1st Class Fail?

Could any single company last as long as Microsoft and still fail as frequently as Microsoft? I think not.

It Doesn’t ADD Up

Over the past couple decades we’ve seen a boom in diagnosed cases of Attention Deficit Disorder, ADD, and Attention Deficit Hyper Disorder, ADHD. Either the food we’re eating is jacked with hormones (as Bill Maher may say) or the pharmaceutical companies love selling Ritalin.

Could there be another answer though? I think there is. I think we have technology to blame, and I’ll tell you why.

Today’s technology is twice as advanced as yesterday’s technology, and this exponential growth will continue for generations to come. Computers, phones, PDA’s, and even MP3 players have the ability to multitask several high priority processes without as much as a hiccup (unless of course you’re running a Windows based product…. … ). A person’s capacity to multitask has also grown exponentially these days; to the point where it becomes one of the most widely used keywords searched by on websites like Monster.com and Careerbuilder.com.

Today’s generation can’t get a job unless they can multitask the very processes that management can’t multitask themselves. But in an age dominated by technology and devices, has management come to expect “device-like” behavior from their employees; which are oddly perceived more as resources and tools than personnel?

I think we will all begin to suffer from some form of ADD/ADHD in the near future, at least those of us working in an industry that relies heavily on technology and instant gratification. Your UK clients are aware of technology that allows them to send an email to all of your accounts and simultaneously ring all of your telephone numbers. You can’t hide.

Now back to work.

New, Clear Hyper Nation

So I started learning the guitar last month and I’m officially 4 lessons in and absolutely addicted.  I pick up the guitar and play for about 20-25 hours every single week, neglecting meals and all other luxuries in life.

Part of my new found guitar obsession is this new appreciation for good music.  I am more aware of talented musicians who write bad songs and get terrible publicity for it.  At the same time, I’m realizing how truly talented guitarists are, and in general, how talented musicians are.

Here are the songs I’m working on as of today:

• “Gloria” Van Morrison
• “Everlong” Foo Fighters
• “Wonderwall” Oasis
• “About a Girl” Nirvana
• “Blackbird” The Beatles

In addition to playing these songs, I’ve been writing down thoughts.  I hope these thoughts will eventually lead to songs that I can write music to and play along with.  But either way, I’m really having a great time and would urge anyone to pick up any instrument, take some lessons and start smiling more.

New, Clear Hyper Nation
Greed and deceit
Bleed and retreat
Conspire and lie
Fight and die
This is our cycle

Our new, clear hyper nation
A loss of power
A rise in devastation
A call to arms
A nuclear heightened nation

Knife the back
…redact
Knife the heart
Just the start
We can take this back

Our new, clear hyper nation
Make it true
Fight for Youth
Make it new
Fight for Truth
We’ve got this one shot,
Cannot,
Must Not,
Let it go, it’s over
Your time has come
We’ve finally won
Cannot,
Must Not,
Let it go

This is our cycle
Our new, clear hyper nation
A loss of power
A rise in devastation
A call to arms
A nuclear heightened nation