Figured out some business basics

Being a friendly stranger when in public is valued in all human cultures, and is basis for hospitality.

Businesses allow: friendly strangers to provide socially acceptable products or services to hopefully friendly strangers who return value--with money.

Go into a business? And friendly strangers provide much! Where you as a friendly stranger, promptly return the favor, when you return value with money.

Friendly stranger principle is how business works.

Guess should also talk products then as product focus helps much. And I tend to focus on products and on web products. But I believe lots of confusion exists about product space on web.

A product in general is a thing manufactured by human effort in SOME way for distribution to other human beings.

(And yeah I made that up. May formalize definition but am not sure yet.)

Like I have an open source software product which is code I wrote for a tool that helps coders get information on Java language. So I manufactured it. Put on SourceForge indicating interest in having distributed. And it has downloads from over 150 countries.

Products include physical ones as in made of materials and information ones, which can be web distributed.

A movie is a common example of an information product as is a song, where are in addition--entertainment products. And information product space has moved to the web as web solves the distribution problem.

Like, physical products have to be shipped from point of manufacture, stored, and delivered to consumers or more often, to physical marketplaces. But on web can get an information product like a song WITHOUT physical distribution.

While in the PAST a lot of people made money with songs on a physical product like records or CD's.

And some assholes try to make you still get that way. They deserve PAIN.

Got a bit emotional there. Product space evolved rapidly with arrival of the web which is most efficient for distributing information products.

But progress has lagged as a war erupted and some try to force physical products to carry information that is better sent across web.

Back to friendly stranger concept.

Web enhances friendly stranger behavior from best businesses; and again, businesses provide products or services where friendly strangers return value with money. But who figures out value?

Value quite simply gets determined when people try to sell things--in marketplaces.

Marketplaces do a lot, including provide an area for price determination.

That is, folks who make things put up products and from what actually sells and at what price, you know saleable products. Plus you get a product value determination in direct competition.

Most marketplaces around the world tend to be more vibrant than here in the US.

For most people, you can just go to a store and pay price given. To get to something more flexible here you can go to flea markets--good Lord, what do they have to do with fleas? Or you can go to yard sales, or maybe a farmers' market but in stores price seems set.

But knew people who would negotiate there. Were car sales people. To them? Was a suggested price. And yeah sold new cars myself for about two months and at times hung out with other car sales people.

And yes, kid you not, they negotiated in stores too. And got deals.

That price for something you want in a store is a volatile item based on buying decisions of prior shoppers.

Figured out that previously established industries have fought to prevent well regulated marketplaces for information products. Which then means consumers are pressured into buying from monopolies or very risky online purchases elsewhere.

Well regulated marketplaces are very important for security. Have read news stories of Americans who actually get killed trying to sell outside of them. Like people trying to set things up for an exchange on web have simply been killed and product like a car, simply stolen when showed up in person to complete the deal.

We really need well regulated web marketplaces!

Well regulated web marketplaces will break the web monopolies. And are important for price determination for information products.

Business is the 'friendly stranger' that helps you get what you want, or need where to be a friendly stranger you mainly need to pay.

Smiles and being kind to friendly staff are, am sure, appreciated too.

Focus on being a friendly stranger as a primary concept helps me understand business basics.

Writing: coding and songwriting considered

Have begun to appreciate more some of my own products, where is just about time. Like have been grateful that open source gave me an opportunity to put up a software product--with few worries.

So with open source you have code which is freely seen, and with open source licenses people can download and use legally--if they follow those rules. (Of course may also download and use illegally by violating those rules.) And I've had an open source software product called Class Viewer which is over 15 years old now. And so far this year has downloads from over 90 countries according to web stats at SourceForge where it is hosted.

Is such a new thing. There was no way when I wrote this little app for help with software development and shared, could realize how exactly would have most effect for me as this signature thing which consistently brings global attention. Is an entirely new thing and perspective on power of sharing ideas, like an open source software project. So yeah, is one of those emergent things of the 21st century with the arrival of the web.

But put songwriting in the title of this post as, to me? Songs are open source writing too.

Routinely have found myself now checking song lyrics on the web, glad they're available. As can be a bit tricky. You think you heard one thing, but maybe was something different. OR has been a bit of time since heard a song, and want to quote a lyric correctly.

But those same songs are NOT free, of course. Just because you can get the lyrics, and am sure the music for some copyrighted song, does NOT mean you can start using it commercially yourself.

Now for a divergence. Here is a link to a song am considering might finish. Who knows if I ever will, and occurs to me putting up ideas for a song not even fully written? Could make it easy to STEAL but am not worried for some reason.

As we move further into the age of the web I do think some naive notions have collapsed. Like what if I had code for sale, where code was open? Think no one would pay? Like maybe you'd think no one would pay for a song...ok, you know better there.

What if some legitimate business entity considered using my code, which they could just copy off the web, without paying me? And I found out? Would they remain a legitimate business entity? Nope.

That would be theft. So yeah, there might be people stealing your code, but they're nasty people anyway, who if you knew were so capable, would you want to do business with them anyway, even if they had the money?

I would not.

Am willing to predict that in time, the business relationship and business trust are going to gain a LOT more value. And if you get caught stealing? In the age of the web? That can get known all over the world with a quickness. And you could find yourself having to do business in different circles.

We're not there yet though, but can imagine. And yeah, wouldn't want to do business with ANYONE capable of just stealing code from me, just because they could.

Just like wouldn't want to do business with anyone who would steal a song of mine, if could actually finish one which was a hit. Kind of like that example as of course is kind of outlandish.

But yeah, songwriting does involve some people who write for a paycheck. Am guessing now maybe more with jingles for commercials? But also the world of songwriting is also a much bigger landscape.

So why not same for lots of other kinds of writing? Maybe the future is there.

And you might have coders, who write for a paycheck, but others who own their code which is open and they sell use, or also I guess, coders also who still write some closed code for some buyer.

But yeah, as contemplate being able to be known all over the world with just ONE thing? (Have other global things too though will add.) Where mattered was open? Am so glad is mine, you know? Where yeah, do realize feel like songwriters might just understand.


James Harris

Contemplating--was wars over distribution?

Like to write that the web solved the information distribution problem. Seems simple enough, as for instance these words will go global--when I post. For now am watching them with interest as they march across the screen. Their reality is local only in the moment, with a transition to globally available but a click away.

But so much was distributed different before, so yes, there were wars, like over how to distribute music and especially popular songs. Wars against innovation that have very much ended, or simply evolved? Yes, I can download much with a buy now, but so much more do I want the opportunity.

But why would anyone stop me?

And what does distribution of information have to do with ride share really?

I think business at best is about producing a socially acceptable product or service and getting to a person or persons who want who repay the favor of the product or service with remuneration.

That is, like you build something cool that people want and they buy it from you.

Or maybe even not cool, but simply useful, but still you need people to actually pay for the thing, for a viable business.

But how do they even know you have it?

There then we get the modern wars over information distribution I think, as I contemplate these ideas and wonder. Am I even close to reality? But how would I know?

And have been focused more lately on the phrase--business trust.

Like I go to some established business and trust that if I can pay, will not only be allowed to buy something I want, but should be treated a certain way, like a good customer. And a customer is someone with the ability to pay, which means person has sufficient money, and should behave, in a socially acceptable way.

Is so much about society. But what is society really? How do we know?

Where quality I think is about lasting, and prefer things that will not only do what I want in the moment, but be there for me down the line. But then I think of food, where is quality with something so ephemeral in a way? I eat it and it is gone. But then again, there are memorable meals when I remember why I will pay more when I can, for better.

Memories can last a lifetime. Quality in life is not about the moment then? But how do we know what will last before it has lasted for us?

Web can have a depth to its information distributed. People can build a history here, there and everywhere that the web reaches and increasingly I do believe reaches a planet.

Yet I can only know so much. Others can know more useful to me, especially about quality of some product or service, but how do I know who I can trust?

Payment intermediaries I like to call those who with expertise can facilitate connecting a person who wants something, who is a good potential customer, with an entity that can provide that something, if yeah, is socially acceptable.

So yeah I think it DOES make sense. Then functionally the web eases the information distribution problem, which means there can be wars with those who were successful in a less efficient process. Where the web can better facilitate business transaction by effectively linking good customers with best business.

Yeah seems simple enough then. Makes sense to me. So then with just a click, goes global.

More information--distributed. But is it knowledge? I like think it was, or what is the point of the effort for me?


James Harris

Benefits of discovery versus pay

For so long thought of myself as working at discovery which is lots of fun. Where naturally at first was also working a traditional job for income. But kind of missed on that transition needed as became global, as reporting by others was not there that I noticed. Where have to hedge.

Like my blogs have an attention reality as reported by various web measures, which show yeah, there had to be a communicating about, and of, my ideas by others all over the world. So much mystery for me there though, with most of that still hidden. Am not sure why.

But regardless was focused on traditional sources! And also focused on the establishment for recognized authority! Which was not a mistake. Web is so new really. So was more focused on well established arenas and following their rules.

Which was the way to go. How else to know certain things? Now am more interested in our emerging ways.

Is remarkable how global one can be with information precious as to who and why--as to that attention your ideas can bring. But also it is gratifying and I think more so, as I look with more and more suspicion upon reporting where money rules.

If people are paid to lie, how much lying might they do? If they can get away with it? Being able myself to personally probe into reality have been disconcerted when find, there is none of substance.

Yet there must hedge especially as is very difficult. And love being a fan, so is not right to talk too much about things that actually puzzle me much.

Also was brought up a certain way and in essence being forced to work for one's self to a large extent seems like a conceit to me, as if looking for that great thing with an excuse.

Regardless am accepting more of my attention reality which means can be more fun, I think. Discovery at best gave me answers to things where had SO many questions, with interests in so many places. And that does include money. With discovery found out, what is money? How do people actually make money?

But also, very importantly: What is success? How do we know?

And money and success can be very much unrelated actually.

With a global readership have global reach, which means global information flows to me, constantly.

YOUR interest rules much, whether you realize it or not. As in helps mark out much as audiences help create a certain web reality, as that meaning of, to rule fascinates me now, as is how you get a ruler. A physical ruler to measure, is ruled as in laying out parallel lines. To rule, literally means to mark out parallel lines.

Our interest as human beings more and more marks out the zones of our best information, and web authority helps us find. And how YOU choose to spend your attention? Can help you, me and others find ever better things, in so many ways.

Highly recommend if you can: Rule your own interests best you can my friend, whomever you are around the world. As you mark out your reality with your interests, we all can get to better content.

And will work harder now to discover ways to gain appropriate pay for my best efforts, with a greater appreciation for much better understood. Discovery helped me massively.

Our need to understand as human beings intrigues me often: Do you know why?

What makes you learn?

Our particular individual needs to understand what does define us, am sure.


James Harris

Things can get SO messed up

Good news is that the web enables people to communicate better and share important ideas all over the world. But the challenging news is: that can really mess you up, and is important to realize ahead of time.

So you can be prepared. Or try to be.

And also realize, much is being figured out, so is VERY hard often to get a feel for your situation. Life must continue, regardless. Where with myself found had to drop some ways of looking at things from the past, while gleefully grabbing hold of better perspective of the now.

Like yeah, am world's latest major discoverer. And happily shared math things of great importance across the web and watched as things changed. And members of the math establishment apparently learned they could, at least near as I can tell so far, ignore properly acknowledging. Where still am not sure how they're pulling that one off. Am finding it finally irritating again. For a bit was cool with it, after the past rages.

Yeah and again am glad is math. So can prove things with absolute certainty. Which yeah would check and re-check and check again. Wish to be logical, but do not trust myself. Supposedly could trust others. That is not what reality demonstrated.

One thing with their continued success against easy mathematical proof may be people thinking that hey, if what I have is so important? How could experts in the math field possibly ignore? Yeah, see the Catch-22? I did YEARS ago.

If people struggling to hold on to advantages from the past can do that to me, when is easy to prove am world's latest major discoverer, then imagine what they can do to others.

Wow, I actually have it better. At least I can prove beyond any doubt. Others might not have that perfect assurance.

Actually is interesting that math folks would APPARENTLY fight like they have. Have to hedge much. So much is about NOT doing what is expected if presented with something new and wonderful that is mathematical. Is not like I need to do much but watch and wonder. Fighting against mathematical truth? You cannot win. You can delay the inevitable, but human beings are going to go with what actually works. Is just a matter of time.

It still seems so strange. Web disruption in that way is not intuitive to me. That dedication AGAINST might evolve as well. Then am sure would push the web to evolve more in reaction. That seems cool at least envisioning a more dynamic process, of action and reaction, with web evolution.

Am looking at arenas where people apparently have decided they no longer care what it takes and they will personally stop web revolutions if they can.

I find that attitude intriguing. And yeah, but with what methods? Find am struggling at imagining.

The web apparently is aware. And how the web reacts to such things? Can be kind of hard to understand as well. So will try to give MY guesses as how web reacts. And I talk the web kind of as an entity when am not sure to what extent may be. But is more fun.

But yeah, so maybe those HUGE social media numbers were not telling us what we thought, though I believe that having millions of followers on social media IS significant. But our belief helped drive growth--of social media. Are we more important to the web? Or is growth more important?

My view is that growth and continued evolution of the web is more important.

And I suspect the web would agree.

So yeah, expect harsh reality. Look to have things that are great on the one hand bring massive challenges on the other. And get very wary when it comes to money things. My analysis is that the web hasn't even bothered solving the money problem, as what's the motivation?

While for ME, there is HUGE motivation, and have learned to share more. Like yesterday updated my post talking what is now a situation of having been evicted. That is painful. Why share? Helps me process and also yeah, you can check me on so much that I say which is important. That information is relevant in understanding my situation as well.

Am more convinced there is a war that has erupted which is futile. Yeah, I know, resistance is futile, is classic. But the web does not care as these people are unaware of how much the web already knows. Am looking at things that simply look naive to me, until I realize: money is their focus.

So we need to figure out the money problem. And by we, mean web folks who for a long time have just been happily discovering and exploring new possibility. While others may have been ruthlessly trying to hold on to the world that was.

Have talked money much so noting a shift here as in the past thought was simply my concern to figure out how to make money. Did not occur to me also needed to consider nasty humans fighting to keep web people impoverished, as why would that occur to me?

It is such silly behavior if true. Ok, so there is a slight adjustment to considering that possibility.

And expect things to be messed up on the web if you start getting some success measures. Like with me, with MASSIVE global reach, and puny other things. Also be suspicious more on monetary matters and less trusting. Considering the possibility of short-sighted human beings fighting a losing battle which messes up your finances in the now.

The web adventure? May be simply heating up. Is cool. Is just more knowledge really. Gotta love it.

Sure know I do.


James Harris

Open source idea: CrowdTicketPrice

Was thinking to myself about someone scheduling having some personality show up to speak to the public in some venue. And could you crowd source pricing?

Like what if there was a max bid, for a ticket, which was deliberately priced higher, but just in case demand was at that level. Like say, $50 US for a speaker at a thousand seat venue.

If you simply purchased at max price, with tickets available, then you'd have your ticket, potentially at that price.

But you could also bid a price. Where when all tickets are sold, is just mathematically determined what was the most desired price, and that is then the set price.

To prevent fraud the algorithm for that calculation should be open source, and bids should be public, with all other information withheld to preserve anonymity and privacy. That way anyone can calculate the set price, which would be a protection for all.

People who were willing to purchase at max price would then only be charged the set price. Like say was $33 US. And all people who bid above that price or at it, would then be charged at that price and have their tickets.

But people who bid BELOW the set price would get an option, to upscale to the set price--or release their ticket.

And released tickets would go back on sale, at the now set price of: $33 US

Potentially with high demand, all the tickets could rapidly sale at max bid, showing that IS the proper price or probably lower than what value people might actually believe is there.

Might seem like best bet is to bid low, to try and drive down the total price, but that opens the door to more people! Which with a high demand item would LESSEN likelihood would get a ticket. Like if is dynamic where the likely set price is viewable, oh which is an addition to idea, and everyone is bidding $1 US, then might go rapidly.

Oh yeah, people can be squirrely. What if everyone just learns to bid $1 and rush for tickets?

Well could set a minimum, if necessary. Probably would depend on the likely community though of interested people as to whether or not would so behave.

Could even let people bid below a minimum, and if demand did not reach, could go ahead and sell them at what can then be like a shorted level. So they were being closer to what people really value.

THAT could be very dynamic, and decided will toss out there as a free idea. Oh yeah, should link to my other idea for people dynamically PICKING movies for the theater: Movie theater of the future?

Have ideas like these ALL the time. Tend to just put them up somewhere public, just in case might be valuable. If that sounds wrong to you? Then guessing you do not think like me. Is cool.


James Harris

Making sense then of race things

Having a functional perspective on race is useful, like my functional perspective on entertainment and in other areas, where like to emphasize now considered by science to be a social construct. But to what purpose? Why would any society construct such a concept?

In essence the British for a bit were certain there was something utterly more awesome about being, British. Those ideas in the US were grabbed and a scientific sheen for their times was added eventually, as yeah Sir Isaac Newton really introduced modern science. So was around.

Not many people around the world of course were exactly in agreement with the British ever, though on their supposed intrinsic awesomeness should note.

Well the 1950's arrive and DNA is found and some were like, woo hoo! As they figured could finally nail down this intrinsic inferiority they supposed was in supposedly lesser races and we know how that went. With science of genetics found we're all descended from humans who left Africa--so were dark-skinned. And we're all related more out here, than there with the folks who descended from those who stayed in Africa.

What a downer for some people am sure. So what about appearances?

Genetics gave answer there as well. Turns out humans are very malleable with regard to appearance related to climate, like will get longer noses in dry climates. And that's really it. And it's a small area of our genetic code as well. And is not at all meaningful to any important human characteristics like intelligence.

Oh so that functional on race thing part. Well after slavery ended in the US over 150 years ago, am thinking the former slaveowners who now were in charge still of much, in hiring people who HAD been slaves, did not value their work properly. Which was probably their honest assessment but then I suspect they noticed something--the deliberately lower pay was demoralizing and debilitating to those who were forced to take it.

And that became a business practice which swept the globe, which I say then, was learned after the end of American slavery by the people who had been slaveowners.

Turns out if you deliberately underpay humans it messes them up all kinds of ways. Gives YOU more money by taking what should have been shared, but also--helps you control them.

Like consider wild things in US: Black people are more likely to be underpaid, are less likely to have higher educational attainment, and vote less as a percentage than other groups.

So like in my home state of Georgia, USA, despite being roughly a third of the population, Black folks do not seem to wield much political clout! Is very odd, eh? Now have given explanation.

Of course we know that women also struggle with underpay, and now can understand why: makes them easier to control. In areas like the American entertainment industry, we have now learned what some people got with that extra control. Making highly desirable performers more malleable?

An incentive to pay less, with lessons I think learned, from watching people who had been slaves, disintegrate psychologically, when deliberately underpaid.

So yeah, was figured out on Black folks am saying, where the worst impacts are STILL there. Where was less potent when used against others, with women also singled out, apparently at least partly as sex objects for predators, who learned was way to help them victimize women, and men or any gender, and also, children. However, most of the effort apparently was at women who were trophies, in my opinion. I think the record reflects that but do worry about my own biases.

Web is cleaning things up. Like there is talking pay which makes it harder to deliberately underpay and get away with it, for most folks. With Black folks? You need to push. Oh yeah, if wondering how you can help, there you go. And again, asking questions can be useful. As get that person to question training that has been highly refined over more than 150 years to accept what should NOT be accepted.

So yeah, some quick questions to just about ANY American Black person and you can be like, huh?

The indoctrinated training is SO DEEP you can have puzzling conversations with Black folks in the US about why they do not ask for proper pay, why they too often do not vote, and why they so often do not strive for better educations.

Simple answer is: the people who trained them got them to do exactly what they wanted them to do.

Things which do not apply to me. I vote just fine, though have missed some, but for the usual reasons. I have been properly paid, and only faced underpay while studying some things. And have a degree in physics from Vanderbilt University. (How I escaped the dysfunctional training is an entirely different story though.)

Have puzzled much about strange conversations with other Black folks. And now I puzzle no more.

Why is it not all explained like above if so simple? Well if it were explained, wouldn't that get rid of it?

Web is finally getting around to that task which is why you know now.

And the British apparently are more humble these days too. Isn't progress grand?


James Harris

How intellectual assets can push

There were a lot of assumptions I had in the past about certain things where my experience as a person having information content drawing interest from around the globe has shown those to be completely wrong.

Like yes, knew the web lets information fly more easily as solves the information distribution problem, but maybe was less willing to accept at face value my early successes. Like my open source software project roared off in ways, though not with big download numbers.

That mixed message was understandably confusing. And would be years before had more objective data with country counts where now realize went into a bit of shock. So would repeat and repeat and still repeat, but then you are a person with a global product in over 100 countries, now what?

For years figured would figure it out eventually while trying lots of things, but did not understand the money connection. Spent years working on understanding money, to only realize that developing business connections was important, without being sure how.

Where for too long took for granted having what I now call a regular job, where that gets put out of reach when you consider for some company dealing with a potential employee who should have a company managing that product in over 100 countries.

And that was just one global thing. Also have my blogs. Each is massively global except one, which is Lost in Commentary, which is more US politics focused is why am sure.

As much as I like to be meta in that I reference my own experience can run into limits with that where with global? How do you learn? So look to others.

Like am using Google as a reference more as they had a service without revenue for a bit, so makes me think, needed to sell something to investors? But what? Google eventually noticed little ads could work is how like to put it, and didn't even figure that out completely themselves. Another company was doing something or other and they all worked that out.

Which is comforting. With my product Class Viewer if had worked at it, might have forged relationships with software companies maybe? To promote their products especially if new somehow, through some connection to my app? Just guessing but even with that is more focused than in the past. Where am vague as now brainstorming just a bit.

Of course for YEARS was struggling with the math things. Where didn't even know how to explain. And in the past would have considered too wacky for me to feel credible talking to businesses. Now is solid, and have a good handle on how situation is like it is. Looking at Uber and Lyft with taxi companies helped MUCH. Could watch another situation where innovation was running into massive resistance where is SO simple could appreciate how that behavior is more emotional than rational.

So my various intellectual assets, which am thrilled to have, got me to a place where am potentially known as like to put it, in over 150 countries. The pull of the ideas is real influence, which means can have a beneficial impact on the world regardless of other. And have zero revenue as too long resisted understanding fully implications of such things in terms of difficulty with a job relationship like before. While for a long time did not feel confident enough because of math things to establish best business relationships.

Whew! Well that explains much. It does not explain all though, but covers a lot of ground.

So yeah, I DID have to work to explain the math until could do so potentially for some business evaluating a business relationship. And have had to explain the country numbers as to how could have such global reach, without revenue. And had to explain the influence without the money.

Which has been a lot of work, but glad most of that is done, with quite a few blog posts.


James Harris

Value, market and the web

My view has long been that the web gives you the benefit of easy, wide distribution of information, which for an information product or service should be great! However, of course with such easy also there is more competition, which I also think is great, for consumers, as long as people can find best quality.

Web authority helps there greatly which for most is simply search!

Much to help then in producing great business for information on the web, but where is it?

Considering things as typical on the web now, still appears that money is being used more to try and capture people's attention with an endless war of trying to push ads with mass market approach, which people naturally endlessly try to avoid.

Yet the web has the potential for so much smarter.

Also with my own things have the oddity of global attention in a community way, which has been so separate from money, am finding have to talk it--and solve the problem.

So what is going on?

Well let's say I have a product which primarily involves information, like software or a picture, or a movie, and I want to let people determine quality and pay me if they think is a quality product, how can they?

Relentlessly global systems on the web do NOT give people the ability to pay after determining quality first.

Yet people do that all the time--for purchases made off the web. They even use the web to help check and to help find quality things, to go buy something like at a store.

Where that is so obvious am more and more suspicious.

Who are the people helped by the system as it stands? Money people and people with big corporations where more and more are working to dominate the web.

Where the web can simply push back. Web can destroy any corporation with its current level of power and is getting stronger. Or less dramatically, customers can rapidly find out the truth through the web, and what business can survive if bulk of its customers abandon it?

Like consider movie industry in my country, discovering can no longer rely on made-up arbitrary rules for movies, but needs to make movies audiences actually want. Because social media helps us know.

The marketplace of ideas is coming am sure. But lots of financial misery too often in the meantime for people with quality products and services who try to rely on web primarily now, as keep finding are forced to money people, who try to exploit them ruthlessly from what I've noticed.

The worst, in my opinion, of the money people work to turn those they control to a telemarketer mentality--pushing relentless promotion in demands for attention BEGGING people to pay them for things, or threatening them if they do not PAY UP.

That does not lead to great business experience. And again, notice where can find such business behavior OFF the web, eh? Like where. Will ponder and maybe update. Probably some huckster zone.

Is interesting, so I study. And THAT is the full explanation. The web has the potential but the frameworks have to be established so that once you figure out quality of a product or service FIRST on the web THEN you can pay the person who actually is providing.


James Harris

What good are answers

Human beings today have the most advanced technology in the history of our species, like what allows me to communicate with you and people like you all over the planet. In the past MOST humans worked agriculture, in early economies where humans were slowly figuring things out.

Yet agriculture was greatly aided with the arrival of technology with machines which meant a much smaller percentage of people are needed working in fields. And as much as the rise of industrialization brought horrors, for people in factories, it also brought greater wealth for populations, so what happened with arrival of computers?

Unlike before computers as a form of intelligence from the start could be part of employers simply not paying people the actual value of their efforts, which yeah, GREATLY improved the wealth of a small percentage, but has nearly crashed human civilization, more than once now.

Is weird. I use that word a lot I know, but in looking at how easily it was done, so that even now in countries like my own, which is the United States, you can witness puzzled people who do not really know the value of their work. And various systems were very much powerfully at work to kind of program a lack of questioning. And with all that money? Many of the super wealthy weren't that much happier. And have watched some of them work in ways that could destroy their own countries to gain MORE wealth when are already MASSIVELY wealthy, which I call wealth hoarding. Is like they hoard money like other people hoard other things. And can try to gain more even at risk of their own lives. Is weird, yeah.

And oh yeah, there is the dragging with reacting to one of the ways our species can exterminate all life on the planet which is with climate change if get a runaway greenhouse effect.

Where should search on that if do not know of it. Search: runaway greenhouse effect.

I like the article from National Geographic, did get when did that search. And yeah, definitely want a very small chance but reality is we DO NOT KNOW for sure. And what sense risking total extermination of life on planet Earth? There is none. There is no sense to it whatsoever. And again think there are things related to wealth hoarding at work.

Why would MILLIONS of people go along with such things where so much is painful for them? In the US think is a lot about the mass market, and advertising which focuses carefully on groups in a way that leads to more easily convincing people of things. There is almost a worship of money in modern culture which was absent in past American culture. When I checked? Realized wealthy people could easily shift advertising for such, and they could easily control much of mass culture with entertainment where writers often present very ruthless views, as if are common.

That HAS shifted recently as the web is pushing back. And suddenly so much behavior that was presented as ok, is looked at with perspective. My analysis is that the entire American entertainment industry was corrupted with entire story lines at times having no other purpose than to push amoral points of view, or worship of wealth, or of the wealthy who were often presented as if gods on our planet. Definitely, yeah weird when you look at now and see how obvious it was. Well at least it was to me. Would puzzle over it often wondering what was going on.

They were deliberately programming populations now believe. Was very effective as well.

The web has removed much of that power though, thankfully. So am watching attempts at trying to regain control with trying to control the web, which is shrugging that off.

Another reason I was working on entertainment will now admit. Have pressured much of that out of it already, simply with a functional definition. Lots of things presented as entertainment? Were attempts at mind control, which doesn't really work as good, you know?

Was strangely enough not that hard to do. Am puzzling still over how much I can do, where there is a purpose, like improving entertainment globally, where publicly state is what am doing, then get lots of quiet around it. Is weird.

And entertainment is steadily improving as what I see as parasitic, is that the right word? In talking about ruthless control techniques have been talking tools used by people who functionally behave as parasitic humans. They work to absorb more than they give, and seek control in ways that enable that behavior. Ok, so yeah, is parasitic behavior I think, where as such influence is removed our entertainment is improving, which is great!

So we have so many answers with so much science and technology yet seemed to be mysteriously committed to potentially exterminating ourselves. Yeah, is weird.

With answers to lots of things can be depressing am sure. But like is good news in there. Like you probably should be paid more. So check to be sure! Unless you work in the financial industry should add. There? Probably...well will let people figure it out, but am NOT concerned finance people are underpaid.

Our species has advanced so much! And I got to help with my own discovery! So cool! And grateful to be able to help while puzzling over problems in getting that recognized, also means have looked into these other things.

But yeah, maybe should ask more questions, whomever you are. Like long ago, people like us, worked very hard primarily in agriculture and might look at our societies with great puzzlement. With so many freed to do other things, how so much the struggles?

We need to value human effort. Proper pay is your help for civilization. Giving it, and receiving it.

We will get there am sure. With answers people can start doing important things, like asking more, and better questions.


James Harris

Money people scare me

Some of the most valuable celebrities on the planet--are dead. When analyzing their lives as pondered attention reality for many reasons, have noticed with some concern that over and over again there are people in the past barely visible who often started these celebrities out, who make money from them--dead or alive.

And starkly, alive a person can be a harm to a legacy. Which we can notice better in our times.

Am sure certain people figured it out long ago. Money people terrify me as spin what sounds conspiracy. And admit how can I be sure? But we can study so many cases.

Just consider what is happening to the value of certain intellectual property in our time as personal truths are making certain content plunge in value. Have looked at situations where if a person had died before certain things became public, we're looking at intellectual property that could have been more valuable in the BILLIONS in US dollars.

Checking celebrity backstories, over and over again, find wealthy people in the background who funded them to get them off the ground.

And people miss this reality but for me became something had to study. And will give one of the good guys for perspective. And talked Ronald Wayne in a G+ post in my Politics Collection back August last year. Since G+ is going away have to copy to here:

So much matters how people talk things, and report. Like with the founding of Apple Computer now Apple Inc.

Have watched LOTS of documentaries on subject as find it fascinating. And Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak were both in their early twenties, living with their parents, when had this hobby computer they figured could sell BIG. They had sold to some of their friends.

Was Ronald Wayne who gave them lots of business expertise, and then stepped away from the company early. He was already wealthy in his own right, and had lots of free time to help two eager young people, where one documentary noted they were kind of smelly. Early folks like Mr. Wayne also helped them clean up, including dress nicer. Is so amazing and you need to do the research to see how dramatic that was.

That two smelly young men, living with their parents, would go on to found one of the greatest companies on the planet? Had a lot to do with expertise they did not have, which was the knowledge of business provided to them, by people like Mr. Wayne who then simply walked away. To me he is a heroic figure. Our country owes much to him.

Countries around the globe that look at the US, pondering how this country does so well with innovation?

Need to study that story and ponder.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronald_Wayne 

He actually gets grief from people talking as if he messed up in simply helping two smelly twenty-somethings get their computer company off the ground with his substantial business know-how. And exited rather than exploiting his helping founding Apple for all it was worth.

I think he is a telling hero. And he was and is highly successful. Why should he wish to be ruthlessly wealthy? What more was there for him to gain? Relentless pursuit of more money for no reason.

Today look at any number of celebrities with concern, who may not realize they may be more valuable dead than alive, with bursts of sales generated by an untimely death.

Also am wondering about situations where surmise people were turned to drugs deliberately, by others who knew what they were doing. Our species can be this way folks. There are people in our species who can be so cruel, and cold and calculating.

Conceivably is easy: get'em hooked on drugs early helps for control but later can help you cash out on'em.

Luckily in our times can just look at track records. Check the money people and how many have done great, as people they supposedly helped so much have gone down, over and over and over again, in highly predictable ways.

Maybe celebrity DOES just tend to lead people down dark paths relentlessly. Maybe the money people are not as terrible as I fear. But then suspect that there should be positive evidence in their favor.

Human beings are about a totality of a life. We tell ourselves in so many ways.

And a world has just accepted that so often highly talented people for some reason tend to die tragically leaving VASTLY more money to be made by certain people, who could remain hidden before. Television didn't talk about them much if at all.

Now the web lets you study them. And study what other things they have been doing too.

You will find it--enlightening.

With my own situation have been stunned to realize how much looks like I need money people. And ponder them sitting out their like spiders on a web, knowing that creative folks like me need them, under current systems.

That they can just sit patiently and wait.


James Harris

Movie theater of the future?

There are those things which seems so OBVIOUS to me after pondering where wonder if something like what will describe isn't out there SOMEWHERE, and if so? Cool! Would like to know.

But imagine that on Sunday morning on a website for your local movie theater, you have the option to purchase a ticket for possible movie showings starting at midnight Thursday.

And you know your movie will show when your paying method, which could be credit or debit is charged, as theater knows which movies won. Biggest box office wins, of course.

Then the theater downloads the movies to show from the web. And you go to watch movie like usual.

And not everyone needs to buy that way. Most may simply show up at theater to watch something, like usual, as long as seats are still available.

To me is just such a simple idea, where theater maximizes total viewers, by having people pick what they want to see and put their money down so is sure. And THEN theater picks movies to show.

Even if THAT theater doesn't show movie you want, you might immediately go to website of another if more than one local or even to another town, or city, if you can travel.

Where what people wish to see in the area? For real, without so much guessing?

Is what the movie theater shows.

Seems simple to me! So what's wrong with this idea? Is it in place anywhere? And the questions start.

That's my process. Oh, so need to add metaprocess to labels below too.


James Harris

Back to positive focus on situation

Things have gone well for me in important ways. Like consider, often here am discussing things that have brought global attention in some way where often are my own ideas. Where that global attention has consequences where have not monetized well, which is pushing me to figure that out.

Needing to figure out how to make money from your demonstrated ability to pull global attention with your own ideas? I'll take that. Ok, um, is my situation.

One BIG arena where have already given a problem I have has to do with business representation which apparently folks like me need! Like in other arenas where people start pulling attention will hear excited talk of getting an agent or signing with a record label.

There are agents in this area where closest title lately is Influencer where do not feel like I fit that title. And made up my own: Meta innovator

So yeah my tendency to push for my own way with such things? Probably not the way you'd convince a traditional or even newer type agent to represent you. If really seriously tried, and have not recently. YEARS ago did email some management company. Never got a reply.

One area will readily admit would LOVE to innovate would be in that one. Oh yeah.

Of course not going to get much sympathy if full story is: well have so much global attention cannot get a regular job, but why want one when probably should be making TONS of money, but also need an agent, but I don't trust agents.

So that's why I don't seem to get much sympathy with my situation? Maybe. Better to put it out there so can address it properly.


James Harris

College and ruling abstraction

One thing have seen and puzzled over is when will notice some very public person telling people they do not need college. And I wonder, if that person were in a complex litigation would that person prefer lawyers without college degrees? Or with?

My guess with that example is with, though reality is, in US to practice as a lawyer, person would need a variety of qualifications. While a law degree is not necessarily one of them, like if can pass state bar without, wonder how many of those so loud and proud that YOU do not need a college degree would accept a lawyer without one?

Yet clearly in business is not necessarily the case that you need a college degree.

Yeah but business is providing a product or service for customers willing to pay.

One of the great and remarkable business successes was a guy who sold pet rocks.

While I say, college teaches meta learning, which is learning how to learn. And yeah, if you have a good handle on selling things to people does not surprise me if you can become successful at business, without learning how to learn.

So what's the difference then, fundamentally, between needing college for something like a law degree but being able to be a master of industry without one?

I say the key is handling: abstraction. And the level of abstraction in modern law vastly exceeds what you might face, selling pet rocks, or most business one might do! But then again, depends on the business.

Like in the fashion industry, you will am sure find people with college degrees or there I think they call them fashion degrees who dominate as top designers.

But convincing people to buy clothes you make, year after year, is presumably harder than say, convincing them to buy insurance, or your software product.

So yeah. DO think it possible to be a successful business owner of a software company without a college degree, but also should acknowledge you can learn how to learn without college. However college is where there is a well-developed process.

Yet MOST Americans do just fine without one. For more on that one, read my post:
What I think is the point of college

But depending on what you wish to do in life?

You need to dive into the details to decide: college? Or no.

And yeah, in my opinion, college helps you rule, or get a measure is another way to put it, on abstraction where how much you need to handle?

Is so much about what you want to do.


James Harris

Want do download? Then click here from my Google Drive.

Better defining effort

Firmly believe must do what one loves, and if find an audience shares interest, is great! But regardless do the things you love. While also most, like me, must find an audience, if only of one, for doing things for others for employment purposes, with remuneration. That is, most people need to have a paying job. Great if can coincide with what you love doing, of course.

And better defining efforts as to how that works has helped me. As grew up taught to just get a job, and maybe there was the possibility for getting beyond mundane of the usual, of finding other realms, which was actually mysterious like, how do you get discovered? Where now talk of those as preconceived notions. Were from lessons learned before possible in our times, when web can enable you to reach an audience, and can be a global one. But then what?

When you just want to get a job, you look for available ones through various means, endeavor to get an interview, and work to convince some person or persons you can do the work required. Generally you're looking at working for a business entity with a superior position in terms of establishment, money and other resources including infrastructure.

With the web, so much structure is abstract, if it exists at all.

Plenty of mechanisms for the remuneration, especially for employment purposes are still built for the world that was.

While modern money is an evolved wonder, allowing you to get a return on favors done for others, as an abstraction I claim is a social IOU backed up by society. Evolved wonder it may be, money regardless I theorize, flows in very distinct ways, where have a money flows reference post, which I DO check routinely. These abstractions are ones I try to use.

One HUGE problem on the web is the trust factor, as you can want someone to do something for you, or be wanted, but then there is structure in the world I no longer take for granted. I study it now.

One abstraction introduced recently addressing that area is the abstract payment intermediary, where some business entity in the middle facilitates transactions around flows of ideas.

Ideas can flow easily on the web. That part we know.

Having a system around those ideas, with buyers and sellers, and proper business, with as high a level of efficiency, trust and goodwill as can be found off the web, is I believe, a work in progress.


James Harris

Pay after model and find funding?

The pay after model is the dominant payment model of the world, because is really--pay after quality and want have been determined.

On the web people are routinely either assuming you believe they have a quality product you actually want, or demanding you pay whether they DO or not because they can make you. Either pay them first, or go away.

Where people may get creative then.

Am more confident that pay after on the web can be done many ways, if a corporation is created that does not assume people are naturally thieves, which focuses on letting them determine quality, and helps facilitate determining want, and provides a safe business transaction where trust is built over time.

That is, you learn the corporation is a business entity you can trust, which can determine if you are a valid customer as well, based on your behavior though would not assume you're naturally a thief, while there are ways to check people. Like if a software product is provided where you can pay when decide if want or not, and are left to delete off if don't want without being pressured? And you do NOT pay, but later you are back for an upgrade? You are a thief.

But how to get it started? Concept is easy enough, as talked first yesterday abstracting payment intermediary in a longer post. Where have actually talked these concepts for YEARS, but don't feel like linking to that content on this blog and my other blog Lost in Commentary to document in this post or that prior one. Is easy enough to just go off the basic principle.

Consider these ideas open source, and with me, things are definitely interesting. World needs kind of company described am sure.

I'm an idea guy. Not so good at lots of other things where other people are great. So just another post as think, shift! Yeah, I need to make money. Accepting should leverage my ideas in that direction more. Bills don't care either. Gotta pay'em.

So yeah, motivation right now? Purely commercial. Have done enough basic research. Must figure out how to make money, even if to get enough funding to get my commercial blog Seriously Commercial off the ground. Is that classic, need for money, to make money.

Well thankfully have a process that just lets me try things. Who knows where this will go, if anywhere. So just trotting it out there to see if anything interesting happens, like usual.


James Harris

Abstracting the payment intermediary

Years ago realized there was one payment model lacking on the web, which is pay after, like many people in US experience at a fine restaurant. On the web pay models are focused on pay before. And subscriptions even focus on trying to get people to pay before even created.

If we abstract from information producer to information consumer the web solves the distribution problem, but does not necessarily handle the business trust problem.

One might imagine an intermediary there, where with pay before models that can be VERY complex, and has issues of returns as well as heavy litigation potential, while with pay after both should be minimized.

But then the problem is, how do you expect people to pay at all after they gain information product?

Because I say, most people will pay for value received, once they make a buying decision, if payment is possible.

An abstracted business intermediary could potentially then, work to make sure information producer was verified, like as to owning information product and having a good business record. And provide a portal for information consumers who could learn to trust the intermediary, and be trusted to pay when they made a buying decision for a particular information product.

For example, have given idea before that a person could use software, until decided to pay for it, or did not actually need or want it, and be trusted to simply delete off system on their own. Though also noted if they DID cheat at least in that scenario, you could catch if came back later for an upgrade, if one was put forward.

Yeah but like with news organizations they could simply let people pay for an article after reading, if they so chose. Have read articles if had the money, might pay say 99 cents, if felt was really good. Of course, is my idea. Now they either give away for free, relying on advertising, or push people to subscribe, for things not even created yet. Though yes archives are there but I don't think people are into bingeing on news archives.

Still that is the big hurdle. In a restaurant? Hard to dine and dash is the phrase. With information? People need to feel value there and need to pay if that has been established. But would they?

Yeah daunting. Could that be crowdfunded though? I have no idea. Will put here and edit this post as usual as debate with myself.

The pay first model dominates the web, but does NOT dominate ANY other business systems around the globe--which is a bold claim.

People pay contractors after work is done. Pay at fine restaurants after food is consumed. Pay for clothes after tried on. Pay for cars after test drives.

Movies pay before, of course and other entertainment products. But also is why have trailers and various other promotional to try and help people figure out--is quality there? And also, novelty is key there. Novelty is an entertainment thing, but also not over all. Like with music? People prefer to hear a song, maybe even quite a bit, before are sure really like it. I know I do.

Yes, still need novelty with music, but unlike with movies, will NOT accept that as a reason to be forced to pay upfront, am thinking for most people. Definitely would not accept myself. Need to hear that entire song, and more than once, to figure out if I like it.

Restaurant business includes fast food where you pay before, which is a part but not all. Is it dominant? I don't think so. Television industry is HUGE in entertainment, without a pay first. With cable is more like pay for what exists, but subscriptions definitely add in a wrinkle. Otherwise television is relying on advertising. Interesting. Seems like entertainment industry gives me more fits with that assertion than elsewhere, which intrigues me.

Reality is, people like to determine quality, first.

Like have heard of people going to stores to try and get a feel for things or try them out before buying off web at best price.

Totality of the web pay upfront model is about distrust of the consumer, in my opinion.

Have seen cases where executives have ranted about piracy and other varieties of information theft. I think we simply have been limited by business people who think most humans are naturally thieves or there might be SOME cases of the pay after model around by now on web. If there are any, please let me know!!!

As one addendum to earlier ideas, have noted that with subscription models that DO work, people have a lot of content already available. Like sign up for video streaming service and binge watch? You can get your money's worth in a day or two.

Oh, with this model just thinking here, information producer would get 95% of revenue, with payment intermediary company relying on maximum of 5% with probably less if actually worked well.

People who produce should get most of the revenue. Intermediary would just be facilitating business transactions by limiting risk to information producer and information consumer.


James Harris

Work pushes polite

Much as a I like to note get attention driven towards me, less fun to admit that does not in and of itself bring money! Which surprised me a bit. Studying money carefully, concluded is a social IOU backed by society given best in exchange for a favor of some kind. Like someone favors you with a cup of coffee and you return the favor, by paying for it at a coffee shop. Money starts struggling the more important the thing! Which is also why it's easiest to make money with the least important things, and impossible with MOST important, like love.

And further realized that we work through contracts, which allow for what I call limited social trust, which outline the boundaries of what one will do in exchange for pay. In contrast for community, one should NOT be money motivated, and community work is harder to figure out pay, and for instance teachers, police and firefighters will do much that their pay does not and cannot cover. Just to pick one to highlight--for example a firefighter can die saving people from a fire.

For most people though, you do not work for community, like as police, or a firefighter or a teacher or a person at a state agency to name some general examples, at least not in my country. People working for community still need to be paid well, of course. But harder to figure out what is proper level.

When not working for your community? Get paid for ALL work you do on or for your job, please.

It is horrible though that some can be involved with unscrupulous people who may ask to see if you will naively do things outside your contract so that they can steal from you. I've been there. Found myself doing extra on a job for a manager who I now realize knew was being wrong. And I did not realize. Am smarter about it now.

Oh yeah, so work for most actually involves convincing strangers that you can do valued services under a contract, so you can follow such guidelines, in exchange for remuneration. That is, you get paid to do a job. And convincing strangers? Certainly helps when you are polite!

Should admit my ego which is stroked by endless attention from over 100 countries annually has had help being kept in check by me figuring out must behave to get work!

And that's a great thing too.


James Harris

Could entertainment mood analysis be a business?

In a mood to brainstorm, where now am refining ideas versus basic research, but still brainstorming involves limited critiquing, so yeah MY brainstorming has SOME, and limited editing to posts. So I'm wary of saying a post is brainstorming and then feeling like have to edit, so if that does happen would just strip all the brainstorming out of it.

And really liked doing the mood analysis recently of the Battlestar Galactica reboot, and guess it went over ok, but yeah talking for the public? With such things maybe more interesting to entertainment executives?

Potentially as a business thing, as making it all up as I go along so am talking making up an entirely new industry if mood analysis is not a thing already and I guess is not? I don't know. Will research it more. But I focus on mood as functionally defined entertainment as ANYTHING humans use to safely try to control mood. And brainstorming can fiddle with my own freaking definition for purists--um, purist is me?--who have never seen it said that way.

Emphasis on safety removes other things used to control mood, like drugs. Or anything that can cause harm, so yeah that could be ANY kind of harm and maybe is worth focusing on how safe true entertainment actually is. Meandering a bit.

Oh, so let's say some television show wants a mood analysis as maybe ratings are dropping and executives are desperate enough to try out new ideas from some guy on some blog. I'd be like, ok send me some episodes around the drop, unless a new show and could watch from the beginning. And I'd do a mood analysis which looks like one have done and posted, and send it to them. If they thought it useful then they'd pay whatever fee I came up with, and that would be that--known upfront of course as continue light edit. If they thought was a crock then they would wander off and say nothing. I would say nothing too. Or in business terms, everything would be kept confidential, whether they liked it, or not.

That could be SO much fun for me. Especially if got a real industry started and got episodes ahead of audiences if built up that level of trust, and...brainstorming is so much fun. I've said brainstorming more in this post than in any other I've done as new territory! Is cool. Feels kind of scary. Is that even possible? Could entertainment executives actually pay me for such?

Oh so yeah, could be anything in entertainment, and not just television shows which is the power of a real definition if that works! So is anything set up for business?

Nope. Just musing. Didn't want to use that word again, but hey is brainstorming! And went about as I expected. Now light editing so don't just look stupid, and if you see this post then it survived the brainstorming label or you may see this post with all of that stripped! And written as a regular post, but that wouldn't be nearly as much fun, or as fast. As think have been typing for about five minutes.

Other reason to brainstorm is to just get something quick. Write fast. Get out, and get on with...is that copyrighted? Ok, am done. Brainstorm DONE.

Light edit done. Here we go. Posting.


James Harris

Relief in community perspective

To me one way the web can test you is when you get the vague idea you should be making more money somehow, or worse you talk about a few things and have people who will TELL you as if is some absolute. Like they know.

Much to my relief a few years back motivated to work out how it all works, realized that much of what I do helps the global community without any reason to expect money in it. Whew.

So how do I think it works really to make money? I explained my guesses in detail in a post, but gist of it is, you have some form of upfront contract, and exchange legal goods or services, like your physical or mental labor, in exchange for money. Where I say money is just a social IOU, backed by society. For example the US dollar is backed by the US Government.

So yeah worrying about my own situation pushed me to study money in-depth and conclude it really wasn't explained well to me before! And with my own admitted musings was surprised simple explanations seemed to fit reality.

Of course they are MY ideas and I like them. Others are sufficiently warned that am just some guy musing along.

Oh, feel a need to also push some of my thoughts on promotion as well. To me LOTS of what you see on the web helps promote something and should not be paid for, like if someone is trying to sell me something and am checking it for quality, why should I pay for it first? Makes no sense.

Yes, there are lots of ways to make money. And yup, posted about when to charge, in my opinion.

Gist of that opinion is that you should charge when have an upfront contract to legally provide products or services to a stranger, not for community reasons. That is how that stranger can pay you back! As with community can be about helping your community without an immediate return on a favor.

But with a stranger, how else can that person pay back for a favor? Money lets that be immediate so that people can take for granted in countries all over the world walking into a strange place and having the favor of an item given to you by a stranger, in exchange for money. That is, you walk into a store and buy something.

But in contrast where is really about much more than a favor, like if you help a starving person with food, such a return is not necessary. Which is not really doing a favor either to me, but about what decent humans should do for each other.

However can create problems for communities figuring out how to pay properly for things NOT about favors either as so much about community, like firefighting, teaching, police work, other government services and yup, political office.

Which to me gets back to community perspective.

Simple approaches attract me.

Though will admit that does not mean they work!

But how much should I emphasize just talking my own ideas here without pretending to be an expert? But just in case, will note am NOT giving legal or monetary advice. Just talking out some ways of looking at money and business that I guess make sense to me.

There are also people who enjoy being out here on the web learning things, and talking a point of view. Doesn't mean am claiming expertise. And am not.


James Harris