Disqus - Latest Comments for David_Mann

Re: SXSW PanelPicker

David_Mann — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 12:38:21 -0000

Jennifer continues to be one of the leading thinkers and people at the forefront of millenial's in the workplace issues. Not only is she smart, but I've seen her routinely apply theory to real-life experiences...the culmination of which is an easily-digested, clear set of learnings that can be applied right away. This is something I expect from a SXSW panel.

Re: SXSW PanelPicker

David_Mann — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 12:35:27 -0000

This looks like a well-qualified group of speakers to have a thoughtful discussion about an emerging set of concerns for all of us. Let's see it!

Re: How Do You Respond To Racist Jokes?

David_Mann — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 20:45:55 -0000

When this happens in a non-work setting, I don't laugh, I don't smile, I don't react. Given that I'm an expressive individual, this alone is a clear sign that I'm not cool with it. If the joker is someone I'm close with, I'll let them know it's unacceptable to me to demean others or propagate prejudicial thinking. If the joke/comment is truly spiteful or venomous (as racial tensions can be quite explosive), I'll also let them know I'm disappointed with them and that I thought I was a better judge of character.

My reaction within a work setting is consistent with how I handle it privately. If my boss were to make a comment or joke that was offensive, I would walk out - even at the risk of appearing rude or disrespectful (oh, the irony).

In the end, my reactions usually foster some kind of communication, which is what I like to see. Just because you tell an off-color joke doesn't mean we can't be friends, work together, or get along. It just means we need to be clear about where we're aligned and where we're not.

When I read what I've written, my approach comes across as kinda heavy-handed or even holier-than-thou. In reality, there's a lot more subtlety to how I handle this that gets lost in the post. Sorry for that.

Re: Whose Story Are You Telling?

David_Mann — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 18:51:11 -0000

Great post, Seth.
Life is so richly textured, we should attempt to share it more thoughtfully. Quality matters, and you've synthesized some simple steps each of us storytellers can embrace daily.
Thanks.
David

Re: Facebook Usernames are LIVE: 200,000 Usernames in 3 Minutes

David_Mann — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 00:56:21 -0000

You guys did a good job covering this one. Nice work!
David Mann
www.facebook.com/davidmann

Re: Sexual Harassment And Social Media

David_Mann — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 21:19:06 -0000

Each of us possess a uniquely personal level of tolerance for suggestive content. That said, I think we'd all agree that none of us wish to be unfairly harassed due to our gender, age, race, and so on. Furthermore, I wouldn't want my friends, wife, mom, daughter, son, etc. subjected to inappropriate behavior, so we all need to be diligent.

In public, we stand up for the oppressed and call the offending behavior abhorrent. In the online world of anonymity and aliases, what happens in private can go unnoticed or undetected.

It's important to know that anything we do online is traceable and potentially public. Personally, I like knowing everything I say and do can be found by others. I have nothing to hide, so there's no duplicity to me. I do think it bears noting, however, that in our search/quest to build community, a few ill-intended folks can creep in. Just like we would if a new neighbor moved in across the hallway or street, it's important to be fair, friendly, and protective.

Trust is earned through demonstrated behaviors over time.

Re: Jackson Int’l Airport INSecurity: Unidentified Armed Passenger Boards Flight

David_Mann — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 23:43:03 -0000

On one level, it's shocking that such a massive and seemingly well-funded full-court press on airport security would fail so miserably. On another level, with so many travelers, flights, and airports in play, even a fraction of a percentage of errors will amount to plenty of stories of this type. I'd love to see an unfiltered assessment/audit from the FAA about how effective their security measures are. Regrettably, there's no way such an objective analysis would ever see the light of day.

Re: Why I Never Want To Be An “Expert”

David_Mann — Sat, 30 May 2009 13:15:40 -0000

Great perspective on the topic, Seth, and I really do appreciate the use of video: we can experience a richer dialogue through this channel.

The more we give up to experts, the more myopic and limited our own thinking can become. A great read on the topic is a book called Predictably Irrational, by Dan Ariely. He points out how our choices and decisions are influenced by experts, by misinformation, and by other clutter. The impact is big not only on ideas and creativity, but on our habits as consumers, too.

David
PS - I have no preference on the comments format. I'll get used to whatever you go with. I do, however, want to figure out how to get my mug shot to appear! ;)

Re: Urine In Bottled Water? FDA To Announce Nationwide Recall

David_Mann — Fri, 29 May 2009 22:41:18 -0000

You've raised some interesting issues...there are so many potential ways to respond, Seth.

I'll take the route of least resistance: It's easy to indict everything from an entire industry ("news") to a specific rag ("The National Enquirer"). Let's follow the money trail - someone among "us" is buying this stuff and powering the outlandish/outrageous treadmill. Who's buying it? I'm not; and I've been known to send love mail to our local Editor when their headlines approach stupidity. I doubt this the quick, meta-answer everyone wants to see, but it's a micro step that anyone of us discerning news consumers (and we are discerning consumers, right?) can take.

Re: Need A Creativity Bailout? Lobby Social Media

David_Mann — Fri, 22 May 2009 01:07:01 -0000

Ha - I have no idea if there's such a thing as a livestock dentist. I suspect someone here will let us know. Just figured the photo screamed it. Love the GW reference - I thought he had wooden teeth, tho...probably 'cuz there were no livestock dentists around!

Tea, my treat, anytime.

Re: Need A Creativity Bailout? Lobby Social Media

David_Mann — Fri, 22 May 2009 00:52:19 -0000

I liked your initial theme of going to other people for inspiration.

I'll find inspiration in a cup of tea with an old friend (or a new, coffee-shop friend, for that matter). I try to keep track of when my creative blocks come, and what gets me unstuck. I'm intrigued by behavioral triggers - we all have them. Knowing yours can provide some interesting insights.

My caption: "Livestock dentistry requires knowledge gleaned over many years study and observation."

Re: Why I Unfollowed 45,000 People On Twitter

David_Mann — Mon, 18 May 2009 22:12:20 -0000

Without stating what has no doubt been said somewhere in the myriad of comments, this is your community, Seth. You're the "steward" among us - and it's entirely within your purview to tinker with expectations every now and then. I applaud it.

I look at every follower I have and find myself occasionally questioning "Why in the world is this person following me?" or "What have I possibly done to hit this person's radar?" Undoubtedly, when I look into them, it's a scam waiting to happen. So...by wiping the slate clean today you bought yourself some time to rebuild our community here. Somewhere up in the comments you made mention that this strengthened the community - I wholeheartedly agree.

There's a real fad amongst twitter-ers to focus on numbers. Personally, I don't get it. Quality over quantity. I prefer to interact meaningfully and authentically among friends and colleagues than just blurt out to the masses. Maybe that's why only a few people are following me...I dunno.

As always, never a dull moment here. I thank you for that my friend.

Re: Mommy Bloggers & Used Trust Salesmen

David_Mann — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 13:34:44 -0000

I may be naive here (totally possible), but I use twitter specifically because it's clutter-free and light on ads. Blogs are a totally different channel in my mind, and present both the opportunity and the venue for proper disclosure. If someone I trust is taking sponsorship dollars, I'd prefer they own up to it, tell me why they believe in the product or brand, and move on.

For years, people have been talking about the dark side of the internet existing because individuals are permitted a sense of anonymity and partial truthfulness. This is one scenario where disclosure and authentic expression can win the hearts of followers, or turn people off in an instant. If it were me, the choice would be easy.