Hound Dog Blog

What is and was the greatest Beatles song ever written?

A Day in The Life

Slide... showZzzzz...

While I embrace social media (sometimes to an obsession), I cannot figure out, for the life of me what slideshare.com is about. I am really trying. If you could offer any insight I would appreciate it. It seems like it is something that linkedin is using to color up the site.

What could possibly be the value in using the internet to dynamically connect with millions of people, and then handing them a slide show that you've assembled? (and not being there for questions) I don't dispute the value of the slide show, nor do I take away from its utility. In fact, I think it would have been extremely valuable when I was in my younger years. It would have added to the doldrums of mind-numbing lectures from teachers that used to detain me after school. Funny as it may seem, the author of this uses a Gettysburg address allusion. (I used to get in trouble and have to write the Address as punishment... needless to say... I had it memorized... another useful tool)

It just seems to me, that the World Wide Web offers up so many glorious ways serve information... and  slideshows seem to be way back to the likes of a 56k modem. By that I mean, it once was tops, but now... not so much.

I apologize if you effectively use slide presentations. In fact, I know people who use them often - and effectively - and that is wonderful. I am not diminshing the practicioner, but I am questioning the relevance of the medium itself today, not even 5 years ago. Is there not any other innovative or creative way of delivering information ... and. . if you do use them, have you ever sat through a slideshow that made you want to cry because you were so bored? I have before... and I literally was crying.

Please understand, I do like slideshows, but I like them when they are creative and make me think, and allow my mind to suspend itself in the disbelief as if I am watching a movie... that is idea.... right? To simulate a program? Perhaps I am wrong.

Also, this article hypothesizes that PowerPoint may have played a role in the Space Shuttle Columbia's disaster... by pointing out that

             'Key information was so buried and condensed in the rigid PowerPoint format as to be useless'

                                                                and

           

'The deeper problem with the PowerPointing of America -- the PowerPointing of the planet, actually -  is that the program tends to flatten the most complex, subtle, even beautiful, ideas into tedious,bullet pointed bureaucratese.'

I don't know. I can't even really use the program well. I'm betting I could figure it out if I had the inclination, but it seems that Flash is much more entertaining, maybe more complex, maybe not, I am not a flash expert either, but it seems much the same in the A/V / marketing / sales pitch way... maybe just a bit more advanced?

3 types of facebook friends, which one are you?

Social Media is a phenomenon. My MacBook defines a phenomenon as: 

a fact or a situation that is observed to exist or happen; esp. when one's cause or explanation is in question. 

hmmm. .. think about that for a moment... its explanation is still in question. There may be larger aspects to the Social Media phenomenon and I never doubted its power for a second.

I use a Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter ... all of which I love equally... and within one of these 'networks,' for some reason or another, I have been the one evangelizing about their utilities in all walks of life: business, friendship, relationship... I could go on and on...

Which brings me here... there are many types of social media users, and I shall point out a few, in their respective forms:

One: The internet addicts: (these are the ones that I most interact with), who thought that social media was a bit bold, because 'being online' was 'risky' ... but now fully embrace its power as a communicative tool, great fun and informative at that

Two: The doubting thomas', these are the ones who thought that social media was a bit bold, pedantic and stupid... they have equated themselves to 'human spam'... and it is because they DON'T LISTEN (you can read more about this here), they didn't listen the first time, and now that they have adopted the technology, they abuse it... they terrorize it to no end, just like a bot, they overload you with info, until you just stop cant take anymore.

Three: The true friend... the friend is the one who is really your friend and follows your every move, as you do theirs, responds to your posts, your updates, and your engages...you really are 'virtually' tied to them, and it is quite engaging 

So, these are only three categories I have found in my of social media experiment now life, and I am certain there are more. I would encourage you that if you are a voyeur of social media right now, once you interject and garner capture its spirit, it is well worth the time and quite 'mentally stimulating' - what's more is this: the social media doubter who has become human spam, is becoming more and more irrelevant in today's world... because it is no longer 'virtual,' you have now become the embodiment of the SPAMMER that actually hits SEND / RECEIVE. 

And that, my 'friend,' was SPAM's whole game, which was: that you didn't actually know who sent it in the first place...

I know I could share it, if you want me to

I have an affliction that I often refer to as a blessing and a curse. When people speak to me, I listen. I listen intensely. The affliction lies with my musical propensity (I think, though not officially a DSM-IV diagnosis...yet). The blessing is rooted in the the same. When I hear something 'musical' in language, it sticks in my head like a Jim Croce 'hook.'(you can see how this sometimes is not always for the better).

Last week I got a piece of spam, I don't care for it much. One that was a bit troubling (in a micropersuasivish way). 

I've blogged about this before on my other blog. I wrote about content. Content is more important than ever, with all the internet static out there. That is why a website is so ultra-relevant in today's staticky world.

In order to tie these thoughts together, ponder these two notions / phrases - that have stuck to my 'aurally conflicted' psyche - and you tell me which will prevail when the economy rebounds:

•  'flight to quality' will be relevant in any risk / reward business today

•  'Don't be a qwitter, stick with twitter' 

I use twitter - a lot, but I'll tell you this: if your aren't genuine, your marketing tomfoolery won't work here, ask some of the twitter users about the Motrin ad. While sure you may conjure up a few impressions, but it will come at a cost. The cost is that you will be as 'relevant' as a 'bot' on the stream... most of the influencers on the twitter stream DO NOT like this... unless you are contributing, then it is 'almost sort of, kind of' ok.

"I carry it with me like my Daddy did, and I'm living the dream, that he kept hid... Like the whipperwool and the baby's cry... and I carry it with me and I sing it loud..."

Do you think I am the one who is crazy for this presumption?

grace

How to Analayze your Blog or Website

Just recently I was asked to explain Google Analytics. It's hard to do (explain, that is). It is much more difficult to do using the twitter platform, because of twitter's inherent brevity.

In a nutshell (I'm always reminded of Austin Powers in acting like he was in a nutshell), Google Analytics is a measurement tool for the content of your site.

Why is this important? It may not be to you, if you are not interested in how people access your site, which pages are viewed, which pages are most frequently 'bounced' (exited), and many, many more measurement tools.

I work in a business in which I sell 'ideas.' Ideas are tough to sell, unless you have a good one. If you don't have good one, or perhaps you are not great at communicating your good idea, you can sell your idea on the by way of measurement analysis because people (generally - which ultimately is what statistics are) believe statistics.

The bottom line is that Ad Age recently published a mini analysis to SEM, which they claim is poised to generate 14 billion dollars of revenue by the end of 2008. This, to me, is amazing. 14 billion dollars on 4 line phrases that are effectively advertisements. Ideas. Blurbs. These boxes on the top of a search in yellow and on the right of the page are sent there by you because of the 'words' you typed in.

How does this tie into Google Analytics? Well, let's say you have a site for Beagle Grooming, and you are advertising the sight (no shame in advertising folks, it is said that the only business that doesn't need to advertise is the Federal Reserve, and if you have been following the news lately, they may want to consider it as an option) by way of Google AdWords and you are living in the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Google AdWords allows you, the Beagle Groomer, to set the parameters of the 'search.'

In other words (no pun intended), if I am living in the Dakota in Manahattan and Ruby needs her nails clipped, because she darn sure won't let me don it, and I type in beagle grooming, or dog grooming, or any variation on what you as a 'Beagle Groomer' may believe people will type in Google's search bar for you to pop up first in the search, or at least impress upon the searcher.

It is slightly confusing, but brilliant indeed. In sum, Google Analytics, serves many purposes. Primarily it allows the webmaster to tweak accordingly to optimize, and secondly it serves as a content guide for the search engines. These aren't the only functions of Google Analytics ... and I must add this disclaimer - I am by NO MEANS an expert or a success with these tools.

tim reynolds rocks and rolls

Artist don't bull$#@% - no BS

Artists speak what others won't or are afraid to. Artists communicate through innuendos which aren't meant to be 'passive aggressive' - in fact, the very term 'passive-aggressive' must have its derivation in the way in which artists communicate.

Oh, so why you ask, do I know this? Well, one because I have known, studied and lived with many. True artists 'never' call themselves 'artists' - why would they? Would you, as a 'human' call yourself a 'non-artist?' Doubt it...

Point here: The old clichés of 'does art imitate life... blah... blah... blah...' silly ... artists cannot help but to create things; furthermore, they are the most important thing in ANY collective group which is striving for a cause, or a common creative goal.

If there were not artists, here is what we wouldn't have: The Sistine Chapel, The Beatles, Apple (the computers), Blogs, the Internet, Fitted Clothing, People who Model the Fitted Clothing, Exotic Automobiles, the Cathedral of Notre Dame, and most importantly, the beauty of people who can write... I work for someone who has an uncanny ability to write, btw... (I actually look forward to each letter ... because they are crafted so well).... p.s. the word 'craft' is key here.

I'll stop here... just know not to throw the word 'Artist' around.... because the people who are 'Artist' don't give a #$@ if you refer to them as such, and the people who aren't demand that you do refer to them as such. Do you see a pattern?

Basking in the Light of Miss Lee

This is Miss Lee: one of the best friends I have ever had, and have.

The title is in reference to the song 'Diner,'  by one of my favorite bands: Widespread Panic

This recession, or whatever it is gripping the foundation of the markets and the American psyche, really untangles any mystery regarding the 'character' and 'integrity' of people. 

I'm witness to this by the very nature of work that I do. Daily, probably a lot like you, I hear stories of financial stress and the gloom it is casting on their lives. 

There are certain writers / marketers / clients that I admire, and they all share one common trait and characteristic. They are what Seth Godin calls 'relentlessly positive' people. One of the most notable characteristics of these people is, that while they may be dealing with their own 'baggage' they 'sub-consciously' won't bring you down to whatever it is that is bothering them... and.... on the other side of that coin.... there are people who do the exact opposite... their strife and toil leads to a 'conscious assault' on your spirit in whatever way is possible.

It is good to filter these 'assaulters' out of your life... I refer to them as 'energy vampires' ... Charisma... Read Seth Godin's Tribes... he believes it can be acquired... (this might be the ONLY thing I disagree with him about!!). 

I love this article about the recession and companies by Carter Schelling.

That's what my Dad used to say: 'Get up.'... only a bit less PG rated... there were a few curse words in there. My Dad was by far the most prosaic cusser I have ever known... 

Just keep in mind, that the people that support you in these times will be your best friends when the economy rebounds (and it will - ask a ninety year old, they'll tell you about the Great Depression which started in 1929). 

...moved to tears

I promise no more politics from here. This political cycle has been particularly interesting, largely because I don't think that I have ever been so greatly outnumbered in my community (politically speaking, that is). For having spent 2 elections (in which the Republicans won - or claimed to) in NYC, which may be arguably the most liberal city in the country... maybe...

Never have I been moved to tears by a political speech. Enraged, annoyed, outraged to tears - yes, but moved...no. Tuesday night I was moved to tears. Not because 'my guy' won. Not because I felt avenged. Not because the 'underdog' won. Not because I am a bleeding heart liberal that wants to give my money away to social programs, not because I think the affluent should be taxed at a higher rate, and most certainly not because I think Pres Elect Obama is the answer to all of our (the People) problems. He represents the last vestige of the Founders' intent some 200 plus years ago.

Forget about the partisan issues for a second and really think through the phrase: "Put Country First" ... What does that mean? Well, you don't have to really analyze it, I guess... Senator McCain has always done that. He is an unbelievable man, who actually helped elect Obama. Furthermore, he bowed out gracefully... which is a trait of the highest regard.

What I fail to understand is this: This is the first election in 12 years that worked. By that, I mean, he got elected without lawyers fighting and horrible attack ads on Senator McCain's integrity. Bush did that to him. The Bush campaign spread wicked lies about McCain. Obama didn't. So why do American's who didn't vote for him think that ..."well you just wait... you'll see..." Really? Is that so? We'll see what? The stock market crash? Terrorists attacks? A National deficit that will become us? A seemingly endless war? Political scandal and corruption?

I just fail to see what could be worse than electing Senator McCain. While Obama may not be JFK - he does inspire, and McCain - Palin do not. Just a simple truth. Almost like gravity... it just is... If you vote on taxes, gay marriage, abortion, and other contreversial issues (most of which have nothing to do with the Constitution), than that is your right as an American... but I just don't see how that is 'Putting Country First' ... we don't need more hate... and we don't need more fascist leanings... we don't need more 'nation-building' - we need 'hope and strength'... not 'time capsuled ideals' and 'expensive clothing.'

I cried my eyes out on Tuesday. Why? Because I saw for 8 years countless relationships (some of them, my own) fractured one by one... U.S.A stands for something and it isn't guns and strenth... it is mainly the first letter... United ... we don't need anymore hate in this country.