Jon is one of the co-founders of InBetweenDrafts. He hosts the podcasts Thank God for Movies, Mad Men Men, Rookie Pirate Radio, and Fantasy Writing for Barbarians. He doesn't sleep, essentially.
Recently, Instagram updated its privacy policy much to the displeasure of its users.
Basically, a photo you upload, while you still have ownership, can be used by Instagram for advertisements without any compensation to the owner of the photo.
Thousands of users are vitriolic over this change, mostly because it is symbolic of Instagram’s newfound relationship with Facebook, who bought them earlier this year. You think Facebook, you think privacy issues.
I, for one, will not be deleting my account anytime soon, and for one simple reason: Instagram is free.
Honestly, why should I get paid for Instagram using my photo to acquire more users? I didn’t set the service up. I didn’t put the man hours and engineering smarts into providing a totally free space for users to upload photos quickly on a popular platform.
Instagram owes me nothing. I downloaded the app for free and enjoy it daily. The least we users can do is allow Instagram to share our public photos with other people to let them know how great the service is.
Obviously, many people disagree with me on this, and that’s fine. Legally, Instagram will be fine because this policy change is transparent and you agree to terms and conditions. Those upset with the service are at least responding correctly by shutting down their accounts.
In other words, they are taking to heart the old idiom, “If you don’t like it, don’t use it.”
On the flipside, this is bound to create some negative publicity, resulting in Instagram losing more accounts than they would have gained from the advertising. So, I wouldn’t be surprised in the slightest if they apologized and rescinded this practice. If they don’t, I won’t lose any sleep.
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I promised that I would comment on the politics of the recent Newton shooting after giving it a few days, mostly out of respect, but also out of necessity. It takes time to really think about these matters and form an intellectually honest opinion. Well here it is:
People really don’t understand gun control.
Before I get into this, however, let me just say that I don’t really think gun control is the grandiose solution to all of these mass killings. I really don’t. When we have people willing to go to such extremes to fuel their hatred for whatever is going on in their heads, I don’t think trying to keep the weapon out of their hands will solve the problem. It may only just prolong it.
I am so sick of this debate, mainly because it really isn’t that complicated. People on both sides absolutely refuse to have a conversation about this, and the only people really making sense right now are the left of center (of which there’s not many).
I scoured the opinions of my friends and colleagues relating to this, and there is a pretty solid consensus:
Those opposed to gun control are so because they are afraid guns are going to be completely banned.
Those for gun control think that we should just ban guns altogether.
Those actually willing to talk about this are saying we should, gee I don’t know, make it harder to get guns.
Admittedly, most liberals I’ve talked to about this say we should just ban guns outright. No handguns, rifles, you name it. This is nonsense. Not only does it violate an inherent freedom (whether you like it or not), it makes people unable to defend themselves during an emergency in their own home. Also, banning guns would be about as effective as banning marijuana. These all-purpose bans do nothing but create a violent, criminal underground and the problem only continues to get worse.
Most conservatives seem to think that guns should be carried by everybody. No laws. What??? How is that a reasonable solution? That would incite panic, and realistically, no one would do it because most people are not comfortable with owning guns, especially parents.
The conversation needs to be about banning assault rifles and high-capacity magazines (just like we do certain military weapons) and require background checks for owning a gun and maybe even requiring the NRA to charge people for safety courses in order to purchase a weapon.
The NRA doesn’t want this, even though they would benefit from selling these courses, mainly because they are petrified of losing their market, but let’s be honest. There will always be a market for guns, and regulation is necessary in order for us to permit having such dangerous tools available to the general public.
Can we please have a conversation about that?
Most people on the left and the right won’t. We don’t understand each other. We only care about being right and making the other person feel wrong.
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Yes, this is almost impossible to do. Almost every Ben Folds song deserves to be honored, so narrowing it down to 10 can be emotionally destructive. But let’s do it!
Quick disclaimer: these songs are based on my own preferences, not necessarily cultural impact or anything like that. If you want a list like that, there are plenty of others!
10. Zak and Sara
One of the most contested songs out there when it comes to what it actually means is this classic from Rockin’ The Suburbs. Though I’ve never found an official explanation from Ben Folds himself, it’s been said that he wrote the song about a girl he was dating in the 80’s who went crazy from being bored while listening to him play guitar. Sounds about right if you listen to the lyrics closely. This upbeat, fun, and catchy song is also credited with having my second favorite opening instrumental from Folds. And when Zak finished Sara’s song, Sara clapped.
9. Sleazy
Yes, Ben Folds covered a Ke$ha song because he’s, well Ben Folds. Best part? It’s 10 times better. You can imagine the immensity of the **** I’m not giving.
8. In Between Days
Another cover, but less obvious to younger fans who’ve never listened to The Cure, this song from Supersunnyspeedgraphic is a great example of how Ben can take someone else’s song and make it seem like his own. Yesterday I got so old I felt like I could die. Yesterday I got so old it made me want to cry.
7. The Luckiest
Just so you know, Rockin’ The Suburbs is my favorite Folds album, so it’s all over this list. Hence, “The Luckiest” made the cut pretty easily. Many people credit this song as his best, mainly because it is one of his most introspective and emotional songs, really capturing his love for his then-wife and mother of his children. I love this song, but the sadness that comes from the hindsight of this song prevents me from really enjoying it. I love you more than I have ever found a way to say to you.
6. Brick
I am not much of a Ben Folds Five fan, but this is definitely one of his best songs. Slower than most on the album Whatever and Ever Amen, “Brick” is about what Ben went through when his girlfriend in high school got pregnant and eventually received an abortion. The song’s power mostly comes from the conflict and turmoil the couple went through, though Ben has publicly stated he doesn’t want to make an political statements about the matter. She’s a brick and I’m drowning slowly.
5. Gone
Fun fact: this is actually the first Folds song I ever heard, and thankfully so. Another Rockin The Suburbs song, “Gone,” is very different from other Folds songs. It’s not too fast, not too slow, and has a very unique and catchy melody, making it one of the more recognizable Folds songs. The song itself seems to be about the aftermath of a breakup, or at least two people who have been estranged for a year. Some of have said that Folds explanation is a little silly, with the song actually being based on a couple he saw on a talk show. And I think that you should spend some time alone. But if you won’t. Then you won’t. And I will. Then I will consider you gone.
4. Not The Same
Yes, this is another Rockin’ The Suburbs song (I warned you.) This makes the top of the list because of how misunderstood it is. Most believe it is the singular story of a guy who climbed a tree at a party and came back completely different. That’s part of it, but Ben himself has said that the story is more generally about how people, after something happens in their life, are not the same after that. Yes, the song is centered around a guy in Ben’s life who climbed a tree while on an acid trip and came down a born-again Christian. The rest of the song is composed of parallels and examples of people in your life who change. You gave your life to Jesus Christ, and after all your friends went home, you came down. You looked around, and you were not the same after that.
3. You Don’t Know Me (feat. Regina Spektor)
One of the standouts from Way to Normal, this one is a sad song brilliantly disguised as happy thanks to its unbelievably catchy tune. The song focuses on a couple that don’t understand each other at all and ultimately resent each other. Why the **** would you want me back? Maybe it’s because…you don’t know me at all.
2. Annie Waits
This is the last Rockin’ The Suburbs song (I promise!) but absolutely had to be included. The song is beautifully simple, referring to a girl waiting on a guy who’s not good for her to finally commit to her. Meanwhile, her friend (the guy who is good for her but stuck in the friend zone) waits for her as well, hence “And he waits” compared to “Annie waits.” Ben is trying to stress that everyone tends to be on someone’s “hook.” Annie waits for the last time. Just the same as the last time. Annie says “You see this is why I’d rather be alone.”
1. Cologne (Piano Orchestra Version)
And the top of my list, which was the easiest pick for me, is this knockout from Way to Normal. Oddly enough, I came across this song long after the rest of this list and past albums, somehow missing it when Way to Normal came out in 2008. I’m glad I did, since a friend introduced me to the Piano Orchestra Version, which is vastly superior to the album version. Why is this my #1? For me, it has everything. The brilliant piano, the irreverent humor, the emotional intensity, and of course the best opening period for any of his works to-date. This is also my favorite because it was done completely improv at a performance. It really doesn’t have a meaning aside from being a spectacular piece of work.
I will let go. If you will let go.
Honorable Mentions:
Every other Ben Folds song.
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The above image is an excerpt from one of my favorite sketches on the show, Portlandia, which you can watch for free here, or watch the whole series on Netflix (which you should.)
In the sketch, Fred Armisen’s character overloads from literally being all over the place with his gadgets, being unable to focus on just one thing.
A common line of wisdom is that a jack of everything is a master of none. I submit to that thinking, but as always,
There are exceptions to every rule.
Friends and colleagues routinely approach me about starting their own blogs looking for tips on building and sustaining a large audience. One of the first things I say is that they need to zero in on a niche topic, which is popular advice. More people are willing to subscribe to your work if they know what they’re getting into.
Tech expert? Done. Poetry? Done. Movie critic? Why not.
When I give that advice, however, I am sometimes pointed out to the fact that my blog is, in fact, all over the place. I blog about almost anything and am unapologetic about it. So, why don’t I follow my own rule?
To be honest, I did at first and try to have a basic foundation for everything I write. Typically, my topics have to do with branding, social media, PR, and writing. That’s still a little all over the place, but at least they have some things in common. I then have all of my posts, such as this, that are completely random, but I manage to get away with it, leaving others asking why and how.
It’s simple. If your goal is not to build an audience, you are pretty much free to write about whatever you want. Maybe it will catch on. Maybe it won’t. My own goal has always been to help people by sharing my own thoughts and insights into things that interest me.
This is riskier, because chances are people won’t like you enough to keep coming back. It happens. You just have to make sure that your fantastic personality is shining through at all times, and just hope for the best that people like what they read. If nothing else, here is one big takeaway:
If something honestly interests you, it’s far more easier for you to make it interesting to other people.
That seems like a no-brainer, but it’s a healthy reminder.
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The word “argue” has a bad reputation. We typically hear that arguing gets us nowhere, but “discussion” and “debate” are glorious. Well, yeah they are but the truth is that the word “argue” has two meanings:
“to give reasons or cite evidence in support of an idea, action, or theory, typically with the aim of persuading others to share one’s view”
OR
“to exchange or express diverging or opposite views, typically in a heated or angry way.”
(New Oxford American Dictionary)
The latter is what we typically think of. Angry, emotion-filled arguments that result in fighting. I look at it differently. I see arguments beginning in the first definition and sometimes falling in the second.
All of that to say: I hate that I love to argue. I love to be challenged, and I love even more to be corrected.
When someone confronts me with their opinion that is opposed to mine, I honestly get extremely excited. Every outcome of an argument is a win for me, and here’s why.
1. If I lose the argument, I learn something. I’m forced to go back to the books and bolster my arguments, while re-analyzing why I believe something is true in the first place. My opinion evolves and my integrity is strengthened. The next time I confront someone about the subject, I will have a better understanding of both sides of the issue, allowing me to communicate more effectively, with the chances of a pleasant discussion being far higher.
2. If I win an argument, I am reaping the reward for doing my due diligence in educating myself. I am also seeing the results of my critical thinking and seeing that I can, in fact, gather strong (and correct) points very quickly without resorting to logical fallacies, such as the dreaded ad hominem and the sneaky straw man. I’ve also managed to help someone overcome their pride and see my perspective, which is pretty rare for most people to do.
3. If I tie with the person, I receive the benefits of both #1 and #2. I know for sure that I’m on the right track, I just need to put some more work into forming my ultimate opinion or observation. That said, there are two kinds of ties: good ties and bad ties.
A good tie is a mutual agreement that both sides have failed to offer a “clobber argument” or failed to fully persuade the other. This is the most common outcome of an argument, which of course is indicative of the fact that we just aren’t perfect.
Bad ties are ties that are a result of neither side willing to give up, usually because one person is repeating the same argument and making no progress or one person has resorted to emotion and fallacies. These are the worst arguments and happen almost exclusively online, as they are fed by anonymity because hey, why show respect to someone you can’t see?
I consider a bad tie beneficial, however, because it grounds me. It reminds me that there are people out there that aren’t interested in truth-seeking. They just want to be heard. The only benefit is that I am better prepared in the future to point out needless debates such as these ahead of time, thus saving me a headache.
So what’s the takeaway here? There’s nothing wrong with arguing. It really does make you more intelligent, but only if you are intellectually honest. If someone bests you, learn from it. Don’t be obstinate. At the same time, it’s okay to not be persuaded by a better argument. Sometimes your convictions are correct, you just need to research your position more.
Anyone want to argue with me about this?
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I HATE the CW. It doesn’t even try to make shows for my demographic, and hey that is alright. But with Arrow, the superhero biopic based on the quasi-well-known D.C. superhero Green Arrow, could just might show a more balanced network on channel 5.
Having premiered back in September, I’ve given the show 6 episodes to prove itself, so this review is based on my impression of those 6 episodes alone.
The first thing you need to know about this new show is that it has absolutely no connection with the Green Arrow of Smallville fame, which is great news for probably most people. That version of Green Arrow differs tremendously from this new envisioned hero. It’s like comparing pop music to rock n roll, or at least that’s how I make sense of it.
Arrow relies on the kind of gritty storytelling that borrows somewhat from Chris Nolan’s Batman and, surprisingly, Lost. I never really got into Lost having only watched 10 or so episodes, but if there’s one thing I took away from their storytelling, it’s the use of ongoing flashbacks to bolster the story. So, imagine a superhero television show that paces itself like Lost.
In a nutshell, Arrow is about a 20 something billionaire named Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell) who was shipwrecked at sea for 5 years. He returns from his isolation with an agenda: to use his superhuman skills acquired mysteriously from his time on the island to the right the wrongs of his father, who acquired his wealth by taking advantage of the poor.
Yes it’s Robin Hood mixed with Batman with the show Revenge for good measure. One of the show’s strong points is that we are introduced slowly to the character of Oliver Queen. We begin with his return to his home of Starling City, as he juggles reconnecting with his estranged family/friends and taking down the crony capitalists that are choking the city to death.
That’s Arrow’s biggest strength: character development. Oliver is interesting and constantly changing. One minute he is a brooding anti-hero unafraid to kill someone who stands in his way. The next minute he is a detective, figuring out the best way to subdue his well-protected enemies. Then we have the minutes where Oliver is an actual person, struggling to fit back into the lives of his beloved family who thought he was dead for years. Oh, and let’s not forget that we are treated to excellent flashbacks to his 5 years of desperate survival that turned him into the character we already know. The show goes out of its way to make Oliver Queen a great character.
I wish I could say the same for some of the other characters. With the exception of Oliver’s mother Moira (Susanna Thompson) and Oliver’s bodyguard Dig (David Ramsey), the rest of Arrow’s cast are either one-note or should be one-note. This is more apparent early-on with Laurel (Katie Cassidy), Oliver’s girlfriend before the shipwreck, of which he cheated on her with her sister, who did not survive the shipwreck. Yikes. Although this character is ripe with great plot opportunities for drama, I did not find Cassidy’s portrayal of the character very compelling or fun to watch. Watching her be a lawyer is especially frustrating and full of one-liners like, “I’m the only one who cares about this city!” and “I will always fight for the little guy!” Sorry Laurel, Rachel Dawes did it better.
I could go on and on about the lackluster characters, but instead I’ll focus on how the show ultimately redeems itself via the excellent pacing, memorable villains, above-average action scenes, and the show’s fantastic commitment to comic-book tie-ins. Even the people who don’t recognize the nuance references to the D.C. comic universe benefit from the rich universe this show borrows from. It works.
The show is on a good path, and it’s only main flaw (again the characters) is improving weekly. If there is one thing that can really make this show a must-watch, it would be the implementation of more moral “real world” dilemmas that we all know and love from D.C. stories such as Batman (at what point do you become the villain you’re fighting against?) and Superman (security versus freedom). Arrow has teased us with these deep questions, such as how Oliver Queen has readily murdered dozens of bodyguards and security personnel to accomplish his missions. At first we rolled our eyes at the inconsistency of this, but then a major villain early on actually points this out to Green Arrow and it sunk in. Oliver then begins to show how his torture on the island made him callous and depraved. These are great themes more than suitable for a D.C. character.
So yes, Arrow is definitely worth watching for most people. It has the beautiful actors and supernatural-ish world and characters CW watchers crave and it has the fantastic storytelling and action that is usually witnessed on ABC and Fox. It’s a fun show that can sometimes throw drama-infused curveballs, and I can’t wait to see how the first season turns out.
-On a side note, I am very much against D.C. copying Marvel for a superhero team up movie in the form of The Justice League to rival The Avengers. Shows like this prove that D.C. belongs on the small screen, and a team up using this version of Green Arrow would be 10 times better than using, say Ryan Reynold’s Green Lantern. We’ll see if I eat my words once Man of Steel comes out.
The other day I was hit with a nonsensical stereotype. “You’re in public relations right? That means you can talk your way out of anything.”
As I put down the barbed-wire fence we were crossing over during an attempt at high-risk mischief, I was instantly offended. Why do I have to be some kind of master of manipulation in order to be considered public relations-bred?
I got into the field of public relations because I love writing, the media, and real-time problem solving. The idea that having supernatural persuasion powers being key to my profession just doesn’t relate to me. Yes, many people in my field happen to be very persuasive, enigmatic people, and their skills definitely come in handy. I, on the other hand, am extremely hesitant to use mind games in my work.
A little context: in public relations, you are essentially the aggregator of an organization in some cases. It’s on you to persuade others (like your organizations customers, a government’s constituency, an employer’s employees, you get it) into accepting an image, concept, what have you.
What I contend is persuasion as a tool of deception. Trying to convince someone that something is good, when it isn’t, is exactly what people in our profession have got to stay away from. I know plenty of people who are great at getting other people to do what they want them to do for no good, real reason. That’s what’s overrated.
Instead, treat other people with decency. Give them a set of option and provide a logical reason why they should love something as much as you do. Proving is the best type of persuasion, hands-down.
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