I posted my thoughts on an interesting marketing article over on what has become my “business blog” of sorts. My response is here.
The original article outlines new approaches to gleaning customer feedback, developing a software product that customers actually want, and trying to land customers that will actually pay for what you create
Not sure why, but I’ve stumbled across some amazing essays this week. Of course, they’re written by people involved in technology and design, but I’m pretty sure you’ll find the advice sound.
I’ve read many essays about the “top ten things I’ve learned in my lifetime”, but this one is the best.
I always thought not taking compliments too strongly to heart was a side-effect of being humble, and a sure way to avoid having too large of an ego. But yeah, that hasn’t worked out so well. This one’s on optimism.
I should let the world in on this musical secret. Cursive is offering their new album, Mama, I’m Swollen, to you early as an mp3 download. The price is $5.00 today, and increases by a dollar each day until March 10th. I’ve already purchased my zipped collection of bits. I know, I should have told you sooner.
Happy Hollow was an amazing album. Though, some might consider it blasphemic. I certainly don’t mind. It’s an impressive exploration into the “darker aspects” of life in a way that’s not cliche — in a way that’s NOT like pussified ”I’m always angsty” mainstream rock.
If The Ugly Organ doesn’t make you thrash around, I don’t want to talk to you. If Domestica doesn’t make you feel, something’s wrong. Hopefully I find Mama, I’m Swollen to be of similar caliber when I’m done digesting it.
From what I’ve heard, the new album does feel lighter than Happy Hollow. However, I also thought Happy Hollow felt lighter than The Ugly Organ. But eventually I realized Happy Hollow’s heaviness was in the deep probing lyrics. I don’t skip any songs on the previous albums, but I Couldn’t Love You Anymore might be a song I skip on the new one.
While I’m at it, there tends to be a trend with how long I continue to like what bands put out. With Death Cab I liked the first 3 or so albums. Plans was a descension into mainstream poppy blandness, lacking wit. Stephen Malkmus seemed to have lost his whimsical, zany, dirtiness with the Face the Truth album (but maybe I need to give that one another listen). Maybe Cursive has hit that point AFTER 6 ALBUMS, which means I shouldn’t be overly sad.
I enjoy watching CBS Sunday Morning. It’s on from 9am to 10:30am, so if you extrapolate you can see that it’s not for church-going types. In one episode Bill Geist did a story about the adult entertainment awards … so you can see what I mean. It’s a perfect replacement for the hectic time that normally consists of trying to round up your kids and get them willing or, god-willing, excited to go to church.
It is a very positive and slow-paced program. The disheartening “real news” stories take up a smidgen of time right at the beginning, leaving the rest of the program’s positively lit features to cheer you up. There’s always something the major news networks have missed, like surrogate motherhood, features on little-known authors/artists. It’s oftentimes inspiring. Check it.
(Oh. I’ve been itching to mess with internet video lately, so this might be a great post for me to read at you so you can watch my facial expressions. Now that I’ve posted this I can get back to work.)
