It was inevitable. After all the hype about companies such as Groupon being the wave of the future and the expectations of instant wealth created with innovating thinking, the Facebook IPO fell on its face.
I am probably one of the few people who did not expect it to be a success. The idea of making massive money through the Internet is getting old. Yes, companies can save a lot of money with the Internet, but they can't create wealth. Most countries cannot survive on services alone.
Ask anyone, even those who use Facebook, where the revenues come from. Advertising, of course, but guess what? Ads on the Internet are not as profitable as the pundits claim they would be. The cost of printing and disseminating is virtually eliminated, but it still costs money to produce it. Hint: there are no elves in cyberspace designing ads or writing content. When ad reps sell Internet ads for a small fraction of print ads, the money just isn't enough to keep profits high.
Did anyone mention to the gullible advertisers who think they're saving so much money that readers spend more time on print than they do looking at web pages?
I have nothing against Facebook. I don't use the apps such as Farmville because I think they're silly time wasters. Facebook is great for sharing family photos, clever sayings, sending birthday greetings and wishing people a happy Memorial Day weekend. It just doesn't create value the way that a company can take raw material and turn it into a product that businesses and consumers can use.
Friday, May 25, 2012
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Rick Recht -- True Blue Cool
Our family is very low-keyed on Mother's Day, but this year we had a real celebration, thanks to some philanthropists in Stamford's Jewish community. The celebration was a concert by Rick Recht, the nation's top touring Jewish musician.
We discovered Rick's music on an Oy, Baby video. The song is "Kobi's Lullaby," a beautiful song about thanking the Lord for family, friends, health and all other things that we should appreciate. Then came the CD, Look at Me, which he recorded with Sheldon Low. We got this through the PJ Library, a wonderful organization with which Rick is affiliated. We were totally hooked! Of course, we had to see him in concert.
I've had some mixed experience with people who are observant Jews and wish to fashion careers that incorporate their religious and cultural tradition. Whether they are writers, musicians, educators or fundraisers, the bottom line is that they must first excel at the writing, music, education or fundraising or they fail completely. When it comes to education, it's a bigger failure because parents could have spent their resources on better schools.
This is one area where Rick is different. Yes, he embraces Judaism, but he is a terrific musician and has an exceptional rapport with people. He has a magnetic personality, but he never gives the impression that he knows it and how to work it. Watching him in concert is a privilege because you see someone who is a natural performer instead of someone who learned showmanship, and you see someone who knows how to engage an audience. When he says, "Let's make some noise" or "Everybody put your hands together," he is speaking to individuals in a venue, not to an audience of people. That's how powerful his personality is.
The Look at Me CD is a treat for adults because, while it is intended for children, it is almost as engaging as seeing him in concert. Rick and Sheldon play kids in some vignettes, but their songs are charming and never condescending. I really appreciate the ones that have some Hebrew words in them because I want my children to be exposed to foreign languages early.
Rick invited everyone to take photos with their cameras or cell phones during the concert. For most numbers, he brought up groups of people -- children and adults -- to the bimah. He was the reason people came, but he made everyone a star. He is effortlessly true blue cool.
Another thing I noticed was before and after the concert, when I was looking at the CDs and DVDs to buy. As he was explaining to the volunteers how to do the transactions, he looked them in the eye. He did the same thing when he talked to people after the concert.
Born and reared in St. Louis, Missouri, Rich has been a phenomenal success as a role model for Jewish living. He still lives in St. Louis, with his wife, Elisa and children, Kobi and Tal. In addition to his prolific concerts, he is the founder of Jewish Rock Radio (www.jewishrockradio.com), the first 24/7 Jewish rock Internet radio station. And it's rock, not schlock music. He is a spokesperson for the wonderful PJ Library, founded by Harold Greenspoon. Each month the PJ Library provides children with books. CD or video with a Jewish theme. I have seen some Jewish musicians lead services with their own music, but the result is more of a concert than a participatory service. Rick's services are interactive. The message is Judaism, not Rick. Now that's rich.
We discovered Rick's music on an Oy, Baby video. The song is "Kobi's Lullaby," a beautiful song about thanking the Lord for family, friends, health and all other things that we should appreciate. Then came the CD, Look at Me, which he recorded with Sheldon Low. We got this through the PJ Library, a wonderful organization with which Rick is affiliated. We were totally hooked! Of course, we had to see him in concert.
I've had some mixed experience with people who are observant Jews and wish to fashion careers that incorporate their religious and cultural tradition. Whether they are writers, musicians, educators or fundraisers, the bottom line is that they must first excel at the writing, music, education or fundraising or they fail completely. When it comes to education, it's a bigger failure because parents could have spent their resources on better schools.
This is one area where Rick is different. Yes, he embraces Judaism, but he is a terrific musician and has an exceptional rapport with people. He has a magnetic personality, but he never gives the impression that he knows it and how to work it. Watching him in concert is a privilege because you see someone who is a natural performer instead of someone who learned showmanship, and you see someone who knows how to engage an audience. When he says, "Let's make some noise" or "Everybody put your hands together," he is speaking to individuals in a venue, not to an audience of people. That's how powerful his personality is.
The Look at Me CD is a treat for adults because, while it is intended for children, it is almost as engaging as seeing him in concert. Rick and Sheldon play kids in some vignettes, but their songs are charming and never condescending. I really appreciate the ones that have some Hebrew words in them because I want my children to be exposed to foreign languages early.
Rick invited everyone to take photos with their cameras or cell phones during the concert. For most numbers, he brought up groups of people -- children and adults -- to the bimah. He was the reason people came, but he made everyone a star. He is effortlessly true blue cool.
Another thing I noticed was before and after the concert, when I was looking at the CDs and DVDs to buy. As he was explaining to the volunteers how to do the transactions, he looked them in the eye. He did the same thing when he talked to people after the concert.
Born and reared in St. Louis, Missouri, Rich has been a phenomenal success as a role model for Jewish living. He still lives in St. Louis, with his wife, Elisa and children, Kobi and Tal. In addition to his prolific concerts, he is the founder of Jewish Rock Radio (www.jewishrockradio.com), the first 24/7 Jewish rock Internet radio station. And it's rock, not schlock music. He is a spokesperson for the wonderful PJ Library, founded by Harold Greenspoon. Each month the PJ Library provides children with books. CD or video with a Jewish theme. I have seen some Jewish musicians lead services with their own music, but the result is more of a concert than a participatory service. Rick's services are interactive. The message is Judaism, not Rick. Now that's rich.
That's Life! (At Least for Some People)
What was Jamie Dimon's spin on the $2 billion dollar loss at JP Morgan Chase? "It plays to the hands of a bunch of pundits but you have to deal with that and that's life."
To which pundits was he referring? The finger waggers who still insist on resurrecting Glass-Steagall? The angry shareholders such as yours truly? Or those who gummed up at JP Morgan Chase dealing with derivatives that no one can explain in Mother Goose language to the rest of us ignoramuses?
What's really scary is that the financial meltdown of 2008 was caused by self-appointed financial genius who can't explain exactly what it is they do with money they can't explain either. They just counted on people's embarrassment to admit that they don't understand the complex trading "strategies" and cloaked their chicanery with the term "proprietary trading," as if it fell in the same category as lawyer-client or doctor-patient confidentiality.
Paul Volcker, by his own admission, has said he doesn't understand capital markets," Jamie said in an interview with Fox, and "he has proven that to me."
Oh, great. According to Jamie, the former Chairman of the Fed is even more of an ignoramus than the rest of the peons out there.
To which pundits was he referring? The finger waggers who still insist on resurrecting Glass-Steagall? The angry shareholders such as yours truly? Or those who gummed up at JP Morgan Chase dealing with derivatives that no one can explain in Mother Goose language to the rest of us ignoramuses?
What's really scary is that the financial meltdown of 2008 was caused by self-appointed financial genius who can't explain exactly what it is they do with money they can't explain either. They just counted on people's embarrassment to admit that they don't understand the complex trading "strategies" and cloaked their chicanery with the term "proprietary trading," as if it fell in the same category as lawyer-client or doctor-patient confidentiality.
Paul Volcker, by his own admission, has said he doesn't understand capital markets," Jamie said in an interview with Fox, and "he has proven that to me."
Oh, great. According to Jamie, the former Chairman of the Fed is even more of an ignoramus than the rest of the peons out there.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
The. Best. Oranges. Ever.
If you've never tasted a Honeybell orange, you really don't know what you're missing. Each year in January, people who know oranges order Honeybells.
Also known as tangelos, Honeybells are juicier and sweeter than other oranges. They also have fewer seeds and are a bit larger than most oranges (except for Israel's Jaffa oranges) and have a knob.
I did some research on tangelos. Surprisingly, they are a hybrid from grapefruit and tangerines, not from oranges and tangerines. One would expect something that's not as sweet, but the reverse happens. Similarly, a combination of orange juice and pure cranberry juice is much sweeter than you would expect.
Another thing that is surprising is Orlando tangelos are available from mid-November until the beginning of February, yet I've only been able to get them in January. Go figure.
About Jaffa oranges. I don't see them often in the United States, but they have always been my favorites since childhood. I am not saying that just because I am Israeli and these oranges originate from Israel. I'd never seen oranges that are so large and beautiful, without the discolorations in the rind of so many navel oranges. For me, Jaffa oranges have always been a symbol of Israel, and one my many favorite memories of Israel was driving past a huge orchard of big, beautiful oranges.
Orange was never my favorite color, but it is a happy color. When I think of pure orange, I think of Honeybells, Jaffas and Hermes boxes. Yes, orange is a happy color indeed!
Also known as tangelos, Honeybells are juicier and sweeter than other oranges. They also have fewer seeds and are a bit larger than most oranges (except for Israel's Jaffa oranges) and have a knob.
I did some research on tangelos. Surprisingly, they are a hybrid from grapefruit and tangerines, not from oranges and tangerines. One would expect something that's not as sweet, but the reverse happens. Similarly, a combination of orange juice and pure cranberry juice is much sweeter than you would expect.
Another thing that is surprising is Orlando tangelos are available from mid-November until the beginning of February, yet I've only been able to get them in January. Go figure.
About Jaffa oranges. I don't see them often in the United States, but they have always been my favorites since childhood. I am not saying that just because I am Israeli and these oranges originate from Israel. I'd never seen oranges that are so large and beautiful, without the discolorations in the rind of so many navel oranges. For me, Jaffa oranges have always been a symbol of Israel, and one my many favorite memories of Israel was driving past a huge orchard of big, beautiful oranges.
Orange was never my favorite color, but it is a happy color. When I think of pure orange, I think of Honeybells, Jaffas and Hermes boxes. Yes, orange is a happy color indeed!
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Thanks, But No Thanks for Your Advice
After my second son, Jonathan, was born, I received lots of presents for him. Never mind that he will be wearing and playing with his older brother's hand-me-downs. (Don't take it personally, Jonathan. We registered with Handmedowns R Us before your brother was born.) As I was snipping off the tags from the clothes, I noticed this from a garment made for Little Me Essentials:
Welcome Baby Home with:
Welcome Baby Home with:
- 10 bodysuits
- 2 bodysuit/pant sets
- 10 footies
- 2 bib and burp cloth sets
- 2 take me home sets
- 4 sleep gowns
- 4 receiving blankets
- 1 plush stroller blanket
- 2 towel and mitt sets
- 6 pairs of socks
Who came up with that? A man or a woman with a nanny? I do laundry at least five days a week and the most popular items that get washed are bibs. Every time I feed Jonathan, I need another bib. I use the bib to wipe his lips and chin and then toss it in the laundry chute. Hello! The smell of formula is vile and bacteria grows on the wet bib. No, I'm not being paranoid. The instructions on the formula container warn parents and caregivers to discard any formula that remains in the bottle after one hour.
Not to be picky, but the suggestion about body suits isn't that great. Most of the bodysuits I've seen have short sleeves and end at the thighs. They are just cute underwear for winter babies.
By the way, I don't know about other people who do laundry, but I have a tendency to lose socks. Especially tiny ones. Six pairs is simply not enough.
Thanks, but no thanks to the advice dispensed by the people at Little Me.
The Plain Truth About Apple
There is no denying it. Apple is the most innovative company in the world. Yes, Steve Jobs, who was almost beatified until just days after his death, made people want to spend a fortune on Apple products. Even when people admitted he wasn't such a nice person, they couldn't resist the seductive design and brilliant uses of Apple products. But here is something that everyone who even thinks about buying an iPad or iPhone should think about seriously.
Apple, like every American company that has manufacturing overseas, exploits people. It isn't just about the low wages. If the going rate is $1.00 a day or whatever, there isn't much to argue about. However, when Steve Jobs demanded a superior screen for the iPhone, the manufacturer he used with in China pulled people from the dorms and gave them a biscuit and a cup of tea before they started a 12 hour work shift. That is sheer exploitation. It is a step above slave labor. How stunning does that tablet or smartphone look now?
The irony is that Americans consider China a Communist country and the exploitation of labor was the whole point of a country's choosing Communism.
Steve Jobs, you died with blood on your hands. And those in your company who went along with what you said and did are also guilty.
Apple, like every American company that has manufacturing overseas, exploits people. It isn't just about the low wages. If the going rate is $1.00 a day or whatever, there isn't much to argue about. However, when Steve Jobs demanded a superior screen for the iPhone, the manufacturer he used with in China pulled people from the dorms and gave them a biscuit and a cup of tea before they started a 12 hour work shift. That is sheer exploitation. It is a step above slave labor. How stunning does that tablet or smartphone look now?
The irony is that Americans consider China a Communist country and the exploitation of labor was the whole point of a country's choosing Communism.
Steve Jobs, you died with blood on your hands. And those in your company who went along with what you said and did are also guilty.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Bradshaw Smith, RIP
Bradshaw Smith, producer of Broadway Beat, died Monday, January 16 of a massive stroke. He was 57.
Born on April 14, 1954 in Derby, Bradshaw attended Ansonia High School and Western Connecticut State University. He moved to New York in the mid-1970s and did cabaret at Don't Tell Mama. He received the first MAC award for Best Male Vocalist and the Backstage Bistro award.
Bradshaw also thrived behind the scenes with his award winning cable television show, Cabaret Beat and later with Broadway Beat, which documented thousands of theatre professionals during rehearsals, performance, interviews and fundraisers. Funeral services are private and a memorial is being planned. Contributions may be made in his memory to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
Born on April 14, 1954 in Derby, Bradshaw attended Ansonia High School and Western Connecticut State University. He moved to New York in the mid-1970s and did cabaret at Don't Tell Mama. He received the first MAC award for Best Male Vocalist and the Backstage Bistro award.
Bradshaw also thrived behind the scenes with his award winning cable television show, Cabaret Beat and later with Broadway Beat, which documented thousands of theatre professionals during rehearsals, performance, interviews and fundraisers. Funeral services are private and a memorial is being planned. Contributions may be made in his memory to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
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