Tag: Things to Read

Various and Sundry

Recommended Reading: The Battle for Cheerleaders’ Souls -er- Sequins

By Bjorn Munson | by Bjorn Munson

I’m always interested in learning about a particular business industry’s ecosystem. How do some businesses become the major player? How do they fall? How do new companies displace them? So with that in mind, take a look at Leigh Buchanan’s piece in Inc. on Rebel Athletic and the surprisingly pitched battle in the cheerleader apparel industry. Put another way: Come for the glitter, stay for the reflections on what makes a “Challenger Brand.”

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Various and Sundry

Recommended Reading: Building a franchise for forever

By Bjorn Munson | by Bjorn Munson

I didn’t get to read this sprawling, thoughtful article by Adam Rogers that appeared in Wired until now. So, it’s possible that you’ve already read it. However, for those of you interested in the film industry, how this storytelling trend is impacting the industry (“…the auteur gives way to the team player”), or just Star Wars, give yourself an uninterrupted chunk of time to dive in. Even as we speak, multiple futures (and pasts) are being written

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Various and Sundry

Ray Harryhausen: Cinematic Force of Stop-Action Nature

By Bjorn Munson | by Bjorn Munson

Moving from last week’s discussion of television to a discussion of film, this week’s recommended reading goes more to the previous week’s thoughts on fannish nostalgia. Ray Harryhausen appears to be one of those objects permanently stuck in the amber of my nostalgia. I go back and watch the films with some regularity. Lord knows many aren’t good… and yet Ray’s stop-action creatures remain extraordinary. They are alive and vital and imperfect in a way that awakens…

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Various and Sundry

TV’s Golden Age… or too much of a Good Thing?

By Bjorn Munson | by Bjorn Munson

Last week, I made passing reference to Television’s “Golden Age,” an often-invoked, but still rather unofficial designation for the TV-viewing time we find ourselves in. Yes, I know some people still want to cling to the 50s being a golden age, but while my adoration for some skits of Your Show of Shows and episodes of I Love Lucy is second to none, please. TV is currently rocking. One of the side effects of this embarrassment…

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Raves Various and Sundry

Recommended Reading: Star Trek DS9 is still a worthy watch

By Bjorn Munson | by Bjorn Munson

Amidst all this talk about the current “Crisis of Infinite Star Treks,” I came across this remembrance/article from Max Temkin about my favorite Star Trek incarnation: Deep Space Nine (DS9). I have now watched the entire series three times: first, when it was broadcast. Second, in the early naughts on DVD, and most recently with its debut on streaming Netflix. Some episodes, like “Necessary Evil,” have been ones I’ve watched more than three times. Is…

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Producing Various and Sundry

Recommended Reading: Hostage Negotiation and the Business World

By Bjorn Munson | by Bjorn Munson

Hostage negotiation has always seemed interesting to me, and not just when Kevin Spacey and Samuel L. Jackson are doing it. Bourree Lam’s interview with veteran hostage negotiator Chris Voss in the Atlantic is fascinating in its own right. But, of course, they’re looking at how his experience translates to the business world, specifically asking for a raise and how to deal with the concept of “fairness.” Bet you find some ways it can help you…

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Various and Sundry Writing

Recommended Reading: The Unbuilt Three Sisters Bridge across the Potomac

By Bjorn Munson | by Bjorn Munson

For denizens of Washington, DC, or just those who are interested in how the region has grown, here’s a piece from Ghosts of DC about the proposed Three Sisters Bridge across the Potomac River. I love ultra-detailed local history because, even as you go through life, constructing your own narrative, there are other stories being written all around you. When I read something like this, it triggers my imagination for all sorts of alternate history about what…

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Various and Sundry

Recommended Reading: Facebook’s Latest Quest

By Bjorn Munson | by Bjorn Munson

Julia Greenberg in a recent article in Wired talks about Facebook’s efforts to be more than a place to keep up-to-date with the doings of friends and family. Part of me feels like this is the formation of the new networks to replace the old triumvirate of NBC, ABC, and CBS (which vintage radio folks will point out are not as timeless as one might think: here’s looking at you, Mutual).

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