“Two important characteristics of maps should be noticed. A map is not the territory it represents, but, if correct, it has a similar structure to the territory, which accounts for its usefulness.” – Alfred Korzybski, Born Jun. 3, 1879. Consider that the human mind is basically a really detailed map of the universe you live […]
The Territory Is Not The Map (Except When It Is) Read More »
“The model of ownership, in a society organized round mass consumption, is addiction.” – Christopher Lasch, Born Jun. 1, 1932. Our culture is pre-conditioned to pursue addictive consumption. If you don’t have young ones, watch some kids programming sometime and pay attention to the commercials. I’m not saying that’s bad. Consumerism is fine if you
Deadly Sins? Or Signals for Endlessly Profitable Niches? Read More »
“People don’t like the true and simple; they like fairy tales and humbug.” – Edmond de Goncourt, Born May 26, 1822. This quote might be easy to mistake for some pessimistic bullshit croaked out by a bitter misanthrope. But it’s really profound if you consider the statement as a commentary ON ITSELF. The thing is,
How to Use Humbuggery to Create Desire (And Not Sound Like a Sleazy Shill) Read More »
“One of the purposes of life, and selfishly what makes people happy, is building things that are impactful.” – Dustin Moskovitz, Born May 22, 1984. I disagree with Dustin here, but only slightly, and I’ll forgive him because his audience are going to be “achievers”. People don’t typically want to build anything. Not most people.
Help Your Customers Feel Like They Matter When Buying, And Sell So Much More Read More »
“I’m not famous; I am simply very well-known to certain people. Famous is something different.” – Anton Corbijn, Born May 20, 1955. Many seek fame when they get into this game. Some because they truly desire fame for its own sake. But many do only because they think it’s somehow required to succeed. But really,
How To Become An Influential Micro-celebrity (And Make Macro-money) Read More »
“People need a narrative, and if there isn’t one on offer, they make one up.” – Jean Hanff Korelitz, Born May 16, 1961. In a world without humans, stuff just happens. Nothing means anything. Nothing foretells anything. Nothing is destined or fated. Nothing is deserved. Nothing is earned. There’s physics and luck. That’s all. But
If You Don’t Provide A Story, The Reader Will Imagine Their Own (And They’re Bad At It) Read More »
“Emotion creates reality, reality demands action.” – Brian Eno, Born May 15, 1948. This is a really elegant way to explain the connection between emotion and behavior. If you can sufficiently tap into someone’s strong emotions, you can then use those to distort their perceptions and beliefs, and thus alter their subjective reality. Once you
Change a Person’s Belief By Using Their Emotions Against Them Read More »
“We’re the country of movie stars because the stars, like ourselves, represent a kind of extended infantilism, beauties waiting for the big chance.” – Jerome Charyn, Born May 13, 1937. This is real similar to how Steinbeck said no one considers themselves poor. We all fancy ourselves as temporarily dispossessed millionaires. But this is a
People Want to Be “Discovered” So Promise To Make Your Prospect Into A Star Read More »
“I think one’s feelings waste themselves in words; they ought all to be distilled into actions which bring results.” – Florence Nightingale, Born May 12, 1820. This quote can be taken as kind of funny – since for us, making words out of feelings IS the action that brings results. But let’s say that Flo
Productivity Hack: Shut Your Yap And Move Your Hands Instead Read More »
“The metaphor is perhaps one of man’s most fruitful potentialities. Its efficacy verges on magic, and it seems a tool for creation which God forgot inside one of His creatures when He made him.” – Jose Ortega y Gasset, Born May 9, 1883. Persuasive writers are basically in the business of manipulating minds through metaphor.
Metaphors Make Manipulation Manageable Read More »
