Exceptionalism

Exceptionalism

I believe in exceptionalism.

I believe there are exceptional things, exceptional people, exceptional nature, exceptional times and exceptional needs.

America has exceptional power to help bring justice, peace and aid to the world.  I believe that it is in the world's best interest that conflicts be resolved, crimes punished and violence be contained – so that happiness is pursuable as best as is possible.  People are not happy when they live in terror and violence.

America has an exceptional capacity to build and create, just as it does to bomb and destroy.  I think we should move away from nihilism – destroying that which is deemed unusable – and instead consider stabilizing and building long term.  Syria, Egypt, Israel and Iraq have had a tumultuous past, and the last few years have brought increased instability and destruction, and seemingly endless violence across the region.  The world can do better for the Middle East, and the Middle East can and should do better for itself.  In my opinion it's time to build-to-last, and start thinking long term about the conflicts in that historic region.  We must think how best to mitigate and resolve the conflicts, end the senseless and preventable violence, and grow the world economy in the process.

Every country should look for its exceptional qualities and use them to the benefit of all.

Washington DC needs exceptional people, with exceptional political skills and legal minds, to solve it's exceptionally complex problems.

Silicon Valley is exceptional in that it is a world Mecca for technological entrepreneurs, a global hub and home to some the world’s most vibrant and flourishing startups and startup community.  Apple, Google, Facebook and Twitter are all exceptional startup companies by the numbers – and unique in the world in that the way that people use them opens up new platforms and more value. 

Wall Street is always looking for exceptional legal, money, finance, business and economics minds.  You have to be a rocket scientist these days to understand what the numbers are saying…  Most people don’t think in the trillions.  You need to have an exceptional grasp of economics, and real world (global)logistics, not just numbers anymore. 

America is exceptional in many ways – most notably our economic and military power.  But America is also exceptional in its idealistic foundation.  America is the grand experiment in Democracy, and The Republic.  The American Republic stands for freedom, liberty and justice for all.  The Republic is built on natural law and the inalienable right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. 

I find it exceptional and fascinating.

America is far from perfect and democracy has its flaws.  But I believe the ideals of the Constitution, and our foundation should guide the body politic.

America is a global stage, a country and population of people from all over the world.  Immigrants, drawn to the American dream, freedom, banded together and created an exceptional and incredible country – unique in the history of the world.

California is exceptional.  California is the most ethnically diverse and populous state, with an economy larger than most countries.  California is also exceptionally American in that it represents is essentially the edge of 'Western Civilization' and western push by the ‘Age of Enlightenment’ and revolutionary thinking of early Americans.   Explorers, adventurers, entrepreneurs, and artists from the east and west have come to California, and still do.  California is the end of the line on the famous coast to coast rail line trains from the East coast of America. 

Los Angeles is exceptional in many ways.  It’s an alpha city with a dynamic, topography, weather, culture, and history that is very unique in the world.  Los Angeles is the only major city in the world with a mountain range running through it, splitting its vastness virtually in half.  The American dreamers who came to California and Los Angeles, and continue to come, myself included, are an interesting, and I would say exceptional bunch.  I consider dreamers and builders to be exceptional, because they often value creativity the most.  Happiness is essential to creativity, and creativity can do the exceptional.  The vibrant and exceptional creative community in Los Angeles, from all corners of the world, have formed an exceptional art, media and innovation machine that has changed the world. And in my mind will continue to do so.  If you can change the world, you can make it better.  As an Artist, and creator of entertainment content, I think entertainment, and the (entertainment) arts have changed the world for the better.  Exceptional films and art require exceptional artists.

America’s history is exceptional as I see it.  From the early days of colonialism and revolution, to the Civil War, the Gold Rush, and the World Wars… From the 1950's suburban culture, wealth and abundance, to leisure and luxury exceeding anything in recorded history.  With great abundance generally comes great creativity and art.  It is easier to be creative if an artist isn’t concerned about food, shelter and other basics.  America, and especially California, freed up a level of creativity, innovation, imagination, arts and artists – allowing so many artist to pursue happiness through art, making their dreams come true – that the Hollywood dream became synonymous with the American dream.  Hollywood, like America itself, is where anyone can become a rich or famous global mega-star.  Hollywood is, for its global platform, always looking for exceptional talent, artists and entrepreneurs.

America is a popularity contest at its democratic core, and so is Hollywood.  It's so “high school”… and just like high school kids, you get older and they stay the same age.  Hollywood is exceptional in that, no matter who you are, what you look like, or what you believe, you can be made globally famous or infamous (famous against your will) by Hollywood, rich and famous beyond your wildest dreams.  It happens all the time.  Hollywood finds exceptional people and uses them to sell products; to make money.  It’s a thriving business model.  The truly exceptional people in Hollywood are those who thrive in its crazy business, and those who have exceptional talent, work ethic, beauty and/or brains.  To be exceptional in Hollywood, to be exceptionally talented, rich or famous, is to be exceptional on the world stage.

Hollywood is always looking for exceptional talent, and exceptional amounts of money to fund its films.  Hollywood has always been an exceptional industry, built by exceptional people, in exceptional times, in exceptional freedom, in an exceptional state and country…now with exceptional tools, strategies, and global markets unlike anything in history, or ever before in history.

Not all exceptionalism is equal, especially in a value driven market of commercialism capitalist meritocracy popularity contest media content.  Not all exceptionalism is measured and valued by the same scale.  And the definition of exceptional is essentially ever-changing, or continuously assessed… So it is easy to get exceptionally and detrimentally obsessed with being “exceptional” and losing sight of what is truly important in life:  Happiness.

Being able to pursue happiness is the key to unleashing the power of exceptionalism, as I see it.

Sometimes, exceptional people are not happy until they have done exceptional things.  Sometimes people are made exceptional because they are called upon or forced to do exceptional things.  Sometimes people find themselves in exceptional circumstance and events.

I believe that all people hold the capacity for world-changing greatness and exceptionalism.

Reaching for your dreams, striving for greatness, striving to change the world for the better, and wanting to be exceptional is a good thing.  It drives creativity, innovation, and civilization forward in meaningful and constructive ways.   Exceptionalism has a tremendous capacity for good.

I feel we live in exceptional times.  There are more people on the planet than ever, and we are off the charts and into uncharted territory that is, without exception, exceptional in history.  The events of the past century, decade and even the past year, are exceptional in world history.  The world is more connected and interconnected than ever before.  I see exceptional change continuing and happening faster.  The more happiness in the world, the more creativity and the more prosperity there will be.

Exceptional times call for exceptional people.

Exceptional people are needed more than ever, and exceptionalism should be encouraged.  Be exceptional.  Find your dream and run with it.  See your vision and create.  Develop your idea and build.  You can change the world for the better if you really want to.

If you think you can change the world for the better, you are exceptional. The world needs exceptional people to be aware of, and help solve, its exceptional problems.  

Be exceptional.

If you were drawn to read this, and read it in its entirety, then you are exceptional.

DISCLAIMER!

 * DISCLAIMER *

The views and opinions expressed in this blog are not necessarily the views of Julian Tyler.

Views and Opinions of Julian Tyler are subject to change without notice.

This blog is intended to serve only as amusement, is not intended to cure any illness and nothing that you read in this 'Postmodernism Blog' should be regarded as medical, mental or health advice. None of the statements on 'Postmodernism' are suppose to be understood as a recommendation as to how to treat any particular disease or [mental] health related condition.  If you are struggling with critical theory and require medical, psychological, existential, linguistic, artistic, multidimensional or other assistance, you should consult a [Postmodern] professional!

"Are you not entertained?!"

Social Media

I work in the media business.

Social Media is becoming increasingly important to 'traditional media'.  It's important to have a coherent social media strategy.

Twitter is great for broadcasting.  Tweet it and it goes out to everything, including Facebook.

Facebook is where you can group and compartmentalize, layer and develope platforms, like games.

Instagram is good for photography, and capturing moments.  I try to add pictures as often as I can.  All pictures taken by me!   I post some Insta-pics on my Facebook, for my Facebook friends and can allow them to be seen by all or only certain groups.  If I want to share a picture with everyone I post it from Instagram to Twitter, and Twitter posts it to Facebook as "public".

Fan Pages are for your true fans.  These are the people you want to engage most with.  They want to hear about you and your projects.  Your "fans" are the ones who want the free gifts, and will be waiting in line to buy your book or see your movie.  This is where you want to show love and give them certain insights you don't give others.

It's about curating content for your given audience.

You want a little redundancy in your social networks.  But you you don't want uniformity, at least that is my opinion.  If you give everything, say on Facebook, then your friend/fan/follower may not be inclined to follow you elsewhere, like to your Fan Page or Instagram, and it will not expand your social network.  Give some content from other platforms, but not all.

Not everyone wants to read or see everything.  You want the people that want more of your content to get more, and those that only want some to get only what they want.  Ideally you want people to want more content and access.

It's all about the content.

Beauty is Truth

"Beauty is truth, truth beauty"

I saw this on the wall in the Library of Congress, and just remembered to look it up.

It's from "Ode on a Grecian Urn"
by John Keats (1820)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ode_on_a_Grecian_Urn

The whole poem is on the Wikipedia page, here are the last five lines:

When old age shall this generation waste,
Thou shalt remain, in midst of other woe
Than ours, a friend to man, to whom thou sayst,
"Beauty is truth, truth beauty," – that is all
Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know.

I thought I'd share it.  I liked it.

John Keats' ode to a treasure of Classical Antiquity immortalized him, much like the creation of the Art by which the poem was inspired immortalized the Artist.  The essence of the poem, that beauty is eternal as truth is eternal is moving, and resonated with me.  Obviously it resonated strongly with the builders of America's greatest, and one of the worlds greatest libraries.

The profound beauty and art of the ancient world still reverberates to the present, passing through time unchanged in truth and beauty.

The truth is beautiful.

Beauty is truth.

It's beautiful because it's true.

Silicon Beach

Silicon Beach Fest

“What is Silicon Beach?”

I asked this question when I attended the annual Silicon Beach Festival in Santa Monica.  This year is the second year of the festival, 2012 was the first.  While the idea of ‘Silicon Beach’ has received notable press over the last year, since the first year of the festival, the question of what exactly ‘Silicon Beach’ is remains for many, including myself.

            The name ‘Silicon Beach’ is derived from the concept of Silicon Valley.  The banner of ‘Silicon Beach’ implies it is a branch of, or related to, Silicon Valley.   This begs the question:

“What is Silicon Valley?” 

“Silicon Valley is the southern region of the San Francisco Bay Area in Northern California, in the United States. The region, whose name derives from the Santa Clara Valley in which it is centered, is home to many of the world's largest technology corporations as well as thousands of small startups. The term originally referred to the region's large number of silicon chip innovators and manufacturers, but eventually came to refer to all the high-tech businesses in the area, and is now generally used as a metonym for the American high-tech sector.”   -- Wikipedia

Silicon Beach can therefore be the name / metonym given to the tech/startup community of Los Angeles County.  

Some people don’t think the name ‘Silicon Beach’ makes sense because you won’t find the production of Silicon chips which gave Silicon Valley its namesake.  While other names have been thrown around, like ‘LA Tech’, for me the name ‘Silicon Beach’ is fitting.  Unlike other burgeoning tech communities, as in New York, Austin or London, Silicon Beach actually has close connections to Silicon Valley, and increasingly has the direct investment of Silicon Valley companies like Google, and connections to Pixar (Disney) via Apple computer. 

The idea of a “Silicon Valley of the South”, a tech industry like Silicon Valley in Los Angeles County is easy to get behind for LA locals and the state.  Who in California wouldn’t want a tech boom in Los Angeles County?  Not many Californians (and fewer Southern Californians) are against more good jobs, more economic growth and more wealth in the local economy.  The idea of a ‘Silicon Valley of the South’ would imply just that.  The feeling that ‘Silicon Beach’ has the potential to be a “Silicon Valley of the South” is palpable. 

The energy of the festival and the LA Tech community is that of a startup, an idea with the essential elements of a good startup: value and story.  The Los Angeles community of tech interests appear to be getting behind and investing in the idea, which makes it prime to take off in a big way.  Is it possible for ‘Silicon Beach’ to become something like ‘Silicon Valley’?  “Anything is possible” and “think big” was the mantra the echoing throughout the four-day festival.  

What most sets Silicon Beach apart from its tech industry sister in the North is fact that Silicon Beach is more entertainment/content/media and creatively focused, less about hardware and an algorithms.  If the Festival schedule is any indication, Silicon Beach is decidedly focused on entertainment, with topics like Hollywood, social media, gaming and content distribution the subject of many panels.  The historic focus of Los Angeles on entertainment is a benefit to Silicon Beach, as the creative community of Hollywood and the associated creative industries (gaming, advertising, fashion) has the effect of making the Southern California tech scene that much more unique, and maybe even gives it a creative edge.

Los Angeles County has long been home to technology related industries like Aerospace, so Silicon Beach has a local base of skilled computer and engineering talent to draw from.  Only a few miles down the beach south from Santa Monica and the Silicon Beach Festival is a the city of El Segundo, which has Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Xerox among it’s top employers.  Also within the county are several world renowned science and technology research universities, CalTech, USC and UCLA.  CalTech made an appearance at the festival and displayed some of it’s 3-D printing technology; very cool I might add.  USC recently completed state-of-the-art facilities for film production, virtual reality and gaming on its campus, and operates the Institute for Creative Technologies in Playa Vista.  UCLA is also an incubator of talent for startups, and was involved in the creation of the internet as we know it.  Throw in Idealabs and the Pasadena tech scene which was present at the festival and all of this is like water on the seeds of potential in the garden of Silicon Beach.

With the growing dependence, focus, and investment by Hollywood in technology (3-D, visual effects, digital distribution) and social media (for advertising, metrics, distribution), the presence of tech startups all over the county already, and skilled and motivated human resources nearby, the stage for a new hub of tech startups is set and lit.  Google (as well as others) are also building/operating facilities (Google’s YouTube Studios in Playa Vista is a perfect example) in Los Angeles to follow the trend of Silicon Valley integration with Hollywood.  Digital LA and the founders of Silicon Beach Fest are definitely on to something

So what is Silicon Beach?

Silicon Beach is the triumvirate of Los Angeles based Technology resources/talent, Global Media Conglomerates, and Creative artists (content creators).  Silicon Beach is the love-child of Silicon Valley and Hollywood.  It’s a banner and metonym under which Los Angeles County startups and tech scene can form a community to learn and grow together. 

Silicon Beach is a startup.

"If you are successful in your startup what does that look like?"  "What is the heart and soul of your business idea?"  -- Matt McCall, New World Ventures

If the Silicon Beach “startup” is successful, the Los Angeles tech and creative communities have a new incubator of innovation, a way to attract talent and new business, and economic growth.  The ‘heart and soul’ of the idea is to form a community of innovators with common goals and interests to promote and grow the community, and its interests.

The Silicon Beach Festival is a great way to meet the LA Tech community!

The opening party at Viceroy in Santa Monica started out small, but quickly grew to a packed house.  For the first day I wasn’t able to view the website for the Festival schedule because, as I was told, the site was overwhelmed with traffic and crashed -- too much of a good thing I guess.

The Festival, much like the Silicon Beach community itself, is fractured and decentralized.  The panels took place mostly in two locations ROC and Cross Campus in Santa Monica, and at these locations there were usually three compartmentalized ‘tracks’ of panels going on in the building.  At any given time during the festival there were always at least six (sometimes more) panels or events all happening at once.  Hollywood, Gaming, Startups, Advertising, Social Media, and other topics were topics being discussed in different rooms or as part of certain tracks.  This is reflective of Silicon Beach, which itself comprised of many different elements.  However it makes for difficult choices for someone like myself who wishes they cold be in two places at once.

This can be frustrating at times because there is no way you can see it all.  I recommend planning what panels or tracks are most interesting to you ahead of time.  Ideally the entire festival could take place in one location to make floating from discussion to discussion easier, but most people have a ‘track’ that is their focus, so the structure is workable.

There was so much to see and do it was almost overwhelming.  Hackathons, Lunches, Parties, Fashion shows, demos, and after parties.  I recommend trying to get in as much as possible, but not spreading yourself too thin.  Don’t try and see everything and end up not really getting into the meat of anything.  For me, it’s also important to not be too rigid, sometimes it’s nice to go sit in on something I know nothing about, talk to people and see what they are doing, and be open to exploring other topics you thought you didn’t have interest in.  You may have more interest and connection to the topic/discussion than you thought, and it may have more connection to your goals than you realize.

If you love technology and or entertainment, and have interest in startups and innovation, as I do, you would definitely enjoy this festival.  Even if you aren’t really into technology, but you create content, or work in Hollywood, gaming or advertising you will likely enjoy the festival.  Anyone that loves a party will enjoy the parties.

I look forward to next years’ festival, and have a feeling it’s only going to get bigger and better in the years ahead.

           

 

Postmodern Muse

Muse is a great word.  It means to think to one's self as a verb, and as a noun it means a goddess who provides over Arts and Sciences.

muse |myoōz|verb [ intrans. ]be absorbed in thought : he was musing on the problems he faced.• [with direct speech ] say to oneself in a thoughtful manner : “I think I've seen him somewhere before,” mused Rachel.• ( muse on) gaze thoughtfully at.

Muse |myoōz|noun(in Greek and Roman mythology) each of nine goddesses, the daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne, who preside over the arts and sciences.• ( muse) a woman, or a force personified as a woman, who is the source of inspiration for a creative artist.

Postmodern Muse |pōstˈmädərˌnizəm||myoōz|
noun

A man or woman who is unbaisedly considered good at:

• Providing the best advice and council for friends, family, fans and fellow dreamers and creative thinkers.

•  Being able to talk about Art & Science and Philosophy and Metaphysics as well as Beauty and the nature of how it affects us, in the moment, in the past and in the future; i.e. 'wax poetic' with great intellect and intertextual contextual retrospect.

• Words!  Be great with words, and best in person.  Witty.  Fun.  Humorous. Interesting and Informative.

•  Helping people see what they want, visualize and imagine, and figure out how to get it, make it, or do it, or create it.

• Listening, Visualizing and conversating effortlessly and fluidly from topic to topic, exploring topics, possibilities or options, brain storming, making connections, mind opening.*  (*is essential for the Postmodern muse.)

• Finding the truth in every situation, and working from there to strategize, problem-solve, or resolve the situation, or make a creative breakthrough; and better the future.

• Amusing.  A Postmodern Muse is always amusing.

The Future of Screenwriting

The Future of Screenwriting, a dialogue with quotes from a Producer.

“Routine interest movies will die.”

No kind of movie will die. A silent film won an Oscar only a year or so ago. There will always be a market for everything. Whether it's YouTube channels or indie theaters. If anything the fracturing of the market, the compartmentalizing of media markets and types helps people find what they want and buy more of it. If it's not commercially viable on a global scale, it can be scaled down for a specific market or platform, and for instance be used to generate ad revenue on your YouTube channel.

“Theatrical movies will become almost exclusively franchise, brand, and thereby commerce driven.”

I think it's fair to say +$100 million dollar films will (or already have) become largely franchise, established IP, or brand driven. But there will always be that amazing spec script that someone finds and is able to raise capital to make, and a major distributor is willing to market and sell. That will never go away.

No one really knows the future, but my opinion is that the way studio's are building their slates now, is most likely how it will be for a while.

There will always be the franchise/brand pics in summer, the prestige Oscar pics like "Argo" or "Silver Linings Playbook", and the indie that gets global distribution.

“The concept of the movie star will continue to mean less and less until we don't have any left.”

I think the opposite of this actually the truth. Movie stars have seen themselves become increasing more in demand globally and more powerful than ever. Having millions of Twitter followers is powerful and meaningful. Investing in tech start-ups, getting into politics, movie stars are more powerful and (world stage) prominent than ever.

The concept of the movie star is also integral the the Hollywood machine. Hollywood loves movie/media stars, loves to make them, hate them, and use them to sell products, magazines and movies. I don't see the movie star ever going away or diminishing at all.

“The next evolution of TV (i.e. Netflix Original Programming) will drive the next wave of artistic integrity and push our industry forward.”

 I think the HBO and Netflix model is pushing the industry forward in many ways. Because the subscription model isn't ratings or advertising driven it allows for the creation of content that is able to take creative risks and pursue "artistic integrity". But there are many different forms of artistic integrity, 3-D for example, that are also pushing the industry forward. The attractiveness of TV is greatly increased by the proliferation of mobile devices, platforms and digital distribution, which create more ways to generate income from content over the long haul, which allow for more risk. But I would not write off films and do not believe that theatrical films cannot also benefit from the expansion of ways to consume content. I also see the trend of TV to movies and movies to TV shows as only just beginning to catch on, which allows for TV and movies to drive each other forward creatively and financially.

If you believe that "nobody know anything" then it is possible that the people that claim "nobody knows anything" are incorrect or know nothing, and therefore somebody does know something. I believe that corporations/studios are inclined to believe that even their executives don't know enough to bank on, which is why the big media corporations are turning to computers, metrics, algorithms and 'big data' to tell them something/anything. What the data can tell them is that the market for a film/TV/media project is worth a certain amount and the investment should be tailored accordingly. Computers help corporations mitigate risk and identify markets in a way no person can, which in the long run will actually help Hollywood make more profits and spend money more wisely, making it possible to take more creative risks because they are on stronger financial footing.

A computer can't tell you if a movie is good or bad, but it can certainly tell you which demographics are responding to it, and if further development/investment is worth while. Gone are the days of $100 million dollar investments based on what a few people think will sell. Studios want more assurances than that in the climate of Hollywood today, because maybe those people greenlighting the spending of $100 million on a film don't know anything. As I see it, the creation of high quality content will always be a sound investment, because IP can generate income for decades, and can be leveraged to get more money from transmission fees or pay subscription services. Think of how AMC used 'Mad Men' to negotiate higher retransmission fees because satellite and cable companies know they have to pay it in order to not upset the millions who watch the show, and would be furious if the channel was dropped from the service.

This brings it back to Netflix/HBO which can spend $100 million on something that may be a risk, but that helps them build their brand, and keep exclusive content behind their pay wall that will help them retain subscribers, and keep the money coming in.

It's an exciting time to be a writer, but writers need to be more versatile, more creative, and more business and tech savvy to compete in the global media market that is Hollywood -- or at least have a team that helps you compete. To succeed you need to find that balance of Art and Business; or "artistic integrity" and commercial viability. There is less easy money floating around post 2008, but more opportunity than ever for creative entrepreneurs in the digital age.