the 'refiner' attempting to recalibrate the job of the presenter.
\n\n\nQuestion : How do you gently encourage people in Zoom not to multitask?
\n\n\nAnswer : Beyond telling them that it's very important that we all focus beforehand, maybe also send an email in advance with expectations, and clearly explain what those are and why you would like them to not multitask. And recognizing that it happens, but saying that you want them not to for these reasons. And then thanking them for having not multitask.
\n\n\nAlternative Suggestion From The Audience :
I would like to suggest that multitasking is a feature of Zoom. It provides the environment for you to be able to be looking at multiple things, especially if the camera gets turned off. So the first notional idea is, is that you have to accept that. And then secondly, it's incumbent upon the person who's hosting the meeting, to have content that's worth paying attention to, that will arrest your attention.
That seems to be a perfect summary of why presentations fail in general, which I accept is a totally different topic - but one that I am very keen to drive home.
\n\n\nA lot more was said about Zoom, but it didn’t cover off the issues that I have with that world - which happens to be the topic of this week's newsletter. (I will add a link here when it goes live.)
\n\n\nSo much was said. So much was covered. I just wish I could share the actual conversation. Bottom line. Fascinating and delighted that I did indeed haul my ass out of bed when I did.
\n\n\nThis piece is knowingly not a flowing article, but I hope it peeked the interest and held (if not arrested) your attention. What are your thoughts?
\n\n\nThinking Allowed
\n\n\n\n\nThis is a People First post that was originally on the People First domain. It has been moved here as part of my domain consolidation program. It’s a steady and slow WIP as I check each entry, so do please bear with me.\n\n![\"the](\"https://peoplefirst.vision/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/gary-butterfield-fOFXPlodfSM-unsplash-1024x390.jpg\")
Of course it is. But the bigger question is what is your purpose?
\n\n\nImagine my delight to stumble across this Ted Talk ... 'How to know your life's purpose in 5 minutes.' Finally!
\n\n\nAdam sets the scene pretty quickly. You just need to ask yourself 5 questions and 'Bob's your Uncle'.
\n\n\nIt's so simple that he takes the entire audience on a journey of him asking - and them answering - those 5 questions, by shouting them out.
\n\n\nThe answer to question 1 - after a little prompting - was loud.
\n\n\nQuestion 2, still pretty good.
\n\n\nAfter that it all falls apart. By the time you get to the answer to number 5, well it's not that you could hear a pin drop - but you kind of get the feeling that the audience is sorry for him.
\n\n\nWhy?
\n\n\nI think it’s because the questions are easy. You've read them so many times before. The answers, not so much.
\n\n\nTo be clear, the purpose of this article is not to state the 'bleeding obvious', but rather to highlight that if you are struggling with that definition. It's ok ...
\n\n\n\n\n\nIt's just business, never personal
Chevy Woods ... just one of millions
But that is wrong. It is always personal.
\n\n\nBusiness IS Personal. We just talked about it on one of our podcasts.
\n\n\n\n", "date_published": "2020-11-04T18:34:18+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2020/11/03/its-just-business.html", "tags": ["? Quotes","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2020/11/03/what-are-we.html", "title": "What Are We Going To Do About The Rich?", "content_html": "\nI came across the Pet Shop Boys track 'What Are We Going To Do About The Rich? It seemed to be very People Firsty in nature.
\n\n\nApart from the recurring refrain \"What are we gonna do about the rich?\" we do have other words;
\n\n\n\n\n\n", "date_published": "2020-11-04T18:26:21+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2020/11/03/what-are-we.html", "tags": ["? Music","? Videos","? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2020/11/03/a-new-model.html", "title": "A New Model For Business", "content_html": "\nThey say democracy is simply very bad for business
While deploring student protests in the middle of Hong Kong
They insist that people have to work on zero contracts everywhere
So profit margins grow and shares are very strong
But one group that they never take to task
And one question that they never seem to ask
Is...They're buyin' football clubs today with absolute impunity
And so much of the media to give themselves the power
To destroy the very notion and the feeling of community
While poisoning the public discourse hour by hour
But although it never seems to make it into Hansard
The question at some point must still be answered
Oh...They're avoiding paying taxes
Pet Shop Boys
While the welfare state collapses
Their extravagance and arrogance
Their lack of tact to balance this
Their lawyers and their attitude
The scale of their ingratitude
They only give to charity
For maximum publicity
Wouldn't you know that one of the first real blog posts to go live on the newly revamped People First Blog is really not my work at all - but rather that of 'People First Friend and Member' ... Jeff Mowatt.
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://peoplefirst.vision/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/clark-tibbs-oqStl2L5oxI-unsplash-1024x683.jpg\")
\n\n\nSo what does business that puts people first actually mean in practice?
People-Centered Economic Development derives from a paper for the steering group for the Committee to (Re)Elect the President, describing a business model which operates for social benefit rather than maximising shareholder returns.
In the core argument which critiqued the fractional reserve banking system the paper asserted:
\"Economics, and indeed human civilization, can only be measured and calibrated in terms of human beings. Everything in economics has to be adjusted for people, first, and abandoning the illusory numerical analyses that inevitably put numbers ahead of people, capitalism ahead of democracy, and degradation ahead of compassion.\"
\"Each of us who have a choice can choose what we want to do to help or not. It is free-will, our choice, as human beings.\"
Jeff Mowatt
Read the whole article here ....
\n\n\nMore about Jeff Mowatt, Director, People-Centered Economic Development UK.
\n\n\n", "date_published": "2020-11-04T07:57:16+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2020/11/03/a-new-model.html", "tags": ["? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2020/11/03/business-thinking.html", "title": "Business Thinking", "content_html": "\n\n\nAfter a few decades stumbling around the topic, two things became clear.
John Caswell - over on linkedIN
- You have to change the way business thinks if you want to change how it works.
- If businesses change how they work they can change how their audiences think.
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2025/001c70f051.jpg\")
I had to reply - of course, and I did, but it felt substantial enough to include here - flip though the first sentence was.
\n\n\nYou might imagine that I won’t argue too much - except to say that businesses not only won’t think - they can’t. It’s the people in those businesses that do the thinking.
\n\n\nWe then have to ask - if what needs to happen is so clear to so many people, (judging by everything that you read), then why doesn’t it change?
\n\n\nMy friend (Daniel Szuc) in Hong Kong has observed that when at work people are essentially in the mode of sleepwalking … and related to that, see their roles defined in the organizational boxes - and rarely look outside that box … ‘not my job’.
\n\n\nOne question …. “if not you … if not now … if not ….” you know how it goes.
\n\n\nSeperately Venkatesh Rao developed a simple model a while back where he mapped the 4 forces of nature to his own 4 forces of humanity, drawing comparison between the relative strengths and reach of each force. He mapped business to gravity.
\n\n\nI take it a step further - unlike the 4 natural forces - the 4 forces of humanity are not givens. It is in our power to change any of them.
\n\n\nGravity is a given. Business is not.
\n\n![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2025/53c6b9dfe0.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https://peoplefirst.vision/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/bc59a7a5-5ad7-4656-8c81-7ac9c3fe0e77.jpg\")
It's arguably too true to be funny, but not why I am sharing. Rather because in the accompanying post (here), reference is made to a post by Ribbon Farm's Venkatesh Rao. (This post specifically.)
\n\n\nThe Gervais Principle (I wonder where he got that name from) also introduces us to The MacLeod Life Cycle, which seems to be very closely modelled on Sakar's life cycle.
\n\n\nYou see - it is all connected.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThinking Allowed
\n\n\n\n\nThis is a People First post that was originally on the People First domain. It has been moved here as part of my domain consolidation program. It’s a steady and slow WIP as I check each entry, so do please bear with me.\n\n![\"\"](\"https://peoplefirst.vision/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/GapingVoid-Hard-Work.jpg\")
\n\n\n\n\n", "date_published": "2020-10-25T13:01:10+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2020/10/24/the-harder-we.html", "tags": ["Gaping Void","? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2020/10/21/germany-drafting-law.html", "content_html": "\nChess is a metaphor. It is a complex game of strategy and execution. The game provides a useful mental model for the complex world of organizations. Are you a Knight, Rook, or Queen? Do you need to move straight in or tack to achieve the successful delivery of your project? We know that the most effective people are able to be pawns to kings, depending upon the context.
Gaping Void - Chess Pieces For Business
Germany drafting law to give people the legal right to work from home.
\n\n\nGermany leading the way. Sad we need to have laws around this. Business so locked into BAU that they need to be told what to do?
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-10-22T16:48:47+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2020/10/21/germany-drafting-law.html", "tags": ["People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2020/10/21/how-many-different.html", "title": "How Many Different Ways Is This Wrong?", "content_html": "\nA friend of mine sent this link to me. I was incensed. (I think he knew I would be). In turn, I sent this link into an Internet Identity community I belong to and asked : \"How many different ways is this wrong?\"
\n\n\nAmazon To Pay Consumers For Their Shopping Data
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://peoplefirst.vision/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/free-to-use-sounds-zXn-zUztOhU-unsplash-1024x684.jpg\")
People First Podcast Guest Tim Walters was quick to reply (the link takes you to the podcast - the show has not yet gone live).
\n\n\n\n\n\nThe great and sadly late European Data Protection Supervisor, Giovanni Buttarelli, said it all in 2014:
\"There might well be a market for personal data, just like there is, tragically, a market for live human organs, but that does not mean that we can or should give that market the blessing of legislation. One cannot monetise and subject a fundamental right to a simple commercial transaction, even if it is the individual concerned by the data who is a party to the transaction.\"If I thought it was worth $10 a month, I'd go to a shopping district and gather discarded receipts to scan for Amazon. After all, \"That data will be used anonymously, the company says.\" But . . . if it is genuinely used anonymously, why doesn't Amazon just collect and study discarded receipts themselves? They could certainly find a way to do it at far more scale -- not to mention, actually anonymously -- than a cumbersome mailed-pictures-of-paper-receipts-for-Amazon-credit scheme. (S&H Green Stamps, anyone?)
The company says it deletes any sensitive information such as prescriptions from drug store receipts and allows panellists to delete their own information whenever they want.\" Oh, not so anonymous after all.
Tim Walters / Giovanni Buttarelli
What do you think?
\n\nThinking Allowed
\n\n\n\n\nThis is a People First post that was originally on the People First domain. It has been moved here as part of my domain consolidation program. It’s a steady and slow WIP as I check each entry, so do please bear with me.\n\nMore of a status check than information, but it kind of makes sense to record here - and periodically update.
\n\n\nPeople First has 9 domains that get used for different initiatives.
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://peoplefirst.vision/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/CleanShot-2020-10-22-at-11.47.16@2x.png\")
Community mind you ... not Network - is a yet to be developed space/application that will serve to provide a fabric that wraps so many people, organizations, books, papers, applications etc. My observation is that in any initiative you find parallel organizations that seem to relate and compete and yet essentially are discussing the same topic. Think 'not-for-profits' fighting each other for the same funding to solve the same problem.
\n\n\nPeople First is not the only organization in this space - so in one sense we are another node on the network. No argument. BUT. What [peoplefirst.community](https://peoplefirst.community) will do is provide a network map of anybody and everybody related to and working with the challenges we are identifying.
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://peoplefirst.vision/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/CleanShot-2020-10-21-at-12.58.41@2x-1024x673.png\")
No need to click through by the way - nothing there - yet - move along. It for the moment remains the vision.
\n\n\nOnce such organization, lead by Philip Sheldrake is The DigLife Collective - of which yours truly is a founder member. Their observation says it all;
\n\n\n\n\n\nCOOPERATING AT GLOBAL SCALE IS HUMANITY'S PRIMARY CHALLENGE
DigLife Collective
DigLife has in turn recently spawned another initiative that explores Generative Identity. It's new thinking that I wanted to capture now. It's an important message. To me the first time that I am aware of the world of technology that in talking about identity, they are not just talking about the 'ID' - but also starting to think of the 'entity' of Identity.
\n\n\nFor those keeping track, you will recall that it is a significant stone in the People First canon.
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://peoplefirst.vision/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/ID-is-Not-Identity.jpeg\")
![\"\"](\"https://peoplefirst.vision/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/generative-identity-1024x614.png\")
\n\n\nWhenever we contemplate human dignity and well-being, social inclusion and equity, economics, education, democratic process, peace and justice, whenever we contemplate many of the sustainable development goals and corresponding targets, we inevitably contemplate the question of human identity in the digital age.
Anyone who has worked on projects in areas such as these will vouch that questions of identity are integral to their research, their analyses, and their designs.
The term generative identity is used to refer to research and thinking and designs that prioritise psychological, sociological, and ecological health in their approach to digital identity. The interdisciplinary working group on generative identity exists to encourage such work and, by corollary, to highlight the innate dangers of approaches to digital identity that do not qualify as generative.
https://generative-identity.org/about-generative-identity/
Funny, just today, I published the weekly newsletter referencing a quote from Douglas Adams. There must be something in the ether. Over on the DigLife site, I found this image of dolphins.
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://peoplefirst.vision/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/courtnie-tosana-swimming-1024x768.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https://peoplefirst.vision/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/anete-lusina-zwsHjakE_iI-unsplash-1024x681.jpg\")
The RSS feed is here.
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://peoplefirst.vision/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/PeopleFirst-Vision-Navigation-1024x68.png\")
Like any good WordPress blog, searching by category is of course possible. We have also work hard to only have a single category per article.
\n\n\nWe then refine the indexing of the article with free form tags.
\n\n\nWe have also introduced a second layer of article - which is 'post type' ... using this filter you can find posts, asides, videos etc
\n\n\nCombine the two look for
\n\n\nHit 'filter' and back comes the list of all posts that contain 'videos' categorized as 'work'.
\n\n\nAnd then, of course, you have search!
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-10-19T17:57:56+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2020/10/18/navigation.html", "tags": ["Help","? LongForm","People First","? WIP"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2020/10/18/i-think-books.html", "content_html": "I think books are specific things. Simply writing a doc, creating a pdf, putting it on your web site and calling it an ebook is not right. I am producing a few such collections right now and they are definitely not ebooks!
\nIn fact avoid ‘e-anything’
\nIdeas
\nSomething like that
\n", "date_published": "2020-10-19T14:56:22+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2020/10/18/i-think-books.html", "tags": ["People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2020/10/15/the-journey.html", "title": "The Journey", "content_html": "\nPeople First has been a winding journey for the last four years. Most recently, I find it has been coming together in my mind very clearly and with that clarity I have been encouraged to talk about what is going on in a more open manner. The interesting thing is that as I have become more open about what I am doing, more questions are being asked.
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://peoplefirst.vision/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/clemens-van-lay-un1s8VOLRC0-unsplash-1024x683.jpg\")
A year ago, asking someone to sign up for the newsletter resulted in them either signing up for the newsletter - or not. No questions. No debate.
\n\n\nToday, I still have the newsletter , added a podcast, the book is coming out shortly and now we are beginning to create community - the questions are beginning to flow.
\n\n\n\n\n\nI still don’t understand. What is the mission/goal of the group(s)?
a newsletter reader
and
\n\n\n\n\n\nWhat would you say, in three or so sentences, is the hard objective of People First? Not the vague, all singing all dancing \"unleashing human potential\" nor the activity based \"bringing like minds together\" etc. What are you (and other participants) trying to tangibly accomplish? This isn't rhetorical. I am just trying to understand what will change/improve at the coal face as a result of your combined efforts.
a newsletter reader
This post is not to answer the questions ... yet. I touched on it in this weeks newsletter - and was specific about that, but here’s the good news. One takeaway for the recurring question is that people are sitting up, listening, they are interested ... which from where I sit is all good news.
\n\n\nAs one reader wrote ...
\n\n\n\n\n\nI believe you are on the verge of an overnight success!!!
I hope he's right!
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-10-16T07:56:40+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2020/10/15/the-journey.html", "tags": ["? LongForm","People First","Newsletter"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2020/10/15/by-my-calculation.html", "content_html": "By my calculation, my substacks are a 5-minute read.
\nTo subscribe takes 10 seconds.
\n", "date_published": "2020-10-16T07:30:14+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2020/10/15/by-my-calculation.html", "tags": ["People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2020/10/08/people-first-is.html", "title": "People First Is Not Political", "content_html": "\n![\"\"](\"https://peoplefirst.vision/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Roger-Waters-Buffalo-NY-2017-3-1024x768.jpg\")
I am writing this post, which is extracted from an email I had cause to write this week when someone questioned a stance I had taken in a newsletter that Pink Floyd was a punk band.
\n\n\nI know - right?
\n\n\nTo quote the writer ...
\n\n\n\n\n\n\"And Pink Floyd a punk band, WTF!!???)\"
an email correspondent
I often take a contrary stance on things to elicit a response. But when I take that stance, it isn't uninformed, just different. So 'Pink Floyd is a punk band' had the desired effect, it elicited response - but no logical argument back, just a preconceived notion that they are a rock/progressive band - which cant possibly be punk. Me - I still say YES. I mean if Malcolm McLaren can produce an album that fuses opera and R&B has he lost his punk? Rigid classification just doesn’t work - I think that also goes some way to explaining how databases have transitioned over time from hierarchical to relational to graph. But back to Punk Floyd.
\n\n\nA Collection of Links you might enjoy - if not - read on
\n\n\nThe point of it all being that if Punk is only about the music / style / genre … then no, Pink Floyd is not a Punk Band
\n\n\nBUT
\n\n\nIf Punk is all about anti-establishment commentary and political action - then absolutely yes, they are ... and Roger Waters specifically is the original punk.
\n\n\nHave you seen his Mexico concert?
\n\n\nThe desire of the article and a lot of what I write is to take a non obvious stance to make people sit up and either respond \"right, I never thought about it that way\" or \"the guys talking crap” … and I look forward to that debate … always seeking to learn.
\n\nThinking Allowed
\n\n\n\n\nThis is a People First post that was originally on the People First domain. It has been moved here as part of my domain consolidation program. It’s a steady and slow WIP as I check each entry, so do please bear with me.\n\nStoweBoyd\n\n\n
Interesting read, questioning the relevance of Maslow in this new century. I think he is onto something.
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-10-04T07:58:38+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2020/10/03/what-drives-us.html", "tags": ["? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2020/09/29/how-the-cia.html", "content_html": "\nHow The CIA inadvertently affected business.
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://peoplefirst.vision/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/cia.png\")
It's a couple of months old now - but sharing for posterity.
\n\n\nMonthly Review - Surveillance Capitalism
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-09-30T14:43:15+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2020/09/29/its-a-couple.html", "tags": ["People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2020/09/28/trust.html", "title": "Trust", "content_html": "\n![\"\"](\"https://peoplefirst.vision/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Trust.jpg\")
\n\n\nCX in the age of privacy and trust, part 3: Can we rebuild trust?
Tim Walters
Fits nicely into something I read recently from Union Square Ventures .... Trust is offence (trust gaps create opportunities for startups) as well as defence (trust is a moat).
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-09-29T14:33:57+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2020/09/28/trust.html", "tags": ["? Quotes","? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2020/09/23/skills.html", "title": "Skills", "content_html": "\n![\"\"](\"https://peoplefirst.vision/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/debby-hudson-0LY01w8R4ew-unsplash-1024x819.jpg\")
Soft skills ... wooly, fluffy, comfortable ... not like ' real, hard, proper skills are they?
\n\n\nSoft skills, bendy, malleable, unmeasurable ... nothing like ' real, hard, proper skills ...
\n\n\n.. and yet
\n\n\nI often talk about vocabulary and language .... here's another one ... because if you list all the skills that people are highlighting as important in the future - it's close identical to the soft skill list.
\n\n\nMy advice ... get into that cuddly warm blanket and embrace those soft skills -- you can always learn the other skills as and when you need them ... despite the name ... they're not that hard.
\n\n\n\n\n", "date_published": "2020-09-24T11:07:00+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2020/09/23/skills.html", "tags": ["? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2020/09/23/character.html", "title": "Character", "content_html": "\n![\"\"](\"https://peoplefirst.vision/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/paolo-nicolello-jBohRHjmLeo-unsplash-1024x683.jpg\")
I was really taken by these words that came in an email from one of my newsletter readers. Capturing it for posterity ... because it is important.
\n\n\n\n\n", "date_published": "2020-09-24T11:06:36+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2020/09/23/character.html", "tags": ["? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2020/09/21/the-future-of.html", "title": "The Future of Work", "content_html": "\nCharacter may be something you are born with and largely in place by age 5 but surely it is something that is developed and refined in many ways through a thousand experiences in both good and bad directions. Right?
Since a zillion years ago I have ALWAYS subscribed to \"hire character, teach skills\". It has never let me down and the boneheaded moves I have made here and there were when I deviated from this.
First, there are many possible futures - it is not yet clear what the future is, so we should be asking what is ...
\n\n\nSecond, what the hell is ‘work’ - why do we care about it?
\n\n\nIf you ask most people if all their creature comforts were taken care of - would they continue to do what they are doing? More than likely they will answer ’no’ - the question then is what is ...
\n\n\nThird, the future is already here, so let's call it
\n\n\n…. and by the 'Present of Work' - your life, labour, time to do your work is not a gift, not a present. You should be paid fairly and equitably for your contribution.
\n\nThinking Allowed
\n\n\n\n\nThis is a People First post that was originally on the People First domain. It has been moved here as part of my domain consolidation program. It’s a steady and slow WIP as I check each entry, so do please bear with me.\n\n![\"\"](\"https://peoplefirst.vision/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Technology-1024x1024.jpeg\")
Technology is one of the eight pillars of People First ... with a single, solitary 'stone’, a mighty 'Sarsen' reaching to the sky that is that pillar.
\n\n\nTechnology ... OMG ... Technology
\n\n\n... not by you - by others.
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-09-21T18:06:34+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2020/09/20/technology.html", "tags": ["? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2020/06/16/a-future-not.html", "title": "'A' Future - Not 'The' Future", "content_html": "\n![\"\"](\"https://peoplefirst.vision/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/https-bucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com-public-images-73af5396-00f5-42b5-978c-3eeeea46de8b_1280x720-1024x576.jpeg\")
In January 2020, not a single CEO, government leader, politician or consultant let alone futurist, futurologist, sociologist, FoW expert, forecaster, strategy planner or pollster ... wrote or talked about what we should do 6 months later when the world was in the worst pandemic since the Spanish Flu, suffering the deepest financial depression in nearly a hundred years with a global #BLM movement provoking civil unrest that threatens the global power structure that has been in place for centuries.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\"Expect the unexpected.\"
social media meme
When it happened. We froze.
\n\n\nThis will become a repeating paragraph on the bottom of newsletter posts.
\n", "date_published": "2020-06-17T16:44:00+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2020/06/16/a-future-not.html", "tags": ["? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2020/06/04/143813.html", "content_html": "Episode 2 of PeopleCast is LIVE. (Well, kind of.)
\nWould very much welcome feedback on this first episode. Any and all comments welcome. It’s not too late to change things before I really start rolling these out and my skin is very thick!
\nMany thanks in anticipation.
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-06-04T14:38:00+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2020/06/04/143813.html", "tags": ["? Podcasts","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2020/06/04/episode-of-peoplecast.html", "content_html": "Episode 1 of PeopleCast is LIVE. (Well, kind of.)
\nWould very much welcome feedback on this first episode. Any and all comments welcome. It’s not too late to change things before I really start rolling these out and my skin is very thick!
\nMany thanks in anticipation.
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-06-04T14:36:00+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2020/06/04/episode-of-peoplecast.html", "tags": ["? Podcasts","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2020/05/31/value-your-dreams.html", "content_html": "Value Your Dreams - A Snicklecast
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-05-31T16:03:41+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2020/05/31/value-your-dreams.html", "tags": ["? Podcasts","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2020/05/20/how-the-future.html", "title": "How The Future Works - The Arrogance!", "content_html": "\nIn fairness, the full title was
\n\n\nWell yes. Couldn't agree more ... but that opening line - that suggests that it is all pre destined. This ... is how .... it is ... going to work ... Surely the Future hasn't yet been decided?
\n\n\n\n\nWe have heard all this before. The robots are going to take away the meaningless jobs, the repetitive jobs, the boring jobs and we are going to be free to pursue our happiness ...
\n\n\nI took part in a small MeetUP yesterday. A nice friendly group that I seem to have latched onto and they haven't objected so far .. ?.
\n\n\nAt the beginning of the session, a video was played. This video.
\n\n\nAfter watching Gerd wax lyrical over what we can do to manage 'VUCA' - that is that the world is increasingly; Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous .. but don’t worry, we can combat that with our own VUCA ... with our Velocity, Unorthodoxy, Creativity and 'Awesomeness'.
\n\n\nI'll put aside why a better word than 'awesomeness' couldn’t be found and just go with the flow.
\n\n\n\nThe discussion then set out to explore whether we agreed or disagreed with the premise - and what would we add. To summarize what I heard, I think the answer is that the world is 49.9999% Optimists and 49.9999% Pessimists ... and then there are the rest of us.
\n\n\nI didn’t discern anything specific about why someone fell one way or the other on the optimist/pessimist scale ... although definitely some of us on the 'older side' had a certain cynicism.
\n\n\nI made a few notes on what I saw which I talked through with the group - and for posterity reveal them here.
\n\n\nMy conclusion : All of this is moot, if we don’t do something about the world we live in. If we don’t change our education systems to educate, not train people. While we allow our Governments to drives lower income people into the ground. Our humanity, where we think it is all right for millions of people to be starving and dying from heat. Where our Trust in Government is so low that we can barely be bothered to vote. Where Corporations have been taken to such new lows that it is ok to treat people as cogs in their machine. I could go on - but readers of this blog and associated Newsletter know they don’t want that!
\n\n\nBottom line - all this talk of AI, Bots, Data and the 'technical future; solves the wrong problem really well. Because ....
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://people-first.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/People-Process-Technology.jpeg\")
What I would like to happen with this post is to document what we talked about. So I am going to stop here and publish and then share it with the group and see if I can get some of the others to weigh in on their thoughts. I was but one voice and I wouldn’t want to bias the conclusions. So ... here goes nothing ... the comments are open.
\n", "date_published": "2020-05-20T20:41:30+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2020/05/20/how-the-future.html", "tags": ["? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2020/05/14/currency-is-trust.html", "content_html": "Currency is Trust At Scale
\nIt’s a good way of putting it … probably because it is.
\n![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2020/ae73f6266f.jpg\")
\n",
"date_published": "2020-05-14T13:32:34+12:00",
"url": "https://john.philpin.com/2020/05/14/currency-is-trust.html",
"tags": ["Gaping Void","People First"]
},
{
"id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2020/05/12/value-yourself.html",
"title": "Value Yourself",
"content_html": "\n![\"\"](\"https://peoplefirst.vision/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/https-bucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com-public-images-23a6a5a1-65f3-4d9e-8737-2bbeabf1eb1a_1200x900-1024x768.jpeg\")
Do this exercise and then look at the projects you take on. How many of them deliver less ‘units of currency’ for your time, per day than the number you just calculated. Next question. Then why are you doing them?
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n", "date_published": "2020-05-13T14:44:10+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2020/05/12/value-yourself.html", "tags": ["? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2020/05/05/value.html", "title": "Value", "content_html": "\nWant to earn $100,000? Then your day rate is $1,000.
John Philpin
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/232517542a.jpg\")
... it’s a thing we talk about and attach importance to - but remains aloof. A little like art, we know it when we see it. And yet, the recurring mantra of all of those advice books? Provide value. Deliver value.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n“Well-being is realized by small steps, but it is no small thing.”
Zeno
Thinking Allowed
\n\n\n\n\nThis is a People First post that was originally on the People First domain. It has been moved here as part of my domain consolidation program. It’s a steady and slow WIP as I check each entry, so do please bear with me.\n\nIt used to be Wall Street and Main Street.
Now it's Wall Street versus Main Street.
When you read all the analysis, what can I add, other than connecting the articles to a story that highlights the challenges society faces through this pandemic. The stories are new, the underlying themes are not. I have been talking about them for a couple of years. What is new is that they are getting broader attention. Amplification.
\n\n\nNow we need to do something about it. Before we fall back into the ‘normal’. Or worse - accept a ‘new’ normal, because that is ‘just the way it is’.
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/f264bcae3d.jpg\")
Over on Wall Street on the 28th of April, stocks jumped 2%, putting the S&P 500 on track for its best month since 1974. (CNBC) and the next day it went even higher, dropping back on the last day of the quarter and now two days into the new quarter it is fully 5% down on that peak. I mean, it really is just a game isn’t it? There really is no rhyme nor reason to the fluctuations, Wall Street can look around at the overall economy just as Main Street can. But that’s not how they work. Bailout news appears and ‘Wall Street’ buys-in, sells at ‘peak’, watches it crash and then buys back in at the low and with that done another several billion of ‘the people’s wealth’ is extracted and pocketed by the few. The Markets have absolutely no relation to the well being of the country, it is simply a place that people with money go to gamble and make money (off the taxpayers back - after all - where is all this bailout money coming from?) They must be doing well because while the world is hunkered down, billionaires wealth grew by 10%. (IPS), so let's stop pretending that they are in the same boat as the rest of us during this pandemic. (The Guardian)
\n\n\n\nMeanwhile … in the real world, the economy shrunk by a 4.8% annual rate in the first three months of the year - and the worst is yet to come. (NPR) To put that into perspective, this was the “first quarterly contraction since 2014 and the largest since the Great Recession”. Not only that the number of people unemployed in the USA is sitting at 30 million (that’s 20% of the workforce). (CNN).
\n\n\nSo, of course, we need to get back to work. Would you risk your life to go to work? What if you decided that you don’t want to go back to work because you don’t think it is safe? Well, you could lose your job. (NYT) The article focuses on Amazon and Walmart - but we know they aren’t alone. But heh, life’s a crapshoot, right? I’ll suck it up, go back to work and if I catch it. I catch it. I mean it’s not as if I am likely to die. And I’m unlikely to be the only one. If we all catch it, then we can hold the company liable. Right? WRONG. If you do go back to work and catch COVID-19, it might well be that the company has protections against any liability for you. (WaPo)
\n\n\nAmazon (to pick a ‘random’ company) has received a lot of criticism, but it looks like there are some right-minded people in there. Oh wait - correction … were, not are … an Amazon VP quit over the whistleblower firings (The Verge) .. which of course means that he is no longer in any kind of place to change Amazon policy (if he ever was), but he did write a blog post (TBray) which has obviously got attention - so who knows?
\n\n\n\n\n\n\"They fired me to make others scared.”
Bashir Mohamed
The Amazon story alone would take books to properly record. Suffice to say while businesses around the world crash, Amazon soars. Even in 2020.
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://peoplefirst.vision/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/CleanShot-2020-05-05-at-15.00.50@2x-1024x459.png\")
While people around the world are losing their livelihood (CNN), their businesses (CNBC), the food off their table (NYT), their running water (The Guardian), Bezo’s fortune soars. It has soared so much that in the middle of April his personal worth was estimated to be $138.5 billion. (Fortune) ( I remember his net worth not that long ago being $1Bn - and that was before his divorce. His ex-wife is worth $45 billion.
\n\n\nBut with all that growth and wealth his workers on the frontline are essentially treated as cogs in a machine with no rights, no voice and highly replaceable - often as contract workers with no rights - but as it turns out even if you are employed by the company you have no rights. (The Guardian)
\n\n\nFinally, ‘gig workers’. We shouldn’t forget them. Those people who still go out and risk it all because they have nothing left to lose. A few months ago, they were hailed as people showing us what The Future of Work looked like. I am here to tell you - that need not be your future, but if we follow the ‘it will be ok’ road - that is exactly the future.
\n\n\nUmmm … depends which part of tech. Here’s an under-reported fact: As I write 366 tech startups have laid off 35,969 employees since Mar 11. (Layoffs.fyi) that’s one extreme. And at the other, we have the ‘tech-a-liths’, who, when all this is over, could have all the power and absolutely none of the accountability, (NYT) though of all of the industries you might look at - tech is the one where they won’t be going back to work in offices.
\n\n\nBut I’m sure everything is going to be fine. I mean this is what Boris said (The Guardian), the US is re-opening (Morning Brew) and Bolsonaro has written off COVID-19 as a ‘little flu’ (Morning Brew). (WorldOMeters). So what’s the big deal? Other than the fact that here we are in May, America is moving into Summer (AKA ‘disaster’ season, think Hurricanes, Floods and Fires), but someone is thinking … FEMA has ordered 100,000 ‘human remains pouches’ (also known as body bags). (Axios)
\n\n\nFinally, in case this is all a little depressing ans cynical - let me end with a short video that is doing the rounds. It is lovely. I think it made me think that I wanted to write a story this week. I don’t think I did. It’s too real.
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://peoplefirst.vision/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Earth-Day-1970.jpeg\")
We can elect to go backwards and just carry on. Really?
OR
We decide to move forward, with different ideas, different measures and different thinking.
\n\n\n\n", "date_published": "2020-04-29T09:12:01+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2020/04/28/fifty.html", "tags": ["? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2020/04/22/people-will.html", "title": "People: Will", "content_html": "\n“Well-being is realized by small steps, but it is no small thing.”
Zeno
I got my skills very early in life and never looked back. A lot of people in my line of work are ex-military, but I was trained and worked as a civilian all of my life. It's funny when I was at school all the advice I got was about getting a ‘good’ job with a ‘reputable company’. What they meant was ‘large’.
\n\n\n\n\nI've never worked for a large company. Well, unless you call 30 people large. I’ve worked for myself and for others … in construction, emergency services, tourism, deliveries and seen the world while I was at it.
\n\n\nPapua New Guinea ... only after their independence (I'm not that old!), up in Canada, down in Australia and New Zealand …. I pretty much work wherever the next phone call takes me.
\n\n\nMe? Oh, I fly helicopters.
\n\n\nWill never had ‘pilot’ on his ‘what I will do when I grow up’ childhood list, but he’s never regretted it. “What else would I do?” he asked.
\n\n\n\n\n“As long as you live, keep learning how to live.”
Seneca
Thinking Allowed
\n\n\n\n\nThis is a People First post that was originally on the People First domain. It has been moved here as part of my domain consolidation program. It’s a steady and slow WIP as I check each entry, so do please bear with me.\n\n![\"\"](\"https://peoplefirst.vision/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/black-and-white-1024x576.jpg\")
What's Next? It's a question being asked all the time. The answer? It depends. What does it depend on? YOU!
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n", "date_published": "2020-04-22T12:01:28+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2020/04/21/whats-next.html", "tags": ["? Quotes","? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2020/04/20/three-stories.html", "title": "Three Stories", "content_html": "\n“\n“You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.”\n”
\nBuckminster Fuller\n
These three stories provide context to the People First Newsletter that was published on Tuesday April 21st.
\n\n\n\n\nMicrosoft Files Patent For New Cryptocurrency and Mining System
\n\n\n\n\n\n\"Body activity data may be generated based on the sensed body activity of the user. A cryptocurrency system communicatively coupled to the device of the user may verify whether or not the body activity data satisfies one or more conditions set by the cryptocurrency system, and award cryptocurrency to the user whose body activity data is verified.\"
and
\n\n\n\n\n\n\"a brain wave or body heat emitted from the user when the user performs the task provided by an information or service provider, such as viewing an advertisement or using certain internet services, can be used in the mining process.\"
What could possibly go wrong? The answer - as always - it depends.
\n\n\nBack in 2015 Purdue announced that it was going to invest in its students. I mean really invest.
\n\n\n\n\n\n“Through its research foundation, the school plans to create ISA funds that its students can tap to pay for tuition, room and board. In return, students would pay a percentage of their earnings after graduation for a set number of years, replenishing the fund for future investments.”
… WaPo (source)
There was a lot of huh hah in the media at the time about people selling themselves into servitude. Education is a right and and and …
\n\n\n.. and yet 5 years later …
\n\n\nIt’s just that this isn’t how he sees it. (The story of the man who sold fractional shares in himself.)
\n\n\nIt’s not the same, but it reminded me a little of this idea from 2005 - essentially fractional advertising on a single page to fund Alex Tew’s education. (I am going to say it worked. Ever heard of Calm? Alex co-founded the company and he is now co-CEO. Calm is rocking!
\n\n\nAnyway - back to Alex (the other one) - and isn't it odd that they are both called Alex?
\n\n\nThat second one smacks a little of Luke Rheinhart’s Diceman - but essentially what Alex is doing is convincing people with money to give it to him - and in return, he will give them more back within 3 years. Why is that any different to those same people buying stock in a company?
\n\n\nThe world has been dallying with these ideas for a long time. There is push back from some quarters that caution needs to be applied because this could return us to millions of people working in ‘indentured servitude’ - and certainly by Investopedia’s definition that is exactly what Alex has just signed up for.
\n\n\nI think they are wrong. Sure, we need to tread carefully and not blindly sell all our rights (Lessons learned from musicians of the 60s?) - but surely none of it can be worse than the alternative?
\n", "date_published": "2020-04-21T15:00:00+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2020/04/20/three-stories.html", "tags": ["? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2020/04/14/nobody-should-adopt.html", "title": "Nobody Should Adopt Social Distancing.", "content_html": "\n![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/99c14a9625.jpg\")
I’ve been thinking a lot about ‘Social Distancing’. It’s wrong. We should not be Social Distancing. You know I am right. You aren’t doing it either. Nobody is doing it. Now ‘physical distancing’, that’s very different. Definitely do that.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n", "date_published": "2020-04-15T11:09:00+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2020/04/14/nobody-should-adopt.html", "tags": ["? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2020/04/09/on-the-frontline.html", "title": "On The Frontline.", "content_html": "\n“\nThe financial markets are rallying because they can ‘feel that companies are soon going to be back at work’. They should really be asking when will the buyers go back to buying.\n”
\nJohn Philpin\n
![\"\"](\"https://peoplefirst.vision/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/https-bucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com-public-images-224f54ff-a688-4d08-b17c-8c1042b75ca5_1280x496-1024x397.jpeg\")
Words of wisdom from a captain on the frontlines. His role when I met him was very different to what I expect he’s doing now, but his skills and talents will have transferred to the new reality just fine.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n", "date_published": "2020-04-10T12:33:43+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2020/04/09/on-the-frontline.html", "tags": ["? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2020/04/08/travels-without-charlie.html", "content_html": "“Maybe that’s something else those big companies could learn from us. If they did, we wouldn’t charge. That’s another thing - we don’t charge to learn - learning makes us all better.”
Sylvester
🎙️ Travels Without Charlie - Episode 1 - Kevin
\nIt’s a series of stories that are part of People First. The growing set is here, while the story about Kevin is here.
\nI hope you enjoy listening to them as much as I have enjoyed meeting the people that tell me their stories.
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-04-08T17:43:26+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2020/04/08/travels-without-charlie.html", "tags": ["? Podcasts","People First","Travels Without Charley"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2020/03/31/value.html", "title": "Value.", "content_html": "\n![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/1322ef4165.jpg\")
We need something to help people understand if something truly is of value to them because as we journey through these strange times, I have a deep belief that value - and ‘our values’ - are going to bubble to the top of what we and collectively ‘society’ holds important.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n", "date_published": "2020-04-01T16:22:10+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2020/03/31/value.html", "tags": ["? Quotes","? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2020/03/25/good-things-happen.html", "title": "Good Things Happen.", "content_html": "\n“Years later I find myself paying monthly for a storage container in the city of York, England. Total monetary value - not a whole hell of a lot. I have easily spent more on keeping the container than the monetary value of all of everything inside. In total. Why? Because to me, it is all valuable. Irreplaceable. Just like that wooden carving, which is just one of the items stored in the container.”
John Philpin
![\"\"](\"https://peoplefirst.vision/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/typewriter-1.jpg\")
\nIt’s always important to share good news and good stories - even more so in the times we find ourselves in. This is one of those stories.\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n", "date_published": "2020-03-26T15:44:00+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2020/03/25/good-things-happen.html", "tags": ["? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2020/03/17/people-first.html", "title": "People First!", "content_html": "“\n“I'm in a Catch-22 situation until someone takes a leap of faith.”\n”
\nCarl\n
Why People First? It’s a question that I am often asked. Why not? If not people, then what should be first?
\n\n\n\nThe questions being asked by mainstream media are primarily about how markets and business will recover - few ask how people will recover.
\n
💬 John Philpin
\n", "date_published": "2020-03-18T17:10:00+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2020/03/17/people-first.html", "tags": ["? Links","? Quotes","? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2020/03/06/garbage-language.html", "title": "Garbage Language", "content_html": "\nWe need to stop it.
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://peoplefirst.vision/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/CorporateSpeak-1024x682.jpg\")
\n\n\n“We’re waiting on specs for the San Francisco installation. Can you parallel-path two versions?”
Good grief ... I think Molly Young is channelling me.
\n\n\n\n\n\n... at the very bottom, customer service. Which, by the way, has been rechristened “customer support” or “customer experience” at most companies — as though the word service might remind the college graduates recruited for these roles that they will in fact spend their days pacifying irritable consumers over phone, chat, text, and email.
As you know - Language is one of the People First pillars.
\n\n\nI have no reason to write more on this article - it only becomes a block to you reading it yourself.
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-03-07T16:42:42+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2020/03/06/garbage-language.html", "tags": ["? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2020/03/06/ian-grigg-on.html", "title": "Ian Grigg On Identity", "content_html": "\n\n\n\nI think that is the opportunity and in five years time we'll know whether we got the mega-corporations holding my identity or whether we managed to take it back.
Ian Grigg - October 2015.
The five years are just about up and I think if the 'megacorps' have not won - they are about to. Is it too late?
\n\n\nThree years ago he wrote: Identity is an edge protocol, and not a nodal protocol. (pdf)
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-03-07T13:31:48+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2020/03/06/ian-grigg-on.html", "tags": ["? Videos","? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2020/03/03/data.html", "title": "Data?", "content_html": "\n![\"\"](\"https://peoplefirst.vision/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/data-1-1024x683.jpeg\")
In 2020, extractive industries are under siege for many reasons, so why on earth would we hang our hats on such a flawed analogy as 'Data Is The New Oil? Regardless, it is just plain wrong.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n", "date_published": "2020-03-04T18:59:00+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2020/03/03/data.html", "tags": ["? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2020/02/26/technology.html", "title": "Technology?", "content_html": "\n“\nIf you want to find the secrets of the universe, think in terms of energy, frequency, and vibration.\n”
\nNikola Tesla\n
![\"\"](\"https://people-first.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Technology-1024x576.jpeg\")
\nWe live in the thrall of technology. ‘Shiny Things’, that deliver 'squirrel’ interruptions into our daily lives. Nothing wrong with that, with all the usual caveats that we read about. BUT …\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n", "date_published": "2020-02-26T19:12:00+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2020/02/26/technology.html", "tags": ["? Quotes","? LongForm","People First","Newsletter"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2020/02/18/identity.html", "title": "Identity", "content_html": "\n“\nOMG - Technology … all
Owned
Managed and
Governed
Not by you - but by the very companies that 'sold' you the ‘bill of goods’ to begin with.\n”
\nJohn Philpin\n
![\"\"](\"https://people-first.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/reflections.jpeg\")
We get so caught up in the idea that your ID is your identity that we forget that ‘entity’ is also part of ‘identity’.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n", "date_published": "2020-02-19T05:11:00+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2020/02/18/identity.html", "tags": ["? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2020/02/04/politics-in-business.html", "title": "Politics In Business", "content_html": "\nEven without ‘ID’, you remain an ‘entity’ - with distinct and independent existence.
John Philpin
![\"\"](\"https://peoplefirst.vision/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Politics-and-Business.jpeg\")
The New York Times : Yellow or Blue? In Hong Kong, Businesses Choose Political Sides on the 19th January contains this quote ...
\n\n\n\n\n\nFamilies and businesses have cleaved, sometimes forcefully, between those who believe Beijing must be compelled to carry out promised reforms and those who worry that the democracy crusade is destroying Hong Kong’s reputation as a stable financial capital.
I thought of the UK and the US ... and made two modifications
\n\n\n\n\n\nFamilies and businesses have cleaved, sometimes forcefully, between those who believe Washington must be compelled to carry out promised reforms and those who worry that the democracy crusade is destroying The USA's reputation as a stable financial capital.
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-02-05T14:12:45+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2020/02/04/politics-in-business.html", "tags": ["? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2020/02/03/people-sylvester.html", "title": "People: Sylvester", "content_html": "\nFamilies and businesses have cleaved, sometimes forcefully, between those who believe London must be compelled to carry out promised reforms and those who worry that the democracy crusade is destroying The UK's reputation as a stable financial capital.
“They come for three months - they stay for four years - and I welcome that. That’s how we learn. They see us up close and personal and we see them. A lot of countries that they come from have very different governments, with different rules. We get to learn about each without the filter of what they are told. I wouldn’t say that when they leave we fully understand each other’s cultures, but we are surely better off than we would have been if we hadn't.”
\n\n\n“We bring people in from all over the world, staff and customers. So, why would we treat anyone differently? Them, Us, Staff, Customers, Family … each one of us is part of another’s world. And I mean all of us.”
\n\n\n“I don’t know much about those large companies you hear about in the news. You could fit our entire community into one of their office blocks. They have their ways. We have ours. So we’re different. Except we’re not. None of us are. They just haven’t worked that out yet.”
\n\n\n“Turns out, we have more in common with ‘foreigners’ - like you” (he smiles and points his finger at me) “than some of the people from our own country. Turns out that the ones that are just here to 'party' are the odd ones out. That’s why we came up with the 'Silly Bugger' rule.”
\n\n\n“It goes like this. When you come here, you can work and you can party. But that’s on your time. If you play 'silly bugger', there is no second chance. You are out on the next boat. That’s how we build and strengthen our community. Everybody is welcome until they make themselves unwelcome.”
\n\n\n“Maybe that’s something else those big companies could learn from us. If they did, we wouldn’t charge. That’s another thing - we don’t charge to learn - learning makes us all better.”
\n\n\n\n\n“There is no harm in our criticizing foreigners, if only we would also criticize ourselves. In other words, the world might need even less of its new charity, if it had a little more of the old humility.”
G.K. Chesterton
Thinking Allowed
\n\n\n\n\nThis is a People First post that was originally on the People First domain. It has been moved here as part of my domain consolidation program. It’s a steady and slow WIP as I check each entry, so do please bear with me.\n\nAre we winning? Well a whole lot more than we might have been pre-internet.
\n\n\nAd blockers are used by some 25% of internet users in 2019. In real terms, this means that 25% of internet advertising that uses trackers will not reach their intended audience. (It’s quite a bit more complicated than that, but the point is that somehow the word got out that people were being tracked and it was those pesky Ads doing all the tracking - enter Adblocking and so an industry was born and an ‘arms race’ ensued.)
\n\n\nThe peak of the internet searching for the term ‘Ad blocker’ was September 2015.
\n\n\nMe - I call it ‘tracker blocking’. There are sites that allow advertising and do not track. Ad blockers don’t work there - because there is no tracking to be blocked.
\n\n\nBut there is no escape that at one point people were increasingly aware of ad blocking - what it was doing and most importantly - what it was doing to them. They got interested. And then it all fell away.
\n\n\nThat's the mistake - we need to keep piling on. Keep reminding people what is going on.
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-01-28T13:39:41+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2020/01/27/postscript-ad-tracking.html", "tags": ["? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2020/01/05/capitalism-is-dead.html", "title": "Capitalism is Dead.", "content_html": "\nHere’s a snippet from a long-form interview of Yvon Chouinard in Fast Company.
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://peoplefirst.vision/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Patagonia-Founder-1024x576.jpg\")
Question : In the past, you consulted with folks at large companies, such as Walmart, and came away not so convinced of their actual ability to pursue sustainability. If we’re looking to create a better version of capitalism, what do you think should be done with publicly traded companies?
\n\n\n\n\nYou’ve got to reinvent capitalism altogether. It leads to a whole bunch of poor people and a few extremely rich people. Ultimately, capitalism is going to lose its customers. There won’t be anybody to buy the product because everybody is going to be so poor. The whole thing is going to crash before the next election, probably. We’re going to get another huge recession, and everybody’s going to lose out on their stocks. There we go again. It’s a system that’s got to change. The whole stock thing is dependent on growth. Look at Amazon. Amazon doesn’t make a profit. They don’t pay any taxes. Nothing. But they’re growing like crazy. It’s all growth, growth, growth—and that’s what’s destroying the planet. I’m dealing with that myself. We’re a billion-dollar company, over a billion, and I don’t want a billion-dollar company. The day they announced it to me, I hung my head and said, “Oh God, I knew it would come to this.” I’m trying to figure out how to make Patagonia act like a small company again.\"
\n\n\n\"There won’t be anybody to buy the product because everybody is going to be so poor.\" As we have it here at People First ....
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/676b25c01d.jpg\")
In a recent newsletter, I referenced a book; Everything I Know About Business I Learned from the Grateful Dead which unbeknownst to me was written by a friend of a friend. Turns out the two friends used to swap Grateful Dead stories and on reading my post this story came to mind. When I read the story, it seemed a perfect addition to my Travels Without Charley series - so please read on and enjoy the first 'guest post' in the series.
\n\n\nOne favourite was about a concerned father and his 16 year old son.
\n\n\n\n\nThe affluent, NorCal dad arrange to meet with a well-regarded psychiatrist and youth councillor regarding his son. The father was troubled and anxious that his son lacked motivation. He further arranged for the son to also meet with the same Doctor. After a few months, they all agreed to have a face-to-face sit down.
\n\n\nDuring the course of the intervention, the Doctor learned the son was a Deadhead. The Doctor apprised himself of what that meant, and the recent activities of the boy. The Doctor immediately concluded his diagnosis and recommendation.
\n\n\nDuring the three-way meeting in the Fall, the Doctor asked the dad if he knew what his son was doing for the last three summer months. The dad really didn't know. The Doctor explained that his son, his only spawn, had recently travelled to 30 different cities, in nearly as many states, saw around 20 Grateful Dead shows, all with no money, no car, and no visible means of support. The Doctor quickly allayed any fatherly concerns about 'motivation.'
\n\n\nEventually, the dad became a Deadhead, went to shows with his son, all while his son graduated cum laude from Leland Stanford Junior University aka Stanford, in Palo Alto, the ancestral home of the Grateful Dead.
\n\n\n\n\nI use this vignette to rail on the emetic notion of managerialism. The fact is the Deadhead kid was exceptionally motivated. It was just a different type of motivation. It was foreign to the father. Eventually and fortuitously it was embraced. Unfortunately, this metacognition is sorely absent in most orgs.
John Maloney
Thinking Allowed
\n\n\n\n\nThis is a People First post that was originally on the People First domain. It has been moved here as part of my domain consolidation program. It’s a steady and slow WIP as I check each entry, so do please bear with me.\n\n\"Me? I'm from England ... you’ve heard of the 'Garden of England'?“
\n\n\n“I have - Kent right?”
\n\n\n“That’s the one - and every garden needs a compost heap - that’s the town I'm from, so my girlfriend and I sold everything we had, bought a couple of tickets and here we are.”
\n\n\n\n\nKevin went on to tell me that he moved here because he had friends in the country and they spoke well of all they found. Recognizing that their options couldn’t be worse, they just did it. Where they work is thousands of miles from family and hundreds of miles from any of their ‘local’ friends but they'd both got jobs at the same place ... so it was a ‘no brainer’, although he'd been working there twice as long as his girlfriend.
\n\n\n“She started today. Me? I started yesterday.”
\n\n\nKevin and his girlfriend broke the chain of their 'destiny' and created their own opportunity. They don’t know how it will all work out ... but if it doesn't, they'll just do it all again.
\n\n\n“No point in waiting for things to happen is there?”
\n\n\n\n\nYou don't stumble upon your heritage. It's there, just waiting to be explored and shared.
Robbie Robertson
Thinking Allowed
\n\n\n\n\nThis is a People First post that was originally on the People First domain. It has been moved here as part of my domain consolidation program. It’s a steady and slow WIP as I check each entry, so do please bear with me.\n\nAs I was publishing this post from John Maloney, I thought I would look up the word gig ... it makes for an interesting read.
\n\n\n\n\nA child's pacifier or any object, as a cloth square, spoon, or the like, used as a toy; any object to which a small child is attached and with which he likes to play; any object treated by a child as a fetish; a gigi or ju-ju. Orig. Negro slave and Southern use. From \"gigi,\" the word is very well known to about 35% of the population, unheard of by the rest.
\n\n\nThe rectum. From \"gigi.\" Used euphem. by some children, as part of their bathroom vocabulary, but not common to all children. Used by some male adults [taboo] as a euphem. for \"ass\" in such expressions as \"up your gig.\" 3 [taboo] The vagina. From \"gigi.\" Not common. Prob. Southern use.
\n\n\nA party, a good time; esp. an uninhibited party; occasionally but not often, an amorous session, necking party, or even a sexual orgy between a man and a woman. c1915 [1954]: \"Cornet players used to pawn their instruments when there was a lull in funerals, parades, dances, gigs and picnics.\" L. Armstrong, Satchmo, My Life in New Orleans, 100. 1958: \"Life is a Many Splendored Gig,\" a song title.
\n\n\nA jam session ; a jazz party or gathering of jazz musicians or enthusiasts. Orig. swing use. 1920 [1954]: \"Kid Ory had some of the finest gigs, especially for the rich white folk.\" L. Armstrong, Satchmo, My Life in New Orleans, 141.
\n\n\nAn engagement or job for a jazz musician or musicians, esp. for a one-night engagement. 1950: \"If I ask you to go out on a gig, it's thirty-five or forty dollars for that night.\" A. Lomax, Mr. Jelly Roll, 204. 1954: \"On a gig, or one night stand.\" L. Armstrong, Satchmo, My Life in New Orleans, 221.
\n\n\nSomething, as a jazz arrangement, that is satisfying or seems perfect. Orig. swing use.
\n\n\nAn unfavorable report; a demerit; a reprimand. Army and some student use since c1940. The relations, if, any, between a child's pacifier or fetish, the rectum and vagina, a party, a sex orgy, jazz music, a pronged fork, and a reprimand are most interesting, and lie in the field of psychology rather than of etymology.
\n\n\nA fishing spear; a pronged fork as used for catching fish, frogs, and the like.
\n\n\netc .... they forgot this one:
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://people-first.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Nyirseg_type_two-wheel_carriage-1024x853.jpg\")
Who Knew?
\n\nThinking Allowed
\n\n\n\n\nThis is a People First post that was originally on the People First domain. It has been moved here as part of my domain consolidation program. It’s a steady and slow WIP as I check each entry, so do please bear with me.\n\nThe following post comes courtesy of John T. Maloney, who sent me an email reply to one of my newsletters and it just was too good not to share. Thankyou John. Nicely delivered.
\n\n\nThe 'gig economy' is dopey. Always had a problem w/the term.
\n\n\nFor me, a gig is a trident tip spear used for gigging. Period.
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://people-first.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/trident-tip.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https://people-first.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/a-gig.jpg\")
Growing up in rural and coastal Connecticut, from April to November, gigging was a principal pastime. We'd go after anything gigable, but mostly bullfrogs and flounder. It was very effective.
\n\n\n\n\nImagine it was quite unpleasant for the gigged fauna. (Not unlike the 'gig economy.') Most of the catch made it to the table. We could gig in the Winter, by simply cutting a hole in the ice, chumming and waiting. It was cold and not as fun.
\n\n\nOnce moving to California, the prospect of gigging New England Style was not really available. However, gigging with a modest technological change, was even better than gigging in ponds and estuaries on the East Coast.
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://people-first.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/trident-trident-28-lionfish-spear-w-6-prong.jpg\")
Supposedly the Hawaiians invented the 'Hawaiian Sling'. It’s a gig with a piece of surgical tube attached. It is wicked effective.
\nFrom Santa Barbara to Mendocino got to gig/sling a lot. The best was the halibut at the beach at the entrance to Diablo Canyon in SLO at night. Wow. Could fill my freezer with one clean shot. (Later learned it was a key halibut spawning area, thus frowned upon.) It was fun and delicious while it lasted.
\n\n\nGigging is a good metaphor for the gig economy. Just make sure you are on the right end of the gig. Avoid the King Neptune of Gigging, Dara Khosrowshahi.
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://people-first.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/art.jpg\")
Have to say ... of gigging as described by John I know nought, but totally with him on the Dara reference and that is another story about why a gig is no solution.
\n", "date_published": "2019-11-21T09:17:33+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2019/11/20/the-gig-economy.html", "tags": ["? Humour","? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2019/11/20/careful-where-you.html", "title": "Careful Where You Publish Your Work", "content_html": "\nDoc Searls, Godfather of The VRM/Me2B Movement observed recently that he writes on 4 (what amount to) personal blogs ... which made me feel a lot better about myself. In that same post he wrote;
\n\n\n\n\n\nBigger than all four of those blogs is Linux Journal, where I wrote a great deal, including what amounted to blog posts on its website, for 25 years. That ended when Linux Journal ceased business in August. Also, as of today the entire site, with all its archives, is offline, erasing a third to a half of what I've written online so far.
Doc Searls
Think about that .... a third to a half of what you have written online is suddenly not available. And you wonder why I write articles like this.
\n\n\n![\"The](\"https://people-first.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/The-Scream-1024x512.jpg\")
It's a cautionary tale because Doc (who's final position at Linux Journal was Editor in Chief) might reasonably have expected that whoever owned Linux Journal wouldn't suddenly remove it from public view.
\n\n\nRule Number One : When it comes to your IP trust no one. Keep your articles and writing in a place that you have access to and control.
\n\n\nRule Number Two : There is no Rule Number Two.
\n\n\nOn a side note, but keeping the theme of Doc ... he recently published the links to the last three posts on the VRM Blog. They are good reads.
\n\n\n\n\n\nWe’re not data. We’re digital. Let’s research that.
\n\n\nWhat law might clear the way for VRM development?
\n\nThinking Allowed
\n\n\n\n\nThis is a People First post that was originally on the People First domain. It has been moved here as part of my domain consolidation program. It’s a steady and slow WIP as I check each entry, so do please bear with me.\n\nA Four Letter Word Ending In K is Issue 26 of the People First Newsletter.
\nConclusion: There is no ‘Future of Work’, but there is Income 2.0. We need to really come to terms with what that might look like.
\n(Not talking UBI, though that might be part of the equation.)
\n", "date_published": "2019-11-20T07:57:17+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2019/11/19/a-four-letter.html", "tags": ["People First","Newsletter"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2019/11/05/094447.html", "title": "The Gig Is Up", "content_html": "![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/690df526aa.jpg\")
\n\nCounting both noun and verb forms, the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) lists and defines thirteen separate ‘gigs’.
\n
‘A flighty, giddy girl’ was where it all started and then ‘spin’, ‘whirl’, ‘whirligig’, ‘fool’, giggle and ‘joke’ are all in one way or associated with the word. Even when you get up to the 18th century where it meant ‘light one-horse carriage’, its origin might be ..
\n\n\nperhaps based on the ‘bouncing, whirling’ sense of the earlier ‘gig’.
\n
Until recently, most of us would primarily have associated ‘gig’ with the music industry and even today young struggling bands are delighted (initially) to get their ‘first gig’. In this sense, we have two possible origins;
\nThe word in this context dates back to 1926 ... and this makes for a good little read if you want a more thorough and entertaining overview of the myriad meanings and learn where some of this research came from.
\nBut when did the gig we know today come from?
\nThat dates just back to 2009. And to me it continues to honor the light, flighty, gaming/gambling origins of the word. So let\\'s stop using it and call it what it is. Exploitation? Slavery? After all they shoot horses, don't they?
\n![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/475a668304.jpg\")
If you aren’t signed up to receive the People First Newsletter … today’s just dropped …
\nYour Identity. Your Data. It’s Personal.
\n", "date_published": "2019-09-25T13:16:50+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2019/09/24/if-you-arent.html", "tags": ["People First","Newsletter"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2019/09/17/number-just-hit.html", "content_html": "Number 17 just hit the decks …
\nDirty Secrets - But can they really be secrets if everyone knows?
\n", "date_published": "2019-09-18T03:00:11+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2019/09/17/number-just-hit.html", "tags": ["People First","Newsletter"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2019/09/13/did-i-mention.html", "content_html": "🎵 Did I mention that this week’s newsletter is out … it dropped on Tuesday.
\nExploring Punk Floyd (no typos) and the rewriting of history.
\n", "date_published": "2019-09-14T04:20:59+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2019/09/13/did-i-mention.html", "tags": ["? Music","People First","Newsletter"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2019/09/10/rewriting-history.html", "title": "Rewriting History", "content_html": "\n![\"\"](\"https://people-first.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/image-1024x451.png\")
Did John Lyndon Hate The Floyd?
\n\n\nIs Pink Floyd a punk band?
\n\n\nAre people really surprised when Roger Waters delivers protest?
\n\n\nWhy is the film not Called 'Us and Them'?
\n\n\nAll this and more in this week's newsletter.
\n\n\n\n\n\nWe have a steady stream of images that are being pushed into Instagram - like these.
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://people-first.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Instagram.png\")
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/e890bc5c68.jpg\")
'Real Stories | Real People' is a new occasional series that will start to appear on this blog in the not too distant future. But that's not the point of the newsletter. The point was first to share the story of Richard Montañez
Sometimes the task in front of me seems to be so large and never
![\"\"](\"https://people-first.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Steinbeck.jpg\")
I wouldn't normally link to something like this - at least not on this blog - but this morning I also happened to catch Rob Long's Martini Shot Podcast ... a 'shot' in the arm over a few minutes. It's the one dated August 21st that I want you to listen to. Sage advice and not far off from what I was writing about in this week's newsletter and then seeing this ... well 'put up or shut up' as they say.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\"I want to put a tag of shame on the greedy bastards who are responsible for this.\"
John Steinbeck [efn_note]Steinbeck is one of the four John's that I constantly reference and have read 'everything' that they have written.[/efn_note]
He was talking about The Grapes of Wrath, a tour de force that he wrote in 100 days in 1938. It was published in 1939. One Hundred Days.
\n\n\nRead The Guardian Article Here
\n\n\n\n\n\n“It isn’t the great book I had hoped it would be. It’s just a run-of-the-mill book.” A year later, it won the Pulitzer prize. Eighty years on, it’s sold more than 14m copies.
The Guardian
Bottom line. Get on with it John. (This John that is).
\n\n\nAt Booming Toptal, No Stock for Employees or Investors
\n\n\nI mean none - 100% owned by Taso Du Val and I assume none by all the rest on this page.
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://people-first.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/large_97dd1a49-bdb4-40ac-9a27-0c4dcafa4d79-1-1024x576.jpg\")
\n\n\nAs Toptal’s Chief Executive Officer, Taso manages Toptal’s core team of hundreds of team members distributed throughout the world, with a focus on innovation. Since Toptal was founded in 2010, Taso has led it to become the largest high-skilled, on-demand talent network in the world. Taso serves on the board of multiple organizations, advising on talent strategy and innovation for Fortune 100s and nonprofits. Taso has guest lectured at Harvard Business School, Wharton, and Oxford on talent management and entrepreneurship.
Toptal's Web Site
Anyway, what he does and how he runs his business is - well - his business. But it got me to wondering ... what he is advising those other companies to do when it comes to employee engagement? Employee motivation?
\n\n\nFrom where I sit, these words resonate;
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWhat a shitty situation for employees and seed investors:
Kai Gradert writing on Angel.co
- Founder (CEO) raised $1.5M seed round in convertible notes
- Notes convert IF the company raises additional funding
- Employees were promised stock IF the company raises more money
- The company is profitable ?
- The founder has no intention to raise more funding ?
- Employees and seed investors own 0% ?
- Founder owns 100% ?
Employee contracts and notes should include a clause to convert in the event of liquidation or change in ownership.
Yes - shitty indeed - but VCs and Angel investors should be covering themselves .. no? Likewise staff? I mean why would anybody agree to join a start up with zero options?
\n\n\nNo. It might seem unfair - but this is a case of needing to look before you leap. Promises mean bugger all. BUT ...
\n\n\nBut, what I do worry about is that advice. he's giving. Are we going to see more of this?
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/dd985f7223.jpg\")
It a little more political than the usual People First fayre - but the fact is everything ... everything ... is becoming political in these times. So, why not.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHow much poison are you willing
to eat for the success of the free
market and global trade? Please
name your preferred poisons.For the sake of goodness, how much
evil are you willing to do?
Fill in the following blanks
with the names of yourfavorite evils
and acts of hatred.What sacrifices are you prepared
to make for culture and civilization?
Please list the monuments, shrines,
and works of art you would
most willingly destroy.In the name of patriotism and
the flag, how much of our beloved
land are you willing to desecrate?
List in the following spaces
the mountains, rivers, towns, farms
you could most readily do without.State briefly the ideas, ideals, or hopes,
Wendell Berry
the energy sources, the kinds of security,
for which you would kill a child.
Name, please, the children whom
you would be willing to kill.
The amazing Maria Popova and her Brain Pickings site is the source for this poem. She is writing a lot more about it over there. But if I were to tell you that it includes a live reading of the poem by Amada Palmer - would that convince you to click through?
\n\n\nThinking Allowed
\n\n\n\n\nThis is a People First post that was originally on the People First domain. It has been moved here as part of my domain consolidation program. It’s a steady and slow WIP as I check each entry, so do please bear with me.\n\n![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/0e0e25ea97.jpg\")
It’s easy enough to carry a Legal and General umbrella in a sea of ‘bankers black umbrellas’, it’s a very different proposition to take a more meaningful stand against the status quo.
\n\n\n\n\n\nLeading US bosses drop shareholder-first principle.
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/f896f30900.jpg\")
As the article opens ...
\n\n\n\n\n\n\"The real test will be in deeds not words.\"
Have to say until action - and I mean real action - this jury is out!
\n\n\nRead the opinion by Larry Elliott in The Guardian
\n\n\nWatching. I don’t think People First has won just yet!
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://people-first.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/image.png\")
I have a schedule of material that I am working on, but what would you like to read about next? What drives you to read this weekly missive? What topics are you most interested in reading about. Learning about?
\n\n\n\n\n\nContent is a horrible, generic, cheap, ‘anything will do’ kind of word. Which is why it has no value.
\n\n\nSTOP using their words to describe OUR work. OUR soul. OUR beliefs. Our passion. OUR effort.
\n\n\nSTART using our words to describe OUR work. OUR soul. OUR beliefs. Our passion. OUR effort.
\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://people-first.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Double-Digits-1024x576.jpg\")
Though this Newsletter has been around intermittently for a few years now, I only harnessed it as a vehicle to share People First thinking in May of this year, Issue One going out on May 31st. Since the launch in May, readership has been steadily growing and judging by the emails received I have hit some nerves with some of the pieces. Definitely a good time to take stock and recap where we have got to.
\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://people-first.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Albert-László-Barabási.jpg\")
Alberto Laszlo Barabasi @ LinkedIN
\n\n\nAlberto is a pioneer in network science, Albert-László Barabási uncovers the hidden order behind complex systems.
\nExcellent summary of how what we just assume to be the truth is bunkum. This applied to our assumptions about age. Bottom line - you are never too old
\n\n\n⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
\n\nThinking Allowed
\n\n\n\n\nThis is a People First post that was originally on the People First domain. It has been moved here as part of my domain consolidation program. It’s a steady and slow WIP as I check each entry, so do please bear with me.\n\n... I came across this article (note if you are using an 'ad blocker' ... then guess what - they tell you that you have an 'ad blocker' on .... actually I don't use an 'ad blocker' - I use a 'tracking blocker'.
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://people-first.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/image-2-1024x512.png\")
That aside, I thought I would extract some pertinent quotes from the piece and add my comments. The piece appeared in Adage and was written by Jason Jercinovic - and so all the quotes below I attribute to him.
Havas is a pretty good agency that has produced some great campaigns for Air New Zealand, Global Mental Health and Canal+ - so I kind of feel that they (should at least) know what they are doing. I'll go further. They do - but it is clear that they remain bought into the narrative of 'poor us - we have to do this [efn_note]Use Ad Trackers[/efn_note] for it to work'. They don't.
\n\n\n\n\n\nand no one can blame the advertising industry for rapidly adopting them.
I can!
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAdvertisers may soon know us better than we know ourselves.
![\"\"](\"https://people-first.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Cough-1.jpg\")
\n\n\n... there are more practical considerations around the use of AI in advertising: inherently biased data, algorithms that make flawed decisions and violations of personal privacy.
That is happening now - and nothing to do with AI.
\n\n\n\n\n\nThe more complete our understanding of an individual, the more persuasive our marketing can be.
Why does he assume I want to be persuaded?
\n\n\n\n\n\nBut each new insight into a consumer raises new questions about our moral obligations to that individual -- and to society at large.
... then ask out permission
\n\n\n\n\n\nAI is fueled by data, which is used to train algorithms and sustain the system.
'Back in the day', we had an
\n\n\nIn order to make an informed choice, consumers need a clear explanation of the value exchange in any given campaign. What are they giving up? What are they getting in return? And they should be allowed to opt out if they are uncomfortable with the transaction.
At last .... sadly - I don’t see much of that happening.
Do you?
Thinking Allowed
\n\n\n\n\nThis is a People First post that was originally on the People First domain. It has been moved here as part of my domain consolidation program. It’s a steady and slow WIP as I check each entry, so do please bear with me.\n\n\n\n\nI’m very much a Darwinian. This means I must ask myself questions like ‘How come all surviving cultures until modern time have been based on religion?’ and I draw the conclusion that religion has somehow helped people and civilizations to survive.
In the same way I ask ‘how come all sexually reproducing forms of life age (unlike e.g. amoebas, or yeast)?’ and its the same conclusion - in different words now: ‘if there has ever been a sexually reproducing species that did not age, they have not survived to tell the story’. Have there existed such failed species, then? I’m suggesting that its likely, because (unless I’m misinformed) aging is a ‘feature’.
Around the age of 45 the human body ’switches on’ aging, or rather, it switches off the function that keeps us young. Much of the research today is (unless I’m misinformed) about how to keep the stay-young-function ON.
To be provocative - the ambition to stop aging can be seen as disrespectful of the wisdom of Darwinian nature and it has a slant toward man-made creationism.
It’s not going to end well, in each case.
David Nordfors
It struck me as so very right - little to argue with, so recording for posterity!
\n\n\n\n\n\nRelBasil Hallward is what I think I am: Lord Henry is what the world thinks of me: Dorian is what I would like to be.
Oscar Wilde
The Picture Of Dorian Gray - the book is on this list.
\n\n\n\n\n\nWhy hasn’t evolution dealt with the inefficiency of ageing?
\n\n\nThinking Allowed
\n\n\n\n\nThis is a People First post that was originally on the People First domain. It has been moved here as part of my domain consolidation program. It’s a steady and slow WIP as I check each entry, so do please bear with me.\n\n![\"\"](\"https://people-first.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/image.png\")
Celebrating my 4 part series on data, it is designed to be;
\n\n\n\n\n\n“Non-technical, hopefully fun, definitely not definitive and absolutely a work in progress.”
John Philpin
Because if you don’t understand what it is and how it is being used against you, then you are in for a shock …
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n“Failure of society and ‘we the people’ to do this (understand what data is and how it is being used) will mean that the last few hundred years of societal development was for naught and we will return to the feudal states from whence we came.”
John Philpin
Exaggeration? This is what Shoshana Zuboff said in her recent book ‘The Age of Surveillance Capitalism’.
\n\n\n\n\n\n“Many scholars have taken to describing these new conditions as neo-feudalism, marked by the consolidation of elite wealth and power far beyond the control of ordinary people and the mechanisms of democratic consent. Piketty calls it a return to “patrimonial capitalism,” a reversion to a premodern society in which one’s life chances depend upon inherited wealth rather than meritocratic achievement.”
Shoshana Zuboff
You can read the whole of Issue Number 9 here. You can even get our new ebook, so that everything is available in one handy place to take with you wherever you go.
\n\n\n[caption id=“attachment_5443” align=“aligncenter” width=“1280”]![\"thevogues\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/ce499be76c.jpg\")
Nobody told The Vogues to retire.[/caption]
Up every morning just to keep a job,
\nI gotta fight my way through the hustling mob,
\nSounds of the city pounding in my brain,
\nWhile another day goes down the drain (Yeah, yeah, yeah).
\nbut it’s a five o’clock world when the whistle blows,
\nNo-one owns a piece of my time,
\nAnd there’s a five o’clock me inside my clothes,
\nThinking that the world looks fine, yeah,
\nA-da-lay-ee-ee (up, up, up!).
\nTrading my time for the pay I get,
\nLiving on money that I ain’t made yet,
\nGotta keep goin' gotta make my way,
\nBut I live for the end of the day (Yeah, yeah, yeah),
\n‘cause it’s a five o’clock world when the whistle blows,
\nNo-one owns a piece of my time,
\nAnd there’s a long-haired girl who waits, I know,
\nTo ease my troubled mind, yeah,
\nA-da-lay-ee-ee (up, up, up!).
\nIn the shelter of her arms everything’s okay (yeah-yeah),
\nShe talks and the world goes slipping away (it slips away),
\nAnd I know the reason I can still go on,
\nWhen every other reason is gone (Yeah, yeah, yeah),
\nin my five o’clock world she waits for me,
\nNothing else matters at all’,
\nCause every time my baby smiles at me,
\nI know that it’s all worthwhile, yeah,
\nA-da-lay-ee-ee (up, up, up!)
\nA-da-lay-ee-ee (up, up, up!)
\nThe Vogues
\n", "date_published": "2019-07-19T07:32:48+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2019/07/18/its-clock.html", "tags": ["? Music","? Videos","? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2019/07/17/platform-failure.html", "title": " 🚧 Platform Failure", "content_html": "\nSadly, this wasn’t what I thought this was going to be about.
\n\n\nA Study of More Than 250 Platforms Reveals Why Most Fail
\n\n\n\n\n\n\"Platforms have become one of the most important business models of the 21st century. Five of the six most valuable firms in the world are built around these types of platforms. However, a study of 252 platform companies showed that 209 of them failed. The most common mistakes into four categories:
(1) mispricing on one side of the market,
(2) failure to develop trust with users and partners,
(3) prematurely dismissing the competition, and
(4) entering too late.
Researchers have extensively studied pricing decisions, yet managers still get them wrong. A platform often requires underwriting one side of the market to encourage the other side to participate. But knowing which side should get charged and which side should get subsidized may be the single most important strategic decision for any platform.\"
Kyle Westaway
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/0770df8895.jpg\")
Interesting what each of us takes away when we read articles. The quote above is from Kyle Westaway - and indeed nothing wrong with his takeaway. But there is more - and even the HBR article doesn’t really get down to it.
\n\n\n\n\nFor me, platforms have been a key to my thinking ever since I read Platform Scale, which I first discovered by reading this blog, which I came to know through Jobsworth's Blog ... that I was certainly reading 10 years ago.
\n\n\nPeople, Passion, Platforms were even my 'three words' for a few years - but more recently I have been moving on. More on this to come - but increasingly I am seeing platforms as yes, a way to 'lubricate a market place', a way to do 'better business' and certainly 'good platforms' fall into place under this particular lens ...
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://people-first.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/A-Platfrom-Bill-Gates.jpeg\")
But ... I can't help thinking there is more. Platforms serve the corporate masters well. Look no further than Uber for that, but in fact do they really serve people well?
\n\n\nJeremy Heimans' 'Power and Values' model, I think highlights the issue perfectly. The graphic below is old, but I haven't been able to find a more recent one. Like all good 2*2 quadrants, top right is best, bottom left is worst and the other two quadrants have their challenges [efn_note]To be fair JH would disagree with my assessment - he argues that no quadrant is wrong - so long as you understand which quadrant you are in and work accordingly. And yes of course. But I am not in any of those quadrants. I am arguing for how people can operate in a 'Corporate First' society - and to me - the best chance they stand is in the top right quadrant.[/efn_note].
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://people-first.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/New-Power-New-Values.jpeg\")
Platforms are indeed lubricators of
Quick Example .... imagine that you
How hard would it be to have a universal reputation that travels with you. Spoiler alert - not hard at all (technically). Very hard if you actually want these silo'd platforms to adopt your reputation system.
\n\n\nMore to come, but just as Sangeet was talking all that time ago
It's not a new idea. It's just that some ideas don’t get much air.
\n", "date_published": "2019-07-18T09:32:44+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2019/07/17/platform-failure.html", "tags": ["? LongForm","People First","? WIP"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2019/07/16/worklife-balance.html", "title": "Work-Life Balance", "content_html": "\n\n\n\nTrading my time for the pay I get (up!)
The Vogues
Living on money that I ain't made yet (up!)
Gotta keep goin' gotta make my way (up!)
But I live for the end of the day (up!)
Written in 1965 - and nothing has changed. This newsletter introduced you to the 4P model of People First ... Pay, Purpose, Play and Passion.
\n\n\nWith a more open, enlightened recruiting process there is so much more that people could do in any company if they were given the chance. The answer is to stop job filling and start fulfilling.
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://people-first.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/https-bucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com-public-images-36627cad-e12e-4676-84ee-243c8c7499f8_493x506.jpeg\")
You can read the whole of Issue Number 8 here.
\n\n", "date_published": "2019-07-17T06:04:09+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2019/07/16/worklife-balance.html", "tags": ["? Quotes","? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2019/07/15/advertising-shits-in.html", "title": "📚 Advertising Shits in Your Head", "content_html": "\nExcuse the language - but that is the name of the book. The link takes you to their kick-starter.
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://people-first.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/21c478f4270bec8a39f4bfd72d9e05d8_original.jpg\")
Funny. Been thinking of doing a kick starter for my book, but I am too busy writing to spend another chunk of time thinking about what the campaign would look like.
\n\n\nNeedless to say I have done my pledge - it is such a People First topic that I couldn't resist and as an extra message, the campaign deadline is my birthday. The ether was in alignment!
\n\n\nMy thanks to John Wunderlich for the heads up.
\n\nThinking Allowed
\n\n\n\n\nThis is a People First post that was originally on the People First domain. It has been moved here as part of my domain consolidation program. It’s a steady and slow WIP as I check each entry, so do please bear with me.\n\nAshton Applewhite - Let's End Ageism - A Ted Talk
\n\n\n| Released | August 23, 2017 |
|---|
Lot's more to say on this, and will. Some of the points I touched on in Tuesday's Newsletter.
\n\n\nThinking Allowed
\n\n\n\n\nThis is a People First post that was originally on the People First domain. It has been moved here as part of my domain consolidation program. It’s a steady and slow WIP as I check each entry, so do please bear with me.\n\n![\"\"](\"https://people-first.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Ageism.jpeg\")
\n\n\n“Look at gender. We used to think of it as a binary, male or female, and now we understand it's a spectrum. It is high time to ditch the old-young binary, too.”
Ashton Applewhite
Says it all really. Ageism is alive and well. In fact the same day, Paul Krugman wrote a piece on the job market that I totally disagreed with - so of course I had to write something.
\n\n\nYou can read the whole of Issue Number 7 here.
\n\n\nPaul Krugman writing in the NYT today.
\n\n\n\n\n\nThere was a message in the latest jobs report that is consistent with what these reports have been telling us for at least the past year or two. Namely, the workers are alright.
Paul Krugman
![\"\"](\"https://people-first.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/krugman.jpg\")
Well who am I to disagree with Paul Krugman?
\n\n\nJohn Philpin - that's who. And I completely disagree.
\n\n\nAs always, its what's not being said that matters. The elephant [efn_note]elephants?[/efn_note] in the room cannot be ignored, and I am disappointed that someone like Krugman should waste his time on this kind of 'opinion'. Yes, we have 'great' employment figures. But that’s because as usual, we measure and comment on the wrong things. 'Everybody' having a job is not the point (if a large chunk of the workforce is excluded from the count of 'everybody'). It is everybody (not just 25 to 54-year-olds) having one job, that is paid fairly, so doesn’t need to work a second job to make ends meet. That is what we should be looking at.
\n\n\n\n\nThe data was reporting on \"the prime-age employment ratio, the percentage of Americans in their prime working years, ages 25 to 54, who have jobs.\"
\n\n\n54 is just at the point where ageism creeps in ... see this week's newsletter
\n\n\nIt's just at that point that the problems kick in.
\n\n\n\n\n\n“This isn’t how most people think they’re going to finish out their work lives,” said Richard Johnson, an Urban Institute economist and veteran scholar of the older labor force who worked on the analysis. “For the majority of older Americans, working after 50 is considerably riskier and more turbulent than we previously thought.”
Richard Johnson, Economist [ProPublica]
From the same ProPublica report, the graph speaks for itself.
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://people-first.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Screen-Shot-2019-07-09-at-4.21.25-PM.png\")
Strong argument to suggest BTW that some 18% that are not in the labour force have partially self-selected out. Do we really believe that 8.39% of all American workers eligible to work have actually retired? Or is that what they use to describe their position because they can't get another job.
\n\n\nTwenty percent of teachers in America have a second job.
\n\n\nAnd they aren't the only ones!
\n\n\nPeople rarely work second jobs for fun, they work them to survive.
\n\n\nPew Research reporting just last year that real wages have not moved in decades.
\n\n\nSo yes, 'fully employed' America, where you aren't counted in the last ten years of your working life, and those that are counted are working double jobs to make ends meet, while others are self-declaring early retirement because they can't get a job. Life is just dandy ... no?
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://people-first.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Data-Is-The-New-PLasma.jpeg\")
\n\n\nStartups are now offering people “passive income” for their personal data. These companies claim to empower consumers to profit from personal data. But actually, they entrench an attention economy where cash-strapped consumers trade personal privacy for quick cash — much like the plasma-for-cash biz. Data exchanges broker the sale of personal data between the people who generate it and the large companies hungry for it. One,
The HustleStreamr , connects real-time personal data with companies via subscription. Another, UBDI (Universal Basic Data Income), buys personal data and sells “insights” to companies. At first glance, it’s tempting … If my toaster and my watch are already collecting data, I might as well get paid for it, right?
Wrong. And they know it. Read more here. No most discussion needed, but if you want to - I'm ready.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\"No one ever conceived of a more sophisticated and dynamic philosophical history than Hegel. His system is built around three fundamental ideas.\"
Sam Haselby
First, the key to human agency is self-consciousness. For people to be doing anything in any real human sense is to know what we are doing as we do it.
\n\n\nSecondly, self-consciousness is always a matter of locating ourselves in a kind of social space of ‘I’ and ‘we’.
\n\n\nThird, there are ways in which things can go better or worse and we can make it possible to become new, different and better versions of ourselves. But what we can make of ourselves depends on where we are in history.
\n\n\n... but what we can make of ourselves depends on where we are in history.
\n\n\n\n\n\nHegel’s search for the universal patterns of history revealed a paradox: freedom is coming into being, but is never guaranteed
Read the whole thing at
Thinking Allowed
\n\n\n\n\nThis is a People First post that was originally on the People First domain. It has been moved here as part of my domain consolidation program. It’s a steady and slow WIP as I check each entry, so do please bear with me.\n\nMore of a record to self than something to overly concern you, but nonetheless potentially useful. As People First continues to further establish itself, we are 'upping the ante' on our online presence.
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://people-first.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Cleaning-House-1024x544.jpg\")
First, we are moving the site away from the
There has been a Google Groups in place for years, but it fell into disuse, so it is being killed and replaced with a new group on Groups.io Emails have gone out to the old membership to test the appetite before I spend too much time building it all up. I can say that I have good experience of it, since a 'sister' organization - Me2B - is using Groups.io very effectively.
\n\n\nWe have agreed to our first Sponsorship, more details about it in the not too distant future.
\n\n\nTomorrow being Tuesday, will see our seventh newsletter hitting the streets (if you'll pardon the mixed metaphor), really wanting to grow that readership.
\n\n\nThe Instagram and Twitter accounts are in full flow and a presence on a few third-party publishers is beginning to happen, with plans for more. Any of the links below will allow you to engage with People First in your way and on your terms.
\n\n\nSomethings you just do not do in the ‘atom world’ - but in the ‘bits world’, it’s a totally different story.
\nNot to me.
\nThat’s partly why I launched People First
\n\n", "date_published": "2019-07-07T12:14:24+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2019/07/06/flawed-thinking-a.html", "tags": ["? Podcasts","? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2019/07/03/in-this-cold.html", "title": "In This Cold Place", "content_html": "\nMoby and The Void Pacific Choir - 'In This Cold Place - With animation by Steve Cutts.
\n\n\n| Released | June 19, 2017 |
|---|
A second video that hits you to the bone.
\n\n\nMoby and The Void Pacific Choir - 'Are You Lost In The World Like Me'? With animation by Steve Cutts.
\n\n\n| Released | October 18, 2016 |
|---|
Its a couple of years since this was released - but still relevant today - and definitely relevant to People First, so capturing it in the archives.
\n\n\nOur sixth newsletter explores the value of a person to a corporation.
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://people-first.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/https___bucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com_public_images_d6b0e741-2800-467f-829a-793c4d892616_948x627.jpg\")
In understanding how organizations search for ‘talent’ these days, candidates know that their first two or three hurdles will have nothing to do with people and everything to do with machines and as a result valuable time is spent in tuning their resume and cover letter with SEO like terms, so that they bubble to the top.
\n\n\nDo you find that as sad, bad and depressing as I do?
\n\n\nRead the whole of the 6th issue here.
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/83a117304f.jpg\")
... a building block of Language, one of the Tenets of People First. We are developing and sharing a new vocabulary that continues to evolve in the course of
We use this vocabulary to shift the topics and change the conversation about how we put People First in the work we do and the way we live.
\n\n\n| THEN | \nAND NOW | \n
|---|---|
| The Future of Work | \nThe Present Of Work | \n
| Work Life Balance | \nPay Purpose Play | \n
| Gig Economy | \nPortfolio Lifestyle | \n
| Customer Experience | \nEmployee Experience | \n
| Talent Acquisition | \nWorking with People | \n
| CRM | \nVRM | \n
| B2B | \nMe2B | \n
| Competition | \nCooperation | \n
| Me | \nUs | \n
| Exclusive | \nInclusive | \n
| Hierarchical | \nNetworked | \n
| Tightly Managed | \nLoosely Coupled | \n
| Winner Takes All | \nWinner Contributes | \n
| Tomorrow | \nToday | \n
| Continual Change | \nContinuous Change | \n
| Corporations | \nPeople | \n
\n\n\nThere's some fucking guy, scientist or something. Real sick bastard. Says he measured out the remains, the cremated remains of a dead man. Measured out the, uh, minerals left behind, you know? The iron phosphates, the ... whatever it is we're made up of. Says he added it all up to the cost of $4.40.
$4.40. Burnt down man's worth less than a fucking Big Mac.
Michael Grey played by Liam Cunningham in The Numbers Station
I caught The Numbers Station over the weekend, and that is the opening dialogue. It resonated. I know nought of the truth - but it does seem about right.
\n\n\nAfter last week's newsletter, and the responses, I have thought about it more and more. How we as a society spend so much ... too much ... time reducing anything ... everything ... to a value based on the component parts.
\n\n\nWe know that the click bait mongers of the internet write stuff like this - to save you the click through it’s all about adding together the cost of the sum of the parts of an iPhone - and thus by extrapolation conclude that Apple is - as we might say in England ... '
No - this is not a defence of Apple - but to ask a question.
\n\n\nIsn't this exactly what businesses do every day week, month and year to people. You earn a salary or wage based on what they consider is your worth to them while they rent you for the 40, 50, 60 hours each week that you are in their service?
\n\n\nBut it's worse. The value is not just for the sum of your component parts, but actually for the sum of your component parts that they think they need, and everything else is ignored. Your component parts are what they have defined are needed to do the job that they have defined needs to be done. Everything else is of zero value.
\n\n\n\nThinking Allowed
\n\n\n\n\nThis is a People First post that was originally on the People First domain. It has been moved here as part of my domain consolidation program. It’s a steady and slow WIP as I check each entry, so do please bear with me.\n\nI just read this and decided to drop in a few People First tenets to remind us all .... the problem Kevin raises is not easily fixed - it is a systemic view of how people are seen by
![\"\"](\"https://i1.wp.com/people-first.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Human-Beings.jpeg?ssl=1\"/)
![\"\"](\"https://i0.wp.com/people-first.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Assets-or-Liabilities.jpeg?ssl=1\"/)
![\"\"](\"https://i1.wp.com/people-first.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Present-Of-Work.jpeg?ssl=1\"/)
![\"\"](\"https://i2.wp.com/people-first.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Personal-Representation.jpeg?ssl=1\"/)
![\"\"](\"https://i2.wp.com/people-first.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Employee-Experience.jpeg?ssl=1\"/)
![\"\"](\"https://i1.wp.com/people-first.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Our-Greatest-Assets.jpeg?ssl=1\"/)
![\"\"](\"https://i0.wp.com/people-first.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Employee-Experience-1.jpeg?ssl=1\"/)
Bunker19
\n", "date_published": "2019-07-02T05:03:44+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2019/07/01/people-not-assets.html", "tags": ["? Podcasts","? LongForm","People First","? WIP"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2019/06/26/the-working-day.html", "title": "The Working Day Is Done", "content_html": "\nNo, not Cyndi ... Neil.
\n\n\nThey say that life imitates art. In this particular
\n\n\nWhen the working day is through
Neil Hannon - Divine Comedy
\nAnd you're waiting in the rain
\nFor another overdue
\nOvercrowded railway train
\nAnd the movie poster screams
\n\"It's the best film ever seen!\"
\nBut it's all a different world
\nTo which you have never been
\nAnd you're bored out of your mind
\nSo you keep yourself amused
\nReading the Financial Times
\nOf the fellow next to you
\nThen something in you snaps
\nAnd you shout with all your lungs
\n\"We give and get nothing back!\"
\nWhen the working day is done.\"
Unfair - possibly, but Hannon / Divine Comedy has a history of social observation. In this particular case and entire double album on Office Politics. Wont it be grand when we no longer have to deal with them?
\n\n\nEuropean tour in the autumn of this year.
\n\n", "date_published": "2019-06-27T04:41:24+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2019/06/26/the-working-day.html", "tags": ["? Music","? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2019/06/25/corporate-speak.html", "title": "Corporate Speak", "content_html": "I have a problem with ‘Corporate Speak’. Putting aside how ‘we the people’ seem to adopt corporate speak as part of our conversation - how else does ‘content’ become part of our day to day vocabulary? (Although that is an entirely different topic.)
\nHere’s the thing … the same organisations that use phrases like;
\n‘Share of Wallet’
\n‘Attacking and Targeting a Market’ (that’s you and me folks) and breaking down those
\n‘Adoption Barriers’
\n‘Taking the hill’
\n‘Users’ not ‘People’
\nAnd have something called a ‘War Room’ !!! - you know the place where Marketing meet to plan how to extract out last cent. Anyway these organisations are exactly the same organisations that say things like
\n‘Your Passion Is Our Satisfaction’,
\n‘Pleasing People Is Our Motto’ and
\n‘A Customer Is Always Right’.
\nMe? I think what is said behind closed doors more often reflects the truth. What is broadcast in public is what they think we want to hear. It’s politics, not business, but isn’t that what happened to Mitt Romney?
\nThis week’s newsletter explores corporate language and asks why have people just blindly adopted it without question? It doesn’t serve us - only the corporation.
\n\n
🖇️ 🔎 .. and much more on what I think about language here.
\n", "date_published": "2019-06-26T12:11:29+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2019/06/25/corporate-speak.html", "tags": ["? Links","? Posts","? LongForm","People First","? Links","? Searched"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2019/06/24/people-leo.html", "title": "People: Leo", "content_html": "\n\"In Italy I was a photographer. In Rome.\"
\n\n\n“A pretty place to photograph.”
\n\n\n\"Well, not so much, my job was a police photographer. When someone died, I took the photographs. I was very busy. Ten years .. every day … click click click … more death. Depressing. Soul ‘killing’’. I couldn’t make a life out of death.\"
\n\n\nSo different city, different country, different job?
\n\n\n\"Yes. But same girl!\"
\n\n\n\"She said to me one day that she is coming here. To England. It seemed a good idea. Time for change.\"
\n\n\nYou didn’t want to do something in photography? Maybe scenery, weddings, commercial … put your skills to a different use?
\n\n\n\"No.\"
\n\n\n\"My girl friend she is always changing. Me too. I wanted change. But Only one change. Change. Stop.\"
\n\n\nSo you have been here for ten years.
\n\n\n\"Yes. And will be for another ten. My girlfriend she has had 15 jobs in the same time. Sometimes working 50 miles away. Always changing. Always chasing. But never arriving.\"
\n\n\n\"Me? I’ve arrived.\"
\n\n\n\n\nAny journey is a series of events and one of those events is the destination. [efn_note] I was reminded of this story when I was sharing a bottle of wine with a friend recently. The wine was 'own label' - and on that label was a line ... that he assured me was his, I haven't found it anywhere else so let me attribute accordingly. [/efn_note]
Thinking Allowed
\n\n\n\n\nThis is a People First post that was originally on the People First domain. It has been moved here as part of my domain consolidation program. It’s a steady and slow WIP as I check each entry, so do please bear with me.\n\nWhen Henry Blodget writes an opinion piece about the inequality in modern America ... concluding with
\n\n\n\n\n\n\"It's time for a more balanced approach\"
Henry Blodget
Then I guess it must be time!
\n\n\nOn the click through– a good read, some informative images, and the fact that the whole things is sitting in the LinkedIN silo shouldn’t put you off. In particular he writes;
\n\n\n\n\n\n... the problem with the profit-maximization obsession is that it hurts the economy.
Henry Blodget
I have to say - I agree.
\n\n\nIt's pretty simple really .. and a central theme of mine. In fact, I go further. It's bad for society.
\n\n\nThe 'graphic story' I have in the works shows why. Don't worry - it won't be as complex as the Mueller one.
\n\n", "date_published": "2019-06-25T12:35:56+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2019/06/24/time-for-a.html", "tags": ["? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2019/06/24/people-alfie.html", "title": "People: Alfie", "content_html": "\nHow about you? I asked.
\n\n\n\"Me? More brothers and sisters than most and none of them talk to me and the missus.\"
\n\n\nThat must be hard.
\n\n\nNot really. It runs in the family. My parents hardly ever talked.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\"You can't choose your family, but you sure can choose your friends\".
My Dad [efn_note]A long time ago[/efn_note]
Thinking Allowed
\n\n\n\n\nThis is a People First post that was originally on the People First domain. It has been moved here as part of my domain consolidation program. It’s a steady and slow WIP as I check each entry, so do please bear with me.\n\nHe looked at me. Eyes piercing my skull.
\n\n\n“Yes - I have heard of it I replied. An African nation … right?”
\n\n\nAfrican yes.
\n\n\n\"I’m sorry, I can’t place exactly where in Africa - but, my memory tells me in the North .. near Ethiopia?”
\n\n\nYou do indeed know my country. He gave me the biggest smile.
\n\n\nAnd then this young man from Eritrea launched into the story of his journey from Africa to San Francisco. Not harrowing … though if you know anything of that region, that is more surprising than if it was.
\n\n\nI won a scholarship to America. I am a musician. I came here ten years ago.
\n\n\n\n\n\"Why San Francisco?”
\n\n\nMy friend … anyone coming to the USA knows the San Francisco is where you should enter America.
\n\n\n\"Because they are more accepting?”
\n\n\nI must have hit a nerve.
\n\n\nI came here legally. He stopped talking. Looking at me.
\n\n\nLegally.
\n\n\n\"I know, I know, I’m sorry, I wasn’t suggesting anything else, I am just intrigued why San Francisco.”
\n\n\nI came here legally … with scholarship. I have always worked to earn money. I have always paid my taxes. I am not illegal immigrant. And no - not accepting. Look at me, 10 years after arriving in America I am here, my music I play for weddings 4, 5 times a year. I have qualified as accountant. But no work. I barely survive. No my friend I am not accepted. San Francisco is not accepting.
\n\n\n\"Sorry - I understand, didn’t mean to imply, I am just interested in how you come to decide to arrive in San Francisco when you are living on the other side of the world. New York would have been closer. Easier?”
\n\n\nAaaahhh
\"Have you ever considered going back to Eritrea?”
\n\n\nOne day. Maybe. I have family there . But even now, even with so called peace … it is hard. Too hard.
\n\n\nWorking too much. Not applying his education to his job. Massively over qualified for what he does. Struggling to makes ends meet. Not following his dreams or passions. Rarely seeing his family.
\n\n\nAnd yet still this life is better than what he would have if he returned home.
\n\n\n\n\nSuccess has always been easy to measure. It is the distance between one's origins and one's final achievement.
Michael Korda
Thinking Allowed
\n\n\n\n\nThis is a People First post that was originally on the People First domain. It has been moved here as part of my domain consolidation program. It’s a steady and slow WIP as I check each entry, so do please bear with me.\n\nWho Knew?
\n![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2019/a0256014e1.jpg\")
\n\n",
"date_published": "2019-06-20T07:33:35+12:00",
"url": "https://john.philpin.com/2019/06/19/who-knew.html",
"tags": ["Gaping Void","People First"]
},
{
"id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2019/06/18/our-greatest-assets.html",
"title": "🚧 Our Greatest Assets",
"content_html": "\nOur fourth Newsletter just dropped. The focus this week .. People!
\n\n\nHamid Ulukaya - founder and CEO of 'Chobani Yoghurt' presents his plan - 'the anti-CEO playbook'. A fascinating journey through the early days of the company - and how it's
Secondly, A reminder that when you build systems and make changes in your organization, it's
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://people-first.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/image-1.png\")
Finally, for a while now, I have been writing about why we should stop using the word 'Content' to describe our ”book, novel, short story, article, white paper, promotional piece, advert, painting, sculpture, song, opera, photograph …. you get the point.
\n\n\nThis week Om Malik and Khoi Vinh have both written about that very topic. Personally delighted if finally this message is catching on and
\n\n\nAs long as ‘we the creators’ fall into the trap of using ‘their’ words to describe our work, our soul, our passion, our beliefs as ‘content’, then our work will continue to be viewed as ’free - to - cheap - to - low - cost, homogenized, non differentiated, interchangeable fodder’.
John Philpin - People First
Newsletter 3 from People First just when live…
\n\n", "date_published": "2019-06-12T09:27:00+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2019/06/11/newsletter-from-people.html", "tags": ["People First","Newsletter"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2019/06/11/humanity.html", "title": "Humanity", "content_html": "\nNewsletter Three from People First just launched. The theme for this week's edition is 'Humanity’ including me spotting this in a clothing store recently. I didn’t buy it - but I sure was tempted, as I ready myself for October’s IIW. (more)
\n\n", "date_published": "2019-06-12T09:16:48+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2019/06/11/humanity.html", "tags": ["MyTedTalks","? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2019/06/11/the-anticeo-playbook.html", "title": "The Anti-CEO Playbook", "content_html": "\nI am not usually slow in attacking the nature of business, but not sure the 'Anti-CEO' playbook is exactly the right angle here. That said Hamid Ulukaya's points are excellent. How he built Chobani is a fascinating story. And at one point I was very much reminded me of a couple of People First tenets.
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/a8b33633e8.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https://people-first.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Employee-Experience.jpeg\")
I am often asked what People First is about and how it differs to everything else that goes on in the identity/data/self-sovereign/blockchain ... blah blah blah space? I was asked again this morning. I replied, but as so often happens, the essence of the message was not specifically 'private' - and so this post emerged.
\n\n\nIf you check out The DigLife Collective, The Me2B Alliance, The
In my email exchange, I was taken by one phrase;
\n\n\n\n\n\n\"It really has to do with bridging that chasm between technology makers and people.\"
That idea is often referenced, with variations of actual words used. The meaning is constant. The visual is instant. Or is it?
\n\n\nWhen engineers build bridges, they always
![\"\"](\"https://people-first.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Crossing-The-Chasm.jpg\")
My ah-ha moment ... was understanding that the technology makers recognize the need to cross the chasm - but all seem to be building from the 'Tech Side'. People First is building the bridge from the 'People Side'.
\n\n\nDoes anyone know of any other organization that is building the bridge from the 'People Side'? I sure would like to talk with them.
\n\n\n", "date_published": "2019-06-07T11:48:03+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2019/06/06/you-build-bridges.html", "tags": ["? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2019/06/01/the-american-dream.html", "title": "The American Dream", "content_html": "All that is needed ... just three minutes of your time. A little more 'political' than the usual People First posts ... George Carlin - Life Is Worth Losing.
\n| Released | \nJanuary 10, 2006 | \n
|---|---|
| Recorded | \nNovember 5, 2005, Beacon Theater, New York City, New York | \n
[youtu.be/KSuEa2xPd...](https://youtu.be/KSuEa2xPdYo)
\nThirteen Years Ago ... needless to say - nothing has changed, other than more people are aware ... hoping that this will make even more people aware ... and then we do something about it.
\n\nThinking Allowed
\n\n\n\n\nThis is a People First post that was originally on the People First domain. It has been moved here as part of my domain consolidation program. It’s a steady and slow WIP as I check each entry, so do please bear with me.\n\nThinking Allowed
\n\n\n\n\nThis is a People First post that was originally on the People First domain. It has been moved here as part of my domain consolidation program. It’s a steady and slow WIP as I check each entry, so do please bear with me.\n\nMy New People First Newsletter formally launched this morning.
\nAny and all comments welcome - not to mention subscribes 😊
\n", "date_published": "2019-06-01T02:06:14+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2019/05/31/my-new-people.html", "tags": ["People First","Newsletter"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2019/05/29/newsletter-link-added.html", "content_html": "Newsletter link added to my site in anticipation of the formal launch of the People First Newsletter on Friday.
\nSign up to keep up with People First
\n", "date_published": "2019-05-30T11:59:16+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2019/05/29/newsletter-link-added.html", "tags": ["People First","Newsletter"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2019/05/20/and-substack-it.html", "content_html": "And Substack It Is.
\nJust in the process of culling ‘The Chimp' and Killing TinyLetter (thankyou @simonwoods )
\nIf you want to subscribe …. Sign Up For The People First Newsletter
\n", "date_published": "2019-05-21T11:11:53+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2019/05/20/and-substack-it.html", "tags": ["People First","Newsletter"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2019/05/20/130043.html", "content_html": "New Power - New Values : A People First Model
\nSign Up For The People First Newsletter
\n![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2019/6fef1630a3.jpg\")
\nMore: Tenets | Quotes | Frameworks | Stories
\n", "date_published": "2019-05-21T08:00:43+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2019/05/20/130043.html", "tags": ["People First","? Graphics"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2019/03/28/people-first-now.html", "title": "People First Now Available On Apple News", "content_html": "\n![\"\"](\"https://people-first.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/AppleNews.jpg\")
I just wanted to let readers of this blog know that if you are an Apple News user, I have set up a channel on Apple News specifically focussed on People First.
\n\n\n\n\n\nRight now there are some historical posts from a while back that I am flushing out, whilst making sure I retain anything relevant and pertaining to People First.
\n\n\nGoing forward any and all posts to this blog will be routed to here - Aswell as other relevant writings that appear on other platforms such as BizCatalyst.
\n\n\n", "date_published": "2019-03-29T09:54:02+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2019/03/28/people-first-now.html", "tags": ["? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2019/03/19/people-first-all.html", "content_html": "Ikigai : A People First Model
\nSign Up For The People First Newsletter
\n![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2019/faf665a1de.jpg\")
\nMore: Tenets | Quotes | Frameworks | Stories
\n", "date_published": "2019-03-20T06:31:27+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2019/03/19/people-first-all.html", "tags": ["People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2019/02/27/welcome-to-the.html", "content_html": "Welcome To The Machine - over on ‘The Archive’ …. no - not Pink Floyd - though they are referenced.
\n", "date_published": "2019-02-28T12:45:20+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2019/02/27/welcome-to-the.html", "tags": ["? Links","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2019/02/25/154950.html", "content_html": "The twenty sixth in my series …
\n‘Real Stories of Real People – Travels Without Charley’
\nwas recently published on BIZCATALYST 360.
\nJan … following her dreams and passion along a route that she could never have planned for.
\n", "date_published": "2019-02-26T11:49:50+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2019/02/25/154950.html", "tags": ["People First","Travels Without Charley"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2019/02/25/the-twenty-fifth.html", "content_html": "The twenty fifth in my series …
\n‘Real Stories of Real People – Travels Without Charley’
\nwas recently published on BIZCATALYST 360.
\nAlex lives in the moment - in a way I understand, but could never replicate.
\n", "date_published": "2019-02-26T11:48:20+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2019/02/25/the-twenty-fifth.html", "tags": ["People First","Travels Without Charley"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2019/02/25/the-twenty-fourth.html", "content_html": "The twenty fourth in my series …
\n‘Real Stories of Real People – Travels Without Charley’
\nwas recently published on BIZCATALYST 360.
\nNenah … working hard, reaping rewards. It’s ‘the American way’.
\n", "date_published": "2019-02-26T11:47:06+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2019/02/25/the-twenty-fourth.html", "tags": ["People First","Travels Without Charley"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2019/02/25/the-twenty-third.html", "content_html": "The twenty third in my series …
\n‘Real Stories of Real People – Travels Without Charley’
\nwas recently published on BIZCATALYST 360.
\nRebecca has had a hard life, dealt more than the usual knocks - but deals with it. No complaints. Just surviving with support from ‘the nation’.
\n", "date_published": "2019-02-26T11:45:34+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2019/02/25/the-twenty-third.html", "tags": ["People First","Travels Without Charley"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2019/02/11/200823.html", "content_html": "‘Real Stories of Real People – Travels Without Charley’ : Leroy : No.22
\nLeroy is hanging onto the most important part of his life - before she goes.
\nSign Up For The People First Newsletter
\n", "date_published": "2019-02-12T16:08:23+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2019/02/11/200823.html", "tags": ["People First","Travels Without Charley"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2019/02/11/the-twenty-first.html", "content_html": "‘Real Stories of Real People – Travels Without Charley’ : JK : No.21
\nJK is young - but has already lived a full life many times over.
\nSign Up For The People First Newsletter
\n", "date_published": "2019-02-12T16:06:37+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2019/02/11/the-twenty-first.html", "tags": ["People First","Travels Without Charley"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2019/02/11/the-twentieth-in.html", "content_html": "‘Real Stories of Real People – Travels Without Charley’ : Alan and Margaret : No.20
\n\nSign Up For The People First Newsletter
\n", "date_published": "2019-02-12T16:04:53+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2019/02/11/the-twentieth-in.html", "tags": ["People First","Travels Without Charley"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2018/12/12/alan-played-by.html", "content_html": "‘Real Stories of Real People – Travels Without Charley’ : Alan and Margaret : No.20
\n\nSign Up For The People First Newsletter
\n", "date_published": "2018-12-13T05:36:22+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2018/12/12/alan-played-by.html", "tags": ["People First","Travels Without Charley"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2018/12/11/people-benjamin.html", "title": "People: Benjamin", "content_html": "Stood to the side of the road, walking stick supporting him. Well kept. Elegant even. Just standing. The traffic constantly passing him by. No slowing down, but then no attempt by him to get them to either.
\nI slowed down to let him cross. No movement.
\nI opened the window.
\n“Would you like a lift?”
\n“Thankyou.” he said. “Thankyou very much.”
\nSlowly walking towards the car, he gets in.
\n“Much appreciated.” he said. “I’m going to 4th street … is that ok?”
\n\"No problem. Which cross street?\"
\n“It doesn’t matter. Anywhere on 4th. I’m going to the bank.”
\n4th Street is long …. twice as long as the distance I was going to drive to get him there. We pulled away and got back into step with the traffic.
\n“Good news he said. I have $5,000 in my account that I didn’t know I had. I’m going to check that it’s there. That it’s real. Hope so he said, I’ve already been celebrating.”
\nI’d already guessed it wasn’t cologne that I was smelling.
\n\"Which bank?\"
\n“It doesn’t matter. If I have it, maybe I will buy the car I’ve been wanting. Save all this waiting and walking.”
\n\"You could get a nice car for $5,000.\"
\n“Can you? It’s been a long while since they took my last one away. They took it with my license.”
\n\"How long ago?\"
\n“Can’t rightly recall. A long time ago. Be nice to drive again.”
\n“Oh, wait - here will be just fine.”
\n\"There’s a bank 5 blocks up. No problem to take you there.\"
\n“Oh no no no… thankyou. Here’s just fine.”
\nI pulled over, and he got out.
\nI watched him walk away in the opposite direction to the bank.
\nWho knows where his mind was going to take him next.
\nOne thing was sure. It would be wherever he wanted it to be. A walking stick isn’t going to stop his travels.
\nI know but one freedom and that is the freedom of the mind.\n
Antoine de Saint-Exupery
", "date_published": "2018-12-12T10:41:03+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2018/12/11/people-benjamin.html", "tags": ["? LongForm","People First","Travels Without Charley"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2018/12/02/the-nineteenth-in.html", "content_html": "The nineteenth in my series …
\n‘Real Stories of Real People – Travels Without Charley’
\nhas been published on BIZCATALYST 360°.
\nBrad reinvented himself a few times in his life and wrote a sci-fi novel where people routinely have multiple careers. Must be semi autobiographical.
\n", "date_published": "2018-12-03T11:08:23+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2018/12/02/the-nineteenth-in.html", "tags": ["People First","Travels Without Charley"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2018/11/27/the-eighteenth-in.html", "content_html": "The eighteenth in my series …
\n‘Real Stories of Real People – Travels Without Charley’
\nhas been published on BIZCATALYST 360°.
\nPete is an older gentleman that lives in London. He can see no reason to even visit America - certainly not after what his brother experienced.
\n", "date_published": "2018-11-27T12:15:00+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2018/11/26/the-eighteenth-in.html", "tags": ["People First","Travels Without Charley"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2018/11/20/the-seventeenth-in.html", "content_html": "The seventeenth in my series …
\n‘Real Stories of Real People – Travels Without Charley’
\nhas been published on BIZCATALYST 360°.
\nWhen I saw this on BizCatalyst360 - I just had to write this because one year later here we are again - with even an bigger disaster in the making.
\n", "date_published": "2018-11-20T12:32:00+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2018/11/19/the-seventeenth-in.html", "tags": ["People First","Travels Without Charley"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2018/11/05/the-sixteenth-in.html", "content_html": "The sixteenth in my series …
\n‘Real Stories of Real People – Travels Without Charley’
\nhas been published on BIZCATALYST 360°.
\nIf Steve only knew that his vote was just 1% of all that was needed to switch his entire congressional district.
\n", "date_published": "2018-11-06T11:59:19+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2018/11/05/the-sixteenth-in.html", "tags": ["People First","Travels Without Charley"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2018/10/29/the-fifteenth-in.html", "content_html": "The fifteenth in my series …
\n‘Real Stories of Real People – Travels Without Charley’
\nhas been published on BIZCATALYST 360°.
\nEvelyn has come to understand that decisions are not simple transactions and have real long term consequences.
\n", "date_published": "2018-10-30T05:03:47+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2018/10/29/the-fifteenth-in.html", "tags": ["People First","Travels Without Charley"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2018/10/29/the-fourteenth-in.html", "content_html": "The fourteenth in my series …
\n‘Real Stories of Real People – Travels Without Charley’
\nhas been published on BIZCATALYST 360°.
\nEnrique knows which side of his bread is buttered on and approaches life from the PoV of what he wants … not others.
\n", "date_published": "2018-10-30T05:02:01+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2018/10/29/the-fourteenth-in.html", "tags": ["People First","Travels Without Charley"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2018/10/11/the-thirteenth-in.html", "content_html": "‘Real Stories of Real People – Travels Without Charley’ : Cynthia : No.13
\n\nSign Up For The People First Newsletter
\nMore: Tenets | Quotes | Frameworks | Stories
\n", "date_published": "2018-10-12T07:42:00+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2018/10/11/the-thirteenth-in.html", "tags": ["People First","Travels Without Charley"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2018/10/11/the-twelfth-in.html", "content_html": "‘Real Stories of Real People – Travels Without Charley’ : Graham : No.12
\n\nSign Up For The People First Newsletter
\nMore: Tenets | Quotes | Frameworks | Stories
\n", "date_published": "2018-10-12T07:21:22+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2018/10/11/the-twelfth-in.html", "tags": ["People First","Travels Without Charley"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2018/10/11/191013.html", "content_html": "The eleventh in my series …
\n‘Real Stories of Real People – Travels Without Charley’
\nis published on BIZCATALYST 360°.
\nJames, proud of his heritage and who he is.
\nI couldn’t always track the logic of what he said, but we’re talking people!
\nWhat’s logic got to do with it?
\n", "date_published": "2018-10-12T07:10:13+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2018/10/11/191013.html", "tags": ["People First","Travels Without Charley"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2018/10/07/people-jan.html", "title": "People: Jan", "content_html": "\nJan knows the UK and lives in Texas now, but the journey from one to the other allowed her to see the rest of the world.
\n\n\nShe lived in Mildenhall. I’d heard of it. Used to live near there myself.
\n\n\nShe joined the USAF to get trained, qualified and see a world ‘outside of the 50’. She left after just three years because she met and fell in love with the man who became her husband (best-laid plans and all that!). Training and Qualifications put on hold, but still traveled and saw the world. After all - her husband was still in the forces.
\n\n\nNow she is an antique dealer and her husband works at the nearby USAF facility. Well not just the USAF, turns out it is the only joint USAF and NATO training facility in the world.
\n\n\nWho knew?
\n\n\n\n\nHer vision was clear, as was her mission and strategy: join the USAF, get trained and qualified. See the world.
\n\n\nBut, the tactics to achieve the mission changed. Quickly.
\n\n\nRegardless, mission accomplished. She saw the world and got trained and qualified.
\n\n\nJan never looked back. In fact, by not holding on to a pre-conceived notion as to how this was all going to work out, she did everything she wanted to do and then some.
\n\n\nWithout her husband, she would never have gotten into antiques ... which turned out to be her passion. Seeing the world? Sure.
\n\n\nWe never quite know what we really want to do. Or be. Do we? At least that's true for the most of us. So why hang on to some arbitrary plan?
\n\n\nI am reminded of the Japanese term Ikigai ... literally a 'reason for being'. Jan started in a military profession to live, with a personal mission to see the world. Through the good fortune of her USAF career being derailed, she discovered her own 'Ikigai. Good fortune? Maybe. But really through her own agility.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLife is What Happens To You While You're Busy Making Other Plans.\n
John Lennon
[ Or Was It? ]
\n\nThinking Allowed
\n\n\n\n\nThis is a People First post that was originally on the People First domain. It has been moved here as part of my domain consolidation program. It’s a steady and slow WIP as I check each entry, so do please bear with me.\n\n“I spent the day with my dog.”
\n\"What kind of dog is it?\"\n\"A Boston Terrier.\"\n
\"Oh wow, do you have pictures?\"
\n\"I did, but I lost my camera and so all my pictures.\"\n\"Oh no, you know these days it’s so easy to keep your photos backed up in the cloud, so you’ll never lose them.\"
\n\"I know. I have Google storage and Verizon cloud, but I just never get round to doing it, because it isn't important.\"\n\"Well maybe you will now.\"
\n\"Maybe. But now there’s an opportunity to create a set of new memories.\"\nThe differences in people are revealed by the smallest truths. I live in a world of online back ups, local back ups - duplicated and a system that allows me to recover files lost just a minute ago. Anything less would make me nervous.
\nThere are also those people that never back up because they simply don’t know. Or they have never lost their phone, and with it their only copy of photos, phone numbers and notes.
\nAnd then there are people like Alex. He knows all about that. He just doesn’t care. He is not driven by the same triggers that drive me. He lives in the moment. For the moment.
\n“What day is it?” asked Pooh.\n“It’s today,” squeaked Piglet.\n“My favorite day,” said Pooh.”\n
A.A. Milne
\nThinking Allowed
\n\n\n\n\nThis is a People First post that was originally on the People First domain. It has been moved here as part of my domain consolidation program. It’s a steady and slow WIP as I check each entry, so do please bear with me.\n\nUnless you track it, this kind of news can scoot past you before you even realize what is going on.
\nThe 2018 winner was just announced.
\n\"The Nobel Peace Prize 2018 was awarded jointly to Denis Mukwege and Nadia Murad \"for their efforts to end the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and armed conflict.\"\n\n
It’s extraordinary how people contribute to society for the better good, and you think - what can I do to be more like them?
\n.. when the Nobel Peace Prize was won by ICAN. That’s The ‘International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons’ to you.
\nThe Nobel committee drew specific attention to ICAN’s …
\n... “work to draw attention to the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of any use of nuclear weapons and for its ground-breaking efforts to achieve a treaty-based prohibition of such weapons.\"\n
![\"\"](\"https://people-first.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Xanthe-300x300.jpg\")
At the time, Beatrice Fihn, the executive director of ICAN thought the announcement of the award was a prank. But it wasn’t … as witnessed by this photograph of Xanthe Hall just a year later.
And who is Xanthe?
\nWell, apart from a life time activist in the world of Nuclear disarmament, starting as a member of the CND in the UK and now the Co-Director and IPPNW campaigner for nuclear disarmament, she also sits on the board of ICAN Germany.
\nBut that isn’t really the point of this story.
\nShe is also the little sister of my first ever girlfriend as I grew up in a small village just outside of York, England. I haven’t seen or spoken to Xanthe since those teen years, although I knew what she was up to.
\nIt’s truly amazing how life’s trajectories work and though this post is a year late in the coming, I am forever blown away by what people do and achieve. And really, to celebrate winning The Nobel Peace Prize … I mean that is not just a one-off is it? I would be celebrating it every single day! It’s for life!
\nAnd when I ask myself ‘what can I do to be like them, I look at Xanthe … to all intents and purposes, growing up in the same village, knowing the same people, going to the same kind of schools …. I was like ‘them’. It’s just that Xanthe focussed her life in that direction. I didn’t.
\n![\"\"](\"https://people-first.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Xanthe2-300x169.jpg\")
\n… an African proverb, because of course, it wasn’t just Xanthe, it was a global team effort … here she is celebrating at the time with one of her partners Sascha Hach - at ICAN, Germany. Reported Here.
\n\"It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.\"\n
Harry Truman
", "date_published": "2018-10-08T07:55:57+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2018/10/07/winner-of-the.html", "tags": ["? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2018/09/02/the-tenth-in.html", "content_html": "‘Real Stories of Real People – Travels Without Charley’ : Midori : No.10
\nMidori celebrates her heritage with images that she always carries with her.
\nSign Up For The People First Newsletter
\nMore: Tenets | Quotes | Frameworks | Stories
\n", "date_published": "2018-09-03T06:57:35+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2018/09/02/the-tenth-in.html", "tags": ["People First","Travels Without Charley"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2018/08/31/the-ninth-in.html", "content_html": "The ninth in my series …
\n‘Real Stories of Real People – Travels Without Charley’
\nhas been published on BIZCATALYST 360°.
\n“James And Jean. Two different journeys. Two similar endings. Two different feelings."
\n", "date_published": "2018-09-01T07:59:47+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2018/08/31/the-ninth-in.html", "tags": ["People First","Travels Without Charley"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2018/08/30/people-nenah.html", "title": "People: Nenah", "content_html": "I worked in San Diego in those days. Everybody around me was promising the world and just doing it what it took. Nobody was asking questions. It was crazy. I held to my truth. But I was the only one that did. But it still all blew up.
\nThat was ten years ago. Now I am here, for me, nothing has changed. I work hard. I reap my rewards.
\nI love Commercial Banking. It is what I do. All of it.
\nI find the deals. I work the deals. I close the deals.
\nI never let go of my core principles.
\nI didn’t react.
\nOur truths are our lives. Those truths can do move.
\nNo legacy is so rich as honesty.\n\n
\nWilliam Shakespeare\n
\nThinking Allowed
\n\n\n\n\nThis is a People First post that was originally on the People First domain. It has been moved here as part of my domain consolidation program. It’s a steady and slow WIP as I check each entry, so do please bear with me.\n\nThe eighth in my series …
\n‘Real Stories of Real People – Travels Without Charley’
\nhas been published on BIZCATALYST 360°.
\n“Sarah. Alone. Nobody with her. Imagine what they could have learned had they sat beside her. Talked to her."
\n", "date_published": "2018-08-07T10:12:59+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2018/08/06/the-eighth-in.html", "tags": ["People First","Travels Without Charley"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2018/08/06/the-seventh-in.html", "content_html": "The seventh in my series …
\n‘Real Stories of Real People – Travels Without Charley’
\nhas been published on BIZCATALYST 360°.
\n“John and Mary’s truck has broken down. Completely. And they seem just fine with that."
\n", "date_published": "2018-08-07T10:10:52+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2018/08/06/the-seventh-in.html", "tags": ["People First","Travels Without Charley"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2018/07/31/people-rebecca.html", "title": "People: Rebecca", "content_html": "“I live about 30 minutes North of here. There really isn’t any work up there. My husband is a mechanic from Mexico. He has his own auto repair business and helps me look after the children. I drive down here to work. I like it, the hours are flexible so it makes the family side easier.”
\n“I have 5 children. My firstborn is 15, the youngest is 2. It’s good because my mom helps, particularly with my eldest. He likes her and she likes him. It’s a good relationship and they bonded at birth”.
\nShe will miss him when he moves away.
\n“That won’t happen. He is 15 years old with the mind of a 2 year old. When he was in my womb, the umbilical chord had wrapped around his neck three times and choked him.”
\n\"Do you get help from the authorities, the local government, social services?”
\nShe looked at me as if I was an alien.
\n\u2028\u2028“No. There is not much government help on the reservation, but we all help each other.”
\n\"Your father?”
\n“I have no idea who my father is. My mother, she’s Navajo, told me once that he was Irish - but he has long gone.\u2028\u2028
\n“We survive in the nation. We always have.”
\nMy fellow Americans, we are and always will be a nation of immigrants. We were strangers once, too.\n
\nBarack Obama\n
\n… strangers to the nations that had already been here for hundreds, if not thousands, of years.
\nThinking Allowed
\n\n\n\n\nThis is a People First post that was originally on the People First domain. It has been moved here as part of my domain consolidation program. It’s a steady and slow WIP as I check each entry, so do please bear with me.\n\n“I am 76 years old and have been married for 58 of them. She had just turned 17 when we started our lives together.”
\n“I buy jewelry from the Zuni Indians and sell it to people that appreciate the intricacy and beauty. Their art is so fine it is almost like needlepoint.”
\nHow do your customers find you?
\n“They don’t … I find them. I have been doing it for 40 years. No point in stopping, it is what I love and my wife isn’t waiting at home for me any more.”
\nMarried 58 years, but his wife is no longer waiting at home for him ... I swallowed.
\n“She lives three hours away. So, I visit every weekend. Drive there. We have lunch together. I drive back.\u2028\u2028It’s been a little over two years now. She still recognizes me, which is good, but I am not sure for how much longer.”
\n\nWe love life, not because we are used to living but because we are used to loving. \n\n
\nFriedrich Nietzsche\n
\nThinking Allowed
\n\n\n\n\nThis is a People First post that was originally on the People First domain. It has been moved here as part of my domain consolidation program. It’s a steady and slow WIP as I check each entry, so do please bear with me.\n\nA post from last year … it was probably back then when I started formulating Travels without Charley
\n", "date_published": "2018-07-25T06:27:20+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2018/07/24/a-post-from.html", "tags": ["People First","Travels Without Charley"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2018/07/13/the-sixth-in.html", "content_html": "The sixth in my series …
\n‘Real Stories of Real People – Travels Without Charley’
\nhas been published on BIZCATALYST 360°.
\n“Gina’s husband is a magician and maths teacher. He really wants to bring the two worlds together. Should He? Could He? Would He?”
\n", "date_published": "2018-07-14T08:07:27+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2018/07/13/the-sixth-in.html", "tags": ["People First","Travels Without Charley"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2018/07/11/people-jk.html", "title": "People: 'JK'", "content_html": "‘JK’ was born in Eastern Texas - ‘where there are trees and orchards’. From there she moved down to Corpus Christie … showed me photographs of the Ocean and Beaches that she could step out to from the restaurant she worked in.
\nGorgeous, what took you there from East Texas?
\n“My boyfriend.”
\n“I have moved a lot, so when he suggested it, I was hesitant, but he pushed, he had a great opportunity and said that when we moved, we wouldn’t be doing the lifting, moving and driving, we were going to pay someone else to do all that. Nobody had ever said something like that to me before. How could I refuse?”
\nSo great boyfriend, great career opportunity, beautiful new place and town to live in …
\n.. and yes, she had moved again. Away from the Ocean and Beach. Away from her new home. Leaving behind her new life and was now working in a very different kind of place, in a very different part of Texas.
\nTurns out she wasn’t even with her boyfriend anymore.
\nHe was everything she could have wanted, but it wasn’t to be.
\nIt was Thanksgiving. She and the children were at her mothers waiting for him to join them. She called. No answer. Eventually, she got word.
\nHe was just 37 when he had his heart attack and died. Thirty Seven. Leaving behind her, her ten year old and his two young teenagers.
\nShe was worried that she might not see his children anymore. They had gone back to ‘their family’, she meanwhile has headed north to her family, the only ‘close’ people she had left in the world. But essentially, she was still alone and all after being shown the possibility of a brighter new future, only to have the rug whipped out from under her. In her mind, she had nothing left.
\nShe met another woman at her new place of work. Instant connection. ‘Two sisters from different misters’. Support immediately given. Unconditionally. They have been inseparable for nearly a year. Just a month ago, they were driving in the city and as she looked out through the car window, the cloud lifted. In her words, it was nothing short of an epiphany. As she looked at the view, truly seeing for the first time she knew at that moment it was time. Time to live again.
\nShe still misses her partner and his children, the ocean, the beach, the life that he had promised and that they had started, but she is getting through it thanks to her ‘BFF’ - a true friend without who she couldn’t have done any of this.
\nI met her friend. As always, never far away, even at work.
\n\nChange is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.\n\n
\nJohn F. Kennedy\n
", "date_published": "2018-07-12T18:28:54+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2018/07/11/people-jk.html", "tags": ["? LongForm","People First","Travels Without Charley"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2018/07/05/the-fifth-in.html", "content_html": "The fifth in my series …
\n‘Real Stories of Real People – Travels Without Charley’
\nhas been published on BIZCATALYST 360°.
\n“Dan owns and runs a craft beer bar and one of the beers he offers is Coors … I asked why. He had a good answer.”
\n", "date_published": "2018-07-06T07:47:58+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2018/07/05/the-fifth-in.html", "tags": ["People First","Travels Without Charley"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2018/06/25/people-alan-and.html", "title": "People: Alan and Margaret", "content_html": "Alan from the mid west, Margaret from the East Coast, met, married and started a family in Ohio.
\nAlan was someone who lived by the rules, so it took ‘Madge’ to show Alan an advert for a job opportunity in California.
\nAlan wasn’t sure but applied anyway. He got the job and the two of them moved their lives 2,500 miles away.
\nThey had children and grand children and all the while, Alan whilst moving jobs, played by the rules and kept a single career in Banking. The whole family all still live in California
\nAlan retired and continued into his retirement with the rule book at his side. He didn’t say if he ‘got the gold watch’.
\nAnd then he hit 70. Something stopped inside of him. Something started inside of him. The rule book was dispatched to the garbage can.
\nHe is now 72. Their house is sold - as are most of the furnishings. The rest sits in storage. The two of them travel. Everywhere. Together. They just got back from Portugal. She would have stayed there. He needed to come back first. They still might move.
\nLife is changing around them faster than ever - but just as when they were in their twenties, it’s Madge who is ahead in the thinking. Alan just needs to catch up. I think he will.
\n\"I said, hey babe, take a walk on the wild side.\"\n
Lou Reed
\nThinking Allowed
\n\n\n\n\nThis is a People First post that was originally on the People First domain. It has been moved here as part of my domain consolidation program. It’s a steady and slow WIP as I check each entry, so do please bear with me.\n\nThe fourth of my series … ‘Real Stories of Real People – Travels Without Charley’. …. has been published on BIZCATALYST 360°.
\nThis one is about Candy.
\n", "date_published": "2018-06-26T09:10:44+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2018/06/25/the-fourth-of.html", "tags": ["People First","Travels Without Charley"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2018/06/25/people-brad.html", "title": "People: Brad", "content_html": "Brad studied and graduated in Aerodynamics and then went on to work in Florida, before moving to Virginia as an Aeronautical Engineer.
\nAnd then he ‘had the rug pulled out from under him’.
\nI assumed that he was the casualty of some corporate down-sizing or reorganization, but no…
\n“I met a girl, and then she said ‘Hi’.”\n
… and at a stroke, he started his life again, moving to the other side of the continent and then training as an actor and getting work over a period of many years.
\nHe naturally progressed to Director with his last production being mounted just two years ago - after he had started his novel which which was published in 2015.
\nHis engineering background directed the back drop for his SciFi novel where he explored a number of themes based in what Brad called ‘bleeding edge and real science’.
\nLongevity was one of those themes.
\nThe book is set 400 years into the future, both Moon and Mars are colonized and people now routinely live to 200 years old and during that life-time they may have three or four careers. In Brad’s world, it is routine to qualify and work in one discipline and then start all over again in another, and another throughout life.
\nI can’t help feeling that as an aeronautical engineer-come-actor-come-director-come-writer - not to mention quite a few other ‘careers’ as part of his life’s journey that the book was perhaps semi-autobiographical.
\n”There are things known and there are things unknown, and in between are the doors of perception.”\n
Aldous Huxley
\nThinking Allowed
\n\n\n\n\nThis is a People First post that was originally on the People First domain. It has been moved here as part of my domain consolidation program. It’s a steady and slow WIP as I check each entry, so do please bear with me.\n\n‘Real Stories of Real People – Travels Without Charley’ : Caroline and Marcus : No.3
\nCaroline and Marcus travel to travel.
\nSign Up For The People First Newsletter
\nMore: Tenets | Quotes | Frameworks | Stories
\nThinking Allowed
\n\n\n\n\nThis is a People First post that was originally on the People First domain. It has been moved here as part of my domain consolidation program. It’s a steady and slow WIP as I check each entry, so do please bear with me.\n\nI am delighted that the second of my series … ‘Real Stories of Real People – Travels Without Charley’. …. has been published on BIZCATALYST 360°.
\nThis one is about Stevie.
\n", "date_published": "2018-06-13T03:23:13+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2018/06/12/i-am-delighted.html", "tags": ["People First","Travels Without Charley"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2018/06/05/people-pete.html", "title": "People: Pete", "content_html": "Pete … loud … but nice. Turkish is his ’baby’ has ‘been with him for 15 years’. Turkish looked up at me from Pete’s lap. Cute.
\n“You don’t sound like you’re from America”
\n“What’s it like?”
\n… staccato questions - like gunfire.
\n“Never been myself … my brother went to New York a couple of years ago. Had a great time, other than being manhandled by the police.”
\nI stopped and looked at him. An older gentleman, with that rough London accent that would have fitted into a movie like ‘The Long Good Friday’. (Excellent movie BTW - if a tad dated.)
\n“Seriously?” I asked.
\n“Yeah,” he said " up in Harlem. My Brothers mad on Jazz, so someone bundled him in a cab and told the driver to take him up to Harlem. He had a great time. Only white bloke in the entire place and the Jazz was amazing. Well, that’s what the brother said, i don’t know. I wasn’t there.
\n“Yeah that area is great for music, sounds a fun time … what went wrong?”
\n“Well, it turns out that he was the only white boy and not just in the club! When he left, a police car driving by saw him and they thought he didn’t ‘look right’, so pulled over and had him against a wall in seconds.”
\nHe went on …. “Once they heard him talk, the penny must have dropped … so sent him on his way, but they told him he wasn’t in the right neighborhood - so don’t come back.”
\n“So he didn’t, not even to America. Blimey that President of theirs talks about ‘no go’ areas in London … what a load of bollocks, I think he got confused with New York.”
\n\"So would you go to America?\" I asked?.
\n“Me? No mate. Not me. My brothers a big bloke and if that can happen to him - I’m not gonna risk it … I’m 76 now, not as quick on my feet as I used to be.”
\n\"But that’s a pretty unusual case.\"
\n“Probably.” he said, “but why risk it? What’s America got that I need - let alone want?”
\nGood question.
\nA little piece of you\nThe little peace in me\nWill die\nFor this is not America\n
David Bowie
\nThinking Allowed
\n\n\n\n\nThis is a People First post that was originally on the People First domain. It has been moved here as part of my domain consolidation program. It’s a steady and slow WIP as I check each entry, so do please bear with me.\n\nRiley was angry. Not visibly. But it wasn’t hard to ‘see’.
\nHe had been fighting the fires as they encroached on his house with his father. He could see the fire down the street, but right then he felt it was all manageable. He was about to cut down the fences while keeping the house wet with the water hoses.
\nThat’s when the Fire Department arrived.
\n“We’ve got it”. They said. “But you and the family need get out to safe ground.”
\nRiley looked around, the fire was a quarter of a mile away, the Fire Department had arrived, there was a water hydrant right there in the road.
\n“We’ve got it.” They reiterated - you need to leave.
\nRiley and the family left. They only took what they needed.
\nThey returned the next morning, their house was gone. All the houses from where the fire was through to his were gone. The house next door was still standing.
\nApparently The fire had ‘jumped’, quickly with speed - there weren’t sufficient resources, once a fire took hold the strategy was to not to ‘protect’, but to ‘contain’.
\nIt would have taken them maybe 10 minutes more to load up their cars with the boxes of pictures, the memorabilia, the family history … packed for an entirely different reason, but left behind because they ‘trusted’ the authorities, the professionals, the people who ‘knew what they were doing’. All that was now gone, along with their house.
\nYes - Riley was angry. ‘If only’ - he had stayed, it would have been different. ‘If only’ - they had loaded the cars, mom would not be crying every day … 6 months later. ‘If only’ - the fire service had done their job. He had a lot of ‘if only’ in him…
\nBut he knew in his heart that they had done their job. He was really just angry at himself. He seemed to feel that he had failed.
\nWhat he didn’t know was if he had stayed whether the outcome would be different. And if it was different, would the outcome be better or worse.
\nHolding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal held in your hand, with the intent of throwing it at someone else. You are the only one that gets burned.\n
Buddha
\n", "date_published": "2018-06-02T22:00:43+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2018/06/02/people-riley.html", "tags": ["? LongForm","People First","Travels Without Charley"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2018/06/01/people-evelyn.html", "title": "People: Evelyn", "content_html": "“We quit taking credit cards because of the fees.”
\n“Couldn’t you have passed the fees back to customers that wanted to use credit?”
\n“That would have been too complicated.”
\n“And now you are closing down because there aren’t enough customers?”
\n“Yes.”
\nMake your product easier to buy than your competition, or you will find your customers buying from them, not you.\n
Mark Cuban
\nThinking Allowed
\n\n\n\n\nThis is a People First post that was originally on the People First domain. It has been moved here as part of my domain consolidation program. It’s a steady and slow WIP as I check each entry, so do please bear with me.\n\n“I was born in Tijuana. I grew up In San Diego. I moved to San Jose and then San Francisco. Now I’m in Oregon. I guess I’ll get to Canada eventually.”
\n“Always a barman?” I asked.
\n“Always a barman.”
\n“Never thought about doing more? Management? Your own place?”
\n“Nah." He said. “Increase my hours, increase my responsibilities, increase my workload, reduce my interaction with my customers and slash my earnings? I might be a barman, but I’m not stupid!”
\n\n“I recently asked a room full of 100 managers, ‘If you could keep your current pay but go back to your old role as an individual contributor, would you do it?’” Wellins says. “About 90 people raised their hands. It startled me. I see it as an indication that lots of managers accepted promotions for the wrong reasons.”\n\n
\nRichard Wellins\n
\nThinking Allowed
\n\n\n\n\nThis is a People First post that was originally on the People First domain. It has been moved here as part of my domain consolidation program. It’s a steady and slow WIP as I check each entry, so do please bear with me.\n\nCynthia was brought up about 50 miles away, moved here in her teens, and ‘worked the tables’ for longer than she meant to. On ‘the way through’ she fell into a job that she had for 38 years and had just retired from, not because she had to but really because the market had fallen through the floor.
\nCynthia traveled the world working for a single company for every one of those 38 years. She loved it.
\nBefore she got into it, she didn’t even know it was a job to be done. Have to say - 38 years later, neither did I.
\nEver wondered what happened to those gold fillings when grandma passed? Cynthia knows. In Cynthia’s words; “Whoever saw grandma last, just before she was ‘planted’ …. that’s who knows where the gold went. And it wasn’t buried with her.”
\nBottom line, Cynthia worked for a gold refinery business - ‘recycling’ division. It was ‘big business’ and kept Cynthia in a really good job for most of her working life.
\nIn case you don’t think that there was money to be made, Cynthia assured me that just one old dentist carpet that was going to be thrown away delivered thousands of dollars in gold.
\n“Gold," I said. “I thought that market was very much alive and well?”
\n“It is,” she said, “but not at the dentists. People haven’t been doing gold fillings for years now - and if they aren’t filling their mouths with gold, we have nothing to buy and recycle.”
\n\nIf you want a happy ending, that depends, of course, on where you stop your story.\n\n
\nOrson Welles\n
\n---\nThinking Allowed
\n\n\n\n\nThis is a People First post that was originally on the People First domain. It has been moved here as part of my domain consolidation program. It’s a steady and slow WIP as I check each entry, so do please bear with me.\n\nThe conversation started simply enough. He lived just up the road, had a little farm … “just as a hobby you know”.
\nYes, he’s been in farming the whole of his life, always in ‘these parts’.
\nHis son runs the ‘family farms’. We’ve mainly got grain, orchards and nuts.
\n“Oh. All over” … the answer to where the farms are located.… “and we have patents.\"
\nWhich raised my eyebrows … how many farmers do you know that have patents? No, me neither.
\nTurns out the patents are in water - wastewater specifically.
\nTurns out that there are many customers from all over the world already using his technology. Paying customers. A global business that emerged from the farming. And you would never know without talking to him. Exploring the conversation. Doing the journey with him.
\nWithout all of that, he was just 'another' elderly gentleman, keeping himself to himself, watching 'the game', having a glass of wine at the end of the day - like he does every day BTW.\n
\n\n\n\n\nIsn’t it funny how day by day nothing changes, but when you look back, everything is different.\n
C.S. Lewis
Thinking Allowed
\n\n\n\n\nThis is a People First post that was originally on the People First domain. It has been moved here as part of my domain consolidation program. It’s a steady and slow WIP as I check each entry, so do please bear with me.\n\n“I trained as a Psychologist.”
\n“I became a Winemaker.”
\n“I run a Bar.”
\n“It’s all the same really.”
\n", "date_published": "2018-05-29T07:37:02+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2018/05/28/people-kerry.html", "tags": ["? LongForm","People First","Travels Without Charley"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2018/05/28/people-james.html", "title": "People: James", "content_html": "“I’m descended from a Scotsman who married a Dakotan Indian. That’s how I came to be in the Crystal business.”
\nJames never explained how that particular logic worked. I think that is part of his charm … and, of course was proud of his lineage.
\n“But I am Gay - who KNOWS where that came from,” he then proclaimed … in that wonderfully affirmative, standing proud way that some people have.
\nJames. Lovely. Outgoing. Humorous. Positive. Self-Effacing.
\nIs it because I’m English that I value that trait?
\nThen again, a six foot, loud, witty, dyed blonde, gay guy selling crystals in a town of less than 30,000 - can you be self-effacing?
\n", "date_published": "2018-05-29T07:35:58+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2018/05/28/people-james.html", "tags": ["? LongForm","People First","Travels Without Charley"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2018/05/28/people-midori.html", "title": "People: Midori", "content_html": "“My dad is half Japanese and half Latvian, my mom is French, they met, married and I was born in Alabama.”
\nThat’s a story right there … it emerged as I complimented her on her tattoos.
\n“This one,” pointing to her upper left arm, “is by an artist that specialized in Victorian Cats but as she got older the cat illustrations morphed into psychedelic art. The explanation of the morphing emerged when doctors diagnosed her as schizophrenic. My brother is a cat lover who is schizophrenic, this is to honor him."
\nAs I looked at the tattoo, it flipped between cat and owl, not quite as a Rubin Vase … better, more detail, with color … it was almost alive.
\nThe tattoo just below the dedication to her brother was of a tear vial. The art was beautiful. The story that accompanied it just as.
\nA young woman literally (?) wearing her heart on her sleeve.
\n\nIt is as sure as you are Roderigo,\nWere I the Moor, I would not be Iago.\nIn following him, I follow but myself;\nHeaven is my judge, not I for love and duty,\nBut seeming so, for my peculiar end;\nFor when my outward action doth demonstrate\nThe native act and figure of my heart\nIn complement extern, ’tis not long after\nBut I will wear my heart upon my sleeve\nFor daws to peck at. I am not what I am.\n\n
\nWilliam Shakespeare\n
\nThinking Allowed
\n\n\n\n\nThis is a People First post that was originally on the People First domain. It has been moved here as part of my domain consolidation program. It’s a steady and slow WIP as I check each entry, so do please bear with me.\n\n“I was born in Palm Springs” he said.
\nHe had my attention. I know a few people who have lived in Palm Springs. James was the first time I knew of someone born there.
\n“Then I moved to Wisconsin.”
\nAn unusual move (at least in terms of direction), from my perspective.
\n“.. and now I’m here. I do guided walks through the wine country.”
\n\n\"That must be wonderful.\"\n
\n“Not really,” he replied, “I’m actually a pastor, but sometimes you need to make it work.”
\nJean used to be a Dean at one of California’s Universities.
\n“… and now I work in a tasting room, learning as much as I can about wine. It’s the dream of my life."
\nDifferent horses on similar courses … from different stables, with different riders heading to different finish lines.
\nYou have to know which race you are in - and you will rarely know that of another.
\n\"The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function.\"\n
F. Scott Fitzgerald
", "date_published": "2018-05-28T08:52:48+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2018/05/27/people-james-and.html", "tags": ["? LongForm","People First","Travels Without Charley"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2018/05/21/there-are-a.html", "content_html": "There are a series of posts that I am publishing at People First that are my simple, beginners attempt to capture stories about people I meet.
\nI announced them here.
\nThey are catalogued under ‘Travels Without Charley’ here if you are interested.
\n", "date_published": "2018-05-22T05:03:28+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2018/05/21/there-are-a.html", "tags": ["People First","Travels Without Charley"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2018/05/21/people-sarah.html", "title": "People: Sarah", "content_html": "She was alone at the bar … a glass of water, a giant pile of French fries and a separate bowl of potato chips sat in front of her. The seats on either side of her were empty at an otherwise full bar.
\n“No” she said. “Nobody is sitting there”
\nI took a seat, introduced myself and she said her name was Sarah. I ordered a beverage.
\nSomeone to my right was talking about a seminar being held that night on the topic of renewable energy.
\nInteresting. I wouldn’t really have expected that topic to be high on the list in this establishment. I surfed the conversation. Not my gig really. It sounded as if it was going to be more like a sales pitch than educational.
\nThat didn’t put Sarah off who had heard the answer and asked if anyone could attend. Turns out it was invitation only, but the other person ambled off to see if there were any ‘spare’ invitations.
\nI asked Sarah if she was interested in renewable energy. Not specifically she said, but it’s always good to learn.
\nOur investigator returned but there were no spare invitations. She then spent time explaining to Sarah how she could get invited to the next seminar.
\nConversation with Sarah was sporadic, and I eventually stood up, excused myself and went out for some air.
\nI returned 10 minutes later, the Barman had packaged up Sarah’s chips and fries to go and she had left.
\nI never learned her story, but the barman filled me in on what he knew. The previous manager had banned her but she had discovered that there was a new one and started coming again. The ‘carb loaded diet’ was what she could afford, the water was free. The spaces either side of her at the bar helped the other patrons breathe more easily … hygiene was not her highest priority. She lived ‘nowhere’.
\nAnd yet she understood the world well enough to have a meaningful conversation with the lady running the renewable energy seminar … though my guess is that what she was really wanting was some proper food.
\n\nThe discovery of truth is prevented more effectively, not by the false appearance things present and which mislead into error, not directly by weakness of the reasoning powers, but by preconceived opinion, by prejudice.\n\n
\nArthur Schopenhauer\n
\nThinking Allowed
\n\n\n\n\nThis is a People First post that was originally on the People First domain. It has been moved here as part of my domain consolidation program. It’s a steady and slow WIP as I check each entry, so do please bear with me.\n\nThey were from Massachusetts. This was the start of their fourth month on the road - thousands of miles away from their home.
\nMary was stood watching John who was lying on his back under the car.
\nI remarked that if I actually knew anything about how to fix engines, I would offer to help diagnose the problem. But I didn’t, so it was pointless. Was there anything else I could do to help?
\nMary smiled, “no thank-you” she said and went on to remark that they had just spent $500 giving the truck a service because they felt it needed it. Not because anything was wrong. They got the truck back yesterday. This was the first problem of the trip.
\n“I am sure it is just a coincidence,” said Mary.
\nI know I would not be so magnanimous.
\n“It’s ok”, she said, “we have Triple A. They will come and fix it. And while we are waiting, who could want a more beautiful place to wait.”
\nI looked around. No argument.
\nThe smiles on their faces. The positivity. The gentleness, The patience.
\nThey were just fine.
\n\nA healthy attitude is contagious but don't wait to catch it from others. Be a carrier.\n\n
\nTom Stoppard\n
\nThinking Allowed
\n\n\n\n\nThis is a People First post that was originally on the People First domain. It has been moved here as part of my domain consolidation program. It’s a steady and slow WIP as I check each entry, so do please bear with me.\n\nGina told me that her husband was a magician. A very good magician.
\nTurns out that he is also a maths teacher. That’s how he makes is money. He really wants to make his living as a magician. Magic is is his passion.
\nHer husband thinks that maths could be made more interesting to students by using magic. Essentially going to schools and revealing the maths through performance and magic.
\nNot exactly sure how that would work, but it is a wonderful example of mixing passion with income. Ikigai is a simple guide to how well we are all doing on that score by the way.
\nI asked her if he had approached any of the schools in the area to let him come in and try out the idea.
\nNo. No he hadn’t. He didn’t think that they would ‘go for it’.
\n“If you don’t ask - how do you know?” I asked.
\nShe looked at me silently and after a long pause said that she would tell him to start asking.
\n\nDon’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. \n\n
\nSteve Jobs\n
\nThinking Allowed
\n\n\n\n\nThis is a People First post that was originally on the People First domain. It has been moved here as part of my domain consolidation program. It’s a steady and slow WIP as I check each entry, so do please bear with me.\n\nDan knew what he was doing. He offered me an Amber Ale from his selection. It was glorious. Arguably one of the best Amber’s I had ever tasted.
\nThe rest of the beer selection looked equally impressive (Looked - because I didn’t taste them all).
\nI didn’t quite get why Coors was on the list. It hardly fitted into the craft beer category that described everything else.
\n“Oh”, he said, “I did a deal with them, they agreed to install my entire beer system for free if I agreed to sell Coors. They did, So I do.”
\n“And we are a business. A lot of people drink Coors and those profits support what I really enjoy doing.
\nHe’s a wise man that Dan. Maybe that is why he is moving to The United Arab Emirates. Or maybe he’s doing that regardless?
\n“No matter what the work you are doing, be always ready to drop it. And plan it, so as to be able to leave it.”\n
\nLeo Tolstoy\n
\nThinking Allowed
\n\n\n\n\nThis is a People First post that was originally on the People First domain. It has been moved here as part of my domain consolidation program. It’s a steady and slow WIP as I check each entry, so do please bear with me.\n\nI met Candy while she was having dinner with her beau ... Brian. She is a truck driver who operates as far North as Seattle and as far South as San Jose.
\n\n\n\n\nHer grandfather had a business maintaining and fixing trucks. In that part of the country, back in those days, I am guessing his shop was THE place to go. Her father didn’t share the love of trucks. He tinkered. He knew his stuff ... but he didn’t feel it.
\n\n\nOn the side, he fixed bikes. He was good at it. Very good. It was a passion. Everybody said to him that he should go into the bike business. He did. He loved it. It worked. He never looked back.
\n\n\nThat is probably why Candy found herself riding a motorbike at the age of 5. On her first ride, she fell off. She wasn’t hurt and with help from her dad - got right back on.
\n\n\nShe hasn’t fallen off since, let alone crashed.
\n\n\nIt was through her bike that she met Brian. He was a pro motocross rider. Together they still ride ... on and off the roads.
\n\n\nA woman living a life she loves. Blending a legacy of trucks and a love of motorbikes.
\n\n\n\n\n\"You can get what you want or you can just get old.\"
Billy Joel
Thinking Allowed
\n\n\n\n\nThis is a People First post that was originally on the People First domain. It has been moved here as part of my domain consolidation program. It’s a steady and slow WIP as I check each entry, so do please bear with me.\n\nCaroline and Marcus had arrived in the US a couple of days earlier, most of their two-week sojourn in front of them.
\nThey described their route over the next 10 days. There was going to be a lot of driving. A lot.
\nI knew where they lived in the UK. Each day they were going to drive a distance equivalent to what they did in a month at home.
\nEach day they were going to see a unique piece of nature the likes of which they would not see at home.
\nI knew that somewhere near their home their were tourists from the other side of the world seeing everything that they had in their backyard.
\n\n\"The profoundest distances are never geographical.\"\n
\nJohn Fowles
\nThinking Allowed
\n\n\n\n\nThis is a People First post that was originally on the People First domain. It has been moved here as part of my domain consolidation program. It’s a steady and slow WIP as I check each entry, so do please bear with me.\n\nStevie was unsteady on his feet. He walked slowly. He didn’t seem to have much money. He was visiting the area because he had a hospital appointment.
\nIt wasn’t clear why he needed a hospital. I didn’t ask. His elbow was gashed. But was that the reason? No idea - and not what you explore when you first meet.
\nHis father owned a hardware store back in the day. With his uncle they bought a second store in the next town over.
\nYou know that the hardware businesses did well when you got Bill Champlin to come over to your house and give your son (that would be Stevie) music lessons. Bill was good - even then. Stevie apparently wasn’t.
\nIt is clear that Stevie was a handful throughout his teens. It seemed that he remained that way most of his life.
\nAccording to Stevie - he was never much good at anything - but he was alright. He “didn’t need much”.
\nListening to Stevie, it seemed that he recognized that he had a lot of opportunities, but didn’t make the most them. It wasn’t clear that he regretted anything.
\nExcept he was lonely. I think he is facing his mortality and wondering why he is alone.
\n\nThe whole conviction of my life now rests upon the belief that loneliness, far from being a rare and curious phenomenon, peculiar to myself and to a few other solitary men, is the central and inevitable fact of human existence.\n
\nTom Wolfe
\nThinking Allowed
\n\n\n\n\nThis is a People First post that was originally on the People First domain. It has been moved here as part of my domain consolidation program. It’s a steady and slow WIP as I check each entry, so do please bear with me.\n\nJeff had worked in Somerset for 4 years. Emma's mother was born in England. Now they lived in America. Together.
\nWe found ourselves talking over a couple of brews about the benefits of America over the UK. That with the current uncertainty of America, where would we rather be? More importantly, what would we do if the US continued this way after November of this year.
\nWe agreed that the UK probably wasn't the solution.
\n\"It is of course perfectly natural to assume that everyone else is having a far more exciting time than you. Human beings, for instance, have a phrase that describes this phenomenon, 'The other man's grass is always greener.\"\nThe Shaltanac race of Broopkidren 13 had a similar phrase, but since their planet is somewhat eccentric, botanically speaking, the best they could manage was, 'The other Shaltanac's joopleberry shrub is always a more mauvy shade of pinky-russet.' And so the expression soon fell into disuse, and the Shaltanacs had little option but to become terribly happy and contented with their lot, much to the surprise of everyone else in the Galaxy who had not realized that the best way not to be unhappy is not to have a word for it.\"\n
💬 Douglas Adams
\nThinking Allowed
\n\n\n\n\nThis is a People First post that was originally on the People First domain. It has been moved here as part of my domain consolidation program. It’s a steady and slow WIP as I check each entry, so do please bear with me.\n\nPeople First has a big vision and is moving forward on a variety of initiatives. Life is too short to record it all in detail here ... so I am choosing to reference a few (in alphabetical order);
\n\n\nSome are large far-reaching initiatives some are small ideas. Some I am just interested in, others I am helping get established. I believe all are designed to help 'move the can down the road' in different ways. (The can being that which we each need to move forward to create a better world where people and their humanity are not afterthoughts but at the center of thinking, decisions and action.
\n\n\nAnd that human-centered perspective got me to thinking about people - and their stories.
\n\n\nSo, in parallel with these initiatives, we are also pivoting the site, including moving the blog front and center and dropping the 'WhoWhatWhenWhereWhyHow' pages to a supporting role on the site.
\n\n\n![\"Microphones\"](\"https://people-first.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Microphones.jpg\")
We are also announcing the introduction of a new theme of posts categorized as 'Travels Without Charley' - tipping cap, doffing hat, nodding head vigorously towards one John Steinbeck.
\n\n\n\n\nSteinbeck is one of 4 literary ‘Johns’ that I reference from time to time. Steinbeck, of course, wrote ‘East of Eden’ and ‘Grapes of Wrath’ ... but also a lesser-known work from 1962 that records a journey in 1960 through America with his dog Charley. The book ‘Travels With Charley’ is lovely, containing such delights as
\n\n\n\n\n\n“I suppose our capacity for self-delusion is boundless.”
... still true 60 years later!
\n\n\nMe? I don’t have a dog to travel with and would not even begin to compare myself to someone like Steinbeck. I am just borrowing his idea because there are stories I hear from people. All kinds of people. All the time. So ‘Travels Without Charley’ is my modern day, far less skilled contribution to the storytelling that in my mind has never been lost by people that care - but that corporations and punters constantly reference as if they have just learned of the 'second coming'.
\n\nThinking Allowed
\n\n\n\n\nThis is a People First post that was originally on the People First domain. It has been moved here as part of my domain consolidation program. It’s a steady and slow WIP as I check each entry, so do please bear with me.\n\n![\"Seeking](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2529/2023/82eb24b92c.jpg\")
Vehicle Costs May Put Some Uber and Lyft Drivers in the Red
\n\n\n", "date_published": "2018-04-10T23:07:05+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2018/04/10/exploitation-of-people.html", "tags": ["? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2018/04/08/humanity-over-tech.html", "title": "Humanity Over Tech", "content_html": "”The ride-sharing drivers earn just $3.37 per hour on average, according to an MIT study. I have said for a long time that the same people who object to treatment of workers in remote countries making phones, garments et al ... are generally the self same people who love the convenience of ‘their’ Uber. Case In Point ... disasters. We seem to worry more about issues that are close to home far more than remote ones ... 2 dead in storm floods in the next state over is so much more worrying than 200 dead in Pakistan floods ... yet exploitation of those people in Pakistan by the garment industry hits the news cycle regularly ... exploitation of our own countrymen in the so called ‘sharing economy’ ... that we don’t hear about too much at all.
\n
The news is full of the bad boys of the internet. Their lack of interest in ‘we the people’. Their apparent disregard for humanity. The need and importance for tech tech tech - no humanity needed.
\nBut sometimes - just sometimes - the good news, the positive news, the uplifting news does get through.
\nKeith Block, vice chairman, president and COO of Salesforce, and his wife, Suzanne Kelley, VP of operations & PMO, global business units at Oracle Corporation, made the lead $15 million gift to establish the Block Center for Technology and Society at Carnegie Mellon University's Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy.\n\n", "date_published": "2018-04-09T03:55:09+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2018/04/08/humanity-over-tech.html", "tags": ["? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2018/03/29/cognitive-elites.html", "title": "🚧 Cognitive Elites", "content_html": "
“A 'cognitive elite' will rise to power and influence, as a class of sovereign individuals 'commanding vastly greater resources' who will no longer be subject to the power of nation-states and will redesign governments to suit their ends.”\n
Read More In The Guardian Here
\nCognitive Elites … not the same as ‘Elites’ - and - be it a ‘discredited’ term or not - I have no doubt that those that seek to use technology to protect their interests - and not subjugate themselves to the Corporates will win out. They are thinking, acting, doing and rising above the media clutter. Who are those people? Well, maybe it is easier to point out who they are not …. they are not people;
\nNO - it doesn’t include those people.
\nBut it also is not about having superior intelligence. (Which is what the book was talking about.) No. That is not going to save you. And those people aren’t the cognitive elites that I think about.
\nTo me - I think you are a cognitive elite if you think. At all. Your IQ can be below 100 - like half the population - but that doesn’t mean you can’t think … that is a choice.
\nStart to think. Start to act. Be Different.
\n", "date_published": "2018-03-30T10:23:33+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2018/03/29/cognitive-elites.html", "tags": ["? LongForm","People First","? WIP"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2018/03/29/the-second-innings.html", "title": "The Second Innings Of The Internet", "content_html": "\n “Moral leadership means truly putting people first and making whatever sacrifices that entails,” said Seidman. “That means not always competing on shallow things and quantity — on how much time people spend on your platform — but on quality and depth. It means seeing and treating people not just as ‘users’ or ‘clicks,’ but as ‘citizens,’ who are worthy of being accurately informed to make their best choices. It means not just trying to shift people from one click to another, from one video to another, but instead trying to elevate them in ways that deepen our connections and enrich our conversations.”\n\n
\nDov Seidman, CEO of LRN
\n\n… makes total sense to me. What we have today is the total domination of the online world by old school, old power, old values corporations - and people be damned. That is why we started People First - and interesting to see ourselves at the intersection of organizations and issues like The Indie Web and Internet Identity amongst others.
\nBut if you think about issues like Ad Tracking, Profiling, Big Data, Walled Gardens, Data Warehouses, Self Sovereignty, Data Ownership, Net Neutrality, POSSE, longevity - you can complete the list as well as I can … the entire push and narrative today is to the benefit of the large corporation and the detriment of ‘we the people’.
\nBy the way - if you want to see indie web in action - john.philpin.com is running on micro.blog - a nascent but emerging micro blog environment that is just part of this particular persons war chest of tools to take back the internet for people. More of this to come in future posts.
\nAs I have said for many years - “I am my own system of record”.
\n", "date_published": "2018-03-30T09:39:12+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2018/03/29/the-second-innings.html", "tags": ["? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2018/03/13/digital-tech-is.html", "title": "Digital Tech Is Transforming The Physical Shape Of Our Cities", "content_html": "\"The digital revolution is changing how and where work happens. Employment is becoming more flexible and fluid, with digital technology enabling more people to work remotely and to collaborate in the cloud. This will impact city-centre offices, with landlords having to adjust to weaker demand and shorter leases. And as artificial intelligence bites – machines don’t care where they work – we’ll see the growth of cheaper regional back-offices, which is bad news for expensive cities.\"\n\n", "date_published": "2018-03-14T10:48:49+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2018/03/13/digital-tech-is.html", "tags": ["? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2018/03/08/data-is-the.html", "title": "Data Is The New Oil", "content_html": "
As I watch the emerging news surrounding MoviePass and how they are (note - not have …. despite the changes to their app) tracking their customers, I keep hearing ‘Data Is The New Oil'. It is not a new phrase and in fact as far as I can tell was coined by Clive Humby back in 2006 … but it struck me that if true (it isn’t and I really need to publish that post) then corporations obviously view people as vessels, silos, containers … whatever, but certainly not as people.
\nThinking Allowed
\n\n\n\n\nThis is a People First post that was originally on the People First domain. It has been moved here as part of my domain consolidation program. It’s a steady and slow WIP as I check each entry, so do please bear with me.\n\nWatching the emerging crap surrounding MoviePass and I keep hearing ‘Data Is The New Oil'. It is not a new phrase, but it struck me that if true (it isn’t) then corporations obviously view people as vessels, silos, containers … whatever, but certainly not as people.
\n", "date_published": "2018-03-09T03:47:52+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2018/03/08/watching-the-emerging.html", "tags": ["People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2018/03/02/apologies-for-our.html", "content_html": "👁️ Apologies For Our Absence
\n… we have been doing a little housekeeping at ‘Chez First’ … and now we are finished. You can expect a lot more interesting and relevant information coming through this channel. Thank you.
\n", "date_published": "2018-03-03T18:38:24+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2018/03/02/apologies-for-our.html", "tags": ["People First","? Asides"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2018/02/26/the-downside-of.html", "title": "The Downside Of Social Media", "content_html": "Titans of Social Media explain why they might have made a mistake.
\nThere has been a lot of recent commentary on social media addiction, but this video summary was interesting, concise and in 15 minutes says it all.
\nTo me what is interesting is that they all say that they could see it coming … and then did it anyway. What does that say about them. It certainly doesn’t say that they ‘put people first’.
\nFor those of us who have lived in relatively placid times, it is hard to believe that American politics could become more chaotic than it is today... something...will push us into a new and uncertain era of politics, likely far stranger and possibly more dangerous than anything in memory. The force is technology. It's easy to think we're living through a disruptive period now, but we're only scratching the surface of what true technological change can do to a society... technological change over the past half-century has been almost trivial... however, a new pivot may be coming.\n", "date_published": "2018-02-27T07:21:38+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2018/02/26/the-downside-of.html", "tags": ["? Links","? Videos","? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2018/01/17/innovation-silicon-valley.html", "title": "Innovation Silicon Valley Style", "content_html": "\nWithin just a few years, driverless cars will be plying the streets in great numbers, multilingual artificial intelligence programs will take over many customer service roles, and algorithms chewing over the massive amounts of data we emit will manage everything from our day-to-day health to the contents of our refrigerators. Robots are becoming more dexterous and less likely to trip over themselves, and gene editing may trigger a transformation that starts with the treatment of disease and could easily end up with the transformation of humans themselves… perhaps just 10 to 20 years from now, we will have to deal with the threat technology poses to our social order-and to our politics… widely cited work by scholars at Oxford University puts the share of jobs at risk in America…at nearly 50 percent.
\nThe best-case scenario is one in which American society experiences a great awakening, leading to a flowering of social movements that provide the political support for significant reforms… a second, more dire scenario might come to pass: that of creeping authoritarianism… If democracy cannot respond effectively and authoritarianism does not keep the peace, then a third scenario becomes more probable-state failure…There is a fourth possible future: the deus ex machina, the external shock that creates the conditions for radical, but democratic change."
People First is delighted to share work that is relevant to our initiatives. Geoffrey Moore is an author, speaker and management strategy advisor. His work has influenced the careers of many of us at People First and we are excited he granted us permission to share this particular article.
\n\n\nThere is a cottage industry in conducting executive tours of Silicon Valley, and now increasingly San Francisco SOMA, to expose teams from other parts of the planet to what is admittedly a uniquely successful culture of innovation and wealth creation. I’m all for it up to a point. Where I part company from the herd is with the notion that global corporations have a chance in hell of playing the same game. They don’t. Here’s why.
\n\n\nTo quote a hopefully soon-to-be would-be candidate for president, Silicon Valley’s version of the innovation game is rigged! That is, it is specifically designed around a venture capital oriented ecosystem that is uniquely aligned to support investments in disruptive innovation. The limited partners who fund VCs want their money put into these high-risk, high-reward endeavours. The VCs that parcel out that money interview entrepreneurs to pick the best ideas, plans, and teams to prosecute a disruptive innovation. The ecosystem of service providers needed to support these fledgling enterprises is deeply experienced in navigating the economic gyrations brought on by the Technology Adoption Life Cycle. And when any individual joins one of these companies, he or she knows their sole mission in life is to bring the targeted disruptive innovation to scale as fast as possible, come hell or high water, Devil take the hindmost. Now, I ask you, where else in the world could you expect to find this kind of alignment?
\n\n\nMost companies in most economies in most places live by sustaining innovation, not disruption. Successful investments are typically medium-to-low risk with medium-to-high rewards. They do not involve going through a bet-the-company J-curve, that deep and harrowing financial trough from which only a fraction of traveler’s return. Financiers from traditional economies do not want the companies they invest in to take this route—they want steadier ROIs from more proven paths. The executive teams who run these companies developed their considerable expertise prosecuting opportunities of just this sort. The workforce’s who report in to them are not prepared to work crazy-long hours in pursuit of some visionary dream, nor do they want them to. They want them to show up, be present, do real work, and then go home and spend time with their families, loved ones, and significant others. That’s what economic stability is all about.
\n\n\nSo, when a disruptive innovation does cross the chasm and breaches the defenses of one of their mainstream marketplaces, it should come to no one’s surprise that it is not being led by any currently successful established competitor. Frankly, such organizations all have better fish to fry. BUT, once a disruption has breached the mainstream market’s defenses and taken hold, then the game is dramatically changed. The old way is now under existential threat, the established ecosystem is no longer economically viable, and customers are looking to their traditional vendors to see if they can and will adopt the new playbook.
\n\n\nNow, the good news here is that customers do not like to switch vendors. This means, if you and your ecosystem of partners can stand down from your old positions of power and take up the new modus operandi, then your prospects of defending your turf are actually quite good. You don’t have to introduce a disruptive new business model of your own to do this, but you do have to catch up—and smartly too! This means you have to incorporate enough of the new technology to modernize your operating model, to blunt the appeal of the disruptor by stealing a bit of their thunder. That is, your goal is not to differentiate in order to win new customers—that’s the disruptor’s playbook. They want the customers you have. Your goal instead is to neutralize the opposition’s appeal in order to keep your existing customers loyal to you. Differentiation and neutralization call for two very different playbooks. Silicon Valley is the master of the first. You need the second.
\n\n\nFor that, you should look outside the Valley to a company like Microsoft, one that has spent the entire arc of its history protecting the extraordinary customer base it was gifted by the near-universal adoption of the IBM PC. Without exception its most successful products were born out of neutralization, not differentiation. That is, Windows neutralized the Macintosh OS, Windows NT neutralized Novell, Office neutralized WordPerfect, Lotus 1-2-3, and Persuasion, Outlook neutralized cc:Mail, SQL Server neutralized IBM DB2 and Oracle, and Internet Explorer neutralized Netscape Navigator. In every case, Microsoft was quick to clone just to get something vaguely competitive into the market asap, and then worked relentlessly first to bring its product up to speed and eventually to surpass the original disruptor. And all along the way, it leveraged its existing market position to bundle early offerings in for free, monetizing them downstream either on their own or by virtue of them sustaining the price premium of the suites they had been incorporated into.
\n\n\nBy contrast, Silicon Valley companies that have found themselves under a comparable attack have often tried a different tack. They have sought to out-innovate the innovator, to leapfrog the freakin’ toad that just leapfrogged them! Yahoo wanted to out-innovate Google with social search. Sun and HP wanted to out-innovate Intel with Spark and PA-RISC. eBay wanted to out-innovate Amazon by buying Skype. But when the barbarians are at the gates, there is no time to invent a new weapon or experiment with an unproven one—you have to co-opt the one they are using against you.
\n\n\nSo, yes, please do come to Silicon Valley and take away whatever lessons you can incorporate successfully into your current enterprise. Everyone needs to differentiate eventually. But you might extend your trip up to Redmond to learn a trick or two from the folks up there as well.
\n\n\nThat’s what I think. What do you think?
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\n\n", "date_published": "2018-01-18T08:30:30+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2018/01/17/innovation-silicon-valley.html", "tags": ["? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2018/01/01/happy-new-year.html", "title": "Happy New Year", "content_html": "Best wishes to each and everyone of you. We hope you make 2018 what you want it to be.
\nOur apologies for the apparent silence over the past three months. To the casual observer, this might seem like a quiet place but it belies the frantic activity running under the surface. We plan to make out work public in the next few months, so watch this space.
\nUntil then, take the sentiments of Cyril to heart.
\nIf you don’t know who you are, there is little you can do to improve the lives of others. You have to make your own way and help yourself before you can help others, as we seek to help others at People First.
\nDon’t forget that you can follow us on Twitter to keep up with the latest activities.
\n", "date_published": "2018-01-01T20:05:24+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2018/01/01/happy-new-year.html", "tags": ["? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2017/10/16/executive-development-we.html", "title": "Executive Development: We Need Our Next Generation of General Managers Now!", "content_html": "![\"Geoff](\"https://people-first.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/geoff_moore-150x150.jpg\")
As technological innovation continues to disrupt industry after industry in waves of what Joseph Schumpeter taught us to call “creative destruction,” executive decision-making is being driven down in the organizational hierarchy, closer to the customer, nearer to the action. This in turn is putting pressure on the HR function to deliver programs to develop executive talent faster and better than ever before. They are going to need help.
\nAll development programs are intended to change state, so as good program designers, it behooves us to answer two questions at the outset:
\nHere is a template for getting started:
\n\n
\n![](\"https://media.licdn.com/mpr/mpr/AAEAAQAAAAAAAAnXAAAAJDk5OThkNGU0LWI1YjctNDM3OC05ZmMzLTU1NzQyODRlMDgzNA.jpg\")
The seminal idea behind these two sets is a “T for talent” model that values executives both for expertise in a specific function (the vertical bar of the T) and the ability to collaborate effectively across functions (the horizontal bar of the T). Much of the management literature I am exposed to undervalues the former and overvalues the latter. The truth is you need both, and in my experience, they are best developed sequentially.
\nThe good news here is that every profession has excellent resources to help candidates achieve what we have labeled current state. These skills are specific to each discipline, and there is no substitute for mastering one such set. If you never become expert at anything, you can never really grasp the power of expertise nor understand its limits, so when you go to lead, you end up being naïve about both. That said, I think our current systems are clear and powerful when it comes to addressing this challenge. It is with the next one where they start to wobble a bit.
\nThe first thing to say about what we have labeled future state is that it represents an and, not an or. We are creating a T, and that requires both a vertical and a horizontal stroke. Too many so-called leadership curricula dismiss management as pedestrian in their efforts to position leadership as equestrian. Or worse, they oppose leader to manager, making the former a hero, the latter a villain. This is not just a mistake, it is an invitation to a catastrophe. Under most circumstances, organizations are far better off with strong management and weak leadership than the opposite. That said, however, today’s disruptive era is not most circumstances. In an age of disruption, strong leadership is a necessity. So what, then, does an evolution from effective manager to effective leader actually entail?
\nThat’s what I think. What do you think?
", "date_published": "2017-10-17T01:20:49+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2017/10/16/executive-development-we.html", "tags": ["? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2017/10/03/from-customer-service.html", "title": "From Customer Service to Customer Success: Taking the Next Step", "content_html": "In the Age of the Product, customer service ensured that the product lived up to its specifications. Everything after that was the customer’s responsibility, not the vendor’s. In the Age of the Customer, the bar has been raised. Now it is the outcome that must live up to the customer’s expectations, else it is the vendor who is left holding the bag. That requires a whole new function, what the SaaS sector has taught us to call customer success. Let’s take a closer look at what has to change.
\nFirst of all, we still need customer service. Products still break, implementations still go awry, and parts still wear out, and they all need to be attended to. The traditional CRM customer service model is admirably suited to the task. It is organized around a trouble ticket generating a case which is managed through to a resolution with the data captured in a knowledge base to better inform the next case. This is by design a product-centric model, putting a premium on accuracy of information and reduction of errors, with productivity being measured first and foremost by the number of cases closed and the time taken to close each one.
\nWhat this system does not measure well is the customer side of the equation.
\nIn a B2C world we call this the customer experience. In a B2B world, the critical variable is the customer outcome. In both cases it is the reason the customer bought the product in the first place. The problem with this variable is that it is, well, so variable. Experiences and outcomes are in the eye of the beholder, and there can be as many as you have beholders—even more if some of your customers tend toward schizophrenia as they so often seem to do. How in the world are you going to manage that?
\nFor this you need more than data. Data will give you the facts, but as in any relationship, the facts are just part of the equation. You also need signals, the business equivalent of your spouse kicking you under the table. The good news is that our increasingly digital world abounds with such signals. The bad news is they are embedded in a whole lot of noise. Nonetheless, this is the path forward.
\n\nSpecifically, we need to detect signals to feed a customer health model. In the B2C world these are likely to come from social media, as well as from the log files of users interacting with any connected product or service, or even just our web sites. In the B2B world they are more likely to come from proactive outreach, perhaps triggered by a signal from a connected product, but reaching beyond product health to connect with customer outcome status. This is one of the great new job opportunities for a digital economy, for it requires intellect, curiosity, empathy, and judgment far beyond what a chatbot can deliver.
\nThe point is, in the past we were focused on the state of the product. Now we need to be focused on the state of the customer. That means there is a market both for programs that can help change state and for systems that can help maintain state. Both have to be customer-centric in their design, something that implies a new data model and a whole lot of opportunity for the next generation of application software developers.
\nThat’s what I think. What do you think?
", "date_published": "2017-10-03T20:27:43+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2017/10/03/from-customer-service.html", "tags": ["? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2017/09/25/can-the-digital.html", "title": "Can the Digital Economy Ever Be Sustainable?", "content_html": "![\"World](\"https://people-first.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/r2Hb2gvX-150x150.png\")
Hurricane Harvey dropped 52 inches of rain and 27 trillion gallons of water on Texas and Louisiana. And a new kind of “All-hands-on-deck” response emerged.
\nGlenn Reynolds, author of An Army of Davids, writes: “But the real difference isn’t citizens getting involved, it’s the willingness of responsible officials to see that involvement as a plus rather than a potential problem … the excellent record of civilian volunteer responders in the post-9/11 record is behind that willingness.”
\n![\"\"](\"https://people-first.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Rainfall.png\")
\nThe Cajun Navy flotilla of private boat owners demonstrated the value of government, the private sector and regular people working together. The value of such cooperation in earlier disasters like Katrina and Sandy increased the ability to coordinate when Harvey struck.
\nTraditional global governance is failing. Yet the need for effective collaboration, delivering good performance in the face of new challenges has never been greater.
\nGood governance requires openness, transparency and integrity which are in short supply at a time of rapid economic disruption and social and political change.
\n\nAs we face the challenge of transforming to a digital economy and society we face a difficult set of risks where the trade-offs for decisions will affect different organizations’ ability to act, as well as education, health and economic opportunity. Yet with the flood of information, many people will have the opportunity to voice their concerns, and face the frustration that their opinions will not be considered, their energy and skills ignored.
\n[caption id=\"attachment_913\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"408\"]![\"\"](\"https://people-first.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Good-Governance.jpeg\")
Source: Australian National Audit Office[/caption]
Positive deviance is an approach that harnesses the solutions of people already in the community and spreads the solutions. Outside of the US and Western Europe, local community innovations are changing the future of the digital economy and society.
\nPositive Deviance in a Nutshell\n\nIn Singapore, United Overseas Bank launched BizSmart, an integrated group of five cloud-based digital apps so that SMEs could reduce costs by up to 60%. Business owners can get direct account transaction data flows using one of these apps, Xero\n* Community looks for members who are having success, their approach is more likely to be locally successful
\n* Local people design a way to spread the new behaviors.
\n* Finding solutions is the job of everyone on the front line dealing with the problem. Leaders facilitate and spread the successful solutions.
\n* People track and see that things are getting better in the community, that’s incentive to continue
Bulgaria greatly expanded internet usage in 1999 by making it easy for businesses to start being internet service providers. Speeds went up to 1G per second and prices went down to 10 Euros per month.
\nMeanwhile, Vodafone worked with mobile operators in Africa in 2007. In Kenya Safaricom expanded their loyalty card programme and made it possible for people to use it to transfer money and to access microfinance. This has since spread to Afghanistan, South Africa, India, Romania and Albania.
\nBy June 2016 Tanzania had 7 million MPesa accounts operated by Vodacom. In India, 1.1 billion people had digital identities for the first time which enabled payments to flow to the intended recipients, and in full.
\nThis approach of Positive Deviance is neither new nor unusual. What is surprising is that Big Tech has not embraced it as they feverishly work to drive the digital transformation, generating a backlash as jobs are lost and as debates on the ethics of artificial intelligence are heating up.
\nThe original digital transformation of business used very similar approaches, working closely with the innovators and early adopters then working to spread the solutions. Crossing the Chasm: Marketing and Selling High-Tech Products to Mainstream Customers by Geoffrey Moore was first published in 1991, revised in 1999 and was updated again in 2014. Moore built on the technology adoption lifecycle (Wikipedia entry), a sociological model that describes the adoption or acceptance of a new product or innovation.
\n![\"\"](\"https://people-first.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Bell-Curve.png\")
\n
A sustainable global digital economy and society can be built and developed by the people who live in communities. Positive Deviance is an approach which allows the trade-offs to be decided at the local level, in a sustainable manner. The openness, security, transparency and integrity and inclusiveness of the networks that connect these communities is essential to create a trusted framework for investments to pay off for the borrowers and the lenders.
", "date_published": "2017-09-26T02:11:40+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2017/09/25/can-the-digital.html", "tags": ["? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2017/09/10/and-neither-are.html", "title": "And Neither Are People", "content_html": "Do you remember The Prisoner?
\nIf you are old enough and you were living in the UK in the 60s, I am sure the answer is a resounding, \"Yes!\"
\nI am well aware the TV series was also shown in Canada and the US, but I think it's one of those peculiarly English productions that didn't translate too well. For those of you not old enough (most of you I am guessing), this is a key line from the show that always struck me: \"I am not a number—I am a free man!\"
\nPrescient, when you realize, to quote Wikipedia that ...
\n\na major theme of the series is individualism, as represented by Number Six, versus collectivism, as represented by Number Two.... McGoohan [the co-creator of the show], stated that the series aimed to demonstrate a balance between the two points.
Now if that is not a \"discussion for our times,\" I'm not sure what is! And as you can see, this debate has been occupying me for some time. Then, along comes Gaping Void to point out something similar.
\n![\"innovation](\"https://people-first.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Innnovation.jpg\")
\n
It all reminded me of a wonderful poem from a friend of mine that lives in Sausalito.
\n\n\n\n\n\nBy the numbers there’s my driver’s license,
car registration, license plate, zip code,
various accounts, street address, birthdate
home, work, and cell phones, passport, credit cards
debit cards, PINs, social security
frequent fliers, internet passwords, stocks
checking, HMO, IRA, museums
library card, land and enneagram.
I know its a lot to remember, but
thank god I finally know who I am.
The poet in question? My friend, Jim Woessner, who also happens to be one of those annoying people who are so multi-faceted that he built a career as an engineer in the oil industry before becoming an artist, sculptor and writer. I know, right?! Some people have got an unfair share of talent.
\n\n\nYou can buy his books on Amazon, including his \"box\" poems, like this one.
\n\n\nBox poems are a kind of spin on Haiku—but nothing like, really. Imagine each poem is a short story told in 10 lines using 100 syllables. I can barely write a poem—much less enforce that kind of rigor on myself.
\n\n\nWhat I can tell you is that Jim is most definitely fits who we are at People First.
\n\n\nArt that inspires art inspiring art. Examining and questioning the same thing. We are more than a number, we are more than what we expose, we are more than what we want, even allow, others to see. We are, each and every one of us: individual and unique and different. We eschew categorization. We do not fit predictable patterns. Why allow corporations, enterprises, governments, marketers, advertisers to see us in that way?
\n", "date_published": "2017-09-11T17:00:38+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2017/09/10/and-neither-are.html", "tags": ["Gaping Void","? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2017/09/06/the-future-of.html", "title": "The Future of Work", "content_html": "![\"Artist](\"https://people-first.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/1280px-Jorge_Otero_tejiendo_-Lomo-1-2.jpg\" "\\"Artist")
\nI just read a blog post, The Future of Work – Redux by John Philpin. It provides a nice, short look at what might happen as computers, robots and artificial intelligence become increasingly present in the workplace—what will people do when “all the work is done by robots?” As a result, I will be using computer, robots and AI interchangeably for the rest of this post.
\nJohn expresses a view that the future includes people working with robots, not simply people being replaced by robots. I happen to agree with that. I’ve written several blog posts on artificial intelligence (AI) and my skepticism about the capabilities and pace of the introduction of AI systems. AI has enormous potential, but I don’t see AI making humans obsolete any time soon (actually, I don’t see AI making humans obsolete—period).
\nComputers, and by extension, robots and AI, possess one important capability: they can add and subtract really friggin’ fast. George Boole developed what we now call Boolean Logic and it created an approach that allows us, following in the footsteps of Charles Babbage, Augusta Ada King-Noel Countess Lovelace (nee Byron), Grace Hopper and Claude Shannon, to stick those additions and subtractions together in such a way as to resolve any computable task (à la Alan Turing).
\nSince we don’t really understand what intelligence is and what generates intelligence, it’s difficult for us to create a tool that mimics human capabilities. That does not mean that we cannot use AI in some kind of evolutionary process to develop increasingly higher performing AI—only that it isn’t likely to mimic (and by extension replace) human intelligence. We will need to understand what those differences are and how computers / robots / AI and humans can work together synergistically.
\nThese insights in hand, I want to look at what might happen in the near term as more and more capable AI systems make an appearance in the workplace. I think that there are a limited number of ways it will impact the workforce:\n
If I am correct that the introduction of AI will result in an increase in productivity, organizational leadership can view themselves as suddenly having additional resources (the time of the people freed up as AI systems do some of their work) to apply to previously un-resourced activities. Every organization has such un-resourced activities—things that the organization would like to do, but for which it doesn’t have the resources. A company may have wished to develop two new products but had man-hours for only one and now may be able to accelerate development of the second product. Alternatively, a non-profit may now be able to provide services to additional clients.
\nThe application of AI systems can help redirect those resources.
\nThe challenge is for leadership to make the proper fit of human resources to those previously un-resourced activities. Just because the use of AI freed up four hours of skilled time a day doesn’t mean that leadership could assign a machinist to create computer graphics.
\nAdmittedly, this is a “glass half full” perspective, but we, as humans, have a terrible track record of predicting the labor impacts of the introduction of new technologies. The industrial revolution didn’t result in massive factory unemployment, it merely changed the kinds of jobs the workers did. The introduction of personal computers into the workplace thirty years ago didn’t result in massive unemployment among office workers, it merely resulted in the gargantuan increase in the number of PowerPoint presentations. I suspect that AI systems will be a factor in changing a number of professions that require significant human intellectual effort but are now being done in a mass-production fashion. My exemplar would be teaching. Today, teachers almost never have the time needed to provide the personal, one-on-one attention needed to identify and develop individual talents, and people are individuals with different abilities and different learning styles. Mayhaps humans liberated from the drudgery of office work can become part of an educational workforce that leads to a future in which we approach a situation where every person actually has the opportunity to gain a quality, personal education contributing to the betterment of humanity.
\nThoughts?
", "date_published": "2017-09-06T22:30:15+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2017/09/06/the-future-of.html", "tags": ["? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2017/08/25/it-is-up.html", "title": "It Is Up To Us", "content_html": "\nIf we don't care—why should the government or corporations?
\n\n\nWorking through the news this morning, my eyes caught three different articles that I felt were pertinent to People First.![\"\"](\"https://people-first.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/daid.byrne_.jpg\")
A fascinating article—if a tad 'self'-repetitive from the thoughtful David Byrne. The final line from his piece that examines the role of technology is contributing to and detracting from human interaction and engagement. No specific solutions, which is good, since the answers lie with 'we the people'.
\n\n\n\n\n\n“We” do not exist as isolated individuals. We, as individuals, are inhabitants of networks; we are relationships. That is how we prosper and thrive.
Source: David Byrne for Technology Review
(August 15th, 2017)
Executive orders have become the 'order of the day,' if you will pardon the pun. I hadn't thought that executive orders from the current administration could be so far-reaching. At the time of writing, there are 900 thousand federal employees who belong to a union. Could that really be reduced to zero by the stroke of a single pen, held by a single man?
\n\n\n\n\n\n“What the law actually says is that the President is empowered, through executive order, to exclude any agency or subdivision from coverage,” Canon said, “if the President determines that that agency or subdivision has intelligence, investigative, or national security functions.”
For all of the screams and squawks about fake news in the USA, nobody seems to be doing anything about it, but in France, there is a different thought. Storyzy has launched a solution that allows any brand to whether they are running ads that appear on a 'fake news' sites. Good—right? Well, it would be if the corporations did anything about it, but apparently they aren't. And (this might be disingenuous of me), I think that fact is driven by a combination of three things:
\nThis is important to People First, because if corporations don’t publicly care about fairness, equality, and democracy and position those forces lower in priority than convenience and profit on something as massively visible as this topic, we can only imagine how they must operate when 'those doors' are closed.
\n", "date_published": "2017-08-26T08:50:01+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2017/08/25/it-is-up.html", "tags": ["? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2017/08/21/people-last.html", "title": "People Last", "content_html": "\nStoryzy's business is alerting brands to their presence on fake news sites. By and large, the advertising community's response is simply appalling.
\n\n
You probably know that we publish articles to the People First Publication on Medium. We just published an article on politics and venture capital funding.
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://people-first.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/handshake.jpg\")
People First is not a politically driven group, but in modern America, it is increasingly hard to keep politics out of business as the two seem to get rammed against each other over and over again.
\n\n\nThis article falls into three parts, the first referencing a politically oriented post, the second from a venture capitalist and the third my thoughts about the connection between the two.
\n\n\n\n\n", "date_published": "2017-08-22T13:40:31+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2017/08/21/people-last.html", "tags": ["? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2017/08/11/start-up-culture.html", "title": "Start Up Culture", "content_html": "\n![\"Dan](\"https://people-first.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Dan-Lyons.png\")
Dan Lyons shared a video about working in the new tech start-up bubble on his blog.
\n\n\nThis made me smile...
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe biggest challenge of the talk was that I wrote it thinking I had 40 minutes but arrived to find I had only 20 minutes.
...sometimes it helps to be caught out. I recommend you read Dan Lyons's books as well.
\n\n", "date_published": "2017-08-12T10:05:24+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2017/08/11/start-up-culture.html", "tags": ["? LongForm","People First"] }, { "id": "http://johnphilpin.micro.blog/2017/02/25/truth.html", "content_html": "TRUTH
\nThankyou Hugh
\n![](\"http://beyondbridges.net/images/1999/thoughtleader.jpg\")
Then again - there is this …
Thinking Allowed
\n\n\n\n\nThis is a People First post that was originally on the People First domain. It has been moved here as part of my domain consolidation program. It’s a steady and slow WIP as I check each entry, so do please bear with me.\n\nTravis Got Booed
\n… poor soldier. This was back in September and was something that completely slipped me by at the time - but now I found it - thought I would share.
\n\nShame that CBS edited it out of the show. I wonder if the uncut version is anywhere to be found?
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-05-16T06:45:51+12:00", "url": "https://john.philpin.com/2016/05/15/travis-got-booed.html", "tags": ["PeopleFirst","People First"] } ] }