I recently had the pleasure of going to Paris on vacation and happened to use the city's fine subway system on a daily basis. One of the things that struck me as odd was the large number of advertising posters for Martin Lawrence's new "Big Mamma" movie. Now, to be honest, I can't imagine why [...]
The Fruits of Unlearning
October 22, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Yesterday, after delivering the opening keynote (on future trends) at Beyond 2010 in Edmonton, I had the pleasure of also delivering the closing remarks. Not surprisingly, I discussed the importance of unlearning. In between, however, I had the immense pleasure of listening to a wonderful speaker, Peter Hinssen, who is the author of a new [...]
Unlearning is Like Changing the Oil in Your Car
September 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment
I’ll Drink to a New Approach to Underage Drinking
September 15, 2010 By 1 Comment
Like many people, I consumed my fair share of alcohol in college. Now that I'm a parent and my own kids are approaching high school age, I have a decidedly more conservative perspective on the consumption of "adult beverages." The one thing I am convinced won't work is relentless lecturing about the many risks associated [...]
Screw the Majority! Unlearn!
April 28, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Take a look at the image to the right. It is a visual display of Everett Roger's famous model of diffusion. I, however, want you to look at it differently. Consider it, instead, "an unlearning curve." Conventional wisdom tells us that it is safe in the middle. Advertising and marketers frequently target their message toward [...]
Buckle Up and Unlearn
April 25, 2010 By Leave a Comment
This past weekend three young women between the ages of 13 and 16 died in a car crash in my home state of Minnesota. They weren’t wearing seat belts. (On Sunday another six died in a separate accident. They also weren’t wearing seatbelts). If you still don’t wear a seatbelt, please watch this emotionally powerful [...]
The Art of the Lasting Impression
February 12, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Earlier today, I had the opportunity to give a presentation on "Unlearning 101" to 100 or so professionals in the Minneapolis area. Afterwards, as commonly happens, I received a thank you gift from the event's sponsors. Unlike every other such gift I have ever received (and I've received plenty), I will not only proudly display [...]
