Simon S. Tam's Blog, page 9
May 15, 2017
Ready. Set. Stop.
It’s quiet. Eerily quiet.
Returning home after a long stretch of touring is a strange sensation. The closest comparison that comes to mind is whiplash. You go from a constant state of motion, with nearly every moment of life pre-scheduled into thirty minute blocks in Google Calendar, with most choices already made in advance, with the same set of clothes, and same set of travel companions…to one silence, one bed (your own), and one dog (your own).
For the last 45 days, I have been in that s...
July 14, 2016
Portland State University Multicultural Graduation Keynote (Video & Text)
Last month, I had the honor and privilege of being the keynote speaker for Portland State University’s 2016 Multicultural Graduation. The video of the speech can be found above. Here’s the original text:
It’s a great honor to be speaking with you – not only because I’m addressing a graduating class that has the potential to shape the future, but because I am specifically talking to THE group whose achievements all others will be measured against in terms of justice.
You see, your class is u...
June 5, 2016
Upcoming Entrepreneurship Seminar
On June 25th, I’ll be teaching an all-day seminar onEntrepreneurship at Marylhurst University. While it is generally reserved for current MBA and business management students, the school is welcoming community members to attend as well.
Below is information about the class:
Entrepreneurship involves the process of converting an idea or invention into a successful enterprise embodied in an organizational form. Entrepreneurship embraces the full range of traits and skills including creativity,...
March 11, 2016
How Social Media Affects Elections
Today, I participated in a panel from City Club of Portland’s Friday Forum on how social media affects elections in Oregon. I was honored to join a distinguished group of experts, each with a unique perspective into the role that new media plays with social change. Below is the Storify recap of social media posts discussing the event as well as an embedded YouTube video of the broadcast itself:
February 16, 2016
Developing Truly Diverse and Inclusive Marketing and Communications
Tomorrow, Feb 17th, I’ll be presenting a workshop for the American Marketers Association Portland chapter called “Stop Tokenizing Me: How to Be Diverse and Inclusive In Your Marketing.”
As I hint in the description, diversity and inclusion are often afterthoughts, especially in the world of marketing and communications. When “diversity” is seen as something to be included in imagery rather than something that is embedded into all areas of the organization, the effort will never be successful....
January 21, 2016
What Whiteness History Month is Already Teaching Us
In Portland, Oregon, a brave community college launched a new project that “seeks to inspire innovative and practical solutions to community issues and social problems that stem from racism.” It’s called Whiteness History Month. And it has received equal parts scorn as well as praise.
It should be noted that the endeavor itself isn’t “White History Month,” (which would imply the celebration and accomplishments of white individuals), but rather Whiteness, which directly refers to the social co...
January 6, 2016
Losing the Line Between Art and Activism
My newest TEDx talk, Losing the Line Between Art and Activism, is now available to watch:
I was fighting a cold/jet lag that day so I hope you’ll pardon some of the coughing :)
This talk was probably one of the most transparent and vulnerable moments that I’ve had on the TEDx stage. I talk in depth about why I started The Slants, several of the struggles we faced in an industry that was set against us, and of course, our trademark battle – specifically, what it felt like to have people sell...
November 12, 2015
How to Get a TED Talk
My newest TED talk, “How to Get a TED Talk,” has just been uploaded to YouTube (though for unknown reasons, it has been retitled to “Art of Pitching Ideas”). Here it is:
I hope you enjoy it. If you do, please consider sharing it. Thank you!
August 7, 2015
TED Talk playlist
If you want to catch all of my TED talks in one handy place, here’s a playlist:
July 30, 2015
We Need to Stop Skipping Logic
This week has been filled with controversy over my legal battle against the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Because it has climbed so high in the court system, numerous parties have been weighing in, both wanted and unwanted. As such, it has been leading to numerous conversation and debates. That’s where things get really interesting.
I’ve been noticing a strong tendency for people to blindly support one side or another, despite not having a deep knowledge of rather obscure tradema...
