Today I want to tell you the story of how I met a regular guy. An “anyman”. (In an absurd twist, his name is actually John Smith – no joke!) I haven’t had the pleasure of actually shaking his hand or seeing him in person, but that’s OK… that’s not what new media is about. He’s a very talented musician (folk/rock acoustic guitar) and another new media friend pointed me to his music. (http://www.reverbnation.com/johnmichaelsmith) I gave it a listen, and I was instantly hooked! I dropped him an e-mail. Just a quick note, really, just to let him know that I listened and enjoyed his music. What happened next… well, what happened next is why I LOVE new media. Within the same day… he sent me a reply AND a personalized autographed album cover. Tell me, what “old media” musician would ever do that? No one would. But this “Anyman” did. And now he’s earned a fan for life.

Rock on, John Smith. We’re listening.

Image by ~jjjohn~ via Flickr

Yep! You read that correctly! Make it a Monday! Monday’s tend to get a bad rap. But really, Monday’s are weekly resets that we get for free. On Monday mornings we tend to get up and plan out the week. We are energized to conquer the world. I really love Monday’s!

So what happens by Wednesday or Thursday that gets us unmotivated and dejected? Let’s make every morning like Monday morning. Plan out the week. Conquer the world! Are you with me?

Lawrence Livermore Laboratories has discovered the heaviest element yet known to science.

The new element, Governmentium (Gv), has one neutron, 25 assistant neutrons, 88 deputy neutrons, and 198 assistant deputy neutrons, giving it an atomic mass of 312.

These 312 particles are held together by forces called morons, which are surrounded by vast quantities of lepton-like particles called peons.

Since Governmentium has no electrons, it is inert; however, it can be detected, because it impedes every reaction with which it comes into contact. A tiny amount of Governmentium can cause a reaction that would normally take less than a second, to take from 4 days to 4 years to complete.

Governmentium has a normal half-life of 2- 6 years. It does not decay, but instead undergoes a reorganization in which a portion of the assistant neutrons and deputy neutrons exchange places.

In fact, Governmentium’s mass will actually increase over time, since each reorganization will cause more morons to become neutrons, forming isodopes.

This characteristic of morons promotion leads some scientists to believe that Governmentium is formed whenever morons reach a critical concentration. This hypothetical quantity is referred to as critical morass.

When catalysed with money, Governmentium becomes Administratium, an element that radiates just as much energy as Governmentium since it has half as many peons but twice as many morons.

* I did not write this. It has been circulating around the web for some time but seems more fitting than ever right now.

It is my right to be uncommon—if I can.

I seek opportunity—not security. I do not wish to be a kept citizen, humbled and dulled by having the state look after me.

I want to take the calculated risk; to dream and to build, to fail and to succeed.

I refuse to barter incentive for a dole. I prefer the challenges of life to the guaranteed existence; the thrill of fulfillment to the stale calm of utopia.

I will not trade freedom for beneficence nor my dignity for a handout. I will never cower before any master nor bend to any threat.

It is my heritage to stand erect, proud and unafraid; to think and act for myself, enjoy the benefit of my creations and to face the world boldly and say, “This I have done.”

By Dean Alfange

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*Originally published in This Week Magazine.
Later printed in The Reader’s Digest, October 1952 and January 1954.

The Honorable Dean Alfange was an American statesman born December 2, 1899, in Constantinople (now Istanbul). He was raised in upstate New York. He served in the U.S. Army during World War I and attended Hamilton College, graduating in the class of 1922.

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

Who are you pushing around?

No, it’s not what you think. Sure, we can push people around. We can push people aside. We can even push people down. But, what I am asking is, “who is it that you are pushing up?”  Are you believing in someone? Are you encouraging someone?

“Flatter me, and I may not believe you. Criticize me, and I may not like you. Ignore me, and I may not forgive you. Encourage me, and I will not forget you.” - William Arthur Ward

I have been blessed in that I have had so many instances in my life where someone else has encouraged me and pushed me up. An encouraging word works wonders. Good thoughts are great, but they don’t go anywhere. Give someone the simple gift of good words of encouragement and there is no limit to where they can go.

So encourage someone today. Be a push-upper.

Image via Wikipedia

I firmly believe that it is in our basic nature to be helpful.

When we see someone in our homes, families, or communities that need help, it is our natural instinct to want to reach out and lend a hand. When we help each other rise up individually we help the entire community rise up. So what is it about our societal influences that shunt our helpful natures? At what point did we get burned?

One of the the childhood jokes I remember goes like this: A kid dials 411. the operator answers and says, “Information, what listing please?” The kids says, “Hi, what time is it?” To which the operator snorts, “This is information, directory assistance, we don’t give the time. That’s a different number!” The kid shrugs and answers innocently, “Well, don’t you have a watch?”

It’s not the funniest joke in the world, but it teaches some lessons about being helpful. Are we so focused on “the task at hand” that we lose sight of what it is that our brother, neighbor, or customers really need? I urge you to take a moment to reflect on your relationships at work, school, and in your families, and try to find ways to truly be helpful.