Immigration: the conversation begins

Jack Yan: the Persuader Blog: Immigration in New Zealand: a fair and balanced look

I mentioned the other day that I hoped my Idealog article would start a conversation. It has, on Jack's blog. When you touch on immigration, you discover stories, sometimes sad ones, sometimes uplifting ones.

Come on New Zealand, let's make our story a great one.

Logistics Viewpoint: Generation Y

Logistics Viewpoint: Generation Y

Some interesting data on Gen Y from an employment point of view. See also my comments around Generation C.

How Darwin changed the world

I've been enjoying the "biography" of Darwin's Origin of Species which charts the genesis of Darwin's ideas right through to their modern applications.

I'm not a scientist, and this post is not about science but about marketing. How did Darwin's ideas have the impact they had?

The third chapter of this book offers some clues to the secret of Darwin's success:

• His writing style: reasonable, humble, cohesive. Evolution wasn't a new idea in 1859, but it had never been presented so completely. Darwin also adopted a personal and writing style that was personable, calm, and inoffensive in style. His naturally friendly nature was a great help in getting across some truly revolutionary ideas.

"Much later on, his son Francis Darwin said this pleasant style of writing was characteristic of his father in 'its simplicity, bordering on naivete, and in its absence of pretence ... His courteous and conciliatory tone towards his reader is remarkable, and it must be partly this quality which revealed his personal sweetness of character to so many who had never seen him.'"

• He told stories, even if by accident. Originally Origin of Species was meant to be longer, but the impending release of a competing book meant Darwin compressed his argument more than he would have liked. But it seems to have worked.
  

"Few scientific texts have been so closely woven, so packed with factual information and studded with richly inventive metaphor." ... "Hardly daring to hope that he might initiate a transformation in scientific thought, he nevertheless rose magnificently to the occasion."

• He had a network of trusted friends and associates who appreciated his ideas and embraced them in their own work. Although they varied on specifics - some believed in God, for example - they were united in their support of Darwin's work. Social networks mattered, long before the word blog ever existed.

"These four supported Darwin wholeheartedly even while pointing out flaws in his evidence or reasoning. They stood united, gathering their own disciples and followers, engaging in individualised battles on Darwin's behalf but also moving the debate further and wider, drawing in other thinkers, other topics, other implications, in an incremental process that ultimately generated major transformations in cultural attitudes and scientific thought. With Darwin busy in the background writing letters, these four recruited a standing army, commandeered the journals, invaded the learned societies, monitered the universities, dominated dinner parties and penetrated the byways of empire."

Being reasonable, telling stories, and making friends. Doesn't sound so hard - as long as the idea is a powerful one.

Come to New Zealand if you're smart

It's out now: the article I worked on for three months.

New Zealand has an opportunity to passionately participate in the global economy - by seeking out and welcoming talented people from around the globe.

It's a story of stories. While there are many facts and figures out there that point to the value of diversity, I found more powerful the stories of creative individuals who used their outsiderness to help themselves and their new country.

Vincent Heeringa talks more about immigration (though, sadly, not my article!) in this week's Kiwi FM Idealog podcast.

Web 2.0 ... The Machine is Us/ing Us

This rendered me speechless. A very eloquent description of what might be happening in the world.

What gives you life?

It's such a busy time, but I couldn't do without my walk.

Five hours' sleep last night, and plenty to get on with today, but walking is one of those things that gives me life.

Walking reminds me I am alive. The fresh air, the movement, and the other people on the road. Saw some great smiles this morning!

I also love the opportunity to listen to podcasts while I walk. This morning I heard two motivating, inspiring interviews:

1. How to influence upward - Anna Farmery's interview with Marshall Goldsmith, who wrote the book How to influence upward. Did you know that people spend an average of 10-15 hours a month complaining about their boss? Marshall talks about how that energy can be redistributed more productively.
2. From the author of Fish!, a new book, Cats! The Knowledge Gym's Mike Doughty interviewed Dr Steven Lundin about stimulating genuine innovation and fun at work. I really like where this guy's coming from. Why Cats? Because they're curious, and according to Dr. Lundin, that's the best place to start with innovation!

I'm discovering that I can't afford not to partake in these life-restoring activities like walking, prayer, listening to music, and even making some of my own (okay, so sometimes the result is not pretty, but it's therapy, okay?)

Have a great day, and don't forget to do what gives you life!

What do I do again?

Another late night, and I'm writing again.

But actually, that is a good thing! I've been doing precious little writing lately, and for a writer, that's no good.

I did consider changing the company name to "Simon Young Talkers", "Simon Young Schmoozers" or, as I negotiated the awful Auckland traffic today, "Simon Young Wait-at-Traffic-Lighters".

But no, writing it is. And, much to my surprise, this year the plural "Writers" actually means something. I'm currently experiencing just enough abundance to be able to reactivate the subcontractor arrangement set up oh so many years ago now. Long may this abundance continue!

And the talking and schmoozing is likely to continue, too. I've got the Hitwise Online Performance Awards to go to tomorrow night, and the Marketing Awards on Friday night. I pick up the tux tomorrow!