Product Evangelism and Social Theories

Exercising Sovereignty-More then a Basketball Decision

Abel Henry — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 20:53:27 +0000

I am a big sports fan and so I return from self imposed social media black out to express my respect for LeBron James’ recent decision. Athletes like actors know too well that million dollar paychecks pose great demands on personal freedom. Scripts are written for you that impact your ENTIRE life to suit the near term benefits of owners, coaches, investors, media, sponsors and fans. So why shouldn’t LBJ walk away from a script written by others to continue to pursue the one he has been living since childhood? LBJ never claimed that he wanted to be the next MJ (look to Kobe for that). Rather if you look at Jame’s demeanor and skill set, you might notice he is on track to replicate if not exceed the accomplishment of the more prolific Magic Johnson. Magic has triumphed as an athlete (at all levels), a sportscaster (still the face of the NBA to many), a business person (a prodigious portfolio of business ventures), a humanitarian (His AIDS work has been significant, especially given his popularity), and a person. Through basketball Magic affects life beyond basketball. LeBron has been candid that his ambition requires him to be more than a basketball player and affect more things in life then sports. So I look forward to watching this remarkable young man pursue the worthy goal of being more than any one thing.

Sidhartha | Excerpt | think, wait and fast

Abel Henry — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 18:48:27 +0000

Siddhartha went to Kamaswami the merchant, he was directed into a rich
house, servants led him between precious carpets into a chamber, where
he awaited the master of the house.

Kamaswami entered, a swiftly, smoothly moving man with very gray hair,
with very intelligent, cautious eyes, with a greedy mouth. Politely,
the host and the guest greeted one another.

“I have been told,” the merchant began, “that you were a Brahman, a
learned man, but that you seek to be in the service of a merchant.
Might you have become destitute, Brahman, so that you seek to serve?”
“No,” said Siddhartha, “I have not become destitute and have never been
destitute. You should know that I’m coming from the Samanas, with
whom I have lived for a long time.”

“If you’re coming from the Samanas, how could you be anything but
destitute? Aren’t the Samanas entirely without possessions?”

“I am without possessions,” said Siddhartha, “if this is what you mean.
Surely, I am without possessions. But I am so voluntarily, and
therefore I am not destitute.”

“But what are you planning to live of, being without possessions?”

“I haven’t thought of this yet, sir. For more than three years, I have
been without possessions, and have never thought about of what I should
live.”

“So you’ve lived of the possessions of others.”

“Presumable this is how it is. After all, a merchant also lives of
what other people own.”

“Well said. But he wouldn’t take anything from another person for
nothing; he would give his merchandise in return.”

“So it seems to be indeed. Everyone takes, everyone gives, such is
life.”

“But if you don’t mind me asking: being without possessions, what would
you like to give?”

“Everyone gives what he has. The warrior gives strength, the merchant
gives merchandise, the teacher teachings, the farmer rice, the fisher
fish.”

“Yes indeed. And what is it now what you’ve got to give? What is it
that you’ve learned, what you’re able to do?”

“I can think. I can wait. I can fast.”

“That’s everything?”

“I believe, that’s everything!”

“And what’s the use of that? For example, the fasting– what is it
good for?”

“It is very good, sir. When a person has nothing to eat, fasting is the
smartest thing he could do. When, for example, Siddhartha hadn’t
learned to fast, he would have to accept any kind of service before this
day is up, whether it may be with you or wherever, because hunger would
force him to do so. But like this, Siddhartha can wait calmly, he knows
no impatience, he knows no emergency, for a long time he can allow
hunger to besiege him and can laugh about it. This, sir, is what
fasting is good for.”

Google Chrome | The New Netbook Standard?

Abel Henry — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 17:09:39 +0000

I know I am supposed to distrust companies capable of exercising monopoly influence in the marketplace. However, the guys at Google keep impressing me with their approach to playing the “big boy” game. They keep delivering practical tools and systems that immediately adds value to major and minor players alike. I can’t help forgiving them for being so big since their products help the smalls guys to compete. I have yet to receive a check directly from Google (or write) one). However, I have cashed a ton of them based on work developed leveraging their suite of tools and services. Obviously, they are monetizing/leveraging the information exchange happening on their servers. However, I have yet to experience any adverse outcomes of this process.

Will there eventually be a Google-killer…maybe…most likely. However, because of Google’s bold example of co-creation, the bar has been set outside of business as usual. I look forward to benefiting from the offerings of business leaders capable of surviving in such rarefied domains.

Organic Growth: Beyond PPC and SEO

Abel Henry — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 22:03:35 +0000

For most organizations, the benefits of Web 2.0 and Internet Marketing have yet to be realized. While everyone yearn to move beyond expensive Pay-Per-Click and untraceable SEO strategies offered by dubious digital snake oil merchants, most cannot.

Building and sustaining viral (social network) campaigns powered by an enthusiastic and responsive evangelistic customer (fan) base takes patience, careful messaging and a comprehensive strategy that benefits (buy-in) all stakeholders.

Also, proper archiving and retrieval protocols are required to extend value from the volume of digital artifacts (internal/external) generated by effective distributed (viral) marketing.

Quantum Mechanics: Embracing the Power of Attraction

Abel Henry — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 18:18:13 +0000

In a universe of infinite possibilities nothing occurs by chance. In fact, chance is a concept that lives only in the mind of statisticians and fortune tellers. In truth everything happens because it happens. Probability serves only those who seek to predict the road ahead by peering deep into the past. For those who live in the present “adapt’ is the mantra of choice. This golden path demands releasing control to forces outside the realm of reason. Yet, is it not reason that sets man apart from beast?

What reason do disparate particles have to defy time, space and the odd makers by finding each other across infinite space?

Those who commit acts of spontaneous affection know the power of one moment locked in a cosmic embrace.

Bringing nobility back…

Abel Henry — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 00:55:31 +0000

This is a man who in the age of greed took the high road of community service. This is the good father and husband. This is the humble servant. This is the patient teacher. This is the scholar statesman. This is the man of deep Christian faith.
–Frank Schaeffer (Republican)

African Culture: A Tradition of Healthy Leadership

Abel Henry — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 00:24:00 +0000

Africa as it repurposes itself for new suitors, should avoid the temptation to scorn traditional lovers. Africa’s ancestral knowledge especially in matters of mind-body healing continues to be one of its greatest natural treasures. As the human hosts grows ever repulsed by its collective dysfunction, increasing numbers of its members are investing large amounts of time and money in the healing industry. For those who believe that social and market dynamics will forever be dictated by fear and force, I offer this consideration:

Oprah Winfrey builds an economic empire based on promoting personal transformation then leverages her taste-maker status to help elect the first African American president. Furthermore, President-elect Obama’s unflinching civility inflames the hopes of those seeking relief from bullish behavior, at home and abroad. So I guess, Self Help Pays.

Pan Africa 2.0: Personal Expressions of Historic Proportions

Abel Henry — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 23:55:02 +0000

A free mind is a natural micro climate for cultivating expressions that promote healing and harmony. By resisting the politics of polarization, we can reestablish Africa’s thought and market leadership in the science and business of personal and historic transformation. Let’s consider that Culture is that next layer of identity past the Personal. Therefore, culture contains the set of conventions we use to navigate relationships with those of greatest affinity (Family). Therefore, decisions we make in the Cultural sphere gain momentum (goes viral) as we move from the Personal to the Historical. In turn, historical shifts in identity accelerates the opportunity for personal transformation. My friends and I are increasingly referring to our particular alignment of historic, economic and cognitive identities (culture) as Pan African 2.0

TAN: The Africa Network

Abel Henry — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 23:08:20 +0000

My friends Chadi, Frank, Mario and I traveled to Palo Alto this Saturday to participate in The Africa Network’s annual conference. Each of us had our own reasons for attending this particular conference. However, we all agreed that expanding business opportunities in Africa is timely and important. This message was confirmed by William Guyster whose declaration that Africa is Now drew enthusiastic agreement from the assembly of engineers, scientists, technologists and business executives. Mr. Guyster in his panel address applauds the African entrepreneur’s ingenuity and drive towards increasing their stake in global economics. He acknowledges that opportunities exist to expand the ranks of middle-management professionals with international cross market and cultural perspectives. Appropriately, Mr. Guyster shared the panel with Leila Chirayath who is helping to refine and expand the business case for outsourcing knowledge work to Africa. Both of their contributions reflected the overall mood of the conference: resolute enthusiasm for the process of reimagining Africa, at home and abroad.

Just Ask Alice: How far does the wormhole go?

Abel Henry — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 18:38:53 +0000

One of my college internships as a computer science student allowed me to work with particle physicists at Fermilab, which operated what was then the world’s highest energy particle accelerator (atom smasher). This distinction has been replaced with the unveiling of ALICE, CERN‘s Large Hadron Collider (LHC). Once fully operational the tests conducted will provide insight into prevailing theories under consideration by particle physicist including: The Big Bang Theory, Sting Theory, Dark Matter, and even the Standard Model itself

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Tags: Fermilab, Physics, video, LHC, ALICE