While the vast majority of the global population lives in the same geographical location for most of their lives, a growing population of transnational citizens is positioned to lead us into the multicultural, interdependent 21st century.
I woke up this morning at 6am to the sound of my Nokia N900 alarm, still searching for a sim card in this new old American land. While we were spending the last month in India between our most recent life in London and our new life in the Bay Area, we spent a week in a small coastal spot in the state of Kernataka called Gokarna.
While the rest of our month was filled with Mumbai chaotic excitement, motorcycles through Hampi boulders and temples, and family time in Kerala, our week in Gokarna was kind of like an extended New Years Day of resolutions and visions for 2010. We also spent time over four days practicing a morning ritual that will become a key part of our 2010 back in the United States.
When I reflected on the last few phases of my adult life since college, I saw that while I have been someone with strong vision and ideas for the future, my 7 years in Brooklyn and 3 years in London haven't seen much actual progress on putting finishing polish on any of ideas or creative work.
Especially during in my time at R/GA in London, I gave most of my waking energy to work and projects with clients and colleagues on the global Nokia Account. I don't regret the time I dedicated toward promoting the online & mobile launch event Rihanna Live for example, but at times it felt like I misplaced part of my soul at home.
There are words, music and images that I have been gathering on my journey over the last 10 years, stories that I feel compelled to share, applications that I want to create. And instead of pretending that I will work on these projects when I get home at night, with my head full of the inevitably chaotic day, I have decided that I will be keeping the clearest part of the day for myself and my priorities. I will be "choosing the morning."
So good morning to a great 2010 here in the Bay Area. Good afternoon to folks in London and good evening to those out in Mumbai and Singapore. I look forward to sharing some of these words and images and stories in the coming days and weeks and months. Now onto sit ups and push ups before breakfast.
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Thank you to all of those who participated in the 48 hour Namethis.com session to name a new crowdfunding social marketing venture.
With 172 names suggested and 1,192 votes cast over the 48 hour session, it was an amazing experience that put vastly more energy towards launching this venture than I could have ever put in alone.
When I first received word about the three winners, I was a little shocked (Loud Sauce and seedjar seemed completely random). But after writing some draft proposals using the name LoudSauce, and hearing back from some of you in my larger community, I am starting to seriously consider it.
Not only is it a great first story to begin a venture rooted in trust in the participation of the crowd (and a name submitted by one of my current Nokia clients), but it may be a name that designers may find interesting potential in exploring a brand identity (more on that in later emails). Let me know if you feel strongly that it works or doesn't work.
Lastly, please join me online for feedback and discussion, as I will continue posting refined versions of the vision and plan for the venture: for starters at the Global Social Benefit Incubator and the Changemakers.net Power of Us Competition.
I hope you will continue to spread the word and share your thoughts via email or the comments below. Enjoy this amazing week for the world honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the new leadership in the United States.
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"I'm only an hour from the Namibian border. Yesterday we were lost trekking through the rock formations of The Cedarberg, and today we're speeding toward the Kalahari."
My brother Adam is officially on an adventure through Africa. After about a month, he finally posted about his experience so far.
Now that I've officially set up to record my Skype conversation as podcasts, I'm planning to have Adam be my first guest in the next week or so.
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As per my post back in 2005 "Long live the Globe Game," competitive geography is pretty much the most fun education every. Now TravelPod.com brings the Globe Game anywhere you want it. In this case, to the widget below.
In our international office in London, I was proud to have tied a Brit and actually beaten a Brazilian, which is not bad for an American. I made it level 10 and got a travel IQ of 113. Hope to improve next time. Enjoy.
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A year ago I connected with Martin via the web, and never followed in the busyness that has become my life since joining the digital marketing world. Powered by ScribeFire.
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