SortiPreneur

R.I.P.: J.G. Ballard

One of my favorite authors has passed away.  I recently finished Super-Cannes, and reminded myself what a master Ballard was in creating moods and ambiance. 

News of deaths of talented people leave me with a sense of emptiness.

Free Book: The Virtual Handshake

David Teten and Scott Allen have made their book, "The Virtual Handshake" downloadable for free.  David discusses their reasons for this experiment on their blog.  My favorite line from the post is that buying the book is actually cheaper than printing it.

Fear is Indeed to Be Feared

In his 1933 inaugural address, Franklin D. Roosevelt said "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself." 

I am reading Michael Crichton's "State of Fear," a well-written thriller.  The plot involves radical environmentalists wreaking havoc on the world.  Especially when the environment's concerned, I feel that it's exceedingly easy to create frenzies (and raise funds).  I have been curious on some of the thinking on the issue.

That's when I came on to this speech given by Crichton.  He's a bright guy and a good writer.  It's interesting.

The Virtual Handshake

I am now back in Istanbul after a week in NYC.  It was a good chance to catch up with friends and see what's new.

  I caught up with David Teten, who's recently published "The Virtual Handshake," which he co-authored with Scott Allen.  (I was a contributor to the chapter on corporate alumni networks.)  It is a very insightful book on how online business relationships work.  I would recommend it for job seekers, business development professionals, and anyone who is interested in how social behaviors translate online.

Second Evslin-related Post of the Day

Tom Evslin has a new blook:  Hackoff.com.  The blook concept is Evslin's invention: a book published in blog format.  The possibilities of publishing a book in a dynamic environment are obvious.  I enthusiastically reading the story and so far, am enjoying it immensely. Publishing is an industry that, with the exception of Amazon, has not met many disruptions compared to the rest of the media & entertainment sectors.  This type of experimentation may help change that.

What makes Hackoff.com additionally interesting for me is the setting:

An internet company in New York in 1999 - the height of the bubble...  We all remember the what that felt like.

Happy reading!

The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle

Less frequently than I would like, I pick up a book that immediately lures me in.  The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle has so far been that type of a book.  The last time I felt like this about a book was reading Atonement by Ian McEwan.  His new book Saturday will be next in line.