If you’re interested in our current projects, we give a few exclusive details about what we’re working on and what’s coming up in the future!

Check it out here: http://feelthefunc.com/2009/07/20/EP13FarmerInTheFunc.aspx

Strategic Command on SilverArcade: http://silverarcade.com/games/benfarmer/Strategic-Command

I’ve been thinking more and more about vision lately. Its hard to imagine life without a vision. To quote Helen Keller:

“The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.”
Helen Keller

Being lost is the closest I can think of, when looking for an analogy to lacking a vision. Wondering aimlessly with no bigger picture would be pretty depressing. Although its hard when you start to wonder if your vision will ever work out. And trying to deal with being unable to share your vision is tough. How do you impart or share a vision with others? Do people want a vision, or are they content going day-to-day?

Motivation, vision, enthusiasm – what does it mean to people? Corporations are always coming up with their corporate vision and values. Politicians try to sell you on their vision for the country. Has our society become jaded to the idea of a vision?

I think this will require more thought.

The things to Maximize (motivators):

Achievement
Recognition for Achievement
Work Itself
Responsibility
Growth
Advancement

The things to Minimize (de-motivators):

Company Policy
Administration
Supervision
Interpersonal Relationships
Working Conditions
Salary
Status
Security

The article appeared in the Harvard Business Review (“One More Time: How Do You Motivate Employees?“, January – February 1968).  You can read an interesting take on these ideas here: http://www.consultpivotal.com/myths_dispelled.htm.

Adam Groves was having a problem with CSS, layered DIVs, and IE. A deadly web combination. Anyway, I was able to offer some assistance that proved helpfull. His site looks awesome. You should check it out. And lets face it, I love cookies.

While looking around the web for an email address, I came across a problem with the administrative website for Nashville radio host Steve Gill. His site, the Gill Report, wasn’t protecting the administrative interface. Like at all. As in you just browse to it and you’re in (edit posts, send emails, manage email list, etc). It occurred to me that this might not be the desired functionally. I emailed Steve to let him know that he should probably fix it. I didn’t look really close, but it seems to be taken care of.

Need any help with your website? Let me know, this seems to be my week.

I watched Secondhand Lions for the first time last week. It was very good. There was an exceptional exchange from Hub (uncle) to Walter (nephew):

“Sometimes the things that may or may not be true are the things a man needs to believe in the most. That people are basically good. That honor, courage and virtue mean everything; that power and money … money and power mean nothing. That good always triumphs over evil. And I want you to remember this, that love, true love never dies! Remember that boy … remember that. Doesn’t matter if it is true or not, a man should believe in those things, because those are the things worth believing in.” 

Context is important (you should really see this movie); he’s not saying that truth doesn’t matter; rather you need to believe in things that are right and stand up for them. Be an optimist. Never give up. To quote Mr. Greene:

Despair is the price one pays for setting oneself an impossible aim. It is, one is told, the unforgivable sin, but it is a sin the corrupt or evil man never practices. He always has hope. He never reaches the freezing-point of knowing absolute failure. Only the man of goodwill carries always in his heart this capacity for damnation.
- Graham Greene

Or as I usually say, ‘dare to despair’.