Strands :: Greatest Grifter, The Only Good Prank, WorldWalker Police Stops
WRITING FROM
Rishikesh
WORKING ON
Ad:tech talk and debate topics
UP NEXT:
Oct 22-Nov 11: Rishikesh & Delhi
Nov 12-24: Auckland, NZ
Nov 24-Dec 4: Honolulu, Hawaii
Dec 5-9: Los Angeles, CA
Dec 9-12: Nashville, TN
Dec 12-19: Beersheba Springs
Dec 20-22: Atanta, GA
Dec 23-30: Nashville, TN
Dec 31-??: Greenville, SC
LOOKING AHEAD
Nov 14: ad:tech [Auckland, NZ]
THE WORD | THESE BRIEF BITS OF INBOX INSPIRATION BROUGHT TO YOU BY
Yoga twice a day with with Shaile, the rest of Raising Dion, The Laundromat on Netflix [a Big Short for Panama Papers directed by Soderbergh - it's very good], lots of vegetarian Indian food, lots of reading, and pakoras and sweets made by Shaile's mum that he gave us for Diwali. Oh and the fact that Hocus Pocus 2 is in development.
WHAT WE'RE THINKING ABOUT | FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
As may be obvious, we are big fans of India and absolutely love any chance we have to travel here. This time we happen to be here during Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights that also functions as a celebration of a new year. Diwali [or Deepavali] symbolizes the spiritual "victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance" which feels like something we could use a bit of all over the world.
The celebrations consist of people gifting each other food and lots of lights and and fireworks [it's lit!] which are pretty of course but also make the local animals lose their minds and causes a massive swell in pollution. Nothing humans do comes without consequences to the world around them.
Because India is a such a polytheistic nation [despite the recent rise of Hindutva or Hindu Nationalism] Diwali is celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and Newar Buddhists. It's a much nicer approach to our mind than the small minded petty arguments about Happy Holidays vs Merry Christmas. So, whatever you believe, or don't, we wish you a Happy Diwali! May your light fill your home with happiness and everything that brings you joy.
Oh and India? It's lit, come through.
"This is also a time of anxiety about global capitalism and the responsibilities of for-profit companies. The rise of a young socialist-friendly generation and the lofty prospects of Senator Elizabeth Warren both speak to a deep skepticism about corporate America."
- DK Thompson, for The Atlantic
WorldWalker's Police Stops
#Nomad #Freedom #DataViz
When we say we 'walk the earth' we don't mean it literally, it's an expression - but National Geographic's Paul Salopek is actually doing it. He has been walking across the world, starting in Ethiopia in 2013 and he has been stopped by police for doing so more than 100 times and is mapping the encounters. "Mapping police stops on a global trek might help illuminate, even anecdotally, the complex meanings of otherness in our times—a golden age of migration, when more people than ever before are on the move, either voluntarily or by force. Where we travel, of course, is important. But where we are stopped, and why, are key elements of the human journey." He is currently in rural India which has been a "pedestrian's dream". ::NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC::
The Greatest Grifter
#Work #Hustle #Scam
A lot has been written about the WeWork disaster and how Adam managed to walk away from a company built on lies with over a billion dollars. It's all horribly fascinating as a story but this article also considers it implies about the current state of start-ups, venture funds and capitalism adopting the language of new age hucksters. ::THE ATLANTIC::
The Only Good Prank
#Prank #Funny #Culture
Rosie is a fan of pranks, Faris thinks they are mean. It's possible this is a cultural thing, they seem far more prevalent in American culture in general. Regardless, this is one they both agree is good. ::TWITTER VIDEO::
ICYMI: That's What She Shed
#Language #Culture #Dilly
Faris' column this month considers those fragments of language that fly out of advertising and into popular culture. We call these expressions "winged words", a phrase that starts as a quote but then takes on a life of its own. The piece looks at some successful old and recent examples and the benefits of getting a catchphrase into culture, especially when it 'helps' win a Super Bowl. ::WARC ADMAP::
Theo Fanning is creative director and co-founder of the award winning SF creative agency Traction. He very kindly sketched and then inked a picture of Genius Steals "as an 80s sitcom". We love it! Thank you and good luck with the pitch! Any other fan art will be gratefully received and possibly included in Strands ;)
If we can ever be of help to you, even outside of a formal engagement, please don’t hesitate to let us know. We always love getting to meet like-minded folks, so please let us know if you see if we'll be in a city near you :)
rockON,
rosie & faris & ashley, geniussteals.co
@rosieyakob / @faris
ICYMI: Genius Steals : Bag O' Tricks
#SpeakingSwagger #WatchThis #Obsessed
As you likely know from being a subscriber to this here newsletter, about half of our income comes from speaking at conferences and events around the world. It's honestly our favorite thing to do, and we're hoping that 2020 has even more speaking in store for us. Previously, we had an introductory video featuring Faris, but as now nearly all our talks are dual presentations, we needed one with Rosie. We collaborated with our friends from The Goondocks.tv to make this introductory video, which we'll start rolling out before our talk. No goldfish, or Ashleys, were harmed in the making of this video ;) (And if you might want to hire us for a talk, do be in touch...) ::THE GOONDOCKS.TV::
HIT REPLY & LET'S TALK ABOUT HOW WE CAN WORK TOGETHER.
STILL WANT MORE?
In March of 2013, Rosie & Faris left NYC. They've been #OutOfOffice for 6 years & counting. Want more on the nomad lifestyle? Check out Technomadix.co
Want to collaborate with Rosie and Faris? They are a husband and wife team that consult, speak, write, teach, strategize, facilitate & generally play well with others. You should definitely get in touch.
