I have always hated jargon. Why do we use made-up words and silly phrases? What are we trying to prove? What’s wrong with speaking clearly? Everyone should hate these made-up words as much as me. Before I teach you how to get gangster with jargon, first lets identify 4 different kinds of jargon: Jargon that […]
Technology and Culture
Aunt Becky Goes to Jail, Rigging the System Makes Everyone a Loser
Earlier this year a bizarre news story broke about Hollywood celebrities bribing officials to admit their children into top universities. The most famous name attached to the scandal is Aunt Becky on “Full House,” IRL the ever-pretty actress Lori Laughlin. She and her husband Mossimo (1990s fashion icon) apparently paid their child’s way into the […]
The Problem of Hindsight Bias
There was an irresistible TV mini-series on VH1 called “I love the 1980s” that debuted late in 2002. Over the course of ten episodes, VH1 showcased each year of the 80s and all the stuff that defined that year: popular music, fashion, trends, TV shows, movies, and occasionally something about politics. The show was so […]
Models for Predicting the Future: Gartner’s Hype Cycle
Last week in the blog, I talked about how echo chambers can create wrong-headed predictions about the future. This week, I want to talk about my favorite model for understanding the hype that surrounds a new technology: Gartner’s Hype Cycle. I’ve added emojis to their famous chart because–well–I think that it deserves it! What it […]
What the Internet of Things (IoT) Can Teach Us About Echo Chambers
This the topic of the blog today is about hype. Trends. Predictions. If you dare make predictions about the future, you will inevitably find yourself embarrassed by your own predictions. Mostly because predictions are made in the excitement of the present moment, often when we are surrounded by like-minded people. Echo Chambers: an environment in which […]
18 Years Later: 10 Ironic Things About “You’ve Got Mail”
Technology, society, and business have changed since the 1998 film “You’ve Got Mail” suggested you could find love online.