Bird's Eye View

Is There Any Labor In Labor Day Weekend?

This is it, of course, the last hurrah of the summer. Despite life-threatening Katrina-like hurricanes in the American Southland, and the over the top pomp of the Republican convention in Tampa, the focus of many
folks is this coming weekend and where they will spend it bidding farewell to Summer, 2012.

But wait! What is this weekend holiday called again? Oh, right. Labor Day. Officially, Labor Day is designated as the day our Nation pays tribute to the contributions and achievements of American workers. It almost seems quaint, nostalgic, doesn't it? 

It reminds me of the murals in the Whiting Hotel in my hometown Stevens Point, Wisconsin. The hotel was lucky enough to interest a terrific artist named E. John Pfiffner, a relative of people in Stevens Point, in creating murals that memorialized mid-Wisconsin laborers and factory workers in poignant detail. The men in the pictures are loggers, jamming logs down the Wisconsin River, or they wield heavy tools, like sledgehammers and shovels, and the women are shown to be factory workers.  It is the glorification of people like Rosie the Riveter during the Second World War. For many yuears those murals graced the walls of the restaurant/bar of the hotel, where my family went for Sunday breakfast on special occasions.

I learned today that the Hotel Whiting is now an apartment building, totally remodeled although the exterior remains as it was when I grew up in Stevens Point.  And the building is on the National Historic Register. But the only mention of the murals in my research today was a postcard that was up for sale on eBay.  It shows the wall section of the mural dedicated to Wisconsin River loggers.  I'm told that although the restaurant is long gone, a local business is officed on the first floor and they are fortunate to have those murals as a reminder of the people who were responsible for building Stevens Point and other cities like it in the Midwest.

The worker depicted in those marvelous murals seems a far cry from the typical employee today.  We have moved from the heavy lifting that so many did in the past to what is referred to as "knowledge" work. More people doing work by keystroke at a computer screen than digging ditches. 

There is something heroic about those murals. They gave me the feeling that at the end of the day, those people arrived at home exhausted. They knew, though, that they had done a good day's work. That hole finally got dug. The bridge was that much closer to completion. I'm not so sure all the knowledge workers in today's economy have that same sense of completeness, of satisfaction in what was accomplished at the end of their day. It all seems a bit, well, thankless and intangible now. 

And then there are all the people who wish they had work of some kind, any kind, but are jobless. America's companies don't seem eager to take them on, as they continually look for ways to cut costs. Intriguing, since in China the name of the game is figuring out how to get as many people employed as possible...there are so many of them.  In the U.S., companies focus on the reverse, intent on using as few people as possible, an effort totally understandable since employees and their benefits and health care and all the rest of it are expensive.

Will there be conversations this weekend about Labor Day in America and what it means now?  I suspect there will be few of them. The talk will be of back-to-school sales, of new fall clothes, of how tired we all are of our politician's posturing, which sports team is playing which this weekend and who should win.

There won't be much work done on Labor Day.  And the offices in the former Hotel Whiting, where the Midwestern workers in those murals look down on the knowledge workers sitting at desks below them, will be empty. 

Never Thought I'd Write About Justin Bieber

I've been thinking a lot about our bifurcated American youth culture. On the one hand, there are what I call America's "Global Youth," the kids who have an outlook that is increasingly catholic (with a small c, as in the dictionary definition: broad, universal in scope). Their view supercedes "international," because it cares little about geographic and political borders, much more about the kind of global communities that can form around an idea, a sport, even a song. These kids are more likely to have traveled somewhere outside the United States, and if they have not been privileged to do that, they aspire to do it. They know it is a big world and they see themselves as citizens of the globe. And they'd like to have an impact on it in some way. The ones I've talked to even assume they'll have to work at making that happen.

Then we have the other side of American youth culture: the parochially focused, those who are more Jersey Shore or Kardashian influenced than their big-think counterparts. They're more focused on popularity and the accumulation of stuff, whatever is hot at the moment. Material goods rule. They're not particularly interested in what is going on beyond their home town, much less beyond American borders. All others are, frankly, foreigners.  In fact, they often view other American citizens as foreigners if those others are, well, different in skin color, in education, in religion, in background.

So now let's talk about Justin Bieber, that former little kid heartthrob singer who was plucked from his relatively humble beginnings to become America's latest teen crush singer.  He was a fresh faced boy who could make the pre-teen and teen girls swoon. Great sales of his music. Now he is 18 years old. And ridiculously rich.

Let's face it, this kid had the popularity to aspire to any number of opportunities and he could have taken his fans with him. Where could he have decided to focus his non-musical energies? Education? Creating dialogue among America's youth about topics that are of importance to our nation, e.g. how to help the disenfranchised? Or simply staying good at what he was, a wildly popular musical artist, minding his own business and being a good citizen. Maybe taking on a cause to which he could contribute some of that major money?

But Bieber has decided that he is a "bro," as he describes himself.  And, he says openly, he is all about swag.  As in stuff. Goods,  Merchandise.  He was recently quoted as shouting to a crowd of fans, "I'm 18 years old and a swaggy adult!"  It's all about the swag, apparently, like his $110,000 car (he has several autos) that he had custom covered in chrome. His conversation, these days, appears to be all about his interest in accumulation of tangible goods.

What a lost opportunity to be a global ambassador of something other than swag. To initiate and sustain a conversation among America's youth (and all others for that matter) about being of service to something bigger than one's self.

Sigh.

Chris Matthews Loses It And Strikes A Chord

Yesterday on MSNBC Chris Matthews lost it in a discussion, aiming his diatribe at Reince Priebus, the Chairman of the Republican National Committee. Once Matthews got started, he couldn't stop himself, or so it appears. He is a moralist, as so many say about him, and feels strongly (VERY strongly) that the GOP is playing the wrong kind of hard ball in this campaign. Dirty pool is how he apparently sees it, and he is outraged.

 

Romney's recent remark about no one questioning whether Romney holds a valid birth certificate is, in Chris Matthews' mind, just a thinly veiled (if veiled at all) racist remark aimed at the pleasure of white folks who want justification for their anti-Obama prejudice. And Matthews doesn't like it.

What struck me as I was watching the rerun of the discussion, is the passion with which Matthews speaks. He is expressing his personal views on the matter and speaking straight from the heart. It was refreshing and even moving.  In a strange way (many of you may find it perverse, in fact) I had a similar reaction to Congressman Todd Akin's unfortunate remarks about "legitimate" rape and the biological magic he somehow thinks a woman can pull off to block pregnancy in such a situation. Misguided as Akin's remarks were, he nonetheless stuck to them, regardless of pleas from other Republicans that he step aside. Even though these people pleading with him to drop out held equally extreme far right views about abortion in the event of rape, they hid behind their pretend outrage at the inappropriateness of Akin's remarks, saying that he should thus forfeit his position, when in fact they were simply being hypocritical. They didn't want to lose that Republican seat for the State of Missouri and were willing to backtrack on their previously strongly held beliefs if it would keep the Democrats from gaining that Senate seat.

Like Chris Matthews, Akin simply could not bring himself to deny his beliefs. Strange parallel to be sure between the two men and the beliefs they espouse. But somehow I can live with that kind of expression far more easily than listen to the pretenders who claim to hold a belief that is bogus, just to get votes.

I guess we've come a long way from the kind of respectful debates our politicians one held. A long, long way.  It all seems so mean spirited now.  It sure as heck is no longer a conversation.

'Tis a pity.

Funny Thing Happened On Lake Sunapee

Have you been there?  A wonderful place in New Hampshire, not far from Boston, not too far from New York City and a four-seasons kind of place that makes me yearn for my home state Wisconsin. There is a difference, though, and am important one: Sunapee is surrounded by mountains, the Green Mountains famous in all those Dartmouth songs.  Which makes sense, since it is close by.

I spent the weekend there with good friends and the conversation at dinner was that kind of multi-subject, multiple opinions, broad range of background discussion that makes you want to hang around the table even after all the wine is gone.

Seems there was a small group among us who had military service and impressive stuff.  Like Navy Seals kind of experience.  And then there was a faction that had big corporate America kind of experience, from GE to Procter & Gamble to JP Morgan.  And still others who had academic experience, one the former President of Dartmouth.  It was like a Venn diagram brought to life, circles that intersected each other and enriched the whole evening by all that cross pollination of smart discourse.

What occurred to me is that this particular dinner conversation was as erudite, challenging and warm as any I've experienced in Manhattan.  And here I thought New Yorkers had an edge in smart talk. 

Not so.  Lake Sunapee discourse was good.  Very good.  And funny, too. 

 

Should We Talk About Brett Cohen?

I guess we should because he told us to, right?  It seems that Mr. Cohen, a college student studying media (!) decided to test the perception that we are a celebrity mad culture.

He showed up on Times Square with some buddies as PR types, and security guards he hired off Craigslist. They whispered to the crowd that "someone famous" was in their midst and voila! Girls started screaming delightedly, 300 people got Brett's autograph, people claimed to have heard his music, watched his movies...yes, it's that bad.

Guess he proved his point, though. And gives his media class something to talk about.

Dads Talking About Their Kids--A Whole New Conversation

When I was jogging this morning in Central Park, I heard a conversation behind me between two guys.  (Yes, I'm envious: they were able to carry on their conversation and pass me without losing a breath. But that's a digression.)

One was telling about an incident where "...She was laughing so hard she couldn't stop." He said, "She even had to catch her breath...we thought she might choke. But she was just so engaged, looking at each of us, who were smiling and laughing and she just loved it."

I realized he was talking about an infant, his infant, a baby girl. I was so intrigued, I ran faster so I could hear the rest of the conversation as I followed.

The young Dad went on, "The other night we were out and she was getting cranky. Actually she seemed a little sad, you know?  Really, she was just tired but we wanted her to stay up, since we were about ready to go home and wanted to make sure she would sleep when she got home. So we started laughing and smiling, and sure enough, she started laughing too. She was laughing so much she just couldn't cry." 

The other jogger then said, "What do you think? Could it be that we'd have a lot happier kids in this world if they just got to see their parents laughing and smiling more?" 

"Yeah," said the storyteller. "I'm convinced that's right. My wife and I talked about it, in fact."

So there you have it. Two thirty-something guys discussing child rearing. Totally engaged in the discussion.

This is a whole new conversation, from Dad's of decades ago, even one decade ago. These young men are examples of the new highly engaged Dad. Our world can't help but be the better for it.

And as for more parents smiling and laughing, these guys are so right, don't you think?

 

Was I Wrong About Paris Pont des Arts Bridge Locks?

Some time ago I wrote about the Paris phenomenon of lovers placing locks on the Pont des Arts bridge (and others, too). I loved the concept of people declaring undying love to one another, placing a lock on the bridge fence as testimony to it, them throwing away the keys.

But Agnes Poirier--French, of course--wrote in last Sunday's New York Times that the lovers got it all wrong.  And me, too.  No, no, no says Agnes. The French know that you don't have to lock yourself permanently to another to be truly in love. If you are really in love, you don't need that. Locks signify prisons, she says.

Hmmm. I kind a liked the concept. But read Poirier's comments for yourself. Maybe I've got it wrong and the French have the last word--as we've always believed they did-- on love. And here is the link.

Have We Turned Antisocial Towards Groupon?

Looks like the predicted social media "bubble" has burst before reaching much scale. What happened?  Wasn't Groupon supposed to be the next big thing not that long ago?

And Facebook? Is it the well-documented screw ups in the IPO logistics that turned that apparent enviable investment into a sow's ear? Or has the bloom come off the Facebook rose?

From the conversations I hear going on about the so-called social media bubble, seems there are really two sides to this discussion. The first is the perspective from which we judge the social media offerings simply as stock market investments, good or bad. That picture is not pretty at the moment.

The second is the perspective of the social network phenomenon in a wider sense: now that consumers have determined that the best way to learn about a products benefits and challenges is by seeing what others say about it, there seems major value for brands to be where most of their customers are. And that place is on the social media sites. So although it appears that as a business model, Facebook has not yet found the formula, it is also true that as a cultural phenomenon, where millions of people all over the globe come to meet, greet, and share opinions, it is a juggernaut.

So while they get their act together, there is lots to talk about just how best companies and organizations can take advantage of the human interest in forming communities and figure out how to put the social network concept to work for them. 

No one appears to have the right formula. Yet. But most companies are talking about it. And they're listening, too. To the consumers who are chattering away with each other all over the web. 

I'm thinking that we just haven't seen yet where this is all going. Listening to people around me talk about how they are "no longer in love with Facebook" makes me think there is a post-Facebook option out there. We just haven't seen it yet.  And where, pray tell, do you think it will come from? Maybe not Silicon Valley...maybe from some kid in Kuala Lumpur or elsewhere who has her eye on building the next big thing.

We all need to stay tuned.  We're too social to become antisocial.

 

Guest Post: Comparing the Perceptions Of Time

My name is Ariane Blumentritt. I graduated from Wirtschaftsmittelschule, in Bern, Switzerland in 2010 and am spending my summer in New York, working as an intern at Wf360.

I’ve learned a great deal by living in several different places. I’ve observed differences in how people can view something so differently from country to country, even from town to town. For example, I am fascinated by the different approach people from different places take in their perception of time.  As a Swiss girl, I’m used to being on time. When I have an appointment at 8 o’clock, I’ll be there at 7:59. It’s just the way I am.  And my fellow Swiss are pretty much the same. Perhaps that's because we come from the watch capital of the world.

I learned the hard way when I was in France, that others do not view time the way the Swiss do. I was meeting up with some French friends and the first time we met, I waited almost 30 minutes for them to arrive.  I quickly found out that in France when you agree to meet at 8, it really means 8:30 (if you are lucky that is!). For next time, if I want to meet at 8, I will tell them to be there at 7:20.  In Paris, I learned that when you are invited to someone’s home, you shouldn’t arrive on time (at least on time Swiss style) because the host may be not ready setting up for dinner or even be dressed yet. I will remember that for the future!

Here’s another example, far from my home country. A friend from Saudi-Arabia told me when they have a  meeting at their company, most of the employees are not on time. This is the standard. On the other hand, if they have an  "important meeting", it is understood you are expected to be there on time. They actually call that kind of important meeting a Swiss meeting.

Earlier this year I lived in San Diego. Everything about that city seems relaxed and a bit “sleepy.” Nobody is in a rush; they are very kind and always at ease. They are also like that on the road and the driving is comfortable and stress-free. You cannot say that about New York City. Here, as Benjamin Franklin once said in "Advice to a Young Tradesman," time is money. For example, the taxi drivers in NYC all drive like maniacs. I think it’s because the faster they drive, the more customers they can have, and thus make more money.

New York is clearly the city of closing deals and making money. To me, New York appears overly busy and people seem a bit rude but that’s the way it is. New Yorkers don’t want to waste time or money. Right now there is a new fascinating gadget on the market called the “Bring TIM” (time is money). It is an office clock that shows how much money a meeting costs. You enter the number of people in the room and what they could charge per hour of their time and the clock estimates the “price” of the meeting. I assume after one meeting of using this funny clock, no one wants to have a long meeting anymore. It’s the perfect addition for every New Yorker’s office.

The value of time and how it is communicated to others is different all over the world. After experiencing some of the different approaches to the use of time, I think it’s important to just stand still for a minute and observe the local attitude towards time. Especially when you are not in your home town.

Russell Simmons Says I'm Wrong About Joe Biden

So, here I am sanctimoniously feeling that Joe Biden has insulted African Americans by his comment--when speaking of Republicans seeking office--that "they'll put y'all back in chains." Then along comes Russell Simmons.  Simmons supports what Biden said. Says he's right.  And Simmons is a well known African American.

So go figure. Perhaps my own sense of insult in response to Biden's comments was itself patronizing rather than respectful, of African Americans. They can stand up for themselves, thank you very much. 

I still say that all of us need to choose our words carefully when we are speaking. Especially in a public forum. 

But as I write this I realize that for all his foot-in-mouth comments, Joe Biden does tell things as he sees them.  Perhaps even worse is the unspoken prejudices that show themselves in hidden ways. Kind of Ku Klux Klan style, some people hied their feelings of racism, of prejudice, and demonstrate them in ways that are hard to detect, but can have impact nonetheless. I'm convinced, for example, that the whole "birther" movement regarding President Obama was really racism in disguise. Maybe unconscious racism on some people's parts, but racism nonetheless. Might have been better if they had just come out and said what they were thinking, i.e. that President Obama was somehow not appropriate as a President of this country because he is "different." We could at least respond to that kind of talk. 

 

Not easy, this gift we have of conversation. Can get us in all sorts of trouble.