Alain de Botton seems to be behind this fun series of videos that tries to apply philosophy to everyday life. This one I think is particularly important for founders, as I’ve seen many unhappy employees at startups because the founder was fundamentally unhappy because they were doing it for the wrong reasons.
Janelle Monae is always amazing.
In addition to the State of the Word presentation we talked about last week, there was a half hour or so of questions and answers that followed. You can also check it out on WordPress.tv, which now plays everything HD by default.
This catchy song has been making the rounds with my friends, see if you can listen and not move just a little bit:
Pretty hilarious compilation of ALS Ice Bucket Challenges gone wrong. I’ve been challenged and it’s not going to happen, but did make a donation to the foundation. Really clever marketing, reminenscent of charity: water’s birthday campaigns.
This video really makes you want to wear sunblock, something I haven’t been as good about this week. (Sorry Mom!) Hat tip: Sara Rosso.
This is about the Great Filter. (No, not Akismet.) It’s Adam Ford and Robert Hanson on existential risks to humanity, a continuation of the Fermi Paradox discussion I posted about the other day.
The chat I had the other week with Reid Hoffman is now online. Reid is such a thoughtful guy it’s my favorite interview in a while. We cover a lot of ground, including expanding WordPress’ (and Automattic’s) mission from “Democratize publishing” to “Democratize publishing and development.” Give it a watch!
I spoke with Sarah Millstein at the Lean Startup Conference earlier in the week. After a bit of intro we talk about how Automattic iterates, approaches hiring, and management.
Very cool looped version.
Apparently to prove they’re paying attention subway conductors in New York have to point at a sign at every stop. Someone decided to make them smile. As I go back to New York today, it’s cool to learn something new about the city as well.
Virgin America is giving Delta a run for their money with this amazing safety video — who has ever said that before? — directed by Jon Chu, who also did two of the Step Up movies. (Which sound cheesy but are actually awesome.)
Here’s an interesting TED talk on a team challenge on building the tallest structure with twenty sticks of spaghetti and a marshmallow. See why kindergarten students do better than business school graduates. (Hint: Learning by shipping.)
Last week in Paris I had a twenty minute chat with Om that covered WordPress, Automattic, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and the freedom of the web.
Two weeks ago I blogged about a radically simpler WordPress, a topic first broached with Anil Dash at the PaidContent conference. The full video from that conversation is now online and only about 20 minutes:
The PandoMonthly interview from last week is now on Youtube, check it out when you get a chance:
Leap Motion looks pretty amazing, and their site is powered by WordPress so you know they’re savvy.
For the third year now I’m over in Memphis for the World Championship of BBQ, joined by Otto, Nacin, Scott, and Rose. Last year due to flooding the festival was moved to a fairgrounds inland, but there’s nothing quite like being right on the Mississippi with the sweet aroma of pork all around you. (An aroma that, incidentally, follows you home in your clothes. :)) The team we sponsor, the Moody Ques, put together an impressive booth this year, which you can see coming up in the below timelapse:
The video doesn’t do justice to the delicious food being cooked inside, though, which you have to experience in person.