Mitch Joel's Blog: Six Pixels of Separation, page 21

January 7, 2025

Truth, Lies, And The Wisdom Of Crowds

Meta is shaking things up – again… and in a big way.

The tech giant, led by CEO Mark Zuckerberg, has decided to scrap its third-party fact-checking program.
Instead?
It’s taking a page from Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter) by rolling out “community notes,” a system where users themselves provide context for posts.
Think of it as a crowdsourced truth experiment.

The big question is:

Does this make Meta more transparent – or less trustworthy?
Meta’s decision marks a dramatic pivot.
Since 2016, the company has partnered with dozens of organizations to combat misinformation.
That effort began after the fallout from Donald Trump’s first election, when Facebook (now Meta) was criticized for failing to stop the spread of fake news and foreign propaganda.
But Zuckerberg now says the system created “too many mistakes and too much censorship.”
Mistakes? Sure.

Censorship? Depends on who you ask.

For years, Republican lawmakers have blasted Meta for allegedly silencing conservative voices.
Now, with President-elect Trump poised to take office again, Meta’s timing feels… strategic?

The X Effect.

Like X’s “community notes” program, Meta’s new approach will rely on user contributions to flag and contextualize posts across Facebook, Instagram, and Threads.

The idea?

Empower the crowd to police the platform.

The reality?

Crowdsourcing truth is messy.
On X, community notes have been praised for adding transparency to misleading posts, but they’ve also been criticized for inconsistencies and inaccuracies.

Can Meta do better?

Or is this just shifting responsibility from professionals to amateurs?
There’s no ignoring the optics here.
In the lead-up to this shift, Zuckerberg has been cozying up to Trump and his allies.
He’s publicly expressed regret for removing COVID-19-related posts under government pressure.
He’s praised Trump as “badass” and even dined with him at Mar-a-Lago.
Meanwhile, Meta’s newly-appointed head of global affairs, Joel Kaplan, has called Trump’s upcoming presidency a “real opportunity” to recommit to free expression.
Add UFC CEO and Trump ally Dana White to Meta’s board of directors, and you’ve got the makings of a strategic realignment.
The transition will also see Meta’s trust and safety team moved from California to Texas, signaling a geographic and cultural shift within the company.

The stakes couldn’t be higher.

But what happens when the pendulum swings too far the other way?

What’s Next?

Meta’s decision to ditch fact-checking raises fundamental questions about Big Tech’s role in public discourse.
Are these platforms arbiters of truth – or just neutral arenas for debate?
And if they’re the latter, who holds them accountable when the debate goes off the rails?
In an era where trust in institutions is at an all-time low, Meta’s gamble is bold.
The question is:
Will it pay off—or will it backfire spectacularly?

And… what will happen in Canada where news is currently banned?

This is what Elias Makos and I discussed on CJAD 800 AM. Listen in right here.

Mitch Joel · Truth, Lies, And the Wisdom Of Crowds

Before you go… ThinkersOne is a new way for organizations to buy bite-sized and personalized thought leadership video content (live and recorded) from the best Thinkers in the world. If you’re looking to add excitement and big smarts to your meetings, corporate events, company off-sites, “lunch & learns” and beyond, check it out.

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Published on January 07, 2025 12:26

January 5, 2025

Tom Asacker On The Psychology Of Desire And Human Behavior – This Week’s Six Pixels of Separation Podcast

Episode #965 of Six Pixels of Separation – The ThinkersOne Podcast is now live and ready for you to listen to:

Tom Asacker has been challenging my thinking for years, ever since we first connected in the mid-2000s when his book, A Clear Eye For Branding, offered a fresh perspective on marketing and branding. Over the years, Tom has continued to push boundaries, diving into the intersection of belief, behavior, and what truly drives us. His latest book, Unwinding Want – Using Your Mind To Escape Your Thoughts, is a natural progression of his work, building on the insights he explored in earlier books like The Business Of Belief, Sandbox Wisdom, I Am Keats, and Your Brain On Story. In this conversation, Tom and I delved deep into the paradox of desire – how what we think we want often reflects our conditioning rather than our true selves. We discussed how marketers manipulate emotions, the societal constructs that shape our decisions, and the role of personal agency in breaking free from unconscious patterns. Tom shares profound insights about the human experience, such as how recognizing our conditioning can help us make more authentic choices and how the pursuit of comfort can sometimes rob us of meaningful experiences. He also touched on how AI mimics the human mind’s patterns, creating an eerie reflection of our own thought loops. What I’ve always appreciated about Tom is his ability to merge intellectual rigor with practical wisdom, challenging us to reexamine not just what we want but why we want it. If you’ve ever found yourself questioning whether the life you’re living is truly your own, this episode – and Tom’s work – might just give you the tools to find out. This is a great discussion to kick off 2025 (Happy New Year!). Enjoy the conversation!

You can grab the latest episode of Six Pixels of Separation here (or feel free to subscribe via Apple Podcast or whatever platform you may choose):  #965 – Six Pixels of Separation – The ThinkersOne Podcast.

Before you go… ThinkersOne  is a new way for organizations to buy bite-sized and personalized thought leadership video content (live and recorded) from the best Thinkers in the world. If you’re looking to add excitement and big smarts to your meetings, corporate events, company off-sites, “lunch & learns” and beyond,check it out.

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Published on January 05, 2025 03:10

SPOS #965 – Tom Asacker On The Psychology Of Desire And Human Behavior

Welcome to episode #965 of Six Pixels of Separation – The ThinkersOne Podcast.

Tom Asacker has been challenging my thinking for years, ever since we first connected in the mid-2000s when his book, A Clear Eye For Branding, offered a fresh perspective on marketing and branding. Over the years, Tom has continued to push boundaries, diving into the intersection of belief, behavior, and what truly drives us. His latest book, Unwinding Want – Using Your Mind To Escape Your Thoughts, is a natural progression of his work, building on the insights he explored in earlier books like The Business Of Belief, Sandbox Wisdom, I Am Keats, and Your Brain On Story. In this conversation, Tom and I delved deep into the paradox of desire – how what we think we want often reflects our conditioning rather than our true selves. We discussed how marketers manipulate emotions, the societal constructs that shape our decisions, and the role of personal agency in breaking free from unconscious patterns. Tom shares profound insights about the human experience, such as how recognizing our conditioning can help us make more authentic choices and how the pursuit of comfort can sometimes rob us of meaningful experiences. He also touched on how AI mimics the human mind’s patterns, creating an eerie reflection of our own thought loops. What I’ve always appreciated about Tom is his ability to merge intellectual rigor with practical wisdom, challenging us to reexamine not just what we want but why we want it. If you’ve ever found yourself questioning whether the life you’re living is truly your own, this episode – and Tom’s work – might just give you the tools to find out. This is a great discussion to kick off 2025 (Happy New Year!). Enjoy the conversation!

Running time: 1:12:22.Hello from beautiful Montreal.Listen and subscribe over at Apple Podcasts.Listen and subscribe over at Spotify.Please visit and leave comments on the blog – Six Pixels of Separation.Feel free to connect to me directly on Facebook here: Mitch Joel on Facebook.Check out ThinkersOne.or you can connect on LinkedIn.…or on Twitter.Here is my conversation with Tom Asacker.Unwinding Want – Using Your Mind To Escape Your Thoughts.A Clear Eye For Branding.The Business Of Belief.Sandbox Wisdom.I Am Keats.Your Brain On Story.Check out Tom’s amazing Substack.Follow Tom on LinkedIn.This week’s music: David Usher ‘St. Lawrence River’.

Chapters:

(00:00) – Exploring the Intersection of Marketing and Psychology.
(02:51) – The Insight Behind Unwinding Want.
(06:00) – Understanding Human Behavior and Conditioning.
(09:00) – The Role of Marketing in Shaping Desires.
(12:00) – Artificial Intelligence and Emotional Connection.
(14:53) – The Limitations of AI in Guiding Human Life.
(18:07) – The Impact of Conditioning on Life Choices.
(20:51) – Navigating the Pursuit of Authenticity.
(23:55) – The Influence of Society on Personal Desires.
(27:08) – The Future of Human Connection and AI.
(29:59) – Reflections on Scarcity and Abundance in Society.
(37:20) – Exploring Reality and Perception.
(40:09) – The Concept of Moloch and Its Implications.
(44:13) – The Divisive Nature of Beliefs.
(49:52) – Navigating Systemic Challenges and Personal Agency.
(53:58) – The Role of Nonconformity in Personal Growth.
(59:49) – Understanding the Marketplace of Wants.
(01:03:02) – The Importance of Relationships in Life.
(01:06:50) – Embracing Change and Curiosity.

Download the Podcast here: Six Pixels of Separation – The ThinkersOne Podcast – Episode #965.

Before you go… ThinkersOne  is a new way for organizations to buy bite-sized and personalized thought leadership video content (live and recorded) from the best Thinkers in the world. If you’re looking to add excitement and big smarts to your meetings, corporate events, company off-sites, “lunch & learns” and beyond, check it out.

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Published on January 05, 2025 03:00

January 4, 2025

Six Links That Make You Think #758

Is there one link, story, picture or thought that you saw online this week that you think somebody you know must see?

My friends: Alistair Croll (Solve for Interesting, Tilt the Windmill, Interesting Bits, HBS, chair of Strata, Startupfest, FWD50, and Scaletechconf; author of Lean Analytics and some other books), Hugh McGuire (Rebus Foundation, PressBooks, LibriVox) and I decided that every week the three of us are going to share one link for one another (for a total of six links) that each individual feels the other person “must see.”

Check out these six links that we’re recommending to one another:

Vault (Organelle) – Wikipedia . “There’s a massive, neatly-knitted structure in our cells. We don’t know what it does. It might be a tamper-proof package for delivering things. It’s beautiful. Someone even crocheted one.” (Alistair for Hugh). Coldplay – All My Love – YouTube . “I’m not crying, you’re crying. Dick Van Dyke at 99, bent from arthritis and a life well lived, dances as best he can to Coldplay. Interspersed with clips from his unparalleled career as an entertainer, and surrounded by family, this is an incredible video about mortality. I defy you to watch it without crying.” (Alistair for Mitch). Adam Frank: Alien Civilizations And The Search For Extraterrestrial Life – Lex Fridman Podcast #455 – YouTube . “There have been, astrophysicist Adam Frank calculates,10 billion trillion habitable planets since the formation of the universe. Forget the drone/orb mania, and instead have a listen to this discussion about the statistical case of life elsewhere, as well as a bonus deep dive into what our materialist paradigm of science might be missing.” (Hugh for Alistair).  Hawk Tuah Wasn’t What It Seemed – The Atlantic . “I kept reading and reading and reading this long article in horror wondering if Mitch is correct: Someone is playing with the settings of the simulation.” (Hugh for Mitch).Shopify CEO Tobi Lütke Shares His Secrets To Entrepreneurial Success – Shopify”It’s a new year… welcome to 2025. I was thinking (deeply) over this holiday break about what I hope to focus on in 2025. The first concept that resonated with me was ‘be the entrepreneur’. Not that I haven’t been one, but to always think (and act) like one (so, maybe this is more of a reminder for me than a link that I am sharing with you?). It’s part of what I believe gives me an ‘edge’ (or however you want to define it). I’ve led a charmed life, and this includes meeting Tobi Lutke and Harley Finkelstein from Shopify from the very early days. Watching Tobi and Harley’s ascent has been a front-row seat to one of the more exciting businesses… and business philosophies. So what does it mean to be an entrepreneur (and how do you keep that mindset when you become one of the wealthiest and most powerful people in business today)? Here are some answers from someone that I deeply respect…” (Mitch for Alistair). A Low Maintenance Life –  The Art Of Simple Living – Nick Houchin – YouTube . “I don’t know Nick Houchin… and I don’t know how this video found its way into my YouTube feed. I clicked the link and realized that many of the questions Nick asks about life are some of the same concepts that I have been grappling with. So, another concept for me to focus on in 2025 is ’not wanting to want’. As much as I love retail, the latest tech gadgets or even collecting comic books… I also realized that I really don’t want anything more (and, sometimes I want to get ride of the stuff that I have). Not that I’m looking to become a minimalists… not that I’m looking to shun consumption… it’s just this thought that I really don’t need much and that I am already so fortunate to have everything that I need. Stuff is not experiences. Experiences aren’t based on stuff. I know that we all know this, but this video reminds me of what I’m aiming for. Maybe it will help you think differently too?” (Mitch for Hugh).

Feel free to share these links and add your picks on XFacebook, in the comments below or wherever you play.

Before you go… ThinkersOne  is a new way for organizations to buy bite-sized and personalized thought leadership video content (live and recorded) from the best Thinkers in the world. If you’re looking to add excitement  and big smarts to your meetings, corporate events, company off-sites, “lunch & learns” and beyond, check it out.

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Published on January 04, 2025 03:00

January 2, 2025

Michael Manring On This Month’s Groove – The No Treble Podcast

“Wait… did I miss something? Why is there an article about a bass podcast on Six Pixels of Separation?”

Here’s why:
In the late nineties my first job was as a music journalist (actually, my first interview was with Tommy Lee from Motley Crue right before the band released Dr. Feelgood).
I spent many years interviewing musicians and artists for local weekly alternative newspapers, national and international magazines (and even published three music magazines – before we had the Internet).
I also studied and played the electric bass (in high school and post-secondary) and always felt like bass players never really had a chance to tell their stories.
So, about ten years ago, Seth Godin introduced me to Corey Brown (founder of No Treble – one of the world’s biggest bass platforms – and he also worked on Squidoo with Seth).
From there, Corey and I decided to try this monthly podcast where I would interview bass players and talk about their music, art, creativity and more.
I’m hopeful that these conversations will inspire your work, creativity and innovation as much as they do for me…

Michael Manring is this month’s conversation on Groove – The No Treble Podcast.

You can listen the new episode right here: Groove – The No Treble Podcast – Episode #122 – Michael Manring.

Groove – Episode #121: Michael Manring by No Treble

Michael Manring is not just another bassist. He’s a true explorer who has spent decades pushing well beyond the conventional boundaries of what the instrument can do, carving out a unique path that’s as much about curiosity, physics, and emotional resonance as it is about low notes and grooves. Growing up in the late 1960s, at a time when music seemed to crack open and reinvent itself daily, Michael was that rare kid who became enamored with the bass itself, right down to its tonal core and the visceral feeling it evoked. By age nine he’d latched onto the electric bass, pulling from the chaotic, culture-shifting energy of Woodstock, and learning his way forward through a mixture of hunger, instinct, and voracious reading. This early fascination broadened into an obsession with tuning systems, fretless intonation, and new sonic vocabularies. He dove headlong into the complexities of just intonation, psychoacoustics, and the science of sound, studying with remarkable teachers and even dabbling in the esoteric brilliance of pioneers like Harry Partch. Yet even at his most theoretical, Michael never lost touch with the physical joy of playing, whether comping notes on a rented bass as a child or evolving into the kind of musician who wields hipshot tuners, E-bows, and cleverly mapped fingering systems to unlock endless possibilities. From embracing the challenge of fretless strings to learning directly from Jaco Pastorius in early ’80s New York clubs to forging new paths as a solo artist and collaborator, Michael has steadily charted an original course. He’s performed tributes to his friend Michael Hedges, worked alongside young virtuosos who discovered him from obscure YouTube clips, and approached every new project with both reverence and restless imagination. While many bassists are content to anchor the band in traditional ways, Michael stands out as a rare mind willing to ask: “what if the instrument can do more, say more, and still feel utterly human?” All of this leads us to the present moment – catching him alongside Calum Graham in Montreal (my hometown), reflecting on decades of sonic experimentation, still as fascinated as ever by the notion that we’ve barely scratched the surface of what this low-end beast can do. In his hands, the bass transforms from a mere supporting player into a shape-shifting storyteller capable of delivering soulful melodies, impossible harmonics, and rhythmic textures that feel like entire ensembles condensed into four strings. We all benefit when a musician like Michael shows us just how far we can push against the edges of possibility. This is his second time on the show. Enjoy the conversation…

What is Groove – The No Treble Podcast?

This is an ambitious effort. This will be a fascinating conversation. Our goal at Groove is to build the largest oral history of bass players. Why Groove? Most of the content about the bass revolves around gear, playing techniques, and more technical chatter. For us, bassists are creative artists with stories to tell. They are a force to be reckon with. These are the stories and conversation that we will capture. To create this oral history of why these artists chose the bass, what their creative lives are like, and where inspiration can be found.

Listen in:  Groove – The No Treble Podcast – Episode #121- Michael Manring.

Are you interested in what’s next? How to decode the future? I publish between 2-3 times per week and then the Six Pixels of Separation Podcast comes out every Sunday. Feel free to subscribe (and tell your friends). 

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Published on January 02, 2025 13:00

January 1, 2025

The Cost Of Clicks – Who Should Pay For News And Journalism?

Australia is no stranger to taking on Big Tech.

And now, the country is doubling down.
This week, the Australian government announced a “News Bargaining Initiative” aimed squarely at global giants like Meta and Google.

The goal?

Force these companies to pay Australian media outlets for news content shared on their platforms – or risk massive fines.

But here’s the bigger question:

Is this about fairness, or just a Band-Aid on a broken system?
Australia’s new initiative builds on its 2021 law that required tech platforms to compensate news publishers.
That earlier legislation resulted in deals between platforms and major Australian outlets like News Corp and ABC.

But there’s a catch:

Meta has already said it won’t renew those agreements beyond 2024.
Under the new rules, platforms with over AU$250 million (around $160 million USD) in annual Australian revenue will either need to strike voluntary deals with publishers – or face steep fines.
In other words, the government is telling Big Tech: pay up, or get out.

News publishers argue these rules level the playing field.

For years, tech platforms have profited from news content – without sharing the wealth (or have they?).
The links drive traffic (and ad dollars) to Google and Meta, but at the same time they drive readers to the news outlets site where more ads, subscriptions and other monetization happens.
Meta also claims news isn’t a major draw for its platforms and insists that publishers voluntarily post content because they see value in the exposure.

So, who’s right?

And more importantly, who gets to decide the value of news in a digital ecosystem?
Australia’s fight with Big Tech isn’t happening in a vacuum.
Countries like Canada and the EU are watching closely – and some are already implementing similar policies.

But here’s the twist:

Every time a government demands that platforms pay for news, the platforms threaten to pull the plug.
In Canada, Meta blocked news content entirely after the country passed its own “Online News Act.”
The question now is whether Australia’s tougher approach will force compliance – or spark another news blackout.

There’s a bigger issue lurking beneath this battle:

How much responsibility should Big Tech have for the industries it disrupts?
Critics of Australia’s new rules say forcing tech companies to subsidize news sets a dangerous precedent.
Why should one industry be responsible for propping up another?
Meta has argued that its platforms don’t rely on news content to thrive.
And frankly, they’re not wrong.

Social media has moved far beyond news.

It’s about memes, reels, podcasts, and even viral dances – not so much investigative journalism.
So, is this really about saving the news – or is it about governments trying to claw back control from tech giants?
This fight seems to be about more than money.

It’s about power.

Who gets to decide what we see, share, and value online?
As platforms like Meta and Google reshape how we consume information, the rules of engagement are still being written.
Australia’s bold stance is a step toward accountability.
But will it be enough to rebuild trust between Big Tech and the news industry?

Or are we just playing whack-a-mole with a problem that’s far from solved?

This is what Robyn Flynn and I discussed on CJAD 800 AM. Listen in right here.

Mitch Joel · The Cost Of Clicks – Who Should Pay For News And Journalism?

Before you go… ThinkersOne is a new way for organizations to buy bite-sized and personalized thought leadership video content (live and recorded) from the best Thinkers in the world. If you’re looking to add excitement and big smarts to your meetings, corporate events, company off-sites, “lunch & learns” and beyond, check it out.

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Published on January 01, 2025 10:06

December 29, 2024

Tamsen Webster On Big Ideas That You Can’t Unhear – This Week’s Six Pixels of Separation Podcast

Episode #964 of Six Pixels of Separation – The ThinkersOne Podcast is now live and ready for you to listen to:

Tamsen Webster is an expert of messaging and an architect of transformative communication. Over her 25-year career, Tamsen has helped leaders, from Harvard Medical School to Fidelity Investments, craft messages that don’t just resonate – they stick, long after the words are spoken. Her latest book, Say What They Can’t Unhear – The 9 Principles of Lasting Change (she is also the author of Find Your Red Thread), is a guide to creating messages so compelling, they can’t be ignored. In our conversation, we explored her fresh take on persuasion, focusing on building understanding before asking for agreement – a concept so simple yet often overlooked. Tamsen revealed why storytelling still works (hint: our brains are wired for it) but also why it sometimes fails, especially when the story doesn’t align with the audience’s core beliefs. Her approach, rooted in science and steeped in empathy, pushes us to find common ground – not by oversimplifying the message, but by connecting with deeply held truths. Our dialogue covered everything from the evolution of storytelling to the resurgence of Socratic discourse in modern conversations, and even how polarization impacts how we communicate. But what struck me most was her ability to balance the rational with the emotional, showing that truly effective messaging requires both. Tamsen’s insights go beyond the typical “problem-solution” framework, offering a model that encourages dialogue, understanding, and long-term engagement. If you’ve ever struggled to present a big idea or faced resistance when trying to spark change, this episode is a masterclass in how to say what others can’t unhear. Enjoy the conversation…

You can grab the latest episode of Six Pixels of Separation here (or feel free to subscribe via Apple Podcast or whatever platform you may choose):  #964 – Six Pixels of Separation – The ThinkersOne Podcast.

Before you go… ThinkersOne  is a new way for organizations to buy bite-sized and personalized thought leadership video content (live and recorded) from the best Thinkers in the world. If you’re looking to add excitement and big smarts to your meetings, corporate events, company off-sites, “lunch & learns” and beyond,check it out.

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Published on December 29, 2024 03:10

SPOS #964 – Tamsen Webster On Big Ideas That You Can’t Unhear

Welcome to episode #964 of Six Pixels of Separation – The ThinkersOne Podcast.

Tamsen Webster is an expert of messaging and an architect of transformative communication. Over her 25-year career, Tamsen has helped leaders, from Harvard Medical School to Fidelity Investments, craft messages that don’t just resonate – they stick, long after the words are spoken. Her latest book, Say What They Can’t Unhear – The 9 Principles of Lasting Change (she is also the author of Find Your Red Thread), is a guide to creating messages so compelling, they can’t be ignored. In our conversation, we explored her fresh take on persuasion, focusing on building understanding before asking for agreement – a concept so simple yet often overlooked. Tamsen revealed why storytelling still works (hint: our brains are wired for it) but also why it sometimes fails, especially when the story doesn’t align with the audience’s core beliefs. Her approach, rooted in science and steeped in empathy, pushes us to find common ground – not by oversimplifying the message, but by connecting with deeply held truths. Our dialogue covered everything from the evolution of storytelling to the resurgence of Socratic discourse in modern conversations, and even how polarization impacts how we communicate. But what struck me most was her ability to balance the rational with the emotional, showing that truly effective messaging requires both. Tamsen’s insights go beyond the typical “problem-solution” framework, offering a model that encourages dialogue, understanding, and long-term engagement. If you’ve ever struggled to present a big idea or faced resistance when trying to spark change, this episode is a masterclass in how to say what others can’t unhear. Enjoy the conversation…

Running time: 1:07:50.Hello from beautiful Montreal.Listen and subscribe over at Apple Podcasts.Listen and subscribe over at Spotify.Please visit and leave comments on the blog – Six Pixels of Separation.Feel free to connect to me directly on Facebook here: Mitch Joel on Facebook.Check out ThinkersOne.or you can connect on LinkedIn.…or on Twitter.Here is my conversation with Tamsen Webster.Say What They Can’t Unhear – The 9 Principles of Lasting Change.Find Your Red Thread.Message Design Institute.Follow Tamsen on X.Follow Tamsen on Instagram.Follow Tamsen on LinkedIn.This week’s music: David Usher ‘St. Lawrence River’.

Chapters:

(00:00) – Introduction to Tamsen Webster and Her Work.
(01:53) – The Evolution of Storytelling.
(05:36) – Understanding the Structure of Stories.
(07:59) – Why Stories Sometimes Fail.
(10:06) – The Impact of Polarization on Storytelling.
(12:25) – Beliefs and Their Role in Storytelling.
(17:54) – Finding Common Ground in Communication.
(20:35) – The Importance of Understanding in Persuasion.
(24:56) – Permission Persuasion: A New Approach.
(26:55) – Character Development in Storytelling.
(30:48) – The Shift in Storytelling Techniques.
(35:43) – Excavating Beliefs for Better Communication.
(37:50) – Understanding Cause and Effect in Communication.
(40:00) – The Challenge of New Ideas in a Saturated Market.
(42:59) – The Importance of Long-Term Engagement.
(45:53) – Exploring the Depth of Storytelling.
(48:51) – The Return of Socratic Discourse.
(53:09) – Bridging the Gap Between Rational and Emotional Understanding.

Download the Podcast here: Six Pixels of Separation – The ThinkersOne Podcast – Episode #964.

Before you go… ThinkersOne  is a new way for organizations to buy bite-sized and personalized thought leadership video content (live and recorded) from the best Thinkers in the world. If you’re looking to add excitement and big smarts to your meetings, corporate events, company off-sites, “lunch & learns” and beyond, check it out.

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Published on December 29, 2024 03:00

December 28, 2024

Six Links That Make You Think #757

Is there one link, story, picture or thought that you saw online this week that you think somebody you know must see?

My friends: Alistair Croll (Solve for Interesting, Tilt the Windmill, Interesting Bits, HBS, chair of Strata, Startupfest, FWD50, and Scaletechconf; author of Lean Analytics and some other books), Hugh McGuire (Rebus Foundation, PressBooks, LibriVox) and I decided that every week the three of us are going to share one link for one another (for a total of six links) that each individual feels the other person “must see.”

Check out these six links that we’re recommending to one another:

Prince Rupert’s Drop Vs. Hydraulic Press – r/interesting – Reddit“A few weeks back, my partner and I spent a weekend in Vermont. While there, we visited a glassblowing studio and made cups, paperweights, and even a carafe. It was amazing, and our teacher was a bearded curmudgeon plucked from the front row of a Pearl Jam concert. He reminded me about Prince Ruperts’ Drop, which happens when a superheated blob of molten glass is dunked in cold water. It hardens, and the bulb becomes incredibly strong while the tip, when tapped, explodes violently. I’ve seen videos of the explosion part, but not the strength of the bulb. It’s a lot. Have a look at how it fares against a metal hydraulic press.” (Alistair for Hugh). Never Forgive Them – Ed Zitron . Ed Zitron one-ups Cory Doctorow‘s enshittification, calling it a ‘Big Rot’ that’s an inevitable consequence of a growth-at-all-costs world. ‘The tools we use in our daily lives outside of our devices have mostly stayed the same. While buttons on our cars might have moved around – and I’m not even getting into Tesla’s designs right now – we generally have a brake, an accelerator, a wheel, and a turn signal… We’re not expected to work out ‘the new way to use a toilet’ every few months because somebody decided we were finishing too quickly. Yet our apps and the platforms we use every day operate by a totally different moral and intellectual compass.’ As we discussed at lunch a few weeks back, this may be built into the mechanics of evolution itself. You will love this, it will make you angry, and we – as a species – need to figure it out fast.” (Alistair for Mitch). The World Of Tomorrow – Virginia Postrel – Works In Progress . “There was a time when the ‘future’ was glamorous and exciting. Instead we got a disappointing present and a scary future.” (Hugh for Alistair). One Company A/B Tested Hybrid Work. Here’s What They Found – Nicholas Bloom, James Liang, and Ruobing Han – Harvard Business Review . “It’s amazing that something as significant as hybrid work/work from home vs. work from office doesn’t have more hard data associated with it. Trip.com did a study. Main finding: huge reduction in turnover.” (Hugh for Mitch). 20 Paradoxes That Will Boggle Your Mind – Paul Anthony Jones – Mental Floss”I’m willing to bet that most people use the word ‘paradox’ without really knowing what a paradox is (no need to Google it: A paradox is a statement, situation, or idea that appears to go against common sense – at first glance, it seems contradictory or even impossible. But when you look deeper, you realize that this puzzling statement might hold truth or make sense in a different way). Now, here are some real gems of a paradox. Want a sample? How about The Grandfather Paradox… ‘All of us know that if you ever travel back in time, you should definitely not kill your own grandfather, lest you create some kind of temporal paradox-slash-rift in the space-time continuum. This problem, known as the Grandfather Paradox, presents the main problem of time travel: If you go back and prevent yourself from being born, how would you ever have been able to go back in time in the first place?’” (Mitch for Alistair). The Best Science Images Of 2024 – Nature . “I’m only sick of bad ‘end of year’ lists. This is not that. With all the chaos, calamity and pure nonsense of this past year, here’s a dash of beauty/surprise that might help us all realize how small our problems might be in the grand scheme of science and life. So, in all of this madness… check this out…” (Mitch for Hugh).

Feel free to share these links and add your picks on XFacebook, in the comments below or wherever you play.

Before you go… ThinkersOne  is a new way for organizations to buy bite-sized and personalized thought leadership video content (live and recorded) from the best Thinkers in the world. If you’re looking to add excitement  and big smarts to your meetings, corporate events, company off-sites, “lunch & learns” and beyond, check it out.

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Published on December 28, 2024 03:00

December 23, 2024

The Ultimate Tech Gift Guide For 2024

Gifting tech can be risky.

Do you go practical or trendy?
Budget-friendly or splurge-worthy?
Luckily, this year’s tech gift lineup offers something for everyone – from the casual gadget enthusiast to the die-hard techie in your life.

Here’s a curated list to make your holiday shopping a breeze.

Smart And Simple Gifts (Under $50).

Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI by Ethan Mollick. Books are timeless, and this one is particularly timely. If your loved one is curious about AI’s impact on our lives, this $20 read will hit the mark. Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds. Who says good sound has to break the bank? These budget-friendly earbuds ($20) deliver quality audio without the premium price tag. INIU Power Bank. We’ve all been there – low battery and nowhere to charge. This $30 portable charger is compact, powerful, and an absolute lifesaver. MOFT Phone Tripod Stand. For the content creators or video-call champions in your life, this $40 gadget doubles as a sleek, portable phone stand (plus it attaches with magsafe). Owala FreeSip Insulated Water Bottle. Hydration meets innovation. At $40, this bottle comes with a built-in straw, making it perfect for tech enthusiasts on the go.

Thoughtful Mid-Range Picks ($50–$150).

UGREEN Nexode Pro 100W USB-C Charger. This $80 GaN charger powers multiple devices at lightning speed – ideal for the multitasker in your life.ARZOPA Portable Monitor. A portable monitor for $70? Perfect for remote workers or travelers who want extra screen real estate on the go.Amazon Kindle. Starting at $150, the Kindle remains a top choice for bookworms who prefer a digital library over a stack of paperbacks.

Premium Picks For The Splurge-Worthy List ($150+). 

Shokz OpenRun Pro. At $160, these bone-conduction headphones are a game-changer for fitness buffs who need great sound without sacrificing situational awareness. iPad Mini. If you’re ready to splurge, the iPad Mini ($680+) is a gift that keeps on giving. Compact yet powerful, it’s perfect for reading, streaming, sketching, or just about anything else.

Non-Techy But Tech-Adjacent

Subscriptions to digital newspapers or magazines make thoughtful gifts (think Substack, Medium, The Free Press or even YouTube Premium).

Why these gifts work…

The best tech gifts aren’t just flashy – they’re functional.
They solve problems, enhance daily life, or spark joy in unexpected ways.
Whether it’s keeping your devices charged, staying hydrated, or diving into a good book, these gifts blend utility with thoughtfulness.

Happy shopping!
Happy Holidays!

This is what Robyn Flynn and I discussed on CJAD 800 AM. Listen in right here.

Mitch Joel · The Ultimate Tech Gift Guide For 2024

Before you go… ThinkersOne is a new way for organizations to buy bite-sized and personalized thought leadership video content (live and recorded) from the best Thinkers in the world. If you’re looking to add excitement and big smarts to your meetings, corporate events, company off-sites, “lunch & learns” and beyond, check it out.

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Published on December 23, 2024 13:54

Six Pixels of Separation

Mitch Joel
Insights on brands, consumers and technology. A focus on business books and non-fiction authors.
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