Everybody is betting their life on something
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I came across another smart person saying smart things again - on one of those smart people websites with the videos. He said: "Everybody is betting their life on something."
Man. It really is one of the most succinct, and frankly mindblowing thoughts I've heard in ages. Some tight copy right there.
Life is a gamble in many ways, and so often risk is the one thing that determines results and success more than anything. For instance, you cannot question someone else's love for you without first committing your own (another thing that brands ought to have learned by now). It's like a signal to the universe stating your intention to live, and deep down you know it's a gamble you have to take. Quite likely that the more risky option is to not risk anything at all, as people often can see the intention behind the action and find that all the more endearing.
But these are mostly not guesses or blind gambles. Like the quote says, the bet is on something, and that thing is inside you, like a skill or personality trait or worldview. Most likely it is a composite of those things, a broader intuition of life that grows and refines as you age. You say to yourself "I think I get it, and that's why I'm going to live like this, because that way will get me far.
Maybe you're super driven, maybe you just want to be a good person. It's about understanding and then believing, then forgetting everything you learned and going ahead and laying your shit on the line.
And I find that fascinating.
Man. It really is one of the most succinct, and frankly mindblowing thoughts I've heard in ages. Some tight copy right there.
Life is a gamble in many ways, and so often risk is the one thing that determines results and success more than anything. For instance, you cannot question someone else's love for you without first committing your own (another thing that brands ought to have learned by now). It's like a signal to the universe stating your intention to live, and deep down you know it's a gamble you have to take. Quite likely that the more risky option is to not risk anything at all, as people often can see the intention behind the action and find that all the more endearing.
But these are mostly not guesses or blind gambles. Like the quote says, the bet is on something, and that thing is inside you, like a skill or personality trait or worldview. Most likely it is a composite of those things, a broader intuition of life that grows and refines as you age. You say to yourself "I think I get it, and that's why I'm going to live like this, because that way will get me far.
Maybe you're super driven, maybe you just want to be a good person. It's about understanding and then believing, then forgetting everything you learned and going ahead and laying your shit on the line.
And I find that fascinating.
A little something I drew for you
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A few nights ago, while I waited for my meal at some achingly hip Tribeca eatery, I asked one of the models for a sketch pad and some charcoal so that I could try to express my boredom more artistically. I was in a "state of flow" as we call it now.
To my surprise she brought me a crayon and said I could draw on the the tablecloth.
Anyhow I quite like the outcome. I'm considering showing it to my shrink.
The Dude
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"I don't know anything about music. My job has very little to do with music. It has more to do with taste and culture and balance."
Rick Rubin is a music producer behind some of the best rock, metal and rap of the last two decades or so and his contribution to the likes of the Red Hot Chili Peppers is immense and different.
I like the idea that what makes his albums successful is the creation of what is in effect a high bandwidth link between the marketplace and culture, and the artist and their creative music making process. His understanding of the General Vibe allows him to produce music that is not just a novel creative package or original just in a musical sense, but relevant too. Creative and relevant music is a combination that is hard to beat. His ability to blend moments of straight-up good music with references steeped in the present makes for ever more remarkable musical moments of consciousness.
He's so good in fact that he got his photo taken by everybody's favourite lesbian, Annie Leibovitz. This is him at home, accessing his shit for your and my listening pleasure.
Rick Rubin is a music producer behind some of the best rock, metal and rap of the last two decades or so and his contribution to the likes of the Red Hot Chili Peppers is immense and different.
I like the idea that what makes his albums successful is the creation of what is in effect a high bandwidth link between the marketplace and culture, and the artist and their creative music making process. His understanding of the General Vibe allows him to produce music that is not just a novel creative package or original just in a musical sense, but relevant too. Creative and relevant music is a combination that is hard to beat. His ability to blend moments of straight-up good music with references steeped in the present makes for ever more remarkable musical moments of consciousness.
He's so good in fact that he got his photo taken by everybody's favourite lesbian, Annie Leibovitz. This is him at home, accessing his shit for your and my listening pleasure.
You need to watch this
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...if you haven't already.
A while back, my sometimes very inspirational mother sent me the transcript from J.K. Rowling's commencement address at Harvard in 2008. I really love a great speech, and this is way up there.
I've read and re-read it a number of times, and it still makes me mushy inside. I actually feel honoured to share a birthday with her!
This is the video. Full transcript here
A while back, my sometimes very inspirational mother sent me the transcript from J.K. Rowling's commencement address at Harvard in 2008. I really love a great speech, and this is way up there.
I've read and re-read it a number of times, and it still makes me mushy inside. I actually feel honoured to share a birthday with her!
This is the video. Full transcript here
Blazing good conversation
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Had a great chat with Iwan the other day after a spot of longboarding down the windy paths of Prospect Park. We just chilled on the grass and let rip with the craziest ideas for a good two hours. You know when all your shit is in sync - philosophy, creativity, similar viewpoints in life... A conversation like that really does wonders for your wellbeing. Need more of those.
New York rocks
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Two reasons:
1) It looks like this when you enter a nightclub:
2) Even in the height of summer, if you turn the cold tap on you get actual cold water.
1) It looks like this when you enter a nightclub:
2) Even in the height of summer, if you turn the cold tap on you get actual cold water.
Dam-age.
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My housemate John is Burmese and he struggles to say "dammit" if he stubs his toe or sees a hot woman in the street. Instead he says Dam-age..! Pretty hysterical, especially when he's referring to the latter. If you take a cruise around Soho on a sunny Sunday you will understand the damage being done.
Taglines
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Imagine a world without taglines.
How would you judge brands?
Firstly, you would be forced to judge them by their names. A great brand name is a gateway to all manner of brand success (and I will definitely be sharing more of my thoughts on that). Secondly, you would be forced to feel brands - feel the unique composite of their vibe, and not be limited by only verbal communication.
So often a perfectly reasonable 30 sec TV spot has whatever decent message it just tried so hard to get across replaced by a perfectly rubbish few words flashed across the screen right at the end. A picture is worth a thousand words? Well the word equivalent of 7500 frames of genius cinematic production has just been replaced in the viewer's mind by, wait for it...
Ford. Drive One.
Why not just shut up?
Taglines are one of those things that people feel forced to create and compete on because the next guy just did it. And now we have a whole new sub-medium where the primary call to action is a fear that a competitor might occupy the same territory if one doesn't grab it first.
Anyhow, in terms of brand personality, judging a person by their actions and not their words is regarded to be better, and one would normally avoid making judgements of a person by what or who they say they are. Especially if they babble the same sweet nothings at you every time.
Really?
HP – Expanding possibilities
AMD – The smarter choice
Way decent:
Virginia is for lovers
Alaska - B4UDIE
Scotland the brand
South Africa - Alive with possibility
Nike - Just do it
The Independent - It is, are you?
How would you judge brands?
Firstly, you would be forced to judge them by their names. A great brand name is a gateway to all manner of brand success (and I will definitely be sharing more of my thoughts on that). Secondly, you would be forced to feel brands - feel the unique composite of their vibe, and not be limited by only verbal communication.
So often a perfectly reasonable 30 sec TV spot has whatever decent message it just tried so hard to get across replaced by a perfectly rubbish few words flashed across the screen right at the end. A picture is worth a thousand words? Well the word equivalent of 7500 frames of genius cinematic production has just been replaced in the viewer's mind by, wait for it...
Ford. Drive One.
Why not just shut up?
Taglines are one of those things that people feel forced to create and compete on because the next guy just did it. And now we have a whole new sub-medium where the primary call to action is a fear that a competitor might occupy the same territory if one doesn't grab it first.
Anyhow, in terms of brand personality, judging a person by their actions and not their words is regarded to be better, and one would normally avoid making judgements of a person by what or who they say they are. Especially if they babble the same sweet nothings at you every time.
Really?
HP – Expanding possibilities
AMD – The smarter choice
Way decent:
Virginia is for lovers
Alaska - B4UDIE
Scotland the brand
South Africa - Alive with possibility
Nike - Just do it
The Independent - It is, are you?
Pinkberry with Terry
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I totally just ran into an old buddy of mine, Terry Richardson, outside the Pinkberry in Spring Street.
I know!...right?!
I know!...right?!
I can dig this
/Is there a name for this very extraordinary and, frankly, hot vibe?
Maybe someone on top of the fashion scene can tell me. For now I'm going with Pastel Goth.
Seen on
Or maybe it's the fact that she's not afraid to show off her branded take-away coffee that turns me on. I don't know.
People I like
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People try not to judge others, but we all do. A few days ago I was sitting on the train when I realised I think I know the way in which I judge people, when I first see them.
I judge people by whether or not they look like they are staying with or trying to break out of their allotted socio-economic place in life. You can tell, by body language, posture, expression on their face, or the way they speak relative to their apparent education.
On that train you may also see the relatively poor father of five, going to work a crap job, but he's dressed in the best suit he can afford, contemplating the day ahead. He wants to get that next promotion, and is thinking about what flowers to get his wife. He wants to get to the next level - even if it means being at the bottom of that next level.
But right next to him is the guy of the same age, same background, who has the same amount of money, but is dressed in tattier clothes, texting away on his cellphone, shouting at his buddy. He appears happy to be at the top of the lower level. Why? Because it's the top. He's happy there.
People who are prepared to constantly be at the bottom of a strata, be it socially or in their career are normally the ones moving up that quickly. Those who are out of their comfort zone most are learning the most.
People impress and interest me if they look like they're making an effort to get to whatever their next level is, or to be out of their comfort zone in some way all the time. How else do you learn unless you're at the bottom? For me it plays a big part in informing your general attitude towards life.
"A great man is always willing to be little." Ralph Waldo Emerson
I judge people by whether or not they look like they are staying with or trying to break out of their allotted socio-economic place in life. You can tell, by body language, posture, expression on their face, or the way they speak relative to their apparent education.
On that train you may also see the relatively poor father of five, going to work a crap job, but he's dressed in the best suit he can afford, contemplating the day ahead. He wants to get that next promotion, and is thinking about what flowers to get his wife. He wants to get to the next level - even if it means being at the bottom of that next level.
But right next to him is the guy of the same age, same background, who has the same amount of money, but is dressed in tattier clothes, texting away on his cellphone, shouting at his buddy. He appears happy to be at the top of the lower level. Why? Because it's the top. He's happy there.
People who are prepared to constantly be at the bottom of a strata, be it socially or in their career are normally the ones moving up that quickly. Those who are out of their comfort zone most are learning the most.
People impress and interest me if they look like they're making an effort to get to whatever their next level is, or to be out of their comfort zone in some way all the time. How else do you learn unless you're at the bottom? For me it plays a big part in informing your general attitude towards life.
"A great man is always willing to be little." Ralph Waldo Emerson
Louis Vuitton is sponsoring your next holiday
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This is a close up of the latest Louis Vuitton LSD. Tasty... I wonder what they call them, No Baggage? Posh Trips?
Or maybe it's just the heat.
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I shudder to think what August is going to be like in this place. Heat like this is quite oppressive and it's really hard to get anything done. The train stations are the worst because they're full of hot air pumped out by the trains in order to keep the inside of trains way colder than they need to be. Go figure.
My life is just so crazy right now
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I'll break it down for you...
Proust Questionnaire
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What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Respect for everything and everyone, by everyone. No really.
What is your greatest fear?
Going blind or deaf, or not being able to run.
Which historical figure do you most identify with?
No-one really.
Which living person do you most admire?
Renzo Rosso.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Over sensitivity.
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Hypocrisy. There is no escape from that one.
Or amorality - similar vibes.
What is your greatest extravagance?
A good haircut.
What is your favourite journey?
Any long ski-lift to the top of the Alps.
What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
Teetotalism. Never trust someone who tells you they don’t drink.
On what occasion do you lie?
To protect others’ feelings.
What do you dislike most about your appearance?
I appear too normal.
Which living person do you most despise?
Robert Mugabe. George W Bush just doesn’t know any better.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
Vibe. But is it really over-use?
What is your greatest regret?
Not seeing Nirvana unplugged.
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
My friends. No question.
When and where were you happiest?
The sunset set at Origin Festival, front right speaker - with my mates of course.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Better feet.
What do you consider to be your greatest achievement?
Open mindedness - to anything new.
If you could choose what to come back as, what would it be?
Ryk Neethling. He must have a lot of money, get laid a lot and not have any health problems…
What is your most treasured possession?
Good taste.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
The inability to really chill out.
Where would you like to live?
Lake Como.
What is your favourite occupation?
Music, sex, maybe both.
What is your most marked characteristic?
I'm me.
What is the quality you most like in a man?
Enthusiasm.
What is the quality you most like in a woman?
The ability to talk proper shit.
What do you most value in your friends?
Their sheer coolness and perspective on life.
Who are your favourite writers?
Everyone has their moment, some for longer than others
Who is your favourite hero of fiction?
Patsy Stone.
What is it that you most dislike?
People who don’t think before they talk.
How would you like to die?
On the dancefloor. Or in space. Though those could be the same thing.
What is your motto?
“Those who know do not say. Those who say do not know.”
Respect for everything and everyone, by everyone. No really.
What is your greatest fear?
Going blind or deaf, or not being able to run.
Which historical figure do you most identify with?
No-one really.
Which living person do you most admire?
Renzo Rosso.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Over sensitivity.
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Hypocrisy. There is no escape from that one.
Or amorality - similar vibes.
What is your greatest extravagance?
A good haircut.
What is your favourite journey?
Any long ski-lift to the top of the Alps.
What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
Teetotalism. Never trust someone who tells you they don’t drink.
On what occasion do you lie?
To protect others’ feelings.
What do you dislike most about your appearance?
I appear too normal.
Which living person do you most despise?
Robert Mugabe. George W Bush just doesn’t know any better.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
Vibe. But is it really over-use?
What is your greatest regret?
Not seeing Nirvana unplugged.
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
My friends. No question.
When and where were you happiest?
The sunset set at Origin Festival, front right speaker - with my mates of course.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Better feet.
What do you consider to be your greatest achievement?
Open mindedness - to anything new.
If you could choose what to come back as, what would it be?
Ryk Neethling. He must have a lot of money, get laid a lot and not have any health problems…
What is your most treasured possession?
Good taste.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
The inability to really chill out.
Where would you like to live?
Lake Como.
What is your favourite occupation?
Music, sex, maybe both.
What is your most marked characteristic?
I'm me.
What is the quality you most like in a man?
Enthusiasm.
What is the quality you most like in a woman?
The ability to talk proper shit.
What do you most value in your friends?
Their sheer coolness and perspective on life.
Who are your favourite writers?
Everyone has their moment, some for longer than others
Who is your favourite hero of fiction?
Patsy Stone.
What is it that you most dislike?
People who don’t think before they talk.
How would you like to die?
On the dancefloor. Or in space. Though those could be the same thing.
What is your motto?
“Those who know do not say. Those who say do not know.”
Diesel
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...diesel.
in case you forgot.