Like a number of people, I’ve spent a good part of my life feeling like I just didn’t fit in. This feeling first started when I reached that awkward age of adolescents and, ever since then I’ve never seemed to be able to shake that it.  Not too long ago A friend recently sent me the following definition from a fridge magnet.

ARTIST (ar’tist) noun

1. a) One who practices an art in which conception and execution are governed by imagination, style and taste

b) a person skilled in one of the fine arts

c) a craftsman that executes his art with individual style

2. Often their work is judged according to the culture and the attitude placed on art at the time.  Although they may earn recognition during their lifetime, they are usually not recognized for their accomplishments until after death

3. Lives a life of unstable economic means.

4. Many theories have been put forth regarding their creativity, the most common one being that is it inherent, although if not developed & tested will remain dormant

a) they seem to create during moods, often intense, mostly lasting only a short while

5) They have a feeling of brotherhood with each other that is timeless.

6) Thought to be haphazard, having no sense of order, plan, or direction, yet are known to be perfectionists when it comes to their own work

a) they make decisions on feeling rather than reason

b) have problems with concentration

7. They are stereotyped as mentally unbalanced.  One artists cut off his ear in a passion of creativity combined with frustration about his art.  It has not been determined whether their creativity has anything to do with this.

8. They are sensitive, aware, and alert.

9. They are tolerated by society, which allows them to live in accordance with their own natures

I realize what many people today call entrepreneurs are more like our modern day artists.  We are driven to create work that has value which others see and are willing to pay for. We use our imaginations, and then set out to bring to life that concept that was born in our minds.   I mean no disrespect to artists.  I’m only trying to make a point – entrepreneurs today are motivated to do more than just make money.  And, now more than ever, we need smart, creative people dreaming up new ideas and ways out of the mess we have found ourselves in.

Firekites – AUTUMN STORY – chalk animation from Lucinda Schreiber on Vimeo.

If I were to use a word – stunning.  Thank you Lucinda.

Ithaca Hours helps to keep money local, thus building the Ithaca economy. It also builds community pride and connections. Over 900 participants publicly accept Ithaca HOURS for goods and services. Additionally, some local employers and employees have agreed to pay or receive partial wages in Ithaca Hours, further continuing their goal of keeping money local.

I met another person who many of you may know — Simon Sinek — who also has his own currency.  Simon issues Tokens of Inspiration to people who inspire him or others. I keep my token in my pocket to remind me that there are better ways to measure success than how much money we have in our wallets.  What keeps crossing my mind is that fact that, now more than ever, get the opportunity to build a society the way we want…all it takes is creativity combined with thought.  I imagine that we will see a lot more people exchanging new types of currency in the future.

Example #1 – Makin’ Bac’n

How do you take something as simple as bacon and turn it into a business? I’d like you to meet Scott Kventon – the biggest fan of bacon I’ve ever met.  This week, Scott shared his story of the fast track start to his first business that went from concept to revenue in less than two months.  It’s the epitome of what a small group of passionate entrepreneurs can accomplish.

Scott’s the founder and inspiration behind the coolest site about bacon I’ve ever seen… http://bacn.com/.  In fact, it’s the first website about bacon I’ve ever seen.  Scott’s passion for the pig, coupled with his knowledge and endless energy, have resulted in a sustainable business that started from his garage.

So, what did I learn?  First, I learned more than I could have hoped about bacon.  He had me at “hello,” as I’ve been a fan of the pig for quite some time now.  More importantly, what I learned was that if you’re not passionate about what you’re doing, you’d better watch out because there will be someone who is — and it’s likely they will kick your ass.

The next generation of entrepreneurs is a unique group of individuals.  They talk fast, they think fast, and they ACT fast!  On top of it all, they’re having fun.  If you can’t see this from BACN.COM, then you should unsubscribe from this blog and never come here again.  If it’s as clear as the nose on your face, then you get it.

Example #2 – Energizer Bunny

Take an empty office building, add a dose of brilliance — and you have NedSpace.  Josh Friedman and his partners are onto something big.

NedSpace is a new concept to me — providing rented desk space for young start-ups on the cheap.  The thing makes this such a value is not the $175/month desk but the ENERGY that you feel by being around other driven entrepreneurs.  By renting offices and desks to serial entrepreneurs, they provide an atmosphere that can’t be replicated by working from home.   NedSpace is a great concept which takes advantage of the glut of office space that’s out there, while creating a great environment for start-ups to work and collaborate.  My only question is — why don’t I have my office here?  Nicely done, Josh!

WARNING -- THIS EDITORIAL CONTAINS LANGUAGE WHICH MAY NOT BE APPROPRIATE FOR CHILDREN. 

VIEWER DISCRESSION IS RECOMENDED!

This morning I sat down to write about Demetri Martin.  He combines two things I’m passionate about: Visual Thinking and Humor.  Visual Thinking, because it’s easier to communicate information visually, and Humor, because it’s a universal remedy for crappy moods.  Combining Visual Thinking with Humor is, in Demetri Martin’s own words, “Crazy Awesome.” 

So, I settled into my favorite chair with a cup of coffee in hand and began to search for my favorite Demetri video on YouTube.  If I’ve watched it once, I’ve watched a hundred of times.  My kids have memorized all the jokes.  Hmm…I can’t seem to find the video.  I search my usual key words  “Flip Chart Comedian” (a.k.a. Demetri Martin).   Nothing.   What the %$^&?  I watched the video on YouTube just a few weeks ago.  Where did it go?  After 30 minutes of searching without success, I get this message on YouTube:   This video is no longer available due to a copyright claim by Viacom International Inc.

Where do I start?  I mean - I’m excited and happy for Demetri, as I’m only guessing that he has worked his ass off touring the country, sharing his “Crazy Awesome” gift with audiences who are looking to laugh.  His videos were all over YouTube.  They made people happy.  Getting his own TV show is a great accomplishment.   Note:  This is the spot were I was going to paste the information about the premier of his new show “IMPORTANT THINGS” on Comedy Central but the lawyers at Viacom International won’t let me copy it from his web site.  So I’ve made my own version for your enjoyment.

I’m happy for Demetri, but I have a hard time with “Win-Lose” situations.  A big part of Demetri’s success was, in large part, a result of the viral nature of social networking, as well as YouTube.  People would record his comedy from the television, and then post it on YouTube where millions could watch.  It was YouTube that put him in a leveraging position to sign a contract with Comedy Central for his own TV show (Viacom).  When he signed this contract, he agreed not to let anyone copy the content because it was now the property of Viacom. 

That rubs me the wrong way.  He used the free viral social network to attract his audience, and then he removed a factor that was a big contributing part to his fame.  This is another example of the natural friction that exists between the World Wide Web and the old regime of old-school media giants (e.g. Napster, and the recording studios). 

 The rules are changing.  In the future, success for companies and artists will look different.  This doesn’t mean anyone (Viacom or Demetri Martin) should stop making money for what they do.  Rather, consider changing how you do it so that everyone wins.   I only wish that Demetri would have tried to find a way where he could have his fame and money and not throw his integrity out the window.  But who am I to judge?  All I want to do is share my gift with as many people as I can.  If I’m able to find success along the way, then that’s a bonus.  

In summary, today made me remember three important things:

1. It’s good to laugh.  Laughing makes us feel better.  It helps to drain daily stresses. 
2. All you need to connect with others is a pen, a piece of paper and your imagination -- with that anything is possible.
3. Beware the ”Me Monster.”  

So, instead of the regularly schedule video clip, I now give you Brian Regan (thanks for keeping it real!).

According to Wikipedia, there are some 480 million Monopoly players worldwide making it the most played board game in the world (Guinness Book of World Records).   The recent global financial crisis makes me wonder what games like Monopoly are teaching us.   Greed?  Win-lose?  Having been played billions of times, it’s having some influence on our behaviors and our beliefs.  

Maybe it’s time time to play a different kind of game.   Here’s one - Games With a Purpose (GWAP) .  A game that’s fun to play, where everyone can win (I thought it was that everyone wins.) and that serves a purpose.  Why isn’t there a “popular