Category Archives: Books

Here is a collection of books that I have enjoyed while traveling. I’ll only put books up that I recommend that you read.

Ryan Holiday Chase Jarvis Interview

Trust Me, I’m Lying – Ryan Holiday

July 30, 2012 03:09 | 3 Comments |

Introducing….

I love taking systems apart to learn how they work.

I’ve deconstructed cars, appliances, cameras, websites, software and loads of other stuff. Deconstructing is the best way to learn.

It never occured to me to do this with the mainstream media.

This guy did just that. Check out the trailer for his book:

Ryan Holiday’s Media Blitz

I just came across Ryan Holiday because he is all over respectable media - here on BlogcastFM, here on The Rise To The Top, here on Mixergy.

The best of his media blitz is in this texturey interview with Chase Jarvis.

Ryan Holiday Chase Jarvis Interview

Peter Shankman vs. Ryan Holiday

peter shankman vs ryan holiday

Plus, he does controversy.

Peter Shankman lashed out at him (Shankman is going to punch Holiday Facebook mention?) Unfortunatly, Shankman comes off like the reeling bully who just woke up from a knockout punch delivered from the class nerd.

Holiday’s reply was calm, reasonable and insightful. You can read it here and here.

Who do I side with when one side is saying words like “liar, idiot, liar, liar, liar, don’t spoil it for us” and the other side is rational arguments and requests to  further the conversation?

Go with the rational one.

At the Core

At the core of all of this, is that its good to question the way the world works.

If you don’t like what you find; do something about it.

Holiday does that here. I’m excited to read his book.

Posted in: Art, Books, Business, New Media, Technology | Tagged: , ,

Two Neat Things for Today

June 19, 2012 12:31 | Leave a Comment |

First Off – Congratulations Seth Godin

The Question

Can Seth Godin change the author/publisher paradigm?

The Answer

Seth needed 40k to get the book fast forwarded to the publishers.

As I’m looking at it now he is at:

Seths kickstarter June 20

Image Links to Live Kickstarter

 

What does this mean?

It is proof that everything has changed.

No more top down corporate publishing structure.

The world is flat

Second Off - Tim Ferriss Strikes Again

Language Learning

Duolingo fun free beautiful

Ever since you saw The Bourne Identity, you’ve wanted be optimal at everything, have unwavering confidence, kill snipers with shotguns and speak 20 different languages.

Now you can at least get a start on the language side of thing.

Duolingo is a free, fun and good looking language learning software that launched today. Not only do you become more impressive, you partake in translating the internet. AMAZING!

Sell your stock in Rossetta Stone…

I slammed through the Spanish section just to test the program. Then I learned more German in 5 minutes than I had in 27 years.

Ich bin Ian.

Rock n’ Roll

Conclusion

There is no excuse for not being a superhero these days.

These are revolutionary times.

-With Love

Ian

Posted in: Books, Business, Technology | Tagged: , , ,
SethGodinandKenRobinson

Seth Godin – Stop Stealing Dreams

February 28, 2012 05:44 | 7 Comments |

“What is School For?”

This is an introductory post. Over the next four days I will be reading Seth Godin’s new free book Stop Stealing Dreams (you can download it here.) I invite you to read it with me. I’d love to discuss it via the comments below.

Godin’s blog has been a huge motivation over the past few months. The new title inspired me to review my thoughts on my education history and take action to begin a discussion on my blog.

Seth Godin and Ken Robinson

My Experience

Subtle Unconscious Feelings

As I grew through the school system in Northern Nevada, I had a subtle unconscious feeling that something was awry with the process that I was being subjected to. Though I had a subtle consciousness of the discomfort, I never had the capacity to explain this feeling in a productive way. School was very difficult, not because it was challenging, but because it was often dull and prison like.

I had some fantastic teachers. They left an unforgettable positive effect on me. They were not overly strict, and they were capable of inspiring me to desire development. They focused their efforts on keeping us fascinated with the subjects, rather than in line with regulation.

My worst teachers were always the authoritarian rulers. I have terrible memories of them and I feel like much of my capacity for development was stunted by the experiences they provided.

I graduated from the public school system and found much more success at the University of Nevada. The freedom to select my classes, show up for classes, and the choice of extracurricular activities allowed me to drive my own development. I found this system to be far more productive.

That subtle understanding that the compulsory school system had failed me remained dormant in my mind. I knew it was there, but I couldn’t productively explain it. Somewhere along the line, I watched this video:

You can watch more of Sir Ken Robinson here and here.

This made it all clear. I believe Ken Robinson is right, we need a education revolution.

Exploring this idea inspired me to read Seth Godin’s new book. Please read it over the next few days with me. Please feel free to discuss it below. I imagine a few teachers will read this and I hope that they express their thoughts.

Teachers are the experts and I think their voices on this matter carry more clout.

Thank you for visiting and reading my blog. I look forward to hearing from you.

Posted in: Books, Intrigue | Tagged: , , ,
Gary Vaynerchuck

CRUSH IT by Gary Vaynerchuck: This is a Must Read!

February 7, 2012 20:56 | Leave a Comment |

Crush It by Gary Vaynerchuck : Move to Democratic BuisinessHave you ever had someone explain a great idea to you? You know what they are talking about, you’ve been thinking of it in a similar way, but when they break it down for you, you get that “AH HA” moment. With Crush It, Vaynerchuck breaks it down.

He excitedly describes whats going on in the new media. He tells of how we are living in the most opportunistic time in history for individuals to promote themselves. Now is the time to do what you love and make a living doing it. The old media system is decomposing as we speak. Newspapers are losing, the record industry is crumbling and people are taking their media consumption to the net. Who wants to own a tower records (are there still tower records around?)

All these big changes are a tremendous opportunities for the everyday person with a serious passion. As these million dollar industry come down, we as young entrepreneurial people, have an amazing opportunity to be able to break free and provide entertainment without the permission of the old system.

I see it like the great compost of the media economy. The old system has been thrown out in the dirt with the worms. Now is the time to get wormy and chew up that old system to make some awesome soil (if you are a gardener, you understand that this is a really positive thing.)

I’m all about traveling the world and being able to work from anywhere. This book cuts deeply with me. There is no way my life can be the same after reading his book.

Vaynerchuck not only explains this, but he inspires action! Action is the most important thing.

Do it. :^)

 

Posted in: Books | Tagged: , ,

Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacon: Inspirational

November 14, 2011 01:01 | 3 Comments |

Walter Isaacon has produced an excellent portrayal of the life of Steve Jobs.  Three days ago, I knew next to nothing about Jobs.  I now consider him to be a hero (though I wouldn’t want to go to dinner with him.) :)

Steve Jobs by Walter Issacson : Inspiration, Passion and MadnessI was inspired to read the book because I love the Apple devices I use. The MacBook, the iPhone, iMovie, and iTunes all have a tremendous effect on my life.  I love them and in fact, much of career has been made possible because the iPhone allows me to be so mobile.  If it weren’t for the MacBook, this website wouldn’t exist.  So Apple (Steve Jobs specifically) has played a vital role in how my life has evolved and where it may go.

I read the 600 page book in 3 days.  This time has been reminiscent of the days I spent reading Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela or For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway. It’s intensely interesting and it keeps your attention all the way through.

This is a story that I suggest to everyone.  If every person on earth read this book, the human condition might improve.

Thanks again for reading! Much love.

Posted in: Books | Tagged: , ,