Fan To Pro - The Blog of Professional Geekery

Launch or Be Lunch, Day 18 - Originality is SO Original, Part 1: Been There, Done That, Got the Franchise

Okay, today we're going to spend the next couple of days talking about originality...and why it doesn't count.  Yup, you heard me.

What, you thought you always had to be original?  That anyone going for something that isn't original is dull and just copying?  I'm sure that you've heard the old maxim that there are only five/seven/twelve different stories (or if you haven't, read Tamara's outstanding article from earlier in the week) or that Joseph Campbell only thinks there's just one - albeit with a thousand variations.  And of course, the old saying that "there's nothing new under the sun."

So there you have it: originality doesn't count.  Still don't believe me?  Well, I guess the words - or rather the images - speak for themselves.

 

Geekiness And Normalization

I call myself a professional geek.  I am quite proud to say that. Yet, oddly, I can remember when geek was an insulting term and not the definition–bordering–on–compliment it is today.

Or in short, I remember the 80s.  If you don't, you're actually missing quite a lot, but I digress.

Now, being an old geek, I remember when the term was basically insulting, sort of a version of "egghead" and implying a kind of pathology or maladjustment.  I remember when it was virtually the same as "nerd".

The Fan To Pro Glossary

A helpful guide to terms we use around here.  Updated 1/9/2010:

A
A.I.N.O. - Anime In Name Only.  Refers to things based on anime with none of what made the anime work, or things imitating anime.

C
CorpTechPocalype - The inevitable end of Corporate IT as it moves to SaaS, mobile, and outsourcing.  Comes from a series of two columns at 3 Geeks and A Law Blog (here and here), further commented on here.

Crush Object - Any company that the staff things is particularly awesome.  In Bonnie's case, eternally Sony.

E
Econogeek - A geek who is into economics, or a person who is geeky about economics.

Everything Wars - The name for the conflict going on between many companies that previously did not compete, but now do because of technical synergy.

G
Geekonomy - The ill-defined part of the economy that is dominated by Geekdom.  Includes media, technology, comics, video games, and whatever else the bloggers feel is vaguely related.

Geekonomics - Activity that affects the Geekonomy.  Also interesting news for Econogeeks.

P
"Three P's" - Politicans, Preachers, and Pundits.  The people Steve most often notes manage to botch things up while being moralizing.

Production Revolution - The ability that the internet and IT tools have given people to become published authors, artists, videographers, etc.

Progeek, Profan, Protaku - Terms for people who apply their hobbies professionally.

Predictions: Anime and Manga in 2011

Last year's predictions are here.

And as for 2011 . . .

Year-End Predictions: Last Year's Roundup!

The year is over, and you can see our past predictions in 2010:

• Anime and Manga
• Media and Publishing
• Technology
• Video Games
• The Economy

But how did we do, well . . .

Oh, All That Yummy Consumer Data . . .

What do people want?  That's a big question in any business venture or job, and one that is often surprisingly hard to answer.  In many cases people just hope people want what they make, or hope to convince them they want it (that's what marketing departments are for).

Right now in the age of DLC, e-comics, and online purchases from stores with gigantic virtual inventories, we've got an incredible opportunity to find out what people want.  We'd better be ready, because the meandering-forward economy with its eBooks and virtual stores and fermium games is going to be a giant learning opportunity.

Do I HAVE to Be A 'Personality'?

I recall when I was first called an "Internet Personality."  It was at a convention, and that was how I was described in the program booklet. That was quite a few years ago, and it seems that over time in the age of the internet, megamedia, and 24-hour news cycles the world is filled with "personalities."

Personalities are everywhere.  News personalities.  Internet personalities.  Writers are personalities.  Colorful local personalities.  It seems some of the most successful (or at least famous) people we know are, well . . . personalities.

What Makes a Crush Object For Steve?

Here at fan to pro, we talk about our Crush Objects, what goes into the Resume-Worthy Roundup, etc.  But we don't explain our philosophy about it.

Well Bonnie and I don't exactly have a unified philosophy about it, but here are the things that makes me crush on a company - and make me think that you might want to send that company a resume.  Next time you see a News of The Day or a Resume-Worthy Roundup, here's what I'm thinking, in no particular order, and not that every company has to meet all these requirements:

• Bright Idea or Right Idea.  I want a company with good ideas, either really innovative, really stable, or both.  If a company can innovate and have a stable, reliable idea then I'm bang alongside it.  Just remember sometimes a dull idea that works is better than an unsure brilliant idea - and a brilliant idea may be better than a dull, plodding approach.
• Right location.  This isn't always important to me, but some locations seem more promising than others because of prominence, recruitig opportunities, and the fact investors do seem biased to some physical locations.  My biases tend towards Seattle, the Bay Area, Greater Boston, Toronto, Vancouver, New York, Baltimore-DC, and Chicago.  The megaregions, in short.
• Money.  The company should be financially stable or have some great Venture Capital.
• Venture Capital.  Steve's Rule is that if someone invests $10 million or more in a company, I pay attention.  It's sort of an intuitive thing with me.  $10 million is the magic number - though in some cases, less is OK if there are other good factors.
• The right person.  You hire some CEO or innovator with a good record, and I'm going to pay attention.
• Savvy.  I want to see smarts, an edge, something clever - or something so functionally dull I can't deny it works.  I also want to see that you've addressed concerns before others raise them.
• Communication.  This is amorphous, but I like companies that can communicate their ideas and are open about what they do (though in the case of stealth startups I know that doesn't always happen).  Tell me and others why you're good, talk to us.
• Demo.  If you can show me why you're good, even with a prototype, I pay attention.
• Right Time.  Are you coming in at the right time, or planning for a time that's right in the future?  Then I pay attention.
• Survival.  I admire companies that ride out bad times.
• Personality.  This is amorphous, so I think it's obvious.  I do like a company with a human side and that is "itself."

So that's what gets companies to crush object status with me and/or gets them into the Resume Worthy Roundup.

Now, feel free to argue - or tell me your standards!

- Steven Savage

The Fan To Pro Manifesto

Our true interests and abilities can be determined by looking at what we are passionate about: the things we fan over, geek out over, our hobbies and fandoms.
   
Our careers are best directed by our true interests and abilities.
   
By examining our hobbies, interests, and pastimes we may gain insight into ourselves - our passions, our abilities, our knowledge, and our connections.
   
By applying what we learn about ourselves from our hobbies and interests, we may achieve more fulfilling careers and lives.
   

To not do this is to limit ourselves.

- Steven Savage

Predictions: The Economy in 2009

Predictions for 2009 are here.

Predictions for 2010 are here . . .