Interesting Problems? First Define Them

Seth Godin is EXTREMELY popular. For good reason.

But in his labor day post today, he discusses the devaluing of labor, with a small L.

He ends with something pithy to encapsulate his idea:

"The future of labor belongs to enlightened, passionate people on both sides of the plant, people who want to do work that matters."

He implies that teachers are only laboring to teach to tests when we say we want innovative teaching. But teaching to a test does not stop innovation does it?

We hear all the time of anecdotal evidence of some teacher find the way to get the information across in standard curriculum. He suggests that labor took the bosses dictum of "do whatever I say" and ran with it.

However, the revealing part after comparing what is today knowledge and information services/work with assembly line work ala Henry Ford: "Improvisation still matters if you set out to solve interesting problems."

What are those interesting problems? Comparing the work/labor of today with the situations of the past isn't quite far is it?

Suggesting that passionate people on the boss/labor ends of the equation will solve matters rarely suggests a solution to the problem does it?

If the problem is getting as many cheap TVs/Blu Ray players/etc to the masses, does it matter if the workers and bosses of Walmart are passionate? They've solved that "problem," haven't they?

No, the issue of the problem comes first. Finding it, identifying, and then drafting the solution. Passion and being enlightened is all well and good, but first, know your problem.

Slow Death or Rebirth for Myspace?

Are we really watching the slow inevitable death of Myspace? With the integration with Facebook complete and the push towards what appears to be a mobile only function , isn't it time to call this one? One report says that Myspace is making $200 million less this year. They are functionally giving up on Myspace Music , which was always their bread and butter. Without the music tie in, why would people BOTHER with Myspace? I'm talking about it because my wife's band has used every medium known to mankind to promote themselves online and Myspace has been nothing but dead weight from the very beginning. Only bands and their most ardent fans go there. The rest are on Facebook. There is talk of selling Myspace, but who in their right mind would consider it? This will have some interesting implications for bands down the road. Many use Myspace as their de facto website, just pushing their domain name onto the customizable site. Now apparently, Reverbnation , a North Carolin

Being a Parent

While back, I wrote a post on Father's day about being a father and how being a parent is a job. I wistfully look back as I look forward to another school year quickly approaching and the evidence of my "work" is becoming less and less my handiwork. Our youngest has just moved on to middle school. Josh has moved into high school and the oldest has graduated from high school and about "start" her life. We've had a tacit arrangement with the kids. We do NOT want boomerang kids coming back to haunt us. So they have always been told, they are staying with us until they are REALLY ready to go out and that includes the joke that college has become. Sadly, despite the fact that I have spent a good chunk of my career working in higher education, I know that it is a folly to think that sending a child off to college is preparing them for much other than to have a lifetime of loans. Thankfully, Amanda has gotten the message. She has a plan to go to local c

Check out my appearance on the The Toddcast Podcast

Click and watch the podcast recording of my appearance on the Toddcast Podcast Such a fun time!

Todd Lyden

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