It's been a LONG time since I posted...so this topic is very relevant. For me, there is nothing more compelling and exciting ( I would even call it a digital "high") than discovering a marriage of digital content AND platform that change the way you can live your life. I've always loved playing with new digital platforms going way back to prodigy, or angelfire, or GeoCities. Or more recently facebook, twitter, pandora etc etc. I truly love getting my hands on a new platform and playing in a digital sandbox. Even better is connecting to an audience with a new tool.
My latest "moment of truth" came when I used my new iphone (why I just moved from blackberry to iphone is a whole different story) to access the Yelp app while on vacation. Now....I have looked at Yelp online...and read reviews....etc. This is informative....but the content alone does not produce the "magic" that gets me going. It's the marriage of the content AND platform combined with locational relevance that truly transforms nice content to a life altering experience. When my kids asked for ice cream, and we were out of town, I unleashed the digital magic I so love. Being able to search for local ice cream shops that have good reviews, and then integrating that information with a local based map along with real time coordinates to drive right to the shop....pure digital high. I just live for that moment of digital discovery and the perfect convergence of content and platform. Similar experience with Kelly Blue Book. I've always consulted KBB when buying a car. But the beauty of having user friending data....in my hand...in the showroom.....to share with the dealer is truly transformative to the shopping experience.
These digital "highs" happen all the time....and we sometimes fail to recognize how our life is being changed. almost without us knowing it. We have become so used to these changes. But for me, I live for these moments (no offense to my son scoring a goal ;) It's these moments when you can see the impact of all the work we are doing in the digital realm. Content + Platform = magic. That's the formula that keeps me going...and I know I'm not alone.
The question we still need to answer is.....what will that "magic" moment in the broadcast world look like? We have tons of content...and lots of platforms in development....but somehow, I don't think we are any closer to making magic in this space. This is the challenge of our time in the media world. Who is going to make the magic when is comes to broadcast television?
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Are you ready for some football?
That's right folks...it's football season....and in the spirit of the season....I've put together a short video of the highlights of the Syken family "Class of 2024".
Six days until the 'Canes whip up on FSU....and 3 days until our very own New Rochelle Ravens take to the field for some fun with flags.
Take a look
Six days until the 'Canes whip up on FSU....and 3 days until our very own New Rochelle Ravens take to the field for some fun with flags.
Take a look
Monday, June 8, 2009
US Open Video Shoot - "Open" to Everyone
The US Open happens at Bethpage State Park next week. Today we started to follow a golfer who had to qualify for the Open. Unlike Tiger...there are golfers who have to go through a multi stage qualifier in order to play in our countries National Championship.
So we were off to Old Oaks Golf Club and Century Golf Club to see if we could find a local boy to qualify. 4 golfers make it...out of 155. We had to find one local qualifier...and get him on film...before we knew if he would qualify. We did...and here are a couple of shots from the shoot.
We'll tell you his story...on USOpen.com beginning next Thurs 6/18. IBM helps the USGA deliver the US Open to the world.
Disclosure:I work for IBM
Monday, November 17, 2008
CONVERSATIONS FOR A SMARTER PLANET: 1 IN A SERIES
A mandate for change is a mandate for smart.
Our political leaders are not the only ones who have been handed a mandate for change. Leaders of businesses and institutions everywhere have a unique opportunity to transform the way the world works.
We find ourselves at this moment because the crisis in our financial markets has jolted us awake. We are seriously focused now on the nature and dangers of highly complex global systems. And this isn’t our first such jolt. Indeed, the first decade of the twenty first century has been a series of wake-up calls with a single theme: the reality of global integration.
The problems of global climate change and energy, global supply chains for food and medicine, new security concerns ranging from identity theft to terrorism — all issues of a hyper-connected world — have surfaced since the start of this decade.
The world continues to get “smaller” and “flatter.” But we see now that being connected isn’t enough. Fortunately, something else is happening that holds new potential: the planet is becoming smarter.
That is, intelligence is being infused into the way the world literally works — into the systems, processes and infrastructure that enable physical goods to be developed, manufactured, bought and sold. That allow services to be delivered. That facilitate the movement of everything from money and oil to water and electrons. And that help billions of people work and live.
How is this possible?
First, the world is becoming instrumented. Imagine a billion transistors for every human being. We’re almost there. Sensors are being embedded everywhere: in cars, appliances, cameras, roads, pipelines…even in medicine and livestock.
Second, our world is becoming interconnected. Soon, there will be two billion people on the Internet — but systems and objects can now “speak” to each other, as well. Think of a trillion connected and intelligent things, and the oceans of data they will produce.
Third, all of those instrumented and interconnected things are becoming intelligent. They are being linked to powerful new back-end systems that can process all that data, and to advanced analytics capable of turning it into real insight, in real time.
With computational power now being put into things we wouldn’t recognize as computers, any person, any object, any process or service and any organization — large or small — can become digitally aware, connected and smart.
With so much technology and networking available at such low cost, what wouldn’t you enhance? What wouldn’t you connect? What information wouldn’t you mine for insight? What service wouldn’t you provide a customer, a citizen, a student or a patient?
The answer is, you will do all these things — because you can. But there is another reason. We all will because we must. Consider:
According to published reports, countries around the world are losing as much as 40 to 70 percent of their electrical energy because grid systems are not “smart”
Congested roadways in the U.S. cost $78 billion in 4.2 billion lost work hours and 2.9 billion gallons of wasted gas annually…and that’s not counting the impact on air quality.
Inefficient supply chains cost $40 billion annually in lost productivity — more than 3% of total sales.
Our healthcare system really isn’t a “system”, failing to link diagnoses, drug delivery, healthcare providers, insurers and patients — as costs spiral out of control, threatening both individuals and institutions.
One in five people living today lacks safe drinking water.
And, of course, we’ve seen what’s developed in our financial markets: a system in which institutions could spread risk, but not track it.
Yet all of these things are solvable on a smarter planet.
Stockholm has used smart traffic systems to cut gridlock by 20%, reduce emissions by 12%, and increase public transportation use dramatically.
Smart food systems are using RFID technology to trace poultry from the farm through the supply chain to supermarket shelves.
Smart healthcare systems can lower the cost of therapy by as much as 90%.
Smart systems are transforming energy grids, supply chains and water management; as well as helping to confirm the authenticity of pharmaceuticals and the security of currency exchanges.
There is a tremendous mandate for positive change in the world. We have the resources to do this. In the coming weeks, you’ll be hearing more from IBM on the specific ways we can make our planet work better. Lets build a smarter planet. Join us and see what others are thinking at ibm.com/think
Our political leaders are not the only ones who have been handed a mandate for change. Leaders of businesses and institutions everywhere have a unique opportunity to transform the way the world works.
We find ourselves at this moment because the crisis in our financial markets has jolted us awake. We are seriously focused now on the nature and dangers of highly complex global systems. And this isn’t our first such jolt. Indeed, the first decade of the twenty first century has been a series of wake-up calls with a single theme: the reality of global integration.
The problems of global climate change and energy, global supply chains for food and medicine, new security concerns ranging from identity theft to terrorism — all issues of a hyper-connected world — have surfaced since the start of this decade.
The world continues to get “smaller” and “flatter.” But we see now that being connected isn’t enough. Fortunately, something else is happening that holds new potential: the planet is becoming smarter.
That is, intelligence is being infused into the way the world literally works — into the systems, processes and infrastructure that enable physical goods to be developed, manufactured, bought and sold. That allow services to be delivered. That facilitate the movement of everything from money and oil to water and electrons. And that help billions of people work and live.
How is this possible?
First, the world is becoming instrumented. Imagine a billion transistors for every human being. We’re almost there. Sensors are being embedded everywhere: in cars, appliances, cameras, roads, pipelines…even in medicine and livestock.
Second, our world is becoming interconnected. Soon, there will be two billion people on the Internet — but systems and objects can now “speak” to each other, as well. Think of a trillion connected and intelligent things, and the oceans of data they will produce.
Third, all of those instrumented and interconnected things are becoming intelligent. They are being linked to powerful new back-end systems that can process all that data, and to advanced analytics capable of turning it into real insight, in real time.
With computational power now being put into things we wouldn’t recognize as computers, any person, any object, any process or service and any organization — large or small — can become digitally aware, connected and smart.
With so much technology and networking available at such low cost, what wouldn’t you enhance? What wouldn’t you connect? What information wouldn’t you mine for insight? What service wouldn’t you provide a customer, a citizen, a student or a patient?
The answer is, you will do all these things — because you can. But there is another reason. We all will because we must. Consider:
According to published reports, countries around the world are losing as much as 40 to 70 percent of their electrical energy because grid systems are not “smart”
Congested roadways in the U.S. cost $78 billion in 4.2 billion lost work hours and 2.9 billion gallons of wasted gas annually…and that’s not counting the impact on air quality.
Inefficient supply chains cost $40 billion annually in lost productivity — more than 3% of total sales.
Our healthcare system really isn’t a “system”, failing to link diagnoses, drug delivery, healthcare providers, insurers and patients — as costs spiral out of control, threatening both individuals and institutions.
One in five people living today lacks safe drinking water.
And, of course, we’ve seen what’s developed in our financial markets: a system in which institutions could spread risk, but not track it.
Yet all of these things are solvable on a smarter planet.
Stockholm has used smart traffic systems to cut gridlock by 20%, reduce emissions by 12%, and increase public transportation use dramatically.
Smart food systems are using RFID technology to trace poultry from the farm through the supply chain to supermarket shelves.
Smart healthcare systems can lower the cost of therapy by as much as 90%.
Smart systems are transforming energy grids, supply chains and water management; as well as helping to confirm the authenticity of pharmaceuticals and the security of currency exchanges.
There is a tremendous mandate for positive change in the world. We have the resources to do this. In the coming weeks, you’ll be hearing more from IBM on the specific ways we can make our planet work better. Lets build a smarter planet. Join us and see what others are thinking at ibm.com/think
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
What the Election Meant...to Me
My 3rd grade teacher knew this day would come. (see my 3rd grade picture under "see original post")
I grew up in a very diverse community. The people that lived there valued the diversity of people...all people. My parents thought it was important to embrace diversity. In many cases, I was a minority (I'm a white male fyi...)..in class, on my street, at birthday parties etc. So from a young age the "rights" of all people were an important part of my life. Frankly, I never understood why some kids around me thought they were "different". I suppose their parents or older siblings taught them they were different...somehow "less of a person". But to me, they were my friends...my BEST friends...that's it. They could grow up and be anything...just like me.
It wasn't until 3rd grade that I started to learn that perhaps all people were not the same. I could not believe it. Ms Freeman was my third grade teacher. She was a great person. She was warm...loved music...she reminded me of my Aunt. I remember we talked a lot about Martin Luther King that year. What he believed...and why he believed it. So, I had my teacher actually teaching me about the differences of people...could it be true?
Ultimately what she taught ME was that it did not have to be true...that as children...we could grow up and be anything...no matter WHO or WHAT you were. She also told us that WE would have the power to make MLK's vision come true.
Over the years, the reality of life painted the truth. After I left for college, I saw true racism as I met people from across the country. I came home from college and found some of those same old friends (who don't look like me) being poisoning by their friends...and society. But deep inside...I always thought of Ms. Freeman...and what she taught us in 3rd grade (besides not to bring a pocket knife to school. I believed in her message...and still do.
So to me, while I could see pros and cons of both players...fundementally...this was about something bigger than how much tax I pay. It was about making a lesson I learned long ago come true. It was the wisdom of my third grade teacher taking hold.
I hope BO is a great president. I know our country would have survived either man. But more importantly, hopefully now we can move on as a country...and as a rainbow of races. It's clear all people can become ANYTHING they want. Let's disband racism of all forms...against all groups....even against guys like me!!
It was a great day for all of us....but one thing for sure...you couldn't pay me enough to take the job BO has "won". I wonder if he feels like he "won" anything...but a headache.
Monday, November 3, 2008
My entrance essay for UM
What follows is the essay I wrote to get into college...the question was
"If you could be anybody for one day...who would it be and why?"
The answer...
"Through the course of my life, there have been several concepts that have become increasingly important to me. Among these ideas is the right to freedom and independence, the wish for peace, and the hope of being internationally known. Therefore, if I were to choose to be anyone I wished for one day, it would be Mickey Mouse.
The reasons behind this choice are mainly the result of what I am trying to achieve in my own life. First, Mickey Mouse, now nearing 60 years old, has gained in popularity throughout the world despite some of the most tragic wars and turbulent times in history. This illustrates how people all over the world look to Mickey Mouse as a symbol of hope and peace.
Secondly, Mickey Mouse has always aroused the curiosity and eagerness of childhood that I feel is the basis of all success.
Lastly, Mickey mouse has always represented the power of magic and the unknown. With this power, Mickey could have made an evil world for himself, but instead he created a Magic Kingdom were all are welcome. This characteristic of using power to it's maximum positive potential is very important because if you misuse the power given to you, it will be taken away as quickly as it came.
Perhaps my choice of a fictional character such as Mickey Mouse seems a bit unorthodox, but I feel it truly represents the successful person I envision for myself when I am nearing 60 years old."
That's it....Mickey Mouse...MY HERO!!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Leadership - Mike Singletary
We all love a good leader. One that inspires and is inclusive. One that we would run through a wall for. One who believes in the power of the TEAM...not who focuses on themselves. So for all you people who want to get fired up...forget politics...look to sports. Check our this video (click "view original post" if you're on facebook)
I was never a big Bears Fan (Sorry there little bro)...but I think I just became a fan.
I was never a big Bears Fan (Sorry there little bro)...but I think I just became a fan.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)