This needs to be shared with the world!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCEWGCLgQkk
If you have other video's we should watch post them in the comments section.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Communication Breakdown
I often times wonder if communication is better or worse now that we have cellphones, texting, email, facebook, instant messaging, etc.
For instance I thought about that last week of my life. Now with work and my personal life I've communicated with roughly 100 people in the last week alone. 1 of them is through a instant messenger application that I have on my blackberry. We've been having an ongoing conversation for about weeks now. I've seen him once, but other than that I haven't heard his voice. I have at any given point 1-10 email chains going with friends. My softball team emails back and forth sometimes up to 40 emails a day. Some of these people I don't even have their phone numbers so emailing is our only communication. I talk on the phone consistently with 1-2 friends each day along with my wife. As far as work goes it is almost done exclusively through email. So to sum it up of these 100 people I had a phone or face to face conversation with a handful or so.
So what does all of this mean. Yes it is convenient. Of course there isn't enough time to talk to each one of these people. But what is lost in all of this. I think the relationships and content of the conversation. I can't possibly say everything I want to say instant messaging. I can't possibly get my tone, attitude, and meaning across in an email or text. So we basically are losing human interaction. We are communicating like animals by taking all emotion out of it. We can't sense disappointment, or sarcasm. We can't sense excitement or happiness. We are replacing these things with emoticons. What if I told you I can't make it to your party and followed it up with a sad face. What the hell does that mean. Does it mean you can't make it and you're sad? Does it mean you don't want to go, but you want to present the idea that you're sad?
I found out my wife was pregnant last week. I met face to face with my family. Phoned a few close friends about it. Texted some others about it, and emailed anyone else that I thought might want to know. So was I ranking the importance of my relationships? This is as important a message I'll ever have my entire life, but I sent a text the same way I would if I was telling someone what time we're playing hockey.
I graduated with a major in communication, so this is an area of extreme knowledge for me. But I think if I went back into college now, we'd have an entirely new set of standards. It isn't just sender, receiver, message anymore. We have an entirely new way of communicating. We have to rank in importance the message, the receivers, the mode of communicating. Are you losing relationships if you're not able to text or email. Are we losing anything if our cell phone gets lousy service. I was talking to a friend this morning when his cell phone cut out. He called back minutes later, but I didn't want to invest in anything conversation wise in case his phone cut out again. We used to communicate one of 3 ways, face to face, phone to phone, or mail to mail. Now we add in phones, computers, and etc.
What about work? I have a staff of 50, and approximately 50 annual tournament contacts that I communicate with frequently. Add in the leads, vendors, and other miscellaneous clients/customers/employees and the numbers reach hundreds. But I try to talk to as few of them as possible. Maybe that's not the best way to get business done, but it's definitely the most efficient. And it's not like I'm the only one. I've tried calling people before and no answer. Only to get a text or email back within minutes. I get it, and don't mind it. We just don't need to interact face to face, or phone to phone.
So thinking about all of this I think we're losing somethings, and gaining somethings. On the plus side, we are able to communicate much more and much faster with anyone and everyone. I talk to friends via text, and email that I wouldn't talk to nearly as much if we had to talk on the phone. So I think that side of it is nice. We are able to stay in contact, when years ago, you lost contact with so many people all the time.
What we're losing though is the human side of it. Look at that one commercial. The guy takes a picture of flowers and sends it to his wife/girlfriend/side action. That is not that same as bringing the girl flowers. But that is what we do. We send text messages saying, I love you. We can all act a hell of a lot tougher behind a cell phone or computer screen. We don't have the time or energy to invest into really caring about what makes our friends, family, and other contacts happy, mad, sad, excited, etc. So it's the emotion that is losing in all of this. We are just evolving once step closer to becoming robots!
For instance I thought about that last week of my life. Now with work and my personal life I've communicated with roughly 100 people in the last week alone. 1 of them is through a instant messenger application that I have on my blackberry. We've been having an ongoing conversation for about weeks now. I've seen him once, but other than that I haven't heard his voice. I have at any given point 1-10 email chains going with friends. My softball team emails back and forth sometimes up to 40 emails a day. Some of these people I don't even have their phone numbers so emailing is our only communication. I talk on the phone consistently with 1-2 friends each day along with my wife. As far as work goes it is almost done exclusively through email. So to sum it up of these 100 people I had a phone or face to face conversation with a handful or so.
So what does all of this mean. Yes it is convenient. Of course there isn't enough time to talk to each one of these people. But what is lost in all of this. I think the relationships and content of the conversation. I can't possibly say everything I want to say instant messaging. I can't possibly get my tone, attitude, and meaning across in an email or text. So we basically are losing human interaction. We are communicating like animals by taking all emotion out of it. We can't sense disappointment, or sarcasm. We can't sense excitement or happiness. We are replacing these things with emoticons. What if I told you I can't make it to your party and followed it up with a sad face. What the hell does that mean. Does it mean you can't make it and you're sad? Does it mean you don't want to go, but you want to present the idea that you're sad?
I found out my wife was pregnant last week. I met face to face with my family. Phoned a few close friends about it. Texted some others about it, and emailed anyone else that I thought might want to know. So was I ranking the importance of my relationships? This is as important a message I'll ever have my entire life, but I sent a text the same way I would if I was telling someone what time we're playing hockey.
I graduated with a major in communication, so this is an area of extreme knowledge for me. But I think if I went back into college now, we'd have an entirely new set of standards. It isn't just sender, receiver, message anymore. We have an entirely new way of communicating. We have to rank in importance the message, the receivers, the mode of communicating. Are you losing relationships if you're not able to text or email. Are we losing anything if our cell phone gets lousy service. I was talking to a friend this morning when his cell phone cut out. He called back minutes later, but I didn't want to invest in anything conversation wise in case his phone cut out again. We used to communicate one of 3 ways, face to face, phone to phone, or mail to mail. Now we add in phones, computers, and etc.
What about work? I have a staff of 50, and approximately 50 annual tournament contacts that I communicate with frequently. Add in the leads, vendors, and other miscellaneous clients/customers/employees and the numbers reach hundreds. But I try to talk to as few of them as possible. Maybe that's not the best way to get business done, but it's definitely the most efficient. And it's not like I'm the only one. I've tried calling people before and no answer. Only to get a text or email back within minutes. I get it, and don't mind it. We just don't need to interact face to face, or phone to phone.
So thinking about all of this I think we're losing somethings, and gaining somethings. On the plus side, we are able to communicate much more and much faster with anyone and everyone. I talk to friends via text, and email that I wouldn't talk to nearly as much if we had to talk on the phone. So I think that side of it is nice. We are able to stay in contact, when years ago, you lost contact with so many people all the time.
What we're losing though is the human side of it. Look at that one commercial. The guy takes a picture of flowers and sends it to his wife/girlfriend/side action. That is not that same as bringing the girl flowers. But that is what we do. We send text messages saying, I love you. We can all act a hell of a lot tougher behind a cell phone or computer screen. We don't have the time or energy to invest into really caring about what makes our friends, family, and other contacts happy, mad, sad, excited, etc. So it's the emotion that is losing in all of this. We are just evolving once step closer to becoming robots!
Monday, March 9, 2009
Bill Simmons
I know I've talked about all of this before but I'm taking it to a new level. Below I've copied an email that I sent to Bill Simmons of ESPN. I'm hoping someone of his stature can bring this news to the masses. Don't be afraid to send him an email to asking for this story. Here is a link to send him an email, http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=feedback/sportsguy
The Vikings have been here since 1961. No NFL championships, 4 lost super bowls, and numerous NFC championship losses. Including the loss to Atlanta in 1998 and the 41-0 loss to the NY Giants in 2001. Thrown in the love boat for good measures too.
Yes we have the Twins but let's not forget that our now deceased owner tried to contract the Twins a few years back. It is true they have been competitive this decade. But what about the 90's when they lost 90-100 games every year. Let's not forget we've also traded away Johan Santana, and let Tori Hunter leave in the past 2 years.
Look at the Timberwolves. They have advanced past the first round of the playoffs just once in 20 years. We have drafted and traded away Ray Allen, O.J. Mayo, and Brandon Roy. We gave you Kevin Garnett so your Celtics could win the NBA championship. If we didn't get lucky and draft KG we'd be looking at 20 seasons and no playoffs. Oh yeah we had the Lakers until 1961.
We are the state of hockey and have sold out every single wild exhibition, regular season, and playoff game. But we are not going in the right direction. Sure we had the North Stars who moved to Dallas of all places and won the Stanley Cup there.
We have the University of MN. Our football team hasn't been to the rose bowl in over 40 years. Our basketball team made it to the final four once, but had the records erased due to academic scandal.
Bill I am an avid reader of your columns, listener of your podcasts, and now thanks to 
you an avid listener to Adam Carolla too. Anyways you often talk about cities and states and their successful or unsuccessful era's. You have to my knowledge never mentioned Minnesota. We have had 4 major sports teams and a major college located in our metro area. If you take in to account the 4 major sports teams and the University of Minnesota football and basketball teams. I think we dominate the futility category. The Twins two world championships (1987 and 1991) are it!
you an avid listener to Adam Carolla too. Anyways you often talk about cities and states and their successful or unsuccessful era's. You have to my knowledge never mentioned Minnesota. We have had 4 major sports teams and a major college located in our metro area. If you take in to account the 4 major sports teams and the University of Minnesota football and basketball teams. I think we dominate the futility category. The Twins two world championships (1987 and 1991) are it! 
The Vikings have been here since 1961. No NFL championships, 4 lost super bowls, and numerous NFC championship losses. Including the loss to Atlanta in 1998 and the 41-0 loss to the NY Giants in 2001. Thrown in the love boat for good measures too.
Yes we have the Twins but let's not forget that our now deceased owner tried to contract the Twins a few years back. It is true they have been competitive this decade. But what about the 90's when they lost 90-100 games every year. Let's not forget we've also traded away Johan Santana, and let Tori Hunter leave in the past 2 years.
Look at the Timberwolves. They have advanced past the first round of the playoffs just once in 20 years. We have drafted and traded away Ray Allen, O.J. Mayo, and Brandon Roy. We gave you Kevin Garnett so your Celtics could win the NBA championship. If we didn't get lucky and draft KG we'd be looking at 20 seasons and no playoffs. Oh yeah we had the Lakers until 1961.
We are the state of hockey and have sold out every single wild exhibition, regular season, and playoff game. But we are not going in the right direction. Sure we had the North Stars who moved to Dallas of all places and won the Stanley Cup there.
We have the University of MN. Our football team hasn't been to the rose bowl in over 40 years. Our basketball team made it to the final four once, but had the records erased due to academic scandal. So do the math. Since 1961 we have had 148 Professional season and 2 championships. We haven't been to a league championship since 1991 in any sport.The gopher football team hasn't played on New Year's Day since 1961, and the basketball team hasn't won a National Championship since it's first game in 1895. So only you Bill can put the proper twist on this to let the world now our suffering. We don't have the curse of the bambino, or Bobby Layne. We don't have any curses or spells. Basically since 1961 we have dealt with it all. So being a 27 year old sports nut, it's been tough. So we need someone like you to help us find a way out of this sports abyss.
Thanks for your time.
Thanks for your time.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Brian Cardinal
Let's talk about Brian Cardinal. He is a backup forward for the Minnesota Timberwolves. This guy will some day dominate the recreational basketball circuit at some gym. Look at him. Does he look like an NBA player? I don't think so. He looks like the guy at the YMCA who is always looking for a pickup game.
Brian Cardinal seems like that guy. He is the guy who wears a 1994-95 Washington Bullet's #4 Chris Webber throwback jersey. He brings his own ball to the gym even thought they provide balls, and he of course has a headband. Isn't that the first thing that comes to mind when you see Brian Cardinal.
Who is Brain Cardinal anyway. He is an 8 year NBA veteran who has made over 23 Million dollars in his career. Is that what comes to mind when you see Brian Cardinal?
Here is what I think of when I think of Brian Cardinal. He will retire in his mid to late 30's with millions upon millions of dollars. He'll move to some suburb of Chicago, or some other Midwestern city. He'll never need to work again. But he'll dabble in different things, like coaching and consulting. He'll join a lifetime or YMCA to stay in shape. Then he'll go on to become the best recreational basketball player of all time. I mean this guy will make Woody Harrelson blush. He's obviously a very competitive and elite athlete. He just doesn't look it. So you'll get some younger guy who was all-conference honorable mention 3 years ago in high school running his mouth. Brian Cardinal is just going to run and sweat all over him. He might dunk it, but he'll probably go John Stockton NBA Jam style and just lay it up. He's not about the glory, he's about just playing straight B. B being for basketball. So keep on keeping it real Brian Cardinal.
P.S. Brian Cardinal and Mark Madson are both on the Timberwolves, and last year we had Michael Doleac..
Sunday, March 1, 2009
A couple of things.
First off if you own a pizzaz, let me tell you one thing I learned today. They are wonderful for making quesadillas. Give that a try and let me know how much better your life is.
Secondly the NFL is weird. The Chiefs get Matt Cassell and Mike Vrabel for a 2nd round draft pick? I mean sure Vrabel is at the end of his career being 34, and Cassell has only 1 year of experience. So it is a risk for the Chiefs to assume Cassell is the QB of the future. But so is any player drafted. Matt Stafford, and Mark Sanchez are risks too. What if Matt Cassell is the QB he was last year for the next 5-7 years? the Chiefs got an absolute deal if that ends up being the case. The Vikings traded Duante Culpepper for a 2nd round pick. They drafted Ryan Cook with that pick. But I mean trades in the NFL are very odd to me. Draft picks are valued so high, and they are just a guessing game anyways.
Why isn't bike racing more popular in America. I don't like it personally, but why don't we like it. I would say at least 75% of all kids owned and rode a bike in their youth. And I'm sure most of us raced against a friend at one point or another. So why when these amazing athletes do it, we don't watch? I mean who can name a bike race other than the Tour De France? I find that very odd.
You keep reading things about Johan Santana's elbow. These types of stories are never good.
Lastly what's up with Stephon Marbury. He goes from not playing for the New York Knicks and getting paid 20 million dollars. Now he get bought out for 1.2 Million dollars and gets to play for the Boston Celtics. So what's the lesson here? Act like a complete selfish baby, and make 21.2 Million Dollars and get to go on a potential NBA Championship run. This is why people don't like the NBA.
Secondly the NFL is weird. The Chiefs get Matt Cassell and Mike Vrabel for a 2nd round draft pick? I mean sure Vrabel is at the end of his career being 34, and Cassell has only 1 year of experience. So it is a risk for the Chiefs to assume Cassell is the QB of the future. But so is any player drafted. Matt Stafford, and Mark Sanchez are risks too. What if Matt Cassell is the QB he was last year for the next 5-7 years? the Chiefs got an absolute deal if that ends up being the case. The Vikings traded Duante Culpepper for a 2nd round pick. They drafted Ryan Cook with that pick. But I mean trades in the NFL are very odd to me. Draft picks are valued so high, and they are just a guessing game anyways.
Why isn't bike racing more popular in America. I don't like it personally, but why don't we like it. I would say at least 75% of all kids owned and rode a bike in their youth. And I'm sure most of us raced against a friend at one point or another. So why when these amazing athletes do it, we don't watch? I mean who can name a bike race other than the Tour De France? I find that very odd.
You keep reading things about Johan Santana's elbow. These types of stories are never good.
Lastly what's up with Stephon Marbury. He goes from not playing for the New York Knicks and getting paid 20 million dollars. Now he get bought out for 1.2 Million dollars and gets to play for the Boston Celtics. So what's the lesson here? Act like a complete selfish baby, and make 21.2 Million Dollars and get to go on a potential NBA Championship run. This is why people don't like the NBA.
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