I didn’t “reach out.” I sent a fricken email!

December 11, 2016

Sprechen sie coporatisch?

As a business associate recently told me, “We reached out to him because we’ve been reaching out to everyone over there… blah blah blah… OK, I’ll wait until you try reaching out again. If he doesn’t get back to you, I’ll reach out to him.” It not only bugs me that “reach out” is a trendy term, but it also never goes away. In other words, it’s a stale trendy term. It also reminds me of “reach around,” which of course makes me think of that scene from Full Metal Jacket. … More I didn’t “reach out.” I sent a fricken email!

“Digital Gold” Tells the Story of Bitcoin from Outlaws and Anarchists to Wall Street and Winklevoss

December 10, 2016

Digital Gold tells the story of Bitcoin from Satoshi Nakamoto’s 9-page 2008 white paper through 2015. It’s fun to read. The characters in this true story are the ideologues, outlaws, millionaires, entrepreneurs, power brokers, geeks and a few oddballs who made Bitcoin the first viable, global and digital currency. Nathaniel Popper, a New York Times columnist, wrote Digital Gold. It was difficult for me to put the book down. … More “Digital Gold” Tells the Story of Bitcoin from Outlaws and Anarchists to Wall Street and Winklevoss

“Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Technologies” Will Teach You how Bitcoin Works

December 7, 2016

If you want to learn how Bitcoin works on a technical level, then read Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Technologies. If you’re a nerd, you’ll love it. Princeton University hosts the book’s web page, which provides links to video lectures for each chapter. From that web page, you can also download Java programming assignments and a free pre-publication version of the book. Coursera has an online course (currently free) that’s based on the book. … More “Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Technologies” Will Teach You how Bitcoin Works

Cut the Crap: Read “Writing Without Bullshit”

December 6, 2016

You should read “Writing Without Bullshit: Boost Your Career by Saying What You Mean” before you send another email or write your next blog post. This book focuses on business writing, but you can apply its recommendations to less formal writing, too. The book repeatedly stresses the Iron Imperative: Treat the reader’s time as more valuable than your own. In this post I discuss the most important lessons I learned from Writing Without Bullshit. … More Cut the Crap: Read “Writing Without Bullshit”

Be Better Informed: Stop Reading & Posting Garbage News on Facebook

November 8, 2016

I want to read about the new baby, see pics from the mommy-daughter trip, congratulate you on your new job, learn about the contest your kid won, share your sweet memories of loved ones, and cheer when your little guy or girl scores a goal. I’m less interested in reading a torrent of sensational headlines that confirm your preexisting condition…oops, I mean political bias. If you want to tell me your opinion, that’s fine. I don’t mind knowing. I might even join your side if I’m not already on it. But can you stop with the darn click bait on Facebook? … More Be Better Informed: Stop Reading & Posting Garbage News on Facebook

There’s Big Money in Big Data

November 1, 2016

The term “big data” has come to represent the technologies, software tools, methodologies, and even the organization structures, that are designed to manage and analyze the new massive and complex data sets that businesses are creating. Proponents argue that companies that master the challenges of big data will crush their competitors that don’t. This post reviews a book, entitled “From Big Data to Big Profits.” … More There’s Big Money in Big Data

FinTech Goodness a la NYU Stern

October 12, 2016

I’m psyched that I’ll be attending the “1st Annual NYU Stern FinTech Conference” at my alma mater in Greenwich Village on November 9, 2016. It’s a one-day event packed with a lot of great info about emerging technologies that promise to dramatically disrupt the financial industry (e.g., blockchain). Keynote speakers include notable Stern alumni such … More FinTech Goodness a la NYU Stern

BOOK REVIEW – Will the Blockchain Change the World?

September 22, 2016

The blockchain is the technology underlying the Bitcoin digital currency. It is a distributed ledger that you can use to record anything of value and importance. Renowned futurists Don and Alex Tapscott believe that the blockchain will have a greater impact on our lives than any other technology that exists today. … More BOOK REVIEW – Will the Blockchain Change the World?