Facebook: The Greatest Home Page Ever Created

I have little to add to the every-changing Facebook story, but I gotta say it: Facebook’s current home page is the greatest home page ever created. Seriously, it is a thing of truth and beauty. I am deeply humbled by its perfection. No kidding. The ironic part is that their home page is probably not that important for growth. But, still….. wow.

FB's home page March 2009

Someone build this for me

Update: Looks to me that uservoice.com has built something close to what I need. Looking into it… [thanks to Garret for the ref]

For a very long time I’ve wanted a simple web-based mechanism to enable our customers to give us fresh feedback on features. It needs to include voting and the ability to collapse duplicate ideas together.  If done right (read: hard), the best ideas will float to the top.

Did awesome kill cool?

cool (kūl)
adj., cool·er, cool·est.

1. Neither warm nor very cold; moderately cold: fresh, cool water; a cool autumn evening.
2. Giving or suggesting relief from heat: a cool breeze; a cool blouse.
3. Marked by calm self-control: a cool negotiator.
4. Marked by indifference, disdain, or dislike; unfriendly or unresponsive: a cool greeting; was cool to the idea of higher taxes.
5. Of, relating to, or characteristic of colors, such as blue and green, that produce the impression of coolness.
6. Slang.
   1. Excellent; first-rate: has a cool sports car; had a cool time at the party.
   2. Acceptable; satisfactory: It’s cool if you don’t want to talk about it.
7. Slang. Entire; full: worth a cool million.

I recented posted thoughts on the word “awesome” and realized that a very similar phenomenon occurred around 1989 when I moved from Vancouver to California in 1989. I clearly recall that I heard people at Silicon Graphics using the word “cool”. And, it made me feel good. And so, right on cue, I noticed that I was using the word more often, and it made me feel good. The funny part is that I was addicted to the word “cool” in the 70’s–when I actually was slightly cool–and so it felt very natural to me to re-adopt an old friend.

Somehow the genes for “cool” were dug up by someone and reintroduced into the population in the late 80’s. I noticed “cool” grew with the same skyrocketing frequency as “awesome” did recently. Initially it was used by hip, younger types or artsy/techy intellectuals, and gradually spread out to the surrounding community, later getting to everyday America, and eventually getting time on our media (TV, radio, and film). Eventually, it sorta burned out as we became immune to it’s buzz. Just like a virus…

Since “cool” has proven that it is an effective virus/meme, I wonder how long it will take for it to come back with a vengence and spread it’s magic again.

Awesome!

awe·some (ô‘səm)
adj.

1. Inspiring awe: an awesome thunderstorm.
2. Expressing awe: stood in awesome silence before the ancient ruins.
3. Slang. Remarkable; outstanding: “a totally awesome arcade game” (Los Angeles Times)

Am I the only person who has noticed that the word “awesome” has permeated America to its core. I first noticed myself liking the word about a year ago and actively using it. It made me feel young and fun and positive. It felt really good to use the word. Then, I started to notice that I was using it a lot and tried to cut back. So, I reserved it for those truly special moments, maybe once or twice a day. But, I noticed that everyone else was using it a lot too. Now, I hear the word in practically every conversation!

The spreading of verbal memes (“awesome”) is an amazing epidemiological phenomenon that seems important somehow. It hints at larger cultural systems in play but just outside our individual perception. It touches on one of my favorite topics: emergent group intelligence. Of course, in this case, it’s probably more of a virus caught by the emergent intelligence (humanity), than useful intelligence.

And, of course, the meme itself appears life-like as it grows and spreads, and probably mutates. But, the one interesting observation that occurred to me is that the meme/virus does provide positive feedback to the individual: I feel good when I use the word. It’s a little embarrassing and revealing to admit it, but I do. And, I am sure that all of these verbal memes must have this quality to procreate. It would be really interesting to study these memes just as the CDC studies viruses and track their growth chronologically and geographically, learn how and why they spread, and eventually die, why some are successful and others fail, etc. Just not enough time in one life…

Has our democracy hit the wall?

I recently read a blog post by a friend that suggested that the USA should declare war on fossil fuel dependency.

Wow, I so agree with this idea and I think about this a lot and wonder WHY it does not happen. The easy conclusion usually hovers around conspiracy theories of Rich White Guys. But, I think that the lack of action on this, as well as other large-scale, slow-acting problems is a symptom of our government. Give me some room here… I’ve been watching and reading the recent John Adams book/mini-series and deeply engrossed on how America emerged as a democracy, etc. What a story! But, I’ve been thinking a lot lately that maybe we’ve hit the wall and that Big Business, Big Lobby, and Big Politics have learned to game the democratic system, and that maybe we need something new. Mainly to address the fact that these three constituencies are amost completely focused on Short-Term Gains (next quarter, next law, and next election). Thus, I am convinced that our version of democracy is coming to an end and new version that enables a longer-term view and policy to emerge. However, there is a very good chance that the US is incapable of such an change and that it will happen somewhere else (e.g. Europe) and this could be the eventual downfall of the great US and A………

Have you ever seen Nicholas Cage and Blake Commagere in the room at the same time?

I worked with Blake Commagere at Plaxo and could not stop thinking how much he reminded me of Nicholas Cage. So I did a little forensic analysis in Photoshop (see photo). You decide.

(ok, so it’s not perfect, but really I see Nicholas Cage in this dude’s face…)

Halo Hunter

Here’s Marius’ costume for Halloween 2006. We worked way too hard on this.

Back to the Future (2006)

This is Dan Ambrosi and I dressed for Halloween 2006. Dan gets the credit for the idea and execution, Redgee Capili (“the greatest guy in the world”) graciously loaned us his Delorean, and I just showed up. [When I was younger, people often said I looked like MJF.] We won “Best Theme” at the Half Moon Bay Yacht Club party.

On the way to Dan’s house, a woman saw me driving the Delorean in full costume and went nuts on the side of the road, hooting and hollering. I guess those movies really had a lasting effect on folks.

Before we made our grand entrance to the party we drove to Half Moon Bay Brewery and pulled up to see what would happen. It was crazy, lots of people came out to the parking lot and had their picture take with us. We were stars (for five minutes).

Our wives and friends dressed as Stepford Wives (and husbands), and won Best Group.

2007 Bucharest Trip – Day 11 (Last Day)

I’m exhausted in so many ways. We finalized Plan 3.0 today, repeated it about a million times, and got some good stuff done.

I will report more details later, once my head clears.

I cannot wait to get on the airplane, whimper, and stagger back home to my family.

Bunea Family Plan 2.0

After a lot of advice, ups and downs, and deep thinking, here is the new plan. I feel disappointed that we changed the plan so dramatically, but on the other hand, this plan feels “right”:

Goal #1. Health, safety, and nutrition (survival):
a. Improve the health, safety, and nutrition of the family asap.
b. Teach them good habits and knowledge, so that they can sustain this forever (eating, birth control, money, etc.).
Goal #2. Education (future):
a. Raise school attendance, interest, and achievement to acceptable standards.
b. Raise the parent’s awareness and interest in school.
c. Graduate the children through high school and possibly university.
Goal #3. Employment (financial independence)
a. Help the women in this family train and get jobs to sustain themselves.

Short-term Plan (immediate!)
1. Dana and Catalin assess the family living conditions and develops programs to assist and teach the family healthy/smart living styles.
-> Meeting at Bunea house on Tuesday with a followup with me on Wednesday.
2. Catalin assess the children’s academic needs and develop a program to ensure attendance and encourage interest and achievement. Also, assess Elvis for post-school remediation or occupational training.
-> see above.
3. Bi-monthly shopping trips / woman-2-woman education sessions with Gina and the other adult women: I need to find someone who is willing, capable, and interested to work with the adult women of this family to: a) shop every two weeks for essential supplies, b) teach good nutrition and health, c) teach smart money practices (e.g. pay bills, save, etc.), d) discuss women issues (e.g. birth control), and e) raise their ability to work (training?). We may want to tie the bi-monthly financial support to school attendance and achievement — we need a detailed proposal here. This person needs to be an advisor and a friend imo.
-> I need advice on this. Mariana has offered to do it. I would love to hear your ideas or advice.
4. Improve the existing house. I am looking for builder/designers to help me to make the necessary improvements to their home: a) toilet, b) running hot and cold water, 3) fix building (roof?), 4) clean up, 5) buy smart furniture to increase living situation, 6) improve kitchen, etc.
-> I need advice here too. I have heard that most Romanian builders will not work in Sector 5 and will cheat me. This is not what I am used to and could use some help. If you know anyone that you trust, please refer me to them.
-> update (4/14/07): Found a good architect (Gheorghetta) and Engineer (Marius), did a site visit and assessment, and they are working on a proposal (to replace the house).
5. Find a nearby, clean, and acceptable apartment to house at least two of the adult women and their children. These women need more space, privacy, and sleep. There are too many people living in this house. I recognize that Gina does a lot of child care and therefore it’s important to find something close. I will provide the necessary financial support for this until they can take care of it on their own (1 year?).
-> Dana or Catalin: any advice or ideas on this? I want something clean and reasonable, and close by.
-> update (4/14/07): Looks like this will be a lot more expensive than anticipated, ~100-300 euros per month.

Medium-term Plan (these mostly depend on successful results in the previous steps)
1. If possible, get the house into Gina’s name or re-consider buying a house for Gina to move to. This has proven to be very complicated and messy, mainly because I cannot assess what and where to move to. And, of course, it is a large amount of money.
2. Consider a major rebuild of the house probably requires #1.
-> update (4/14/07): Architect and engineer said it was a clear “tear down.” So, looks like there is no easy remodelling available to us.
3. Get Corina to either: a) complete high school (my preference), or b) attend an occupational school (e.g. hair design). [I am worried about this young lady.]
4. Florin must graduate through high school. I am determined to get him into university. We should reward him every year with something special for passing grade.
5. Same for the smaller children (Ruxandra, Gilbert, Patricia. Florenchica). [note: It appears that Marius is in good hands with husband's parents (grandparents).]

Long-term Plan (these mostly depend on successful results in the previous steps)
1. Create a “trust” for the family, possibly a real estate investment in Romania.
2. TBD