Okay so the call for Ignite Phoenix 3 presentations went out last week. I have been asked by Jeff Moriarty, Alan Dayley and Roger to submit something during the last two Ignite’s. I think they probably think I hate them or think Ignite is stupid because not only have I not submitted anything, I failed to even attend. A busy work schedule and active kids has killed my evening both events.
To prove to them that I really think Ignite is one of the coolest things going on in Phoenix and that I really do want to participate. I have put together topic, title, abstracts for things that I think might be fun. To be clear, I am not an expert on most (any?) of these subjects. I just like talking about them with friends, families or inanimate objects. Hell I even dream about some of them at times. So why am I blogging about it? Because I want your feedback. Which of these would you be interested in seeing? Please leave a comment to let me know.
Topic: Swearing
Title: The Power and Creativity of the Color Fuck!
Abstract:
Swearing can be hilarious or very descriptive. It can illicit responses of laughter, anger or embarrassment. It can shock as well as motivate. There might be no more powerful use of language than profanity. As Shakespeare once wrote, “You taught me language, and my profit on’t is, I know how to curse.”
Topic: Social Networks
Title: Virus, Host, Transmitter.. What Disease Do You Carry?
Abstract:
Many people have a message they wish to transmit. We have heard of this “viral” effect in social media, but how does it really work? Review of the cycle.. Virus injects message into the host… The virus is repackaged and then passed to a new host to infect additional cells for retransmission. How do we create climates that are good for the spread of our viral messages?
Topic: Values
Title: It’s Not the Technology Dumb-ass
Abstract:
In software development people get way too caught up on which technology/approach is being used. When in reality software development is about people not technology. It is important that when developing software that you chose the right values and the technology won’t really matter.
Topic: Passion
Title: Mama, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys
Abstract:
Society teaches us that only careers that produce a large income are worth pursuing. Your mother would encourage you to be a doctor, but probably not a tattoo artist. The truth is that surveys have proven that money is not the key to happiness, often times the exact opposite. So, why are we not exploring what we are passionate about?
Topic: Serendipity
Title: I Signed Up to Cure My Hypertension and Ended Up With a 4 Hour Erection
Abstract:
Viagra was originally a drug to remove hypertension, but became the best selling impotence drug after nearly all subjects in the study cited significant increase in penile erection. Understanding the ability to use serendipity to your advantage unlocks new doors. But if it’s serendipity how do i have any control over it?
Topic: Thinking
Title: Be Your Own Neurologist
Abstract:
Is it possible to re-wire our brains? Many think so. This is a dive into how people who exhibit high functioning behaviors think. The thought is if you take the time to re-wire parts of your brain to mimic these behaviors you too can benefit. You always wanted a PhD anyways. Right?
Topic: Psychology
Title: I Don’t Fucking Understand You
Abstract:
We all have different chemical make-ups that make us behave differently. We struggle to understand ourselves much less someone with a completely polar personality to ourselves. Archetyping is all the rage, but it’s based on fairly old study of patterned behavior.
Topic: Fear
Title: Just FUCKING Do It
Abstract:
We all have fears to over come. These fears might manifest in the form of procrastination. So how do we move outside the fear and walk into success?
Topic: Irrationality
Title: Nothing Defines Humans Better Than Their Willingness To Do Irrational Things in the Pursuit of Phenomenally Unlikely Payoffs. This is the Principle Behind Lotteries, Dating, and Religion.
Abstract:
Douglas Adams sums it up well. We act irrationally ALL time while lying to ourselves that we are making perfectly good decisions. Would you walk 10 stores over to save $10? Studies prove you will if the item is $20 but not if its $400. How does the value of $10 change based on the cost of the item? It doesn’t. It is completely irrational. Want to know other stupid things you do everyday?
More from Derek Neighbors
- Gangplank in Downtown Phoenix
- Does Phoenix Need To Change?
- Some Thoughts on the Future of Gangplank
- Regional Ruby Conference in Phoenix, Arizona
- What Do You Spend Your Time On?
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Anything with FUCK in it I’d like to listen to.
I like thinking and/or irrationality (maybe that says more about me then I’d like) but you can submit more than one, I think those could be really interesting.
Actually, now I’m quite convinced you hate us. These are all great topics and I’m sure you’re just posting them to show off.
My personal favorites are Passion, Thinking, and Irrationality, but this is about what the community wants to hear so I’d love to hear others peoples thoughts as well.
Fear & Passion sound like awesome topics to me Derek! The Power and Creativity of the Color Fuck! would be a great topic too.
A word of caution, I scared a bunch of people with my topic last time and I only used the word f*cked.
Not saying you should use the word. I agree, often times there are very good reasons for using it.
Just my two cents. Can’t wait to see your presentation!
The two under Passion and Values are the most interesting to me. These are the two things I am most struggling with personally and in my professional life. (Funny how we separate our lives that way. The division is good for thinking about things but is 98% artificial.)
I am curious about the use of swearing so to understand why more and more people seem to be doing it. I am apparently in the vast minority that finds swearing abrasive and inappropriate always, except maybe if someone just shot you or your buddy in your fox hole.
But that stand may be a presentation for me to give!