On the subject of the throngs of people (of which I was one) waiting for the Apple iPhone to be released this evening, Fake Steve Jobs saidbest:
This is a genuine outpouring of love and enthusiasm and excitement from people whose souls have been stirred by the wonder of technology and the ability to communicate with other human beings in ways that have never before been possible. That’s what this is about. It’s about communicating. It’s about connecting. It’s about bringing the world together in common cause.
He continues:
It’s about saying, Look, I realize there’s something bad happening in Darfur, and there’s some kind of AIDS epidemic in Africa, and there’s some crazies who want to blow us all up, and there’s a war in Iraq where thousands of people are dying for no reason — and yes, those things are important, and someday we may take to the streets to say something about them, if we can think of anything to say about them, but for now we Americans take to the streets for this cause.
So unbelievably true. And incredibly sad.
Without a doubt, this is the most awe inspiring thing I have ever held in my hand. And it is worth every dollar and every hour I spent waiting. Have a look at the pics from my afternoon waiting in line in San Francisco.
On Rupert Murdoch’s expected purchase and likely dismantling of the Wall Street Journal, Umair Haque saidbest:
Rupert is gonna absolutely eviscerate the Journal, and spit out something like a cross between the Sun and the business section of your local free paper. Yes, it’s speculation - but it’s also what he’s done to every newspaper he’s ever owned.
Absolutely right. He’ll try to transfer the WSJ’s respect and relevance to FOX News, all the while tearing it apart from the inside out until it’s nothing more than a hollow shell. And we’ll lose yet another reasoned and rational (even it is representing the right-wing) voice in the great American debate.
On the subject of the Apple iPhone and the idea that it creates an incredible opportunity (as opposed to an existential threat) for its competition, Seth Godin saidbest:
The iPhone is a gift for every cell phone marketer in the world. Why? Because it creates a problem where there was none before. Now, a cell phone is not just a phone. Now, a phone is worth spending money on. So, since Apple created that ‘problem’ in my mind, how are you going to solve it?
Apple will change the game yet again (in many ways it already has). Rather than denying the inevitable, Seth suggests that the competition embrace this new reality. Brilliant.
Reminds me of one of my favorite quotes from Alvin Toffler: “The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.”
Friends of mine still rave about the Tortoise liveset at DEMF in 2001. And by rave I mean they shake their heads and mutter something under their breath about it being one of the most incredible shows they’ve ever seen. You can imagine I have wanted to see them ever since.
Lucky for you I finally had my chance last Friday night in San Francisco. And lucky for me someone caught a quick snip of the show so that I can share it with you:
On the stage, there were two sets of drums placed up front and turned to face each other, while the other three took their positions in the background. It struck me as odd when they were setting up but make no mistake, this visual arrangement is intentional. John Herndon and John McEntire provide the show, but the relentless pace they set on the drums creates a framework for the dreamy, squeaky, bubbly, bleepy sounds to envelope the remaining space. It truly is all around you.
If you ever get a chance to see them live, please do, especially if it’s in an intimate setting like this one. You do not need to know their music to get swept up in the rush. Just close your eyes and let your booty boogie while your mind meanders about. And then you too can struggle to tell your friends about that time you were blown away by Tortoise…
