Dan Walmsley

The New Citigroup

dan — Wed, 12 May 2010 19:21:36 +0000

As part of its ongoing PR-ification of the financial crisis, Citigroup has posted the hilariously tautological “A Safer Approach to Risk“.

Here’s a quote from the article:

For our society to function efficiently, capital needs to flow. But the attendant risk must be better managed. That’s why we’ve strengthened our commitment to responsible finance.

And here’s another notable quote from recent history:

“as long as the music is playing, you’ve got to get up and dance. We’re still dancing.”
-Citi Chief on Buyouts: ‘We’re Still Dancing’, DealBook, July 2007

Exactly how much of that culture has actually changed? You can revamp how you do business, but it’s not just Citi that’s broken. It’s the entire culture and machinery of top-tier capitalism. They may be chagrined, but that is only temporary.

Profit through obfuscation. Profit through leveraging the power that money provides. Profit through PR.

Why not profit through generating value? How about that for a change? Sheesh. I’m sick of financial companies that treat business like a giant card trick.

In other words, I remain to be convinced…

This ride isn’t fun any more

dan — Tue, 11 May 2010 06:59:23 +0000

From an amazing photo blog I just discovered.

Ode to an Exit Row

dan — Tue, 04 May 2010 23:25:05 +0000

I just authored this on a plane, while sitting in an exit row, in honour of Exit Rows everywhere.

I’m 6′6″ / 200cm. You get the idea.

Happiness is an Exit Row

Happiness is an Exit Row
With knees not shifting to and fro
With aching not felt from below
Nor seat-backs crushing hips-to-toes
I do so love you Exit Row

Happiness is an Exit Row
With room to stage a puppet show
While dressed as Edgar Allen Poe
With daughter cousin wife in tow
Oh! How I love my Exit Row

Happiness is an Exit Row
Should you steal it, you’re my foe
The handle pulled, the door I’ll blow
Released your belt and out you go
I’d kill to have my Exit Row

Oh, how I love my Exit Row!

Camping, 21st Century Style

dan — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 20:55:34 +0000

Hey honey, let’s hit the great outdoors this weekend, huh? How about it? Imagine! The dirt under your feet, the wind whistling through the trees, and an iPhone suspended 10 inches from your face.

My Favourite Moment of the Year So Far

dan — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 17:54:12 +0000

My 73-year-old Mum tearfully but forcefully asking Douglas Rushkoff whether Second Life might be a stupid distraction from our real lives. This was during his Digital Nation round-table.

Mum is awesome. Here she is hugging a copyright-violating bear.

Glen Beck attacks everybody in the world individually

dan — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:00:57 +0000

from CNNBC Video:

Tautology Club

dan — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 23:02:35 +0000

David Lynch on the iPhone

dan — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 19:41:10 +0000

Photoshopportunity

dan — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 06:46:10 +0000

My good deed for the day was marshalling at the Walk against Warming, whose near-illegible (but otherwise inspiring) outcome was to write the words “Safe Climate – Do it!” using people on a bridge.

After a day of herding rallyers into the shape of a single sentence, I have newfound respect for the organisers of the Beijing Olympics. Rounding people up is HARD!

Red ink added by me. Click to view full size.

Show your Vote

dan — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 06:14:58 +0000

Thanks to Justin Baird at Google for a totally fantastic tool. This allows people around the world to show they care about climate change issues, and explore the latest news and science.

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