Lost In Translation (What I Learned This Week)

• Siri is Norwegian for "beautiful woman who leads you to victory." 

• The Norwegians have a word, stormannsgalskap, which can be translated as "great men's madness."

The word above was used to describe Steve Jobs. I learned both of these items from Inside Apple: How America's Most Admired--and Secretive--Company Really Works by Adam Lashinsky. It is a great read and a great counter point to Steve Jobs bio.

No SOPA for you (What I Learned This Week)

• Wednesday's internet blackout and "protests" succeeded in stopping SOPA/PIPA. For now. 

• Despite what looks like a very aggressive EULA, Apple's new (and free) iBook Author has a lot of potential for portfolios, case studies, annual reports and other kinds of publications beyond textbooks. 

• Twitter bought Summify, a very useful service I use that summarizes your twitter stream. I am concerned that the purchase will de-evolve the service in the same way that the fantastic Twettie app became the current Twitter app without any of the great features remaining. 

The Frank Lloyd Wright House Next Door: What I Learned This Week

• My negotiation strategies, and most likely yours too, are wrong.

• I've lived in the same location for over a decade, and all this time I didn't know that less than a block away at the end of a somewhat hidden dead-end street that I walk by every day there is a $1.8M Frank Lloyd Wright house, estate really.

IQ Doesn't Always Measure Intelligence: What I Learned This Week

• Two words: Carrier IQ.

• It is possible for Grand Central Terminal to get even more crowded. 

• I am really enjoying two things I discovered this week: Alec Baldwin's Here's The Thing and Anthony Bourdain's The Layover. You should give them a go. 

• It's a good thing holiday treats are only available during the holidays, all those gingerbready, pumpkiny, pepperminty things mocking my discipline. 

Birthdays, The Catalyst Of The Social Web: What I Learned This Week

• Say what you will about social media, having your birthday acknowledged on Facebook is fantastic. It is the one advantage it has over Twitter and Google+. Birthdays are the perfect circumstance for people to connect even if they haven't talked all year. The sentiments are real independent of circumstance. 

• I prefer to spend my birthdays alone, not making much of a fuss out of them, and actually take the time to think about the previous year, the ways in which it surprised me, the things I learned and the things that I didn't yet get to accomplish. But people really don't understand why I do this. Everyone keeps asking me why, which makes it very obvious and clear that people really don't enjoy, don't know how to spend time alone, how to be by themselves. Being congratulated by lots of people on Facebook, via messages, etc., is great. Giving oneself time and silence to comtemplate is better.

• Adele live at the Royal Albert Hall is a brilliant concert. 

• After working a full holiday season, many years ago, with a ballet company and experiencing everything that goes into producing and marketing The Nutcraker I can honestly say I'm still sick of the music. Remix it, mash it up, rearrange it, do to it what you will, still sick of it. To the point it actually alters my mood during the holidays. 

• Whatever your most challenging day, someone you know is going through something worse.