the wisdom of crowds revisited: of 9/11 and collective intelligence

Remember a couple of months back, when I told you about the book I had just finished, The Wisdom of Crowds.

Just today, we saw a pretty grisly traffic accident. About 20 feet away, group of onlookers tried to catch a glimpse something interesting. It was the perfect example of the wisdom of crowds.

Why do they stand 20 feet away? Who decided that 20 feet was the safe distance? The answer is “collective intelligence”. They just know. Like a school of fish avoiding a predator...they just know.

Remember September 11, 2001? Who could forget, right?

One of the things that really sticks in my mind about the day is the way that people congregated on street corners near the WTC. At first, onlookers were only a few blocks away. Then, as the second plane hit, they progressed further from the site, collectively sensing danger in the air. Finally, as the towers fell, the citizens of New York began fleeing in masse. The scene of office workers crossing the Brooklyn Bridge on foot is burned into my mind.

They moved as a collective. No government, no meetings, no leaders. The wisdom of crowds kept many people safe that day.

And while heroes are the ones who rush in while others rush out (think of the firefighters' bravery on that terrible day), the crowds often find safety in their collective wisdom.

have you got a minute? of drizzly summers, home affairs and toothpaste

- We woke up this morning to a blanket of 50 degree drizzle. Tonight, as we get ready for bed, it is 50 degrees and drizzling. Welcome to summer in Joburg. Sigh...

- We put our laundry up on the line last night. I think it’s more wet now than when we pulled it from the washing machine.

- We spent a few more hours at the Home Affairs Department on Wednesday.

- Got an email today. Kindle is on the way. I’ll keep you informed.

- Stef is my favorite person in the world. She makes me smile every day. So many times a day. Incredible.

- Kenya is still embroiled in all kinds of violence. Keep praying.

- Ever seen the show Pirate Master? It is some American reality show that comes on here. Worst television ever...

- Did I mention the Home Affairs Department? You wouldn’t believe the story.

- Pastor Willie will be in San Antonio on Friday. He will be preaching at Grace Point on Sunday at both services. In the spirit of all great used car commercials, “Tell him Kyle sent ya.”

- So, the Home Affairs Department broke their rules and their immigration laws and extended our visas through the end of our time here. Apparently, some special board members got a hold of our applications and decided we would be legal here after all.

- Seattle is my favorite US city. Chicago is in mourning.

- Why isn’t toothpaste sold in bigger tubes? Wouldn’t that make sense?

- Ya, we’re going to be legal here after all. God works all kinds of things out.

- Hilary or Barack? Or Huck or McCain or Mitt? You tell us. We’re a little out of the loop.

- That’s all today. Life is good.

the truffle-shuffle and living a life of inspiration

The other night I found myself entranced. At the end of a long day, I found myself fighting off exhaustion in order to keep my eyes open long enough to enjoy one of the all-time greats, at least for people of and around my generation.

Goonies was on SABC2. And I was all over Goonies.

It is one of those movies that has somehow stood the test of time.

I found myself enjoying every ounce of it. The Truffle Shuffle....booby traps....the inhaler....the Fratellis...Sloth....Baby Ruth....I was even jamming along with all of the Cyndi Lauper songs that are spliced into the film.

And, really, for the first time, I found myself identifying with the protagonist, Mikey. Mikey is the kid that never says “die”, never says “quit”. Mikey refuses to settle for less than every last drop of life.

Mikey leads those around him, whether they be older or smarter or more clever. And he refuses to allow the obstacles, slow him down as they may, dampen his enthusiasm to achieve the goal. Mikey seems to have an inner reservoir of strength and motivation.

Mikey will find the treasure of “One-Eyed Willie”. He will succeed where others, like Chester Copperpot, failed. He is an unstoppable force.

I desire to have a life like that.

I pray that Stef and I can go through life with blind passion, endless enthusiasm. I hope that we can continue to make the difficult decisions, the ones that lead us to the ultimate rewards at the end of the journey. I hope that we will forfeit short-term for long-term and security for freedom and beauty. I hope that no matter how many obstacles we face, we will continue to press on towards the goal, mindful of all of those who have gone before us and propelled by the Truth within us. I pray, finally, that in living that life, we might one day be someone’s Mikey, someone’s picture of determination and inspiration.

what we're reading: "the one thing"

So, I finished "The One Thing You Need to Know" by Marcus Buckingham last week.

There are few books that really stick with me.

“Life of Pi” is probably the work of fiction that has most haunted me.

“Love is the Killer App” is a business-book that captured my imagination in so many ways.

“Tipping Point” and “Blink” reminded me how much fun it can be to learn.

And I always find myself recommending them. They are perfect for everyone.

We may have to add “The One Thing You Need to Know” by Marcus Buckingham to the list.

Buckingham tells managers to “Discover what is unique about each person and capitalize on it.”

He tells us that “The job of a great leader is to rally people to a better future.”

It is a difficult book to explain and it is aimed at “managers, leaders, and those seeking sustained individual success”. That didn’t make me want to crack the spine and read (and I could understand your hesitation). But reading the book of a man who worked for Gallup for 17 years, with endless fascinating anecdotes, is a simple joy.

goliath takes on goliath and everyone is well-caffeinated

Every so often, I across a business story that completely takes my attention.

How about this one: McDonalds is going to take on Starbucks.

That's right. McDonalds is apparently planning on putting Starbucks-style coffee bars in 14,000 US stores. They will offer all of the fancy drinks that Starbucks does and will be staffed by dedicated baristas.

What!?!?!?

I would love to have been a fly on the wall in the McD's executive board room. And how is old Starbucks handling this news? I would love some insight. (I am the guy who read the 400 page book about a year of Starbucks stock and wished that it wouldn't have ended.)

This is going to get much more interesting - even if I am the only

one fascinated by it.

(Check out the poll to the right - time for you to weigh in...)

And check out the full story in the Wall Street Journal: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119967000012871311.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

our night in a real hotel

On New Year’s Eve, Stef and I got the distinct privilege of staying in a hotel. You read right. We stayed in a real hotel.

We received a gift from a very generous someone who told us that we had to spend this sum of money that she donated on ourselves. So, we chose to stay in the Milpark Garden Court Hotel for one night.

(This gift contributed to a growing number of people who tell us that we can’t give their gifts away. You people are getting clever.)

I cannot begin to tell you how cool it was. We felt like 8-year-olds staying at Embassy Suites for the first time.

As opposed to being trapped in our room all day, we laid out by the hotel pool, enjoying sun and a sense of freedom.

Instead of showering with the roaches of the Mission House, we showered in a proper, functioning, clean shower with plenty of hot water.

Where we usually watched whatever fuzzy nonsense was on our TV (in whichever language it happened to be broadcast in), we were spoiled with 20 crystal-clear channels, including CNN, Discovery, and 7 (seven!!) Sports Stations.

As opposed to sleeping in our bed that is graciously described as having the shape of an inverted camel (instead of a hump, we have a huge dip right down the middle), we slept in a pristine white, clean, comfy, and (oh so) firm bed.

Instead of waking to the prayers of Muslims next door or to the squawking of birds, we slowly woke to find the New York/Times Square New Years celebration happening before us on our aforementioned TV.

And where we usually we slap some peanut butter on a piece of bread and call it a balanced breakfast, we were treated to a breakfast buffet, complete with eggs, toast, bacon, coffee, and fruit.

To say the least, it was a very good start to our 2008.

"i don't really know what we're doing"

Sometimes, we missionaries get bored. Some nights, we missionaries get delirious.

This video was taken not too long ago.

Stef and Tiff...Arrested Development...The Shower...The Running Man...South Africa.

You really have to see it to believe it. (After the opening credits, give the video 10 seconds or so...then give it another ten seconds to show up in the screen the right way - it's worth the trouble.)