The Education is Falling (VIDEO)

Seems we're finally coming to terms with the fact that our education system hardly teaches us to effectively enter the "job market", whether crashed or not. Below is a poignant, well-written spot promoting Kaplan. Enjoy...



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seanrox

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The Time is Right. How Columbus, Georgia Industry Can Lead Globally.

Capital gain tax cuts were a recent scheme for "distribution of wealth" for a period of time. A form of welfare for the successful to inspire innovation. Did you? Some innovated and grew their businesses while others invested in beach condos at inflated prices.

Due to the economic changes, the tax scheme time may be over. For all that have benefited the last 8-10 years -- congratulations. Now is the time to grow your business/new business through innovation. Reinvest that money in new technologies and paradigms within your own industries.

1. Figure a way to play on the global scale.
2, Hire some educated Americans professionals to help you.
3. Hire a great communications firm to assist you in branding, positioning and marketing your business.

What I've stated above is the answer for the $250k+ business owners to grow to $1M businesses by simply working more strategically. The world is hungry for American ideas and ideals. Working together, I believe we all can push QUALITY Columbus ideas, goods, services further into the global market. This is why I believe in the free market, and more importantly -- why I love the future I imagine for Columbus, Georgia.


Coffee. Wine. Beer. Insurance. Brownies. Roots Music. Real American Folk Art. Outdoorsman Culture. Kudzu as Biofuel. Inspirational Lectures. Craftsmanship. Architecture... and the media documenting it all.

Join me.
peace-
seanrox

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24/7 News Cycle : An Informational Failure

The "24/7 News Cycle" contains very little NEWS, and mostly partisan analysis. Investigative news has fallen to the wayside to political advocates. This is how we end up with former radio DJs or comedians analyzing foreign policy with PR pros.

What does Hannity know about military service? Nothing. What does Rush know of solid foreign policy? Nunca. There are brilliant thinkers on every facet of an issue with true solutions that don't have an R or a D next to them. Our local radio stations choose not to air those syndications.

If you're seeking a TV face and voice to fear and agree with you, yes, you'll probably find one on today's cable news. But if you're looking to solve real issues, take a moment to listen to brilliant thinkers... we can find them on the web beyond the fray:

http://www.ted.com
http://www.fora.tv

Learn for yourself. There's simply no excuse anymore. :)

peace-
seanrox

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What if U.S. Cities Dabbled in Privatization of Public Infrastructure?

*** This blog is second in a series of articles looking at the future of the BabyBoomers.

FINANCIALLY LAZY OPTION TO PROGRESS.
This debate is in American cities today. Imagine, instead of raising local taxes to pay for state and municipal infrastructure -- we just "charge" it. Possibly to off-shore banks in China, Saudi Arabia?

Introducing The GIC! Seems like the perfect solution for our Generation-In-Charge (GIC) that brought to us such great innovative financial scandals such as: Savings and Loan, Enron, FannyMae and now FreddyMac -- each situation cost all Americans millions (billions?) of tax dollars to sweep these failures under the rug.

Additionally, with such mis-misjudgment, isn't it strange that we would continue to pay some failed CEOs their hundred million dollar salaries in lieu of their financial mismanagement? Most people in such situations would lose their job. Not to mention, their home. And then, their car. Possibly even spend some time in prison?

It is for these reasons, we can only hope that GIC takes a moment of self-reflection. Possibly in this moment, they'll see their own chronic generational behavior issue: financial mismanagement.

CIVIC MIS-DIAGNOSIS, AGAIN.
Could it be, that after ignoring the crumbling infrastructure all these years, the current GIC would like to present financial solution to a mismanagement problem?

See, back in the day, the GIC inherited a new infrastructure built by the American people (Brokaw's Greatest Generation) and American tax dollars. In the 1950s and 60s, the people were engaged, they gave their fair share and they worked hard to make "the plan" a reality. Across America, both business and job opportunities made millionaires out of some and millions more were hired at a fair income to raise their families. The result was a giant infrastructure boom!

This GIC grew up in this rich environment of well-funded public schools and new roadways, yet as their moment of truth comes... they have yet to reinvest. Instead, they are considering financing America's infrastructure.

AND THE PATTERN CONTINUES...
What happens when if this goes awry as other scams have? I wonder what life would be like in mid-size cities across America if we outsource our taxes, then default on them? Would China or Saudi Arabia own the physical infrastructure of our cities and states? What happens to our property values then? Our freedom?

This blog was inspired by NYTimes article Running Out of Money, Cities Are Debating the Privatization of Public Infrastructure by Jenny Anderson.


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seanrox

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© seanrox.com.

Boomers: Are you done stroking yourself, yet?

Keeping in the spirit of SouthernZen.com's motto, "Blogging for Good," this blog is one entire meme. Pulling abstract quotes from the following article for divisive use would simply be lame. :)

It occurred to me long ago that the Baby Boomers were the direct benefactors of a world that Brokaw's Greatest Generation bestowed upon them. First, a quick review of...

BOOMERS, THIS IS YOUR LIFE...

Howdy Doody: Puppet show on TV that you consumed.

Leave it to Beaver: Pablum you consumed.

Induction of the free-wheeling "Teenager" to American society: You were afforded it.

Draft deferments: There for you if you could afford it.

NASA and Civil Rights: Most of you watched it on TV.

All the drugs: you consumed and abused them, now even the safe ones are illegal.

Disco: fun while it lasted, then you cut your hair and took over Wall Street, Auto-Industry and Media just in time to benefit from post-Cold War expansion, which your parents handed you.

WHILE THE BOOMERS WERE BUSY CONSUMING...

The divorce rate spiked.

Attitude about funding and administrating public education tanked while investment in jails and prisons creates jobs for illegal aliens.

AIDS. CRACK. YACHT ADDICTION. RUN-AWAY TEEN PROSTITUTES.

Exporting American Industry without progressively re-matching new technologies with laid-off workforce.

Encouraging spastic business models riddled with irresponsibility, yet legal immunity: Savings and Loan Scandal, Enron Scandal.

Not all is lost, the Boomer's creative renaissance begat evolution in media and parenting...

SILVER-LINING -- THE BOOMERS' GREATEST CREATIONS...

Sesame Street: The hippies needed jobs too.

Star Wars: Thank you. GenX's post-modern childhood fairytale that simply won't die now that it has risen again.

Extended CableTV: It sucked to only have 3 channels back then, huh?

The personal computer and Web: Smart hippies also needed jobs.

The hot Soccer Mom.

I'd say it's about time for GenX to take a crack at this whole "run the globe" thing. We already control the Web. The Industrial Age is coming to an end, The Information Age is maturing, and we understand it. And for the coming-of-age Y/YNOT?/Nexters... we promise to limit the narcissistic references to ourselves -- instead, together, we'll solve the issues.

This blog was inspired by Jeff Gordinier's USA Today article:
Excerpt from X Saves the World: How Generation X Got the Shaft but Can Still Keep Everything from Sucking

peace-
seanrox

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© seanrox.com.

Obama's Veep "First Text"-Appeal Reveal this Week?

So Obama may text you as you're getting ready for work this week. If he becomes 44th President, would his message on our cellphones be considered The Very First First Text?

I heard on NPR this morning that those that offer Obama their cellphone number might just receive a text announcing his Veep choice. Technological advantage? Yes. Cool factor: you'll find out at the same moment as Big Media. yay.

Who has the Veep Text-Appeal?

Sen. Biden.
He's always been my favorite Donkeycrat bulldog-blow-hard. When he mellow-dramatically lays into corrupt partisans on C-SPAN, the veins in his forehead bulge. That's pretty cool, but how many people watch as much C-SPAN as I have to fully appreciate this grinning character?

Billary. Hey -- never count the dynamic-duo out for daylight robbery. And, as I said before, if not her, no other Femacrat will suffice.

Bayh and that other "B" guy that nobody knows.
Please don't bore us.

Gen. Colin Powell?
Nope. Just a silent nod.

Gen. Wesley Clark?
Too wiley. He was awkwardly critical on McCain's war record.

Gov. Richardson?
Ladder jumpers are dangerous bedfellows (because they need rails). He and his post-candidate beard would hold out for a junior cabinet staff post. Y'know -- he actually speaks Spanish.

Sen. McCain?
He's busy. Not a bad ticket, though. ;)

I'd hope'd he'd get some military experience on the ticket, but this probably won't happen. Now, I'm not on Obama's speed-dial, but I'm sure I'll hear the Veep choice anyway.

peace-
seanrox

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© seanrox.com.

VIDEO: "The Last Lecture" is Brillance.

Being the video clip junkie I am, I've seen some fantastic lectures by some of the most brilliant professors, thinkers and artists. Today, "Abe" from the new Columbus, Georgia social network, IntownColumbus.com shared the video below.

Sit back and watch one hour and 16 minutes of Randy Pausch, professor at Carnegie Mellon University give his last lecture 6 months before his anticipated passing. It may just inspire you...




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seanrox

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Innovation is built upon the definition of new ideals.

So, if innovation is built upon the definition of new ideals, I suppose the key tool is effective communication. Without effective communication, no one will ever hear the good news.

peace-
seanrox

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© seanrox.com.

To Understand and Cope with a Growth Mind-Set

Quite often, Autumn and I discuss how we hope the Boy will "become" in his own life. From the very beginning, she hoped for him to simply "understand" the world around him. I thought this a gracious prayer and concur. What a great gift -- to understand.

I hope the Boy learns to cope. We all developed coping skills through out our lives. Some learned and others discovered. At an early age, through karate, Boy Scouts and studying the NASA space missions I first learned to open your mind to possibilities. Through skateboarding, I applied this "growth mind-set", and I discovered it made me a better thinker and problem-solver.

The psychology of "Born-Again Christianity" (which I share) is built upon the same premise: The epiphany that life circumstances can indeed change, evolve and grow once you're in control of your own destiny.


Here's "Unboxed", an article from the NYTimes that inspired this post.

Is it possible to shift from a fixed mind-set to a growth mind-set?

Absolutely, according to Ms. Dweck. But, “it’s not easy to just let go of something that has felt like your self for many years,” she writes. Still, she says, “nothing is better than seeing people find their way to things they value.”

Read the whole article >>

So, I suspect, it is better to instill these values in someone as they develop rather than expect someone to come to this specific conclusion on their own. I suppose we'll just need to teach these lessons through living them... as a family.

peace-
seanrox

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© seanrox.com.

Architecture: Killer Post-Modern Skyscraper in Motion

Simply amazing in Dubai.



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seanrox

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Lost Headline: Google + NASA = Dream Team

Initial thought... I can't think of a better partner or contract for NASA to help "map" the galaxy with the space agency's unique data. What those data-wranglers at Google have done for revolutionizing mapping our Earth -- would make Magellan proud. Google's rich collaborative human interface for virtual exploration via Google Maps is second to none. This new contract could last up to 90 years! (I knew the G stock would earn its own.) This is truly, the story to watch.

• Yahoo News: Google seals deal for new offices at NASA center


• New York Times: Google Plans Major Expansion in Its Backyard
  
  
• Silicon Valley Insider: Google bribes NASA
  

I suppose this is why Microsoft's been so very nervous lately.

peace-
seanrox

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© seanrox.com.

VIDEO: Remembering Jellyfish

Hundreds of thousands of ALT-Rock fans of the early 1990s were lured into fan hood by two delicious records by Jellyfish, the most brilliant of rock derivatives in both lyric and composition.

Today, I ran across an article by Peter Lee that best pinpoints the artistic importance of Jellyfish in time and legacy better than any other article I've discovered. Read on:

Jellyfish: The legacy of power pop's golden boys
by Peter Lee

I was fortunate enough to sneak into the Denver June 1991 show as they opened for headliner rookie -- The Black Crowes. Their performance was unbelievable to hear.

And below is "The King is Half Undressed" video which started it all for me:


And below is a video from the tour... the Jellyfish harmonies join The Crowes on "Seein' Things" -- idyllic collaboration... it may take Johnny, Rich and Chris to ask Jellyfish to reform for a tour for a new generation to hear "PowerPop's Golden Boys" play live again.




peace-
seanrox

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The Aging Civic Paradigm

Each new generation and social circle which plants itself deeply in the community are the most qualified to share in the growth of local culture.

Future community leaders are at odds with the establishment because the new rules applied often become culturally obsolete by the time they are enforced -- resulting in stifling innovation and growth itself.

I believe the Creativity required to craft guidelines for the future also requires input, feedback and collaboration from the fresh crop of local, dusty-handed entrepreneurs.

But, until, our aging civic leaders and their retirement accounts become less important than those citizens yet to rise -- we'll remain where we are.

peace-
seanrox

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© seanrox.com.

SoZen Formula for Innovation

Education and Enterprise equally power Innovation double-fold, but Inspiration fuels it all.

Inspiration = E_d + E_p =Innovation²

Or my math and science lessons might've worn thin.

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© seanrox.com.

Others

Some people make things.

Many people watch things go.

Others make the things go better.

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© seanrox.com.