I have noticed that people are too-easily swayed by pop-culture literature these days and it’s starting to gnaw on my conscience.
It’s like the newest book out there suddenly become it and everyone and their brother can’t stop talking about how “revolutionary” it is or how “incredibly insightful” the material presents.
Give me a break. Not everything is as revolutionary as it sounds and not everything is even applicable to you and your organization!
Stop riding the wave of pop-culture and start thinking a bit more critically about what you read. And for those that sing some book’s praises without even reading it? You need to stop that. That’s called “lying.”
And that’s the reason I love working in the technology space: It pretty much doesn’t matter if you read or don’t read something – it matters that you actually do it, and it’s so easy to spot a fake.
Just as Seth Godin talks about all the time:
But what have you shipped?
Zing.
this is the best blog post i’ve ever read! People must read this right now!
(p.s. – satire aside, i agree wholeheartedly)
I would add Apple’s marketing material to the list as well (along with Adobe’s, Google’s, …). Products are never as useful or revolutionary as the buzz makes them sound. If I had a nickel for every time I heard someone ask about how the iPad would revolutionize their church, business, tee-ball league, …
Kevin
http://opensourcechurch.com
I have noticed that people are too-easily swayed by technology marketing these days and it’s starting to gnaw on my conscience.
It’s like the newest gadget out there suddenly become it and everyone and their brother can’t stop talking about how “revolutionary” it is or how “incredibly insightful” the user interface presents things.
Give me a break. Not everything is as revolutionary as it sounds and not everything is even applicable to you and your organization!
Stop riding the wave of pop-culture and start thinking a bit more critically about what you need. And for those that sing some gadget’s praises without even using it? You need to stop that. That’s called “lying.”
And that’s the reason the technology space is no different from any other; it pretty much doesn’t matter if you need or don’t need something – it only matters that you copy what everyone else is doing and “ship” it so you can tell you’re geeky friends how great it was (or you are?).
Kevin
http://opensourcechurch.com
As a youth pastor and full-time church employee, I hear this from so many people in the church realm.
I’m thinking of banning a whole slew (it’s a real word) of people from Bible Studies until they actually live out their faith in some small way.
A friend of mine calls it “spiritual masturbation.” It’s makes you feel like something is happening, but really it’s just empty repetition.
I read a lot of material and I have started to filter it (somewhat) based on what I can apply (ship). A “Vision Statement” does you no good if you do not apply it. Most churches have a “Vision Statement” now since it has been made popular as the next-best-thing to do for “growth.” I commonly ask people if they mention they have a “Vision Statement” what it is. They usually answer with an epic #fail. You have to actually believe what you say or claim to do. Good post.
What about people who comment on posts without reading the whole article?
Good one.
You could say the same for some comments that are made without even reading the actual post.
Yes, I am guilty of scanning.
Yes, I am guilty of trying to be cool by reading the popular books. Fortunately I am too busy to try read too many.