The Myth of Childhood Innocence
While researching for my novel, I stumbled upon my diary from the late 80's to early 90's. Throughout the hard-covered, bejeweled, lockable book is the usual insight into my development and life - stories switch between my home life to my school. My spelling shows continued, dramatic improvement. My focus jumps from the trivial and self-centered, to the insightful and worldly- all within one entry. At 10 years old, in the early 90's, the only exposure I had to the outside world was through television, my parents, school and friends. I was, and still am, a member of Generation Catalano or as Buzzfeed describes, stuck between Millennial and Gen X - optimistic, yet cynical. Digitally savvy but I didn't have a cell phone until I was in college. The only "facebook" I had access to was a printed handout given to incoming freshmen.
Despite the lack of connectivity, at 10 years old this is what I wrote:
5/29/91
Dear Diary,
My main goal in life is to be useful for health, food, clothing needs and saving the earth from hate and pollution. The reason why I'm telling you this is because we just had a war. There is no more fighting, but we still need to figure out how to defeat Hadam Husane [Saddam Hussein]. Because of the war, many people spent more money for guns, bombs, and other weapons. Many people have lost their jobs. I thank god that my father, instead, got a promotion. We are lucky to have a house. Many people have been killed. Some because of the war. The rest from cold-hearted people. More people are selling crack to support their families.
The rain forest is getting killed more and more every day. In fact, I was watching HBO and they had a movie dedicated to saving the rain forest. More whales are getting killed. Their blubber provides candles and lipstick.
I was astute to the atrocities and hardships of the world.
Nearly a quarter of a century later, our level of connectivity has evolved but our world has not. Children today are exposed to the harsh realities of the world and no amount of parental sugar-coating will protect them. These findings have been validated through consumer research. The Sound found that Generation Z is a more mature, self-aware generation than Generation Y - and possess a sense of wisdom beyond their years.
Even Generation Z's pop-cultural references fail to hide the realities of the world. Over a decade ago, Harry Potter broke the rules of typical children's literature when it killed off various characters - a far cry from the G-rated, Disney cartoons of the 80's and 90's. Millennials learned that while the world was fraught with problems, resilience and their own special magic could solve them. Following Harry Potter, The Hunger Games pushed the notion of child innocence even further - in this world, children weren't just fighting evil, but forced to fight each other to violent deaths.
But unlike Gen X or even my in-between generation, children today have the tools to make a measurable, positive impact on society. Beyond growing up with computers and smartphones, they live in a world where any question can be answered through Google or any skill gained for through YouTube. Teenagers like Tavi Gevinson are using their social presence to inspire. Students like Neha Gupta are using their access to web-design and ingenuity to make the type of impact in college that entrepreneurs like Bill Gates started making during his second career as a philanthropist. Generation Z are so resourceful that they even seek brands that help them acquire new skills, according to the latest Cassandra Report.
Every day, we are all exposed to new atrocities and situations that feel so beyond our control. But we are on the brink of a positive change. Empowered Millennials are overtaking the workforce, reaching more than 50% in 2015. Compassionate Gen-Zers, whose lives have been shaped by the recession, a government fraught with special interests, the realities of climate change and a world where there's no denying our inter-connectivity - are eligible to vote in the 2016 election.
I look forward to a future where every ten-year old can make their dreams of saving the world from hate and pollution, a reality because the future is now.
The Circle Game: Big Data & the Gutenberg Press
I've read about two pages of Nate Silver's "The Signal and the Noise" and already, my mind is blown.
Often in advertising, we look at everything we do as something that is new and hasn't been done before. Social has replaced mass marketing, T.V. commercials.. and that's a one-to-one relationship we've never seen before. Or maybe we saw that 75-100 years ago before radio ads and television ads - when the "advertising" you were primarily exposed to was the "content" you received from your store sales associate. Your one-to-one relationship was right in front of you and you could shake their hand.
Content strategy is the new, never-before, never-seen, form of digital and social marketing. Or maybe magazines and the brands that have influenced their content have just shifted to distributing their content on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest. Our grandparents might remember cookbooks and recipes sponsored by Betty Crocker, but these forms of "content" are completely foreign to the digital generations of 2015.
Advertising isn't the only history that repeats itself. Silver points out in his introduction that the power of data first took hold in the 1400's, when Gutenberg invented the printing press. Suddenly, books that would have cost upwards of $20,000 a copy could now be available to the masses. Information that had literally passed hundreds of hands like a game of telephone could be distributed without error. This one invention created historical upheaval. Powers that thrived on and subsequently abused being the gatekeepers of knowledge, suddenly had formidable foes calling their bluffs. Populations questioned everything they thought they knew- from over a thousand years of teachings.
When the dust settled, Western society entered a renaissance, followed by a period of enlightenment. A way of life built on divine, unquestionable and unverifiable power nearly disappeared around the globe. All but figureheads remain.
The Gutenberg Press is a relic discussed in history classes. But the power of information is apparent to us in everything we do. When we talk about big data, we talk about consumer trends, the ability to better sell products, better know our customers, our audience and maybe our world.
But it's more profound than that. It's no surprise that the genesis story of the Western world is centered around knowledge - the symbol of Eve yanking down that apple of knowledge for Adam. Understanding our generation's Gutenberg Press is understanding the power of knowledge. We are seeing corporations, institutions and even governments fall- as knowledge of their true intentions sweep through our browsers. We are seeing communities find salvation as news of their plight enter our hearts. The rate of change is accelerating at a pace we cannot imagine. While one might turn on the news to see disturbing images of injustice that desperately need to change, I see the truth being revealed- one story at a time. These stories have already created an unprecedented amount of change, one that can't be credited to our president alone, but to an entire country of people, armed with newfound knowledge.
I'm optimistic. What's next?
East to West - My Journey Across the Country
It's a quiet, gray, Saturday morning. After a week of sun and mixed clouds, the Seattle weather has finally settled in. I'm sitting in my new apartment, nestled in one of Seattle's more younger neighborhoods, Capital Hill. After five days with my stuff from the movers, I'm finally unpacked.I lived in New York City for nine years, minus a brief stint in San Francisco and New Jersey. I remember my arrival to the city distinctly - on Christmas Eve of 2005, my new roommate informed me that she picked me to co-occupy a tiny one bedroom converted to two on St. Mark's in the East Village. For four years, starting January 2006, I lived on one of the most trafficked, crazy streets in Manhattan in a quiet apartment run by slum lords who occasionally turned off the hot water without warning. Then the Upper East Side. In San Francisco, I couldn't listen to Jay Z and Alicia Key's latest hit "New York State of Mind" without getting a pang of momentary sadness. Then back to NYC- three years of a "Brooklyn tour" hitting Prospect Heights, Crown Heights, Park Slope, Williamsburg and Carroll Gardens. Finally, back to the Upper East Side or Yorkville.
My decision to move across the country didn't come lightly. It involved countless pros and cons lists. Some soul searching. Talking to friends and family. I think I even tried to meditate. Ultimately, I decided that I was ready for a change and that whatever I decided, New York would still be there. Change I will get. As a result, my coast has changed, apartment, job - from freelance to full time. And my favorite - even my operating system will change at work given that I'm now in a Microsoft town.
During my research into what decision to make, I came across countless blog posts where people declared they were over New York City and consequently leaving. I had these moments- walking 15 minutes to the subway where everyday, I'd look up thinking I was further along only to realize I was only at First Avenue. Then getting crushed on the 6 Train. Sometimes I felt like I wasn't gaining traction in my career, felt like I couldn't afford all New York City had to offer. But then I had those small moments that were so uniquely New York. Stepping into a wine bar with my pros and cons list where a group of French people argued at the end of the bar. The muscular bartender, who I stereotyped as being from Long Island (I'm from Jersey, I can think these things), actually hailed from Hawaii. The trans performer dancing and singing his heart out at the Union Square subway station. A January dim sum gathering with long time friends. Or walking by the church I was baptized in, feeling a sense of pride as I thought - I'm a real New Yorker.
Recently, philosopher Ruth Chang's TED Talk on how to make decisions was floating around the internet. She speaks about how people try to quantify decisions. Will moving to Seattle be the better option, or is staying in New York the right decision? Ultimately, with both offering their own pros and cons, neither tips the scale as being a clear winner or loser. This is considered a hard decision. Instead, it's up to me to choose what kind of lifestyle I'm seeking. What am I willing to give up in order to get? What new experiences do I seek that are worth giving up all that is comfortable and familiar? Who do I want to be?
We make our choices and then adjust our life to build around those decisions. So the next time you see another "Why I'm Leaving New York" blog post, take it for what it is - an attempt to rationalize a decision that they may need outside support on. For those fortunate enough, where you live is a choice. It's a choice to experience certain aspects of a lifestyle while sacrificing others. It's a choice to experience the unfamiliar or choose to live among the familiar. It's a choice to make your life the way you want it to be.
The Year In Pop Culture
kind of epic.[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKx2B8WCQuw]
Keep Running
First off, I'm really excited about the next generation - Generation Z. There's so much talk about Millennials that I think Generation Z has escaped the public eye.. for now. They're incredibly smart, self-aware and are really lucky to be growing up in the time that they are.Really? Now.. during a recession, political unrest, unstable times? Etc. Well.. it's hard for me to personally relate to various generational theories as someone born smack in between Gen X and Gen Y. But I will say that growing up in the 80's, high school in the 90's and entering the work force post dot.com crash meant that the world had great promise. I was fortunate to have missed out on having massive college debt.. but there was still this undertone that us Millennials - or my in-between peers had great promise. That we were going to save the world. Not just be ordinary - but be extraordinary. Beat the system. Excel. Except that other than having Facebook to share and complain - nothing in the world has really changed.
Gender inequality still exists and is a factor that can't be shaken off as those who rule the workforce come from older generations. White men still rule. Many people in power, whether economically or politically, still view those different than them as the "other" - failing to see how the problems of one group of people is a problem for us all. And various groups are still kept down through antiquated, false stereotypes and old unresolved, past battles.
But with this new generation - I believe it's all going to change. A life spent with literally the world at their fingertips has made them more worldly. Instead of pen pals, they literally have a window into someone else's world. In their eyes - will there be an "other?" They have little to stop them in whatever their endeavors. Do they want to code? They can look up a free video or website on how to do it? Become a photographer - download a $2 photo editing app? Learn a new language? The possibilities are endless. They're reaping what we've sowed - the free information that we've created. The insistence on gender neutral toys. The changing perceptions of what it means to eat healthy. What it even means to get an education.
I'm really excited about what's ahead.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjJQBjWYDTs]
Life Through My Lens: Back in New York City
[flickr photo="https://www.flickr.com/photos/missmoll/13147169884/in/photostream/" w=505 h=]
The New Imperialism
Over the last few years, I've seen a huge trend in quitting ones job and traveling around the world. This was first fueled by the economic crisis. We all heard not so woful tales about bankers being laid off only to use their presumably hefty severance checks to travel the world and find themselves. Next came the photographer, writer or website designer, inspired by Chris Guillebeau to hack their credit card airline miles and consider a laptop with wifi connection their office. Those of us stuck in our windowless offices could momentarily live vicariously through travel blogs with the occasional pang of envy hitting us, as new photos appeared on our Facebook feed. We clicked through photos of our friends or even an engaging stranger as they bussed their way through Asia - brave enough to navigate a language barrier and foreign country for the promise of deliciously inexpensive food and the experience of local culture. In between our slight jealousy - we learned something. They opened our eyes to how other people lived. We silently thanked them for being ambassadors, making the world just a little bit smaller.But after the major landmarks were visited, and famous, Asian street food consumed, there was a new frontier to be had. Enter our current day. In favor of reflective blog posts, used as an alternative to a travel journal - we have the more immediate - Instagram. In place of self-reflection, we have the outward attention grabbing hashtag. And with it, a move to newer journeys - venturing into Africa. A stunning, envy-inducing vacation within a vacation at a Travel & Leisure-worthy resort smack in the middle of a war-torn, third world country. Gone are the photos of local culture and attempting to experience the world that 99% of a country's population experiences. Instead, we have Americans from a first world country, wealthy even for American standards - taking advantage of their power and status in a country where few have any. What is fueling this new behavior? Is it narcissism? The impulse to self-promote? The last decade has shown an increase in the desire for experiences over the accumulation of stuff. Is this the Berkin bag of experiences?
Whatever it is - with great power comes great responsibility.
Flawed Logic
I was going to write about the Garden State Plaza Mall in NJ but instead am ranting about this.So I'm sure we've all been there. You're sitting in the doctor's chair. Most likely somewhat exposed - literally. A boob threatening to peak out under your flimsy hospital gown. Trying to stay warm from the cold examination room. You tell your doctor that something is just not right and they respond with,
"Oh, sure, I'll do a test for that."
"Great," You respond with relief that whatever was ailing you will be discovered and cured.
Days later, you hear nothing from your doctor which means everything was fine. And you feel fine.
But then you get a bill from your insurance. Not covered. $675!!!
WTF ?!%$#@
So you mean if I had just waited TWO days without asking my doctor to perform any tests, I could have saved $675?!?!
You're outraged. In what universe is it okay to give someone a service of some kind only to find out afterwards what you owe? No estimate. No idea that it will even cost you money. Plumbers and contractors guilty of this are kept in check through Yelp reviews. But who keeps medical services in check?
So you call your doctor's office. Five transfers and fifteen minutes later, you get transferred to the billing department of the lab.
You have the bill in your hand that itemizes the procedure costs. Over $3,000. You have no idea what any of this means but are racking your brain trying to figure out how any of this could add up to that.
You bring this up to the billing administrator.
Her response, "It doesn't matter. We charge this to the insurance company and they adjust it. They tell us that it should be $675 because they won't pay that cost."
Your response, "So you charge them as much as you can get away with and then they adjust it to what should make sense?"
Awkward pause. I've caught the billing administrator in trying to explain the flawed logic of hospital and lab costs.
And you continue.. "So without the negotiating power of the insurance company, I'd owe $3,000."
Response, "No - well.. we'd figure something out."
You continue. "If I was getting a haircut and the hairdresser told me that I'd look good in this cut - and I said go ahead. Then his salon charged me an outrageous amount for that - beyond what he knew would happen. They wouldn't be in business anymore. In fact, it would be considered bad business. Except I'm not in a hairdresser's chair and this is my health. Potentially my life, and you're viewing me as a source of profit. How does any of this make sense? How is any of this even moral?"
At which point - you've reached a standstill because the administrator has no response. In fact, they probably even know that you're right and the system is FUBARED. And anything she says will probably incriminate her in some way.
Finally, the administrator responds with "The next time you're at the doctor, call your insurance company first and see what's covered before getting any procedure done."
You think about this. This makes sense. Okay. Then you think about it some more. To which you response, "I'm not a doctor. How would I know which tests to ask about? How would I be able to make the decision over whether or not it's worth it to get a test done or wait? How would I know if I'm making the decision between paying an extra $50 or $500? How does any of this make sense?"
You hang up the phone completely defeated - wondering why in this day in age - where the most detailed information about cost is available through a simple Google search - this still happens. And then you log on to your bank account - visualizing that $675 no longer in your account. Money that could have been used for a vacation. A month's worth of food including eating out. A payment to a school loan. But instead, it's mainly going to cover the costs of our screwed up medical system - money to maintain absurd overhead - equipment instead of doctor's intuition / patient time. High medical malpractice insurance. High administrative costs negotiating with insurance company. You are understandably distraught.
And then you contemplate moving to Canada or Europe and wondering how - with a country that has gotten so much right - they could have gotten something so wrong.
Asking the Wrong Questions, Why Sustainability Is the Answer
Publishing my essay for ADMAP's 2013 Prize that answers the question:
"Can brands maximize profits and be a force for social good?"
Before the invention of traditional advertising, companies lived and died by their reputation. A good reputation depended on having both quality products and customer service. There was an emotional connection between ones neighbor, the shopkeeper, the products and even the manufacturing process itself. But with Henry Ford’s invention of the assembly line, we have lost that connection with the manufacturing process, the earth and even each other. Fortunately technology has brought that connection back. Companies have discovered that considering the environment and labor force in the supply chain has delivered measurable cost savings. Research has shown that consumers seek brands that give back to society. And business case studies have been made that show how businesses can enter new markets from sustainability efforts. The question we should be asking brands as marketing and business professionals is not, can brands maximize profits and be a force for social good, but why are they ignoring this proven path towards sustainability and continued profitability.
The foundation for life, water has also been recognized as a critical component to manufacturing and the supply chain. A recent report by The Carbon Disclosure Project, a group that monitors corporations’ greenhouse gas emissions, stated that “analysis indicates that current “business as usual” water management practices and levels of water productivity will put at risk approximately US$63 trillion, or 45 percent of the projected 2050 global GDP (at 2000 prices), equivalent to 1.5 times the size of today’s entire global economy.” The effects of climate change are clearly evident in challenges companies have had to face from water risk. More than half of Global 500 respondents, from a 2012 CDP study, experienced detrimental water-related business impacts from flood and associated financial costs as high as US$200 million, up 38% from last year. While the science around climate change is still being debated, the predicted effects of frequent extreme weather such as floods and droughts can affect many aspects of the manufacturing process from cotton crops to equipment damage from flooding. It is not a huge leap to assume that this number may increase after the final costs of Hurricane Sandy are all accounted for.
Fortunately, for every alarming statistic, there are companies that are leading the practice in water conservation. Both General Motors and H&M have significantly reduced the amount of water used in their manufacturing process. Companies are even reporting that water-based initiatives have offered new opportunities from increased brand value (40%) to entirely new business opportunities. Levi Strauss has been a pioneer in water reduction during their manufacturing process, introducing Water<Less jeans in 2011. While sales figures on the jeans have not been released, they have increased their manufacturing of the product from 1.5 million in 2011 to 29 million in 2012. Levi’s has recognized that the initiative is in line with both their business goals and consumer values. They continue to evolve their sustainable product offerings. Like Levi’s, Unilever has pioneered water-related sustainability efforts to appeal to their current consumers and enter entirely new markets. A few years ago, they developed a fabric conditioner that only requires one bucket of water for rinsing instead of three, gaining a 60% increase in usage from 2010.
Half the cost of business is in the supply chain. The supply chain is also responsible for 70 percent of greenhouse-gas emissions from manufacturing companies. While most members of the United Nations Global Compact of Sustainability surveyed by Accenture agreed that sustainability should be integrated into all aspects of operations, just over half, actually achieved sustainability. The path to reducing emissions has already been paved; 40 percent of CDP members have reported financial savings from their emissions reduction activities. Companies have even benefited from developing smarter transportation routes or partnering with other companies to reduce fuel costs from deliveries.
No sellable good can be harvested, created or transported without the touch of a human hand or at least one to guide the machinery. And yet, many companies treat their workers like machines, with no feelings, human needs or compassion. But for a moment, let us put our humanity aside and pretend that labor is just a line item in the manufacturing process. Most machines would have a short lifespan if they were kept running without proper maintenance. The cost of replacing them would far out weigh the cost of fixing them. But workers are not machines. While they require more “maintenance” and time off than the average machine, they also have the capacity to do so much more. BSR, a corporate responsibilities consultancy, published the results of several case studies where they helped improve the working conditions in factory and agricultural settings in Central American and the Dominican Republic. By helping to improve the lives of the workers, they also helped improve the business. Productivity increased while operating costs and turnover decreased.
Look no further than your local Whole Foods, Starbucks or trendy café to understand how consumers feel about fair labor practices. The sale of Fair Trade products has grown globally about 30% every year, even during a recession. Apple came famously under fire after The New York Times created a shocking expose of Foxconn’s working conditions. Faced with consumer pressure, investigations by NGOs and continued NYT articles about the factory, Apple eventually worked with Foxconn to improve labor conditions. If Foxconn does not serve as enough of a lesson, economics will. Over the next decade, it will be absolutely imperative for companies to learn how to develop more sustainable labor practices, especially in the China. The IMF predicts in a 2013 paper that between 2020 and 2025, China will experience a labor shortage economy. This shift could even signal the end of cheap goods.
What is supply without demand? A critical component to profitability is revenue. The Guardian conducted a study in 2010 on consumer attitudes and perceptions on sustainability. “…79% indicated that a company offering products and services with low environmental impacts would be more likely to win their loyalty” and felt the same factors would help them develop loyalty. Over 70% thought that energy, manufacturing and transport companies are not environmentally friendly or have little concern for the environment. No follow up papers have been published but one can guess that sentiments would be similar given the man-made and climate change-related disasters that have occurred since it was published in June 2010.
“People’s willingness to buy, recommend, work for and invest in a company is driven 60% by their perceptions of the company, and only 40% by their perceptions of their products.” Kasper Ulf Nielsen, an executive partner at the Reputation Institute
Businesses have lost valuable consumer trust over the last decade. Trust in business fell from 53% in 2011 to 47% in 2012 and customers cited that businesses did not meet their expectations due to their practices. Trust for business is slowly rising to 58% according to the 2013 Edelman Trust Barometer. In fact, business is trusted more than government in more than half the 26 markets surveyed. The Edelman Trust Barometer also found that societal factors like treating employees well, has “ethical business practices” and “addresses society’s needs” are attributes associated with future trust. The most telling finding as it relates to the general public’s interest in social good is that Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) remain the most trusted institution.
The increase of concern for the environment and societal ills is due to the historically high levels of information that the average person has access to. In 2011, Google published a pivotal free eBook called ZMOT, Winning the Zero Moment of Truth. The book describes a shift in how consumers make purchasing decisions. Once influenced by branding, advertising and public relations, consumers can now have access to detailed product information, company policies and even customer reviews before purchasing an item. While the book is mainly focused on a behavioral shift in purchasing, it also signals a cultural shift. We can no longer cite ignorance as an excuse for our behavior. We have an increasing proliferation of tools like the GoodGuide to tell us at the point of purchase how sustainable a company’s policies are. If we cannot find it on Google, our social network can act as a resource for influencing our purchasing decisions.
Consumers have a growing appetite for finding more meaning in their purchases. Inn the United States, we find a growing interest in hand crafted goods, fueled by Etsy, eBay and other peer to peer ecommerce sites. Customers are also experiencing a greater connection to their farmer with the proliferation of local farmer’s markets across the country.
Global viral campaigns like KONY reveal that there is a cultural pressure to align oneself with social initiatives. Non-profits like Charity Water allows us to see the benefits of our philanthropy, showing us that we do not have to be wealthy to make a positive societal impact. The one-to-one model of Tom’s and Warby Parker has made it cool to identify with a label, as long as that label gives back to society. And indulging in Ben & Jerry’s makes eating ice cream a little less gluttonous when one considers all their CSR initiatives. Finally, countless personal care brands have worked to match their manufacturing process to their newly created “natural” image.
While the debate over being a force for good and making a profit is still being debated, a few companies have taken off in developing their sustainability practices, paving the way for others. Patagonia has become a thought leader in creating sustainability practices, especially for clothing brands, publishing The Responsible Company in 2012 as a guide for businesses. They have strived to greatly increase the quality of their products and promote thoughtful consumption over disposable goods. In 2011, on the most famous American shopping day of the year, Patagonia urged their customers not to buy their products. Their program, Common Threads, urges consumers to reduce, repair, reuse and recycle their clothing. Their initiatives are working, both for creating sustainability and a profitable business model. Despite the extreme economic woes over the last five years, their revenue is set to nearly double.
Another pioneer of sustainability is Unilever. During the keynote speech given at The Marketing Society Conference in November 2011, CMO Keith Weed cites population growth as a strong driver for Unilever’s sustainability efforts. In addition to their commitment to reduce their carbon footprint by modifying their supply process, they have also spearheaded non-profit initiatives. For example, their disinfectant soap, Lifebuoy founded the first ever Global Handwashing Day in 2008 with the United Nations and other partners. In addition to improving hygiene and preventing disease, the initiative promoted usage of the product, gaining sales and growing market share.
Starbucks is another global example of companies promoting sustainability. While their impact on the environment is debatable given the proliferation of used Starbucks coffee cups, their commitment to labor is not. They have worked to make their supply chain sustainable, including a commitment to farmer labor practices. Starbucks rallied their customers through Create Jobs for U.S.A., offering customers a braided wristband in exchange for their $5 donation towards the Community Development Financial Institutions. Howard Schultz is a businessman and while it is clear that he may care more about sustainability than other CEOs, he is still interested in long-term profitability. A study done by UCLA in 2012 found that "adopting green practices isn't just good for the environment, it's good for your employees and it's good for your bottom line. Employees in such green firms are more motivated, receive more training, and benefit from better interpersonal relationships. The employees at green companies are therefore more productive than employees in more conventional firms."
When one looks at the overwhelming evidence, it is clear that maximizing profits and being a source for social good are synergistic goals for companies. Creating a more sustainable supply chain reduces costs. The knowledge that the company is being a source for good both motivates employees and consumers, increasing productivity and revenue. Companies have adjusted their business models to succeed in dramatic market shifts from introducing ecommerce to developing a social media presence and offering their customers utilities through mobile. Why should adjusting to sustainable business practices be any different? The health of society and business depend on it.
Tulum Travels
I really lucked out with my resort choices on the beaches of Tulum. The resorts along the beach are much more expensive than those in town and need to be booked in advance during key vacation times. On my first night, I stayed in Uno Astro Lodge, at the advice of some random girl I met in Playa Del Carmen. It's not well known by the cab drivers and I wasn't even able to find it on Google Maps, but for those trying to find it - it's one resort North of Ahau Tulum. Aside from the location being absolutely stunning, I got a fantastic deal - they put me in one of the artists' tents because everything else was booked. I didn't have electricity and had to share a bathroom that was outside - but for $70 a night, that was a small price to pay for such a special place.
The hotel is perfect for yoga, meditation, or anyone interested in a having a bit more spiritual self-reflection while sunning themselves on the beach. The crowd was a mix of hippie artists, yoga instructors, New Yorkers, a young student on an extended trip, German families.. quite a range but generally those who are fairly zen and free-spirited.
I only spent one night there but felt my entire being shift to a more relaxed state during my stay. I'm not exaggerating when I say it's a magical place. There's a peacock named Phoenix who likes looking at himself in the mirror regularly (self reflection?), free-spirited children running around - enthralled by the ocean rather than their electronic devices, and regular meditation sessions led by the resort.
I met two women, both named Alison and both living in Williamsburg (weird) but otherwise, kept to myself. There was really no pressure to become part of any of the activities or talk to those around you. And the actual beach was equally free-spirited. Technically, it's illegal to go topless or skinny dip in Mexico (Catholic country), but according to the internet, rules along the Tulum beaches have relaxed with an influx of Italian tourists over the years, accustomed to topless bathing. Along the beach near my resort, there were a few who went topless (me included), and one guy who jumped into the water naked but had his bathing suit nearby. I still regret not doing the same.
While I felt off the grid, I didn't feel lonely or disconnected. Rather than stress over figuring out life's meaning or my high purpose, I was able to just be. Feel the white sand under my feet, the sun on my body, hear nothing other than the waves. Ironically, my wifi connection was excellent - better than any other place I stayed. There's something surreal about checking Facebook while in a candle-lit tent, listening to the guy next to you play his guitar. Of course at some point, I turned my computer off and read a book.
But if I was there longer, I could see myself finally tackling the better part of my novel. Their breakfast is well-known and according to the manager, Nicole Kidman once ate there. I took a yoga class in the morning which turned into a private lesson for only $15.
They have a beautiful covered, outdoor space which they use for various classes, ranging from meditation to African dance. The yoga instructor was excellent and the setting might have ruined me for all future yoga classes in New York City. I also explored other hotels and shops within a ten minute walk from the resort. There's one, long road which features shops, trendy restaurants and other resorts. While they mostly featured clothing and gifts native to Mexico, there were also a few upscale stores reminiscent of Nolita in their selection and clientele.
There is no question that I will visit Uno Astro Lodge again.
Motivational Life Lessons
I'm still trying to adjust back to the land of gray skies and New York City weather. Have also been dealing with an annoying administrative issue that has greatly thrown me off track. And.. I've been distracted by watching back to back episodes of House of Cards. I finally understand what all the hype is about. It is a fantastic show. While the morality of the main character is questionable (to say the least), he does dole out some pretty powerful advice. Like for instance, points out that doing people favors or giving things to people has its own reward and signals power. Also, while his methods are a bit beyond questionable, there is no denying his unwavering determination and resilience. I'll try and absorb that. In the same vein, I just found a link to these motivational screen wallpapers. I honestly don't know what to choose but this certainly put me in a better mood yesterday. Fortunately, today is a new day.
The Real King Of The Jungle Ignores Reality
If' you've been following the news lately, you'd know there's been some recent controversy around a man who won a hunting auction to shoot a rare rhino in Africa. At my first glance while reading the headline, I let out an audible urgh, imagining the anger I felt over the recent lion hunter Melissa Bachman hunter images. But then I actually read the article. Buried towards the end was the little known fact that this type of hunting is sanctioned by conservationists as maintaining the health of the herd. The Guardian goes into more detail than CNN, stating that:
The Safari Club's executive director, Ben Carter, has defended the auction, saying all money raised will go toward protecting the species. He also said the rhino that the winner will be allowed to hunt is old, male and nonbreeding and that the animal was likely to be targeted for removal anyway because it was becoming aggressive and threatening other wildlife.
So the key facts here are that this specific rhino doesn't produce and not only is he depleting the resources of healthy, producing rhinos, but he is threatening other wildlife through his aggression. Plus he would have been likely removed. Sounds like if this were a human, we'd either lock him up in jail or kill him with a lethal injection.
We all die. Rhinos die. In probably much less humane ways than a swift bullet. Thoughts of my endless lion-video watching over the holidays flashed into head (don't ask). I imagined a pack of lions attacking a giant beast, slowly taking the beast down as they kicked and struggled. If they were lucky, a bite at the neck would cut off feeling and function early in their struggles.
While it's disturbing to see this struggle, who am I to judge lest I'm a strict vegetarian (I'm not). The lion has to eat or will die as well. Our food is killed for us - enabling us to completely detach ourselves from this natural, everyday cycle of life and death. Never having to make those death blows means never having that feeling of one species' life being drained as our ability to live another day is fulfilled.
People look at these hunters with such hate, often confusing them with having the same motivation as poachers - commenting on how disgusting it is that these hunters take pleasure in taking another species' life. 
We have entire industries based on the pleasures that come with taking another species' life. It's called the restaurant industry. The food industry. The cookbook-writing industry. It's the pleasure that comes every time you bite into a steak. Or a burger. Cooked to perfection - leaving no trace of the original being that provided you with this pleasure.
So where does this all fit into strategy and planning? CNN captured people's inability to look at all the facts and sensationalized pre-conceived notions to tell a story. But maybe the real story is why we're demonizing this man. Are we jealous that he has the bravery and means to tackle what we are afraid to admit? That our very existence involves taking the life of another being? If not directly through the foods we eat, then through the habitats that we've taken over, the pollution we've created and the resources we've depleted. They die so we can live. But unlike this man, we choose not to confront this basic truth.
My Earth-Shattering Revelation About Tinder
I recently went on my first two Tinder dates - two different guys but oddly enough, both had the same name and were the same age. I was hesitant to try Tinder because I had heard it's "Grinder for straight people," i.e. just a hook up app. But a few months ago, I ran into someone who adamantly told me it had evolved into a regular dating app and he had met his girlfriend through it. I set up my profile and and selected the right pictures, then started swiping. And swiping. And swiping. And then discovered that in this very new world of Tinder, there are TINDER MEMES! I said TINDER MEMES! About every thirty swipes or so (don't judge me), one comes across a guy hugging a tiger. This is a thing. This thing has its own Tumblr. I don't even know where to begin. If I were an anthropologist, I'd say this is a very thinly veiled attempt to convey their masculinity and wealth in one single picture. I mean - I don't think they let you hug the tigers at the Bronx Zoo.
The funny thing about this supposedly revolutionary new dating tool is that in place of algorithms, witty profiles and the appeal of specific dating destinations, the process for choosing a match is actually more akin to real life. When you're at a crowded bar, you can't scan the room looking for someone whose wit catches your eye. Or find any clues regarding your compatibility other than subtle non-verbal cues related to someone's appearance.
Like real life, it has even become common practice on Tinder to acknowledge that you're attracted to someone but do absolutely nothing about it. Long-time users may have over 1,000 matches but have only spoken to a handful. It's like an unexpected flirtation on the subway with someone that ends the minute they get off at their stop. Perhaps it's the fear that the real life romantic version of them won't live up to what we've quickly allowed ourselves to imagine.
So how did my dates go? Well - on the first date, completely at a loss over what to say - I opened with,
"This is my first Tinder date. I thought it was a hookup app but someone told me that now it's a regular dating app."
I'm not one for subtleties. There was a long pause as my date searched for a tactful response. I fully expected him to respond by telling me it was a hookup app, and then promptly end the date. But instead the date proceeded in a way that tells me that there are still varying expectations of what it's for. It didn't go anywhere. The second date was not a match either but at least I discovered two new wine bars.
I've never had much luck meeting and dating guy I've met at bars and don't know women who have but perhaps Tinder is the equivalent of going bar hopping to find romance. We shall see...
Above The Clouds
The New York Times just released their 52 Places to Go in 2014 and now my head is spinning with travel envy. In a previous life, I would have thought - blah blah blah, life is so unfair. I'll never be able to afford this. Blah Blah Blah. And then crankily look at the travel photos of a few people in my social network who have somehow managed to find the time and money to travel the world every few months.
But I recently started reading 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (see below) and I think this book is going to change my life. I'm only on page 96. Actually, I think someone could have told me everything that the book says a few years ago and up until now, I wasn't ready to hear it. So the first habit or tenant is:
We are responsible for our own effectiveness, for our own happiness and ultimately, for our circumstances.
Or something like that.
What?!? Are you kidding me? Don't my genes shape who I am, my family background, my parents, my economic circumstances?! I've spent a significant amount of time trying to search for clues as to who I am and who I should be by looking at the stories of my ancestors. If my grandfather, mother, father, sister are / was a writer, does that mean I have a writing gene? If my great uncle, grandmother and mother have / had artistic talent, should I be utilizing that talent as well? Am I related to Napoleon? (that's a whole different story)
So far, I have found nothing linking me to a hidden family fortune or long lost, European family castle (if only), but I did find that in every generation of my family - there was someone who overcame a great struggle, powering through hardships not just to thrive but to survive. My great, great grandmother left her home in Norway as a teenager to come to America and while traveling by boat, managed to renew the faith of her fellow travelers when all hope was lost. Another ancestor lost a child while traveling from Switzerland, through Canada to Minnesota only to be rewarded for their journey with the additional hardships of living in one of the coldest states of North America. And that's just on my father's side of the family.
At first, the thought of being responsible for our own circumstances is kind of upsetting. It's overwhelming to think that there's no special plan, or crazy event in our future that will throw us on the path to greatness. But in actuality, it's about the most empowering way you can look at life. You have just freed yourself from waiting around for something great to come about. You have freed yourself from envying those you think have better luck than you - because in reality, you make your own luck. You have just freed yourself from thinking that Jesus, God, or your mother will save you. They may give you the strength and guidance to tackle new challenges but certainly don't orchestrate the future. Because..
"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." Oliver Wendell Holmes
That being said - I'm looking for a travel buddy this year. Who's game?
[AMAZONPRODUCTS asin="B00GOZV3TM"]
Spreading Holiday Cheer.. In the Advertising World
Brilliant inversion of an existing digital behavior that makes sense strategically given the time of year / audience. Nicely done Mullen.[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcsfiN4Y3uE]
Breaking Point
Have you noticed that we've reached the height of information and acceptance in the truth regarding socio-economic disparity? We've reached the height of frustration with the knowledge that the poor are getting poorer, the middle class is disappearing and the rich is getting richer? Throughout history this always seems to be the moment where a revolution leads to change. It's the natural progression when the pressure builds and moments later, there is a burst of anger, of momentum followed by change. It happened with the French Revolution, the American, the Civil Rights movement, the period of unrest in the 1960's thanks to the Vietnam War. And it's about to happen now. So take a moment and witness what is happening.The foundation of America is on shaky ground. The balance will need to be restored. And who knows how this will happen. What will change and what will remain the same? Will New York City become a playground for the rich or will De Blasio divert the flow of money so that we can all enjoy its bounty? Will universal healthcare finally pull people out of poverty? Will the yearly cost of college continue to soar or will a generation finally put an end to a nonsensical system meant to keep the unwanted out of their ivy gates? Will there be a pivotal event that signals or forces change or will the change be more gradual? Will it get worse before it gets better?
David Simon, creator of the Wire shares his take on the stunning divide that our capitalist society has led to - a system, he argues, that is not the answer to universal happiness. As much as capitalism creates wealth and prosperity, the market does not nudge people into caring for the needy, making financial sacrifices to protect the environment or generally compel them to do the right thing.
Andrea Elliott of the New York Times spends a year profiling the life of a girl who is an innocent victim of a system that has failed her through Invisible Child. Entirely blameless, Dasani is trapped in a system that does not do what it is supposed to do. In fact, her family is literally treated like animals, being housed in a poorly kept shelter without even the freedom to heat up their own food. This is most evident at the end of the article when the family is given the opportunity to leave their home of several years. The catch is that they only have a few hours to pack up their belongings with no knowledge of where they'll end up. The system assumes they have no emotional ties to their surroundings, their belongings or their fellow neighbors. So like animals who are adopted to new owners, they must appreciate the new opportunity while ignoring any emotions that come from leaving - a feat that anyone would struggle with.
So when will our world change for the better?
Patterns in the Chaos
After three years of living in eight places, I finally signed a lease two weeks ago on 78th and York. Actually, that's a lie. It's really between York and East End but I like to tell myself I'm near York. I can't tell you how amazing it feels to have a little piece of New York that's all my own - even if that piece is little (400 square feet?). The apartment search process was very stressful. There's nothing like spending two outings with a near-stranger who helps you determine where you will live for the next year or so. And then if that wasn't hard enough, having to fork over about $5,000+ in one afternoon.But as I sit here in my apartment, surrounded by my things, and more importantly, complete quiet other than my typing, I realize it was all worth it. I never made the effort to buy nice furniture or make my room my own because it always felt temporary - the illegal sublet on St. Mark's that I assumed I'd be kicked out of at a moment's notice, the 5th floor walkup with a crazy man living above us who let his tub overflow into our bathroom.. and then of course, countless furnished sublets. For the first time in my life, there is a place for all my stuff - no desperate need to buy a set of drawers or determine how much I can fit under my bed.. It all fits.
So what I really want to talk about is coincidences. And the idea that even though our world seems chaotic, there are patterns and details that draw similar people to similar things. Like that online test that tells you where you should live based on personality traits. Mine said New Jersey.
OR... the fact that the guy who lived in my apartment before me went to Carlton College (you can learn a lot by what mail people get), which happens to be in the same small town as St. Olaf, where my dad and my sister went to school. Was he also drawn to the personality of an older building - or its built in bookshelves? Or even more coincidental, the person who lived in the apartment before him was a Norwegian girl. I know all this thanks to remnant mail and a quick Google search - something I would have never been able to know a decade ago.
So is it all just one weird coincidence, or is there a common background, set of values or visual language that we all share? Me, the girl from New Jersey with a Jewish, Eastern European mother (who happened to grow up a block away from my current apartment). With a father who is predominantly Norwegian from Minnesota. The guy who went to school in Minnesota - possibly from the midwest. And the girl who is actually Norwegian. Or is it all just one big, fat coincidence? 
Faith In Humanity Restored: Cheerios
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VifdBFp5pnw]As a stark contrast to my last post, I thought I'd end the week with something a bit more positive. I'm sure you've all seen this by now. It's an interview with kids - about 6 to 13 years old, regarding their thoughts on the controversial Cheerios commercial that was aired with a mixed race couple. Spoiler: the kids had absolutely no idea that people could be against mixed race couples. Once they were made aware of the negative comments via the YouTube video, they were completely outraged and thought anyone who would spend their time spewing racial hate, was a loser and should be banned from YouTube.
I love when interviews of a random sampling brings more color to a quantitative study that's already been done. Back in April 2012, JWT published a report, Gen Z: Digital In Their DNA. While the report focused on the digital habits of Gen Z, it's findings show that their digital habits might explain their worldview. I've always found fault with separating digital strategy with account planning. As planners, we have an obligation to understand how digital technology effects our very being and we should use digital tools to gain these insights. Thanks to the ubiquity of experiencing life through Instagram, we now all have constant FOMO - a term coined in the mid-80's but only now coming into common use. Parents are cautioned against giving their children too much iPad screen time for fear it will effect their cognitive abilities and make them more prone to ADD. And on the more positive side, children can now use digital to gain a more personal view of their counterparts from around the world through social media - way more revealing than the hand written pen-pal letters of the past. Without barriers such as geography or even social exclusion, children have learned that the kid on the other side of the world might have a different reality, but at their core, they are dealing with some of the same set of problems. They can no longer be taught to fear "the other." In fact, JWT found that:
"One consequence of this hyper-connectedness will be Gen Z’s multicultural and globally oriented mindset—much like Millennials but further amplified. Kids are Skyping with peers on the other side of the globe, and they’re taking part in initiatives like the Face to Faith program (part of the Tony Blair Faith Foundation), which uses technology to connect students of different religions and cultures. Expect even more linguistic and cultural borrowings and consistencies across distant nations and regions."
So as us New Yorkers deal with the extreme heat, still reeling from some of the sadder and maddening news that started off the week, we can find comfort in the knowledge that there's reason to be optimistic about our global future.
SYSTEM FAIL
I just got off the phone with my sister who called my family in tears. It's been a while since I ranted against the system and I suppose it doesn't fit anywhere under advertising or career advice but I thought it was important to share. Her friend was just shot and killed by a member of a squat team in Seattle. He had a gun and was engaged in a long standoff with police from the balcony of his apartment. A life lost, is a tragedy indeed but the circumstances go way beyond that simple truth.My sister called me a few months ago to tell me about her friend. He had been diagnosed with leukemia and started exhibiting signs of mental illness. Despite the urging of his friends, he chose to ignore his illness, and to the chagrin of his friends and family, went on an uncontrolled rant, even running to Canada. According to my sister, his group of friends and family did everything in their power to get him involuntarily committed, adement that he was a harm to himself or others. But based on the laws that govern our mental healthcare system, he could not be admitted unless their was undeniable proof that their suspicions were correct. Realizing this, his friends even went as far as warning the police and trying to prevent him from obtaining a gun. But their months of effort only led to exactly what everyone had predicted. He became such a threat to society that the police deemed it necessary to take him down. And the threat came from him owning a gun.
There have been countless tragedies related to gun violence and mental illness. Each time, the country mourns, thinking this is the worse thing that could have happened, only to be outdone by a far greater tragedy. So what did we lose in this? We lost a life. The squat team shooter has blood on his/her hands and the knowledge that they killed someone who didn't need to die. The victim's friends will have an image that may haunt them for the rest of their lives. Parents have lost a son. We lost a potential productive member of society who could have been rehabilitated to be the person that so many people loved him to be. But instead, those around him have paid the emotional toll of the system's failure.
On the flip side, what would it have taken if this had gone the way it should have? A few thousands of dollars in medical bills. The paperwork required by the hospital to admit him. The support of his friends and family to help him on his journey back to health. A lifetime of medication or coping mechanisms to prevent future breakout that he would have paid for if he became a productive member of society once again. The loss of a gun maker's profit.
There are many issues in our society that are too complicated to simplify. This is not one of them.
Robin Thicke's Banned Video & Thoughts On Sexism
Taking a momentary digression from career advice and swinging back towards cultural observations. Just came across this video of Robin Thicke's Blurred Lines (NSFW) via New York Magazine's always entertaining newsletter, The Vulture. It's worth the watch ... probably from your phone, during your lunch break. The gist is that it features three fully clothed men (the singers) and a plethora of mostly naked models dancing around the set, being playfully chased by the men. The video is moderately entertaining and the women have beautiful bodies. Quite honestly, my first impression was that I wasn't overly offended, a bit confused and mostly wondering why they couldn't find models who were better dancers. The models reminded me of the very young, Eastern European women that come to NYC in order to make it in the industry - barely speaking English and at the mercy of their agents.
But what I really found interesting was their explanation for the song and choices in the video. Robin Thicke explained that he and Pharrell came up with the lyrics and song in a half hour and wrote it as a criticism of misogynistic lyrics we so often hear. He explained that the men in the video looked like idiots whereas the women were directed to act confident and in power by looking directly at the camera. He's referencing a concept from art history 101 - the "gaze" whereas a woman looking directly at the viewer is challenging him / her and asserting her power, most famously depicted in Manet's Olympia.
In a recent GQ article Robin explains:
"Women and their bodies are beautiful. Men are always gonna want to follow them around."
Even Thicke's wife points out in response to the outcry that "Violence is ugly. Nudity is beautiful."
A recent TEDTalk by Jackson Katz, an anti-sexism educator, echoes this thinking - showing that the conversation of violence against women needs to change to better understand why men are the perpetrators.
So where am I going with all of this talk about nudity, violence, power struggles and sexism, early on a Thursday morning? The video, Manet's Olympia and Jackson's TEDTalk all flip cultural norms on their head. Each make controversial statements because we view their statements through the eyes of a cultural norm so that their artistry become taboo. Both Thicke and Manet challenge the notion that women are not empowered by their own bodies. They show that women do recognize their bodies are beautiful and have the power to turn on both men, other women and even themselves. Jackson champions the empowerment of women when he proves that the discussion of violence against women is really not a "woman's issue" but rather, a problem men need to tackle as they ask themselves why they are the perpetrators.
So I for one am hopeful that the conversation is changing and I look forward to a time when a woman is no longer seen as a victim, but sees her whole being as the great source of power that it is.