Almost any discussion breaks down when one side stops listening to the other side.
Which is to say, almost every discussion.
You have points that you want to make and obviously the other side doesn’t have their facts straight. Because if they did, they wouldn’t be on the other side.
(more…)11:05 pm
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Years ago, when I first started reading and writing about persuasion, I found myself moving further to the political right. Or, perhaps, further from the current political left.
Learning about the tools and techniques of persuasion, I could see the manipulation of the population and how easily our energy is directed.
Persuasion, at its core, is getting someone to see the benefits of an action or a believe, and to change their behavior ‘for the better’ because of it.
Manipulation, on the other hand, benefits the manipulator but not the manipulated. Rioting, anyone?
When you’re the first to mention an idea, you “win” that mind space. This is the purpose of a Blue Ocean strategy, that you define a new market and you’re the only one serving it.
But when someone already has an idea and you’re hoping to persuade them to see the benefit of its opposite? Much harder.
(more…)7:45am
Saint Paul
Late last night I wrote about the divisions we see around us.
People are hurting, people are pointing fingers, people are acting and reacting and ratcheting up their responses.
My city, and others, are being destroyed because we’re being divided. Divided by labels, instilled through fear of Us vs Them.
(more…)One thing that most people won’t see during an economic downturn is opportunity.
But opportunity is out there.
And not the $25/hr Deskside Computer Support position that just landed in my inbox.
Real money. Like, $300 to $1,000 for a few hours of work.
When you make a compelling offer to solve someone’s legitimate problems, they’re happy to give you work. (Check out my review of The Secret of Selling Anything, here)
And if you’re decent with a camera and a computer, here are two opportunities I see right now:
(more…)I used to work in computer security.
Security was always top of mind for our department, and we were on the lookout for ways to improve security.
For many non-IT people, however, it seems that their own jobs are top of mind for them (duh). Most employees aren’t focused on security, but on communication and convenience to get their own jobs done.
7:30am Saint Paul Minn
Good morning,
I’m sitting down to work with a cool cup of coffee —my favorite— and a quiet house. My parents have the kids today and I’m hoping to get some good work done.
I have my laptop, my notebook and pencil, and my newest favorite album playing loud, ARC by Anthony Roth Costanzo (check it out here on Spotify or YouTube— it’s not for everybody).
Work, across the world, is starting to look very different for many people. Hours are cut as we try to balance our new home life with whatever we can accomplish remotely. Businesses are cutting back on expenses, resources are running low, costs are high, patience is thin.
(more…)Humans have the unique ability, so far as we know, to think abstractly about the future and make plans around those possible outcomes.
Abstract thought is a driver for human growth and ingenuity. Without it, you wouldn’t be able to plan for the future. You wouldn’t be able to tease apart cause and effect. You wouldn’t have scientific advancements and would be forever stuck in a world of superstition.
(more…)
My daughter is crying that her piano lessons make no sense. It’s been all of about a week, and she’s ready to give up.
Sharps, flats, finger positions, counting the beats. It’s difficult.
Instead she wants to learn violin.
“How will that be any easier?” I ask.
But she’s too frustrated to have a rational conversation, and has no experience with violin to give an answer.
(more…)Wednesday 9:17pm
Saint Paul
You are already successful.
You are already happy.
You are already rich.
Whaaaa?
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