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February 28, 2005

Kewlio

I'm very excited to be involved in a RocketBoom video shoot tonight featuring me and my wild and crazy flipbooks, you know those little animation thingies you made in the corner of your textbooks in fifth grade? Will tentatively air (air? vodcast?) on Wednesday.

Then, tomorrow, I have my final studio test at Manhattan Neighborhood Network, after which I can start producing shows that have the potential broadcast/cable reach of 600,000 households in the media capital of the world, NYC.

This coming weekend, I am going to help out in a photoshoot with my pals The Creamsicles. I have never been on one of these, so it should be a good learning experience.

Other stuff that's making me feel warm and fuzzy (not warm and fuzzy like that banana you left on your counter six weeks ago, warm and fuzzy like 'happy"): We had a sweet little show at the Knitting Factory. The sound guy there told The Creamsicles band leader John Sully that that was the best band he'd seen in ages---and this is coming from a guy who sees three bands a night. I got lots of kudos for my Yanni Goldthtein holistic healer character.

Speaking of Yanni Goldthtein, I unleashed him in Thentral Park, where he engaged in thome of his thrademark holithtic healing. Video will be up in a couple of days interthpliced with more diner converthation with my favorite management theoritht, Yahn Thully.

Something that warmed my heart---I got an email a couple of days ago thanking me for hooking a friend up with a great opportunity to spread his knowledge and passion at the super exclusive TED Conference in Monterrey, California. After thanking me he said "You're a real connector." I love that. Really that's what it's all about. Connecting good people to good people and good ideas.

So it's all kewlio. Thanks for all the love people. I'm sending it back to you all, double.

Posted by Jonny at 11:04 AM | Comments (0)

February 26, 2005

MInd Maps: TM or not TM, That is the Question

Anyone who knows me at all well knows that I love Mind Mapping. I use this technique daily to brainstorm, plan, and manage projects. At one point, I was so obsessed by Mind Mapping that I flew to England to compete in the Mind Mapping competition at the Mind Sports Olympiad in London, where I won the Silver Medal.

I even paid a chunk of change to become a Buzan Licensed Instructor (this licensure has since lapsed, as I didn't keep up with the paperwork and recertification requirements). Mind Maps have served me well. I used them to plan video art pieces that I projected in front of tens of thousands of people at the Detroit Electronic Music Festival, I used them to get a full fellowship the prestigious and expensive Interactive Telecommunications Program at New York University, and I used them for lesson planning. I used them to write comedy. Heck, I’m even using them to plan my upcoming wedding. In short, I get tremendous benefit out of this technique. Mind Mapping is so versatile and powerful.

So what annoys me about Mind Maps? What annoys me is that the inventor of Mind Maps, Tony Buzan, an extremely nice fellow who I have had the pleasure of spending time with on a number of occasions, has trademarked the phrase Mind Map.

I can guess why he did so. First of all, if he holds the rights over the phrase, he can have the final word over the definition of what a Mind Map is. This way, people who say they are doing Mind Maps, but are not doing it correctly, can be brought to heel. There is a definite technique to making Mind Maps, and it is not arbitrary. Basically, by trademarking the word, he makes sure no one is out there hawking bastardized inferior versions of the technique, at least if they want to use the word Mind Map. I appreciate that.

The other reason, I imagine, that he has trademarked the phrase is that he sees it as a valuable economic resource. No one else can capitalize on his technique, in the public arena, without going through his organization by means of becoming a licensed instructor. For instance, if you were into Mind Mapping, you couldn't just offer a class via Craig's list about how to Mind Map, if you used the phrase Mind Map in your course title or course materials. Again, I think that this has a positive side. If only certified instructors teach Mind Mapping, then chances are these instructors are teaching correct Mind Mapping technique. That's a good thing. And it means that at the very least people have to give credit to Tony Buzan, which probably makes him feel good and also helps him market himself and his products.

So what annoys me about the whole thing? It's like this: I think Mind Mapping should be like writing. No one trademarks the word "writing." I feel like by trade marking the phrase, Tony is impeding the adoption of his technique. I know that Tony has a whole organization that supports itself by spreading the gospel of his (terrific) learning and communication techniques. The people in this organization, many of whom I know and respect greatly, might resist removing the trademarked status of Mind Maps, as its continued trademarked status gives them leverage in the marketplace since they are the only people licensed to make money off of any teaching activity in which the phrase Mind Map is used.

So how does this impede the spread of the technique? Well, for one thing, I don't feel like I can have a section of my web site in which I display images of Mind Maps that I have created. Well, I can, but I can't call them Mind Maps. And that's annoying, first of all, because I am proud of what I have created, second of all, because I want to spread the word about how powerful this technique is, and I would like to give credit where it is due. I just feel like the trademark thing gets in the way of me doing this.

I guess I just need to come up with a new name for what I make. Think Map? Mind Chart? Thought diagram? If anyone has any ideas, please let me know. And Tony, if you, or any other Buzan connected people read this, let me know your thoughts. Maybe I've got this all-wrong. Anyway, I'd love to hear what you think.

*Mind Map is a registered trademark of the Buzan Organization

Posted by Jonny at 08:28 AM | Comments (9)

February 25, 2005

Some Jonny Art

Just wanted to put up a few samples of my visual art. These are roughly in reverse chronological order.

Posted by Jonny at 05:07 PM | Comments (2)

Compadres, Disrespect, and Performance.

So after the Knitting Facory gig, I stayed in costume---a flannel nightie, a mullet wig, and a fake upsidedown mustache---and walked about 20 blocks to a bar where there was a get together for recent graduates and current students of the Interactive Telecommunications Program. It was fun seeing compadres I hadn't rubbed shoulders with for awhile.

A woman who someone had introduced me to when I got there approached me and asked if I could help her win a bet. She bet this acquaintance of mine that she could get me to dance on the bar.

I asked her how much money she bet. She said five bucks. I thought about it for a sec and then said, well you would have to give me all the winnings for me to do that, and five bucks just isn't enough. Besides, in my mind, it's disrespectful to the bar staff to dance on the bar. I'm not into disrespecting the working people. Plus, I'm not a trained monkey.

Then they both started getting on my case about getting on the bar and dancing, even the guy whowas going to lose the bet if I did so. I guess they were thinking: wild and crazy guy in mullet wig, nightie, and fake mustache--This guy will do anything. It was an interesting experience of having people take my performing persona and thinking that's who I am. I told the aquaintance as much, and he was like "Is there a real Jonny Goldstein? Aren't you always performing?" In a snotty way. Take away the snottiness and that's an interesting question. I guess I always am performing. But so is everyone including the bar dance lobbyists. What do you think? Is there a real you, or are you always performing?

Posted by Jonny at 10:18 AM | Comments (0)

Don't Be Scared Jonny

An old friend I had not seen in a while and I were catching up last night. She asked me what I was up to. I said, "Performing with the Creamsicles twice a month, co-hosting a stand-up comedy open mic, making videos and blogging them, teaching, and a little freelance web design and software consulting. Oh and I'm getting married. In 4 months. Suddenly I realized how much I'm doing. I'm scaring myself!

Posted by Jonny at 10:10 AM | Comments (0)

Jonny Loves You

A big sticky mustachioed kiss from Jonny Goldstein to Olivier Massot, Vena Chiturri, Evan Raskob, Pamela Vitale,,Seth Appel, Hana and Rich who came out with a whole slew of other people on this snowy, sleety night, to watch me and The Creamsicles rock the Knitting Factory. And special thanks to my partner in crime Erzsi Pongo who performed with me in her Knitting Factory Debut. I went onstage wearing a flannel nighty, a mullet wig, and a huge fake upsidedown mustache. I spoke in a lisping Spanish accent. I performed holistic healing on Erzsi on stage. I played Free Bird with a 10$ toys R us guitar. With my tongue. And that was just the beginning of my evening. Sully has yet to return home at 4AM, no doubt getting plowed with his personal bartender. God help him. And to the rest of the band, you rocked. The ladies loved the eyeliner and want MORE.

Posted by Jonny at 03:52 AM | Comments (2)

February 18, 2005

Repeat 3 Times: Knitting Factory, Knitting Factory, Knitting Factory

Now that you have done that, come see me and my pals perfrom there this Thursday, Feb 24, 9PM sharp. Tighten your belts because I am going to open with some gut-busting standup comedy before my favorite band, The Creamsicles, play their sweet, delicious, melt in your mouth rock and roll music, the kind of music you kids love.

What: Jonny Goldstein and The Creamsicles.
Where: The Knitting Factory Tap Room, 74 Leonard Street. That's south of Canal a couple of blocks. Subway directions here
How Much: 8 buckaroos.
Why: Because you want to laugh, gyrate your pelvis, and do one more thing. Thursday is named after who? The Norse god, Thor. Thor's major prop was? Yes, a hammer. Therefore, you really owe it to yourself to get hammered on Thursday. And I want to help you get hammered in good company while listening to hilarious comedy and suave rock and roll stylings. It's that simple.

Still not persuaded? Check out the infomercial.

And if you still are not persuaded to come down on Thursday, send me an email, and I will personally address your concerns. We are here to please. You come first. We just want you to be happy. Can't you help us help you help us help you? Good. Excellent. Splendid.

Posted by Jonny at 11:35 PM | Comments (1)

Seth Appel Jabs Again

My friend Seth Appel is taking to the blogosphere once again with his new blog, or revived blog, or something like that. Anyway, Seth's style is sardonic and smart. He wields words like obsidian knives. The cut may hurt, but it's clean and will heal well. Right now he's slicing and dicing The Gates and contemporary art in general. Check it out. And in case you missed it here's my take on The Gates, captured on video.

Posted by Jonny at 11:00 PM | Comments (0)

ANT Rocks TED

I'm pysched that some aquaintances of mine are going to be presenting their software ANT at the TED (Technology Entertainment Design) conference in Monterrey California Feb 24-26. I met Jay Dedman at MNN and Josh Kinberg at Vloggercon 2005 and hooked them up with Tom Rielly, a fellow who organizes the Tech Demos at TED. I was helping Tom deal w/some pre-TED business and strolled over to him with my laptop to share ANT with him. Tom's eyeballs practically popped out of their sockets when he saw the software. Now, a few weeks later, they are going to be one of 5 or so major tech demos at TED. TED is a geek/art/commerce/pleasure extravaganza featuring heavy hitting speakers like Bono, Brian Greene, Howard Rheingold, Ray Kurzweil and many other amazing folks, as well as an audience of influential, deep pocketed, brainiac aesthetes from around the world. If you want to try out the software before the TEDsters hear about it here's how it works and how to get it:

ANT lets you subscribe to video content on the web. It is a simple, wonderful little application for Mac OS 10.3. for now, and Windows in the near future. Developed by Daniel Salber, Jay, and Josh. And it is free. With it, you'll be able to subscribe to video feeds from video blogs around the globe. In fact, you will be able to subscribe to my video feed as well. That means you will be able to view any of my videos, or video posted on anyone else's blog, without even going to the blogs to find them. They will come to ANT. Download ANThere.

Posted by Jonny at 01:54 PM | Comments (0)

February 17, 2005

Jonny&Friends, Feb 24, Knitting Factory: The Infomercial

Me and my boys the Creamsicles will be rockin' the Knitting Factory this Thursday, February 24, 9PM sharp in the prestigious Tap Room. If there is any Jonny Gig to attend this year, this is it. For your pleasure, Sully and I whipped together this little video invitation in which three distinct personalities of Jonny invite you to come on down and take a bite of sweet delicious rock and roll fun.

Posted by Jonny at 02:17 AM | Comments (4)

February 15, 2005

Alan Keys' Daughter

Poor Alan. First he gets pummelled by Barak Obama, then this bit of publicity for the homo hater. Read all about it. Excuse me while I get all Oprah, but, "You go, Maya-girl!"

Posted by Jonny at 12:24 PM | Comments (0)

February 14, 2005

Success can be yours.

Ever wanted to be more successful? Tune in to this video primer led by management theorist, and band leader, John Sully.

Posted by Jonny at 06:40 AM | Comments (9)

February 06, 2005

Dreamy Theming

And the dreamy theme this week is busy, busy, busy. Monday I host my open mic, right after that I go to a studio to record footage for Rocketboom. Friday, February 11, I am opening for The Creamsicles at Lit Lounge. The Creamsicles will be followed by Deva, New York's favorite (and I think only) Devo cover band. Meanwhile, I have several things that I would dearly like to digitize and put up on my site. 1) An interview I did with Clay Shirky a while back on the topic of total, utter, world domination. 2) A man on the street interview of me which aired on New York 1 several years ago. 3) A Tech TV piece featuring me and a bunch of other geeks playing Node Runner. I doubt I'll be able to digitize and upload all of these bits this week, but I hope to chip away at this. And now that my resolution to digitize is out there in cyberspace, maybe I will feel impelled to get my hams in gear.

I must, must, must spread the word about my gig opening for The Creamsicles at the Knitting Factory, in the exquisite Tap Room. 8:00PM, Thursday, Feb 24, a measly 8 bucks. Be there. This is gonna be an uber gig. If you are going to go to one Jonny Goldstein event this winter, this is it. Basically it's gonna be a big rock and roll party in a classic NYC venue with some Jonninsanity sprinkled on top.

On another tangent, I just got engaged, which has been, for the most part, fun. I'm busy scuttling around town and the Web getting it all together. It looks to be a Cantonese/Ashkenazi rock and roll banqet-o-ganza. Stay tuned.

Posted by Jonny at 11:30 PM | Comments (3)