Archive for October, 2007
Being a kid in the business world― Good or Bad?
Is a kid going to be treated the same as an adult in the business world? Is a kid going to get liked because of his boundless energy and enthusiasm but get mocked at the same time for his naivety? Will thousands of people trust what a kid says hoping that the kid goes through with his dream? Or will the kid get shut down and told to lead a normal life?
Now it sounds like I’m protesting for children’s rights but I just keep noticing how some adults help support everything I do and what this blog is all about while there are others telling me to abandon this dream and lead a normal life. And I can see where both arguments are coming from though. I am creative and full of determination so at my age, I should definitely be chasing my dream while I still have the opportunity. But then I am also easily influenced by propaganda, lack experience, and reluctant to hear negative critiques so I might end up in harsh failure. So which path do I follow?
Aaron Nemoyten describes on Startupism a meetup he went to where he met a “Newbie Idea Guy” who was unwilling to hear the truth that his idea had already been used and kept insisting that his idea was the “better amazing idea” and that was his only backing. Without any experience, one newbie is trying to conquer the whole travel site niche and trying to get partners and money for it. Just from that story, I can imagine that happening to me and upsetting me greatly.
Now we at CanTheWorldHearMe don’t want that happening to us. We want to be respected for who we are especially in the business world where a first impression could mean a million dollars. So our plan is to double the amount of experience we get in half the time. We’re going to go all-out overdrive mode on this plan so there is no regret for what we do. First step of course is creating a plan but we will gather the necessary networking and experience in the meantime. Sure this might sound ambitious but I follow my own philosophy that I created:
Believe in the world,
and the world will believe in you.
~Kevin X
Why aren’t we more happy?
The age-old question keeps coming up again and again. Why aren’t we more happy? You would think that happiness is so easy to obtain and you are right, it should be. But for most humans, depression comes along every now and then making life seem like the most miserable thing out there.
TEDLife is an ingenius conference gathering some of the greatest talkers in the world to discuss one thing: their ideas. One of my favorites is this video from Dan Gilbert in which he provides an answer to this question. He suggests that happiness is simply getting what we want compared to not getting what we want. He then goes on about synthetic happiness vs natural happiness. Synthetic happiness is when you make yourself believe your happy while normal happiness is when you actually get what you want. He concludes that both happinesses are actually on the same level although society places synthetic division on a lower level and he proves this with an experiment with amnesia patients. Well I won’t spoil the best parts for you as he is a pretty comical speaker as well. Enjoy the video
~Kevin X
We need actual education, not preparation for a test
We call for a new system for education. A system where everyone is happy, from the student to the teacher and there is actual education going on. Kids will learn what they want to learn that will prepare them well for the real world. There will be no ‘No Child Left Behind’ policy where teachers are forced to teach students that would rather be smoking and getting drunk all day. A system where there is less focus on a test for a number but focus on the actual material being learned. Sadly no one knows how this is possible.
The current educational system in the USA is turning more and more into memorization of facts to pass a test. There is no more asking ‘why’ things happen, just memorize that they do and darken in B on the scantron. The students are unmotivated and dread the class. The teachers don’t like this because they can’t teach any of the actual fun stuff because they have to prepare for a test. If a classroom is in turmoil like this, the only kids that like this system are the robots that say nothing, hide in the corner reading that textbook, and memorizing every word possible. And when they get out in to the real world they get a fancy piece of paper called a degree.
See the problem here? Now how do we fix this. Some people bring up the old system of master and apprentice where people specialize in a trade and learn it for life. But this doesn’t prepare you for real life either because the world is so interconnected today that basic knowledge is necessary to get by in the world. Someone else suggests mixing both systems and enabling a freedom for students to choose their style of education. Some people learn by hands-on, some by hearing lectures, and others by reading. Then others argue that without tests, kids don’t feel necessary to do well on anything and won’t be prepared for real life either.
Many American educational organizations have been arguing that countries in Asia particularly China and India have smarter students because of various stereotypes and critiques of their educational system. The way we look at it, stop whining about what other countries are doing and start fixing the problem here in this country. We have been too concerned on ‘assessing’ the educational level in each state or age group by administering a stupid pointless test. This test has no advantage to students and is just a way for politicians to be snotty and show that they’re state is smarter than yours. During my recent trip to China, I only saw two major differences. The kids that are doing good in school actually want to learn and all the dumb kids that don’t want to learn are allowed not to. It’s another way of showing ’survival of the fittest’ so of course the ’statistics’ are going to show that there are really smart kids in school because those are the only kids in school! The other kids drop out, sooner or later realize their mistake, have a huge regret, and then start the slow journey back into a normal lifestyle.
One can still argue cultures, genes, government, blah blah, yadda yadda but when it comes down to it, it is the student and teacher relation in the classroom and most classrooms in USA are unhappy. This post might seem like a harsh critique but we hope this opens the eyes of many citizens. We alone do not have a single solution to this problem but hopefully one day someone will or we will. The educational system needs to be changed by someone and anyone can be that someone.
~CanTheWorldHearMe
Why make Money when you could make Meaning?
The power to influence is stronger than the power of a dollar.
In a capitalist economy, every human being is for his or herself as they try to make money to better their lives. But also as human beings our first priority should be to make meaning and try to better human society. As a tip to all startup companies, Guy Kawasaki says:
“If you make meaning, you’ll probably make money. But if you set out to make money, you will probably not make meaning, and you won’t make money.”
The sad thing is that most people are driven by greed and it is rare to find someone who does things simply to help others. Even if people say things and do things, they probably still have some secret motive in the back of their minds. That is the cruel rule in the business world and no one wants to be used. My mom keeps telling me that the friends I make now in high school and maybe in college are my only true friends. She says when I grow up and become rich or famous out there in the real world, people will only be my friend if they want something from me.
I hope that is not the case but sometimes it is. That is why I created this blog because the world needs more people who want to make meaning. I want my meaning to get out to everyone in the whole world and it will be a meaning to help improve the lives of everyone or simply just bring out a smile. The meaning of every human being and the potential each one has to impact the world is strong. Money can really only help yourself but meaning can help the world. There was significant meaning to Blog Action Day and although it encompassed over 20,000 blogs, each blogger had meaning in their own way that was a part of this huge movement. Even CanTheWorldHearMe got noticed in a nice quote that deserves special mention.
Now go out there and make your own meaning. All of you mean a lot to your family, to your friends, and even to me for reading this blog. Without meaning and without people, this world is a pretty dull place.
~Kevin X
Blog Action Day- Can’t get any more influential than that
It’s a holiday for all bloggers to celebrate. It’s a holiday to unite all bloggers on one issue. It’s a holiday for the good of mankind. It’s Blog Action Day.
One man started with a web 2.0 startup like anyone else. And now he has over 15,000 20,000 blogs and 12 14 million readers all over the world together promoting the same issue. The environment. Talk about getting the world to hear you. The goal of this blog is basically CanTheWorldHearMe but the guy behind Blog Action Day has already done it in two quick months and I applaud him. Hopefully he might read this blog and see the full impact in how far his influence has spread.
Now the most creative thing I find about this concept is that it is actually promoting something ‘good’. In a time when people are predicting catastrophic global warming and pollution and rising oil prices, you would think Mother Nature is out to get us. But the truth is that we have caused all this damage in the first place. And by ‘we’ I really mean the adults and the adults before them. Now we as the ‘new generation’ have to clean up the messes they left behind. I propose one and only one solution:
- Educate yourself with common sense
Simply that means just be aware of what you do. Too many people and especially kids are too concerned with their own personal matters that they don’t think of how they affect the world in a large scale. This might just be the fault of our society or poor parenting. But this brings me back to my post about everyone’s story and the monkeysphere and how it is impossible for the human mind to care for everyone at once. So why not just think of everyone else as ‘the world’. I know that putting every single person on the world into one category is demeaning but it works in this case. We need to not only educate ourself of our actions but just become more aware of what we do. Hopefully if everyone at least takes that initiative the ‘new generation’ really can make a difference in the world.
~Kevin X
Edit// Well what do you know, the creator of Blog Action Day, Collis, DID visit our blog and left us a loving comment! He even quoted us on the official website! From us at CanTheWorldHearMe, thanks you Collis!
How To: Get 25 Hours a Day
It seems like everyone is so pressured for time these days that I am going to give my own little guide on how to hack more hours out of a day. This is going to be different than those other guides online and I’m going to make this as quick and simple as possible so I don’t waste your time by reading this.
- Work Faster- This might seem simple but you’d be surprised how many people don’t do it. Just convince your mind that you are constantly on caffeine or steroids and you’ll get a lot more work done.
- Wake Up Earlier- For some reason people are more productive in the morning than at night. Maybe it is because you are starting a fresh day instead of having been through a whole day.
- Have Fun and Enjoy It- You know the phrase “Time flies when you’re having fun?” So when you are having fun, realize it and enjoy it to its full potential. Make every minute of fun last an hour.
- Prioritize Your Needs- Know what is important and do that first. But usually the important stuff is the hardest stuff so that brings me to my next point.
- Tell that voice in your head to shut up- When the hardest task comes up we usually say to ourselves “maybe I’ll do that later…” Well tell that voice to shut up and do whatever you have to do. Once you get started, you really get in the mood and it will get done.
- Get off the internet- Except this blog, keep reading this blog =D
Hopefully by following these simple steps, you can get that extra hour out of your day that you always wanted otherwise try polyphasic sleep. Especially for students, a term paper or a final exam needs as much time as possible so get to it
~Kevin X
Is CanTheWorldHearMe too crazy to work?
I hope not. There are some people in this world that think our goals are crazy and that all the risks we take will be for naught. While there are others in the world who think we are the keys for inspiration and for change. My mind was perplexed and in an internal struggle… until I saw this quote:
Here’s to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes, the ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules, and they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them…about the only thing you can’t do is ignore them, because they change things, they push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.
That quote was said by none other than Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple. Then I thought, if 50 years ago someone mentioned making computers or the internet, we would call them psycho and probably send them for psychiatric help. 600 years ago if someone mentioned that the Earth was round, they would be laughed at and deemed cursed by the Devil. But the people that did think this, that did think outside of the box and that did come up with new solutions are the ones that left their mark on history. They singlehandedly pushed the human race forward and are noted for their accomplishments.
So is CanTheWorldHearMe too crazy to work? Some argue that people like Christopher Columbus or Bill Gates are one in a million or were just in the right place at the right time thinking the right idea. But still they were the crazy ones until what they did made them famous. It is a weird flaw in society where we shun these people where we should be praising for more of these people because they push the human race forward. I find myself odd because I’m thinking such crazy thoughts and seeking such a wild dream at such a young age. Maybe I am crazy and the world won’t hear me. But maybe the world will need a kid with a dream one day.
Below is a video of the aforementioned quote in its emotional entirety.
~Kevin X
Sonic Joins the Brawl
This is going to be one those off-topic posts for CanTheWorldHearMe but I can’t resist. Sonic the Hedgehog has been confirmed for Super Smash Brothers Brawl. SA-WEET!
He is the single most desired character ever for this fantastic video game combining characters all over the Nintendo franchise into an all out battle royale. Nothing makes a teen happier than seeing cute little Pikachu kick Bowser’s ass in a video game and now Sonic the hedgehog joins the fight. Ever since the rumor that Sonic and Tails could be unlocked, people dreamed and dreamed of pitting Sonic against Mario in an actual video game and now it has finally happened. I can guarantee you all I will definitely be buying this game as soon as it’s released for the brawling fun.
To relate this to our blog though, this is an example of Nintendo using web 2.0 effectively to market this long awaited video game. Every single weekday, there is a new update or two on the Smash Dojo blog and this is there chance to release teaser pics, videos, and news. They even have an RSS feed! They knew web 2.0 would generate a huge hype for this video game during the months before it is released and that means good news for sales. Maybe we could do that too. The internet has been known to create huge hypes.
~Kevin X
The amazing 10/20/30 rule that nobody listens to
Ever make a Powerpoint? Of course you have and in high school we do it a lot. But sadly most of them are BORING AS HELL!
Until Guy Kawasaki came along, most people would type everything they could onto their Powerpoint in tiny 3 point font and then just read off all the information hoping we stay awake and actually learn something. Then Guy proclaims the 10/20/30 rule stating that a Powerpoint should have no more than 10 slides, 20 minutes, and no less than 30 point font. That is an ingenius rule that not only proves you actually know what you are talking about but keeps the audience awake.
I am very sad to say that this does not apply to high school. As soon as I heard about this rule I used it immediately in all my presentation assignments. It was nice and easy to make and my speaking was effective. But recently a teacher did not approve and I got a C. She explained that my lack of text shows I did not research enough info and that it was too quick for the class to actually absorb any information. Last time I checked it was a “presentation” assignment, not a “Powerpoint” assignment and I was able to express everything through my speech and talked at a moderate pace to keep everyone awake. On the other hand someone that wrote in barely 5 point font, read almost everything off of the screen, which I actually slept through, got a decent A from the teacher. Obviously this does not apply to all teachers but now I am a little afraid to use this rule because any other teacher might feel the same way. Maybe it is because the teachers have sat through countless number of boring Powerpoints that they are used to it and a good one is too new for them to handle. Once again my ambition to act outside the box worked against me but I’m going to continue until they recognize what I do. I encourage everyone to act a little differently than how the ‘mob’ rolls and hope it pays off. How else can the world hear me?
~Kevin X
Wow… Look at all that traffic
A whopping 400 views in just 2 hours.
Sure it might be nothing for most of you but for a month-old blog that’s something. Now I’m not going to post every time we reach a landmark view count like 1,337 but yesterday was a very impressive day. This thought-provoking post somehow got to the front page of wordpress.com and stayed there for a phenomenal 2 hours. I’m not sure how it got there, whether someone at wordpress actually recommended it or just by pure luck, but a lot of viewers got to see this blog and actually read what we wrote and that made us very happy 
If anyone knows the real reason please feel free to tell us. Usually if this gets on reddit or digg, there is a brief surge in traffic but I feel it is all fake since most people would never come back and read this blog. I am glad this was not the case and welcome our new readers.
There were also a lot of comments yesterday and I felt right to do my part and reply to every single one of them. I want to build a strong blogging community where everyone is respected and I mean that. I’m not sure how other phenomenal blogs got started but I hope they were nice to all their readers too. If there are any experienced bloggers reading this, please share your experience!
~Kevin X