Do Not Recommend
We've let the internet decide how we decide on nearly everything for two decades now. It's not working for consumers, and it's not working for your business. Here's what happens next.
Planting seeds of discontent
You cannot critique something well unless you love it. Once something is in your veins, like marketing and finance and education and the internet are in mine, passion for the possible feeds a holy discontent. One worth fighting for.
How legacies actually get made
To steal the infamous words from Hamilton: a legacy is planting seeds in a garden we'll never see. As a very amateur gardener, I think about this often. Even when you are going to see the seeds grow, you're often very, very wrong about the outcome you're going to get.
Communication is not the goal
Some combination of the internet's meltdown, media failures, and falling reading skills are killing communication. It's time to reset your sights: communication is not the goal, understanding is.
Breaking rules and techno-fantasies
Big trends are made by category incumbents, held up by media, and monetized by the masses who are desperate to feel connected to the newest, hottest thing. This collusion of the willing puts up barriers to entry to producing value and growing marketshare. This week we recognize the signs.
Finally! Fewer CMOs (but more bad rashes)
Fewer CMOs is good news, more Jon Stewart is not, and how to read better to think better.
The Good List 2023
2023 has been a whirlwind of a year.
From the headlines, books, media, and trends, we bring you 24 good things that came from this year... and a few hints as to what may happen next.