"Facebook Me"

If you haven't seen "The Social Network" yet...WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?!? That movie is awesome. It's like "The Dark Knight" of interpersonal drama in true life. I'm ashamed that it took me so long to see it. And I want to minimize your self flagellation when you finally get around to seeing it.

Facebook.
The end of friendship as we know it. OK, that was a little harsh. But personal association was completely changed on February 4, 2004 in a Harvard dorm room. You know it. I know it. I'm not really going to talk about the rightness, wrongness, awesomeness, or lameness of the ubiquity of Facebook as a social media giant behemoth. I'm just here to talk about the people. The people, not necessarily as they are in real life, but just a chance to play with the beautiful spectrum of characterization in the film.

Mark Z- Tortured genius is the first way I think of the king of Facebook. Every moment on screen there's a profound internal tension between his successes and popularity, and the disconnect he feels from those around him. Nonetheless, he sees things that people overlook. He solves problems before they're problems. In ways which are elegant and Determined to succeed, he has a singular focus on the problem at hand.  There's a social challenge in Mark's every move. I have no idea who said, "The best revenge is massive success." But after a few social stumbles this man seems to have adopted it as life plan. But the end of the film plays more like the Randy Newman song, It's Lonely At the Top.


 

Eduardo S- Organized and effective, Eduardo unsuccessfully to incorporate conventional marketing and business organization to the infant Facebook. Fiercely loyal, he tries to enable, protect, and befriend Mark all at the same time. It doesn't work out nearly as well as he hopes. He wants to be an honorable person, but wants to make an impact at the same time. The tension which results, is prevalent throughout the film. Championing the safe play, Eduardo sees Sean Parker as a dangerous loose cannon (which he is), and not a brilliant marketeer (which he is). As a result, the two begin careening toward one another in a game of business chicken.




Sean Parker- The Sean Parker character in this movie reminded me of the episode of It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia, featuring the "Wild Card." Sean is charismatic. With unparallelled energy he blows into "the facebook" and brings a world of changes. The obvious? Nix the "'The.' Just Facebook. It's cleaner." The subtle? Redefine the friendship, that redefines "friendship." A touch of resentment and paranoia underscore his marketing brilliance. Sean just wants to, "Fight for [his] right to PARTY!!!"



"The Winklevi"- Between the two of them, they're a well rounded individual. With the idea that gave Facebook form, the Winklevosses see what's there to be seen. The simplest version of innovative thought. Take what's there and make it a little better. Make myspace exclusive, and that's about as far as they get. In fairness, these two are broad strokes people who think they are contracting the detail work. Looking to their network of connections, these two young men are opportunistic in the best possible sense of the word. They will change and improve things, to their own enrichment for years to come. And when their backed into a corner, the gloves will come off.



Marylin Delpy (The lawyer)- An almost invisible character in the film, Marylin is the silent reality anchor in this almost surreal litigation process. She reminds us that winning and losing aren't often what we think that they are. And, all business to you may be all personal to others.




This movie was a really cool look at the business of being personal.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Thanks for tuning in.

The Return

I feel a little self indulgent, writing about writing. Which is strange. I'd think that writing about one's self would be the more self indulgent activity. But, as that is the nature of most blogs...

I was digging through some dust covered boxes trying to get my hands on two old pieces that I wrote, in notebooks I'd retired years ago. As I brushed through cover after cover looking through at the things I'd done and read, It felt like being in a room with good friends, and trusted advisors. With the occasional, odd/ risque acquaintance thrown in, for balance sake.When I uncovered the notebook I sought, I remembered it all, even the place I was sitting, and what I was wearing when I wrote the particular piece. Then...
  Just like the notebooks, I thought about all of the special friends, brilliant advisors and crazy acquaintances which I've had over the years. Some of whom I am, miraculously, able to keep contact with. Others, however, only rarely return to my life. And many, are just the "misty water-coloured memories, of the way we were."
  I want to say thank you, whichever you are. The person you see before you, for better, for worse, was made possible in part by you. I hope I was able to positively contribute to who you are, as well. And I'm sorry to those with whom I have lost touch.
  If you're inclined, let's catch up. There's always time for tea. 

Some Enchanted Evening

I've never been one to get all jazzed up by the natural sciences. I have great and brilliant friends that I call upon (Harmless Color for general sciences, and November Seas for my occasional question about hospital life/ med/ etc), when e're I have a science related question. I've rarely been failed by these two, but I'm no mooch, I can do my own research, when that's what's required. But it isn't every day that I think, "Wow! I wonder about planets!" Most of my inquiries are based on practical sciences. But I ran across this totally by accident. It popped up as a recommended vid; I don't know why. And I definately don't know why I clicked on it. I'm profoundly glad I did. This kid is hilarious. "And if you're not careful, you might just learn something." Here's a link to Charlie's YouTube Channel.But for now, enjoy this tidbit:

Going To the Birds.

Everytime I start writing regularly, I'm reminded of how much I love it. I'll take one single sentance and turn it over and over. As I shape and re-shape a bit of text, I feel like, I imagine, a potter feels. With the amorphus lump of an idea sitting before her, she must apply pressure, create the boundaries, and put the heat on, to transform the lump of though into a reflection or insight worth putting on the mantle.  Despite her best intentions, however, some thoughts never make it off the wheel. And, when she finishes others, she realizes that it's not quite what she's hoped, >>crash<

That wasn't the direction this post was heading. Sorry to all you English teachers out there, this won't transition smoothly.


Speaking of pottery...I got a Twitter account. I hear the groans, and can see your rolled eyes from here. But, here's the thing: I just read this amazing book, 33 Million People In the Room, by Juliette Powell, discussing the value of a good online presence in the future of marketing. That's a bit of a generalization, but a launch point for the curious. Nevertheless reading it offered something of a revelation. If it is at all possible to turn my writing into something more that what I do for fun, and make it, for fun and profit, I'd be staggered with joy and a fool not to...I think . So, I'm offering bite sized pieces of my rapier wit and powers of observation for all the world through the little blue bird @MoTheThird.And while I'm working on expanding my horizion, I'd love your feedback on the blog thus far. What do I do well? What could I do better? What would you like to see me research and/or write about? I'd also love your endorsement. I set a goal of 100+ followers by the end of the year. It's a little lofty, but you've always rewarded me for writing, by reading and commenting. I am, thus, optimistic.
 That being said, if you tweet, send me your info. 
As for mine, take a gander if you're into that sort of thing? 
And if not, that's okay, too.
We'll always have The Gray Area

It's a neighborly day in this beauty wood.

Today I pulled out the cookies I'd made earlier this week, and I found something totally strange...Neighbors. I met Billy, Minnie, and Walter because I didn't eat my cookies in my apartment. Actually, I didn't eat them at all. On this beautiful sun filled afternoon, the sharing of the cookies was less a choice and more the firm hand of guidance.

Not that any great epiphanies came during this hour long foray across the street. A little perspective was gained. Our side of the street is a small collection of apartments, which do just that. They keep us apart. Not physically, at any time one could knock on the neighbor's door and ask them to lend out a cup of sugar. But having lived in a third set now, I understand that the "apart" in apartment is mind and soul.

My roommate called yesterday to tell me to call the "rental people," because water was coming down between the walls and originating from above us. A broken pipe or overflowing drain may have caused the problem, but walking up the stairs and talking to the neighbors may have solved it. It will never be known.

Go bake some cookies, and don't eat them. Instead, meet someone from Chicago, who just moved here with his fiance. And someone who moved here 45 years ago.
...And they'll have things they'll want to talk about. You will too.