Stream of Consciousness... from the past few weeks!

It's late and I am still up. Feel like there hasn't been much processing time in the past few weeks, so am glad I took a nap and am letting things sink in. Normally I'd not try to write these random thoughts down, but it seems like a good way to watch how things are evolving over time, so here goes....

- It's amazing to me how (western) classical music is as much a dying breed of music as anything else. Was at a Shostakovich concert this afternoon and the average audience age was like 55. Geniuses like Schubert, brahms and rachmaninoff would be amazing role models for our generation. If only someone found a way to make them "relevant" to us A.D.D. types!

- Wondering how key it is to be able to "hang out" with people you work with closely. I've heard in the past how you don't have to like the CEO (as long as they are delivering results) etc. Of course that applies to anyone. In today's world where opportunities are a dime a dozen for talent is that an option? I am feeling like it's NOT.

- Spending time jogging my memory on strategies that helped us win the college student president election in 1998. Learned a lot in so little time!

- Say anything to me (whether or not I will like it) in a Brit/Scottish Accent, and I am very likely to acquiesce! Crikey!

- I hope that I never forget this line from Jay-Z. (The key to staying, on top of things
is treat everything like it's your first project)

- Leo Caprio is a true "shape-changer"... pretty nice range of performances from Aviator, Gilbert Grape to Blood Diamond.

- I *have* to spend more time being in touch with folks I am not actively working with. It's always something I've been proud of, but am doing less and less of it. Also need to read more (Note to self: magazines do not count!).

- I am frankly a bit embarassed by "features" masquerading as products (esp. on Facebook). Do we have any patience for a bunch of wires, and no bridge? Then, why incomplete software? What embarasses me more are chatty/self-promoting founders behind these projects. The valley cannot live up to its reputation of changing the world with these reduced standards. Time to put the steak before the sizzle! (Disclosure: I helped build AskMeSomething!)
(UPDATED: This is going to be one, if not the major cause of the "Facebook backlash" whenever it ensues. You heard it here first!)

- Was great to re-read some of my favorite articles... my friend Ashvin's note on making indie films, Marc Andreessen's on the money advice on building an executive team, Walter Murch's piece on music in film (walter edited Godfather and Apocalypse Now amongst other films).

- Of course, random thoughts cannot end without The Godfather. Kept wondering if Godfather 3 is not the classic, after all? True that it did not have the writing or the performances of the others (don't even get me started on sofia coppola!)... but with classics like "Never hate your enemies, it affects your judgement" and "Finance is a gun; politics is knowing when to pull the trigger" - maybe it's time to reconsider?

- Read that Alexander's army had a unit that walked in stilts towards the enemy so it gave them the impression that army was "larger" than they really were. Was this the beginning of standing on the shoulders of a giant that is so critical for startups?

Alright, signing out for now but there is part II for sure... coming soon!

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