Brian Prows

Why Good Humor Keeps Us Sane

In our stressed-out, sometimes troubled lives, it’s soothing to chuckle over good humor. When we tire of bad news on the Web or tube, in fact, an uncontrollable belly laugh may even keep us sane.

My sister was kind enough to email me a few good humor one-two liners. Here they are (with a few quick quips from me.)

“Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.” Love this one. I usually smile at people like this as I slowly walk backward, smiling.
“Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.” This is similar to another funny one about “those who don’t speak appear semi-intelligent, until they open their mouths.”
“If I agreed with you, we’d both be wrong.” Good humor is sometimes sarcastic too.
“War does not determine who is right – only who is left.” Reminds me of a paper I wrote in college about God rooting for the Germans and Allies at the same time.
” Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.” Agreed. It’s like meeting a shoe expert, who meticulously describes the fine leather from Spain, how the heels attach to the bottom of the shoes, but he can’t tie his shoelaces.
“Evening news is where they begin with ‘Good Evening,’ and then proceed to tell you why it isn’t.” Indeed, if you get off on gore, lost puppies and why unemployment is “even worse” than last month by .1%. Not always “good humor.”
A bus station is where a bus stops. A train station is where a train stops. On my desk, I have a work station. Ha…Ha…!
“I didn’t say it was your fault, I just said I was blaming you.” Right, it was the other guy who was wrong.
” A clear conscience is the sign of a fuzzy memory.” “What! I never said that!”
“Money can’t buy happiness, but it sure makes misery easier to live with.” Can’t argue with that one, but if you don’t believe it, please mail me $10. If enough people do, the misery is all my fault.
“I used to be indecisive. Now I’m not so sure.” Ditto.
“You’re never too old to learn something stupid.” Start with the Web; I find a lot of half-baked truths there every day–and lots of good humor.
“To be sure of hitting the target, shoot first and call whatever you hit the target.” This happens a lot in business and sometimes gets you a raise.
“Nostalgia isn’t what it used to be.” That’s because our memories are fading faster. “Say, Joe, remember when Sally fell off the dock last Summer?” Joe: “What dock?”
“Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.” Good one. That’s why I avoid them. All the good stuff costs $1 anyway.
” Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.” This one is for someone with a vivid imagination.
“A diplomat is someone who tells you to go to hell in such a way that you look forward to the trip.” Hmm…stretch those neurons.
“Hospitality is making your guests feel at home even when you wish they were.” Except at Amway meetings where they post guards at the door.
‘I always take life with a grain of salt. Plus a slice of lime, and a shot of tequila.” Just remembered. I’m out of salt. Where’s that darn shopping list.
‘When tempted to fight fire with fire, remember that the Fire Department usually uses water.” Try that one during your next argument with your spouse. Water fights are fun.

Well, courtesy of my sister, who abounds with good humor, 20 sizzlers to memorize for your next party. They used to lock up people who laughed a lot. Now we’re much more civilized. We put them on TV or YouTube.

Internet Privacy in a Sea of Web Cookies

Worried about Internet privacy, web monitoring, flash cookies and who’s watching your website activity? Need better privacy protection in your life? Read on.

Yesterday, the Wall Street Journal published the first article in a series called “The Web’s New Gold Mine: Your Secrets,” a comprehensive piece describing how ad networks and Internet tracking companies are collecting your personal Web surfing data. In the biz, it’s called “behavioral profiling,” a euphemism for discovering consumer information for advertisers.

The Journal commissioned an Internet expert to study the nation’s top 50 websites for tracking cookies and “beacons” that reveal consumer Web activity.

While cookies, tiny bits of software identifying you and your computer, are useful for frequently visited sites, when you open your browser a lot more action takes place under the hood. For example, the nation’s top 50 websites on average install 64 types of tracking tools for each visitor. A dozen websites put more than a 100 of the little buggers on your hard disk.

What’s amazing to both Web surfers and website owners–like Dictionary.com, the worst offender–is lack of awareness about what’s happening.

Why should you care? The new tools scan your activity in real time, then attempt to discover your location, income, shopping interests and even medical condition.

Advertisers used to purchase ads on web pages they thought matched reader interest in their products and services. Now tracking Internet users’ behaviors across the Web is of greater interest. As advertisers learn more about you, they can better target their ads to match your interests.

They’re over 100 “middlemen”–data brokers and ad networks–vying to know your darkest secrets. Feeling a bit overweight? Don’t be surprised if you start seeing online ads for products and services that help you shed pounds.

Within a few seconds on eBay, a company called BlueKai starts auctioning off your searches for as little as a tenth of a cent. The information, of course, is all “anonymous.” But as tracking firms become more sophisticated, information collected on you becomes more accurate. (By the way, BlueKai allows consumers to opt-out from their tracking tools. Visit the site for more info.)

“Flash cookies” or “beacons” are the most nefarious tracking tools as they allow companies to follow every click of your mouse during web sessions. As I mentioned above, Dictionary.com was the worst offender, unknowingly allowing 41 web bits on their site. Comcast.net installed 55.

Fortunately, there’s something you can do about the data critters floating on your computer’s hard disk. The Journal suggested the steps below but I reversed the order and added one additional step:

Visit networkadvertising.org, an industry groups of marketers, and opt out of 50 ad networks

Install Trackerscan, a Firefox plug-in from Privacy Choice that identifies who’s tracking you. Also opt-out from ad tracking on its website

Install the Firefox “Better Privacy” plug-in to handle flash cookies

Install Ghostery, if you use Internet Explorer, Firefox or Google Chrome. This nifty plug-in controls those beacons that follow you around the Web like ants.

Check and delete cookies. This is fairly easy but the steps differ slightly from browser to browser. (Click on your browser’s help button for instructions.) Removing all cookies, however, means you’ll need to re-enter your user name and passwords on your favorite sites. So you might want to remove cookies with names you don’t recognize.

Adjust your browser settings. Un- checking “third party cookies” will rid you of cookies from sites you don’t regularly visit, but you may have to re-enter information when you return to those sites. (Safari ditches third party cookies automatically.)

Turn on private browsing. (Chrome = Incognito; IE8 = InPrivate Browsing). Think twice about doing this. Private browsing may increase your Web privacy but it deletes all your cookies when closing your browser. Kind of a pain especially if you use a lot of Google tools.

Monitor flash cookies. To fix this little bugger, go to the Adobe flash player web page and follow instructions. Heavy video fans may want to skip this step.

Change your Google history settings. The WSJ didn’t mention doing this. But Google makes money off of ads–including mobile phone ads. So if you’re concerned about Google following your Web behavior, clean out your browsing history. This automatically turns off browser history tracking. Later you can always turn history tracking on again.

You’re probably thinking “what a pain”–and you’re right. But if you’re worried about your Internet privacy, you’ll make the changes.

A parting thought: remember that every time you tweet on Twitter, write on a Facebook wall or leave your footprint on another social media site, you’re sharing private information. So watch what you write. It’s not just the ad folks and tracking companies watching. It could be your boss or your ex.

Are Good Ideas that Solve Problems in Short Supply?

Light Bulb - Good Idea? — Light Bulb - A Good Idea

When was the last time you came up with a good idea? Not just a “good idea” but a mind-blowing idea that solved business or personal problems? I’m guessing, like the rest of us, you’d say “not recently.” It’s like remembering the last time you put a fresh box of baking soda in your fridge to remove odors. “Let’s see, I think it was…2004.”

Dictionary.com defines an idea as “…something, such as a thought or conception, that… exists in the mind as a product of mental activity.” Leonard Bernstein, the renowned composer, conductor and thinker, said in a recorded interview years ago that an idea is “the intersection of two facts.” In other words, our brain neurons combine random thoughts or facts into something new or inventive. Some people might even call that “creativity.”

Throughout the ages, bright people have solved many life problems with innovative ideas, creating better forms of government and improving products and services. Here in the U.S., we celebrate one of them on July 4th when our founders thought a democracy was best for our new nation.

But is our dilemma a lack of good ideas, not acting on them or fear of rejection? Linus Pauling, a brilliant scientist, said “the best way to get good ideas is to have lots of ideas and throw the bad ones away.” Howard H. Aiken, quoted in Robert Slater’s book “Portraits in Silicon Valley,” wrote: “Don’t worry about people stealing an idea. If it’s original, you will have to ram it down their throats.”

Perhaps people avoid new ways of thinking fearing they’re not good or someone will criticize them for suggesting them. To this, Admiral Grace Hopper said: “If it’s a good idea, go ahead and do it. It is much easier to apologize than it is to get permission.”

Likewise, Alfred Whitney Griswold wrote an essay for the New York Times in 1959, claiming that “…books won’t stay banned. They won’t burn. Ideas won’t go to jail. In the long run of history, the censor and the inquisitor have always lost. The only sure weapon against bad ideas is better ideas.” In our current financial malaise, I don’t think anyone would argue against trying different approaches to solve our many problems.

Our views on reality, in fact, are based on what we think. Alan Moore in “What is Reality,” claimed that “ideas, unlike solid structures, do not perish. They remain immortal, immaterial and everywhere, like all Divine things. Ideas are a golden savage landscape that we wander unaware, without a map. Be careful: in the last analysis reality may be exactly what we think it is.”

Sergey Brin, one of the co-founders of Google, went further arguing that ideas by themselves don’t resolve our difficulties but are necessary. “It’s important not to overstate the benefits of ideas. Quite frankly, I know it’s kind of a romantic notice that you’re just going to have this one brilliant idea and then everything is going to be great. But the fact is that coming up with an idea is the least important thing. It has to be the right idea and have good taste, but the execution and delivery are what’s key.”

Speaking about Google, every month 37 million Web users search for the words “ideas” and 9 million for “idea.” Clearly, people are interested in new ways of thinking and useful information. But taking action, regardless of criticism or believing we may err, is critical to solve our many problems.

Health Care Reform Debate and Lack of Trust in Congress

As we approach a vote by Congress this weekend on health care reform, it’s becoming clear that health care is not the issue at all. It’s lack of trust in Congress.

In today’s Wall Street Journal, Gerald Seib reports that a new WSJ/NBC News poll reveals voters, if given the chance, would replace 50% of all members of Congress. People want to see consensus and an end to the bickering in Washington. They want action, not rhetoric, not grandstanding.

I won’t break down the demographics of which voters are most likely to “throw the rascals out.” Nor will I bore you about the reasons. What’s crystal clear, however, is voters’ lack of trust in Congress and how it’s handled the debate over health care.

Imagine any company or large organization operating in a similar fashion as Congress. Sure, they’re politics and hidden agendas in all companies, but members of the House and Senate have splintered the debate over health care reform. The constant bickering and unrelenting argumentation has caused the American public to throw their hands up in the air. This is enough to kill off any business. And Congress, despite what we think, is a business, although poorly run.

Meanwhile, drug companies and other special interests add to the clamor through their self-serving corporate interests.

Are there concerns about health care reform and the predicted huge deficits in the years ahead? Sure, but those deficits (over one TRILLION) per year will occur anyway until the American economy does a 180 degree flip toward prosperity. Spending money now to reform health care in this company will lower the deficit around $160 billion, which is nothing to sneeze at.

But that’s not the reason for the fight in Washington over health care. Americans, although rating their own representatives fairly highly, perceive Congress as a gigantic amoeba floating in a large lake without any direction.

To most citizens of this country, Washington D.C. is an octopus with tentacles extending in all directions. People don’t trust creatures like an octopus who sliver in multiple directions. Congress must let go of its indecisiveness and make decisions, even if those decisions cause troubles down the road. Making a decision to move from first to second base is better than standing still.

Despite Republican resistance to play ball on health care reform, most members of Congress, including Democrats, look only to the next election. If not spending money is a vote getter–despite the long-term savings achieved through health care reform–then that’s what politicians will do. It’s safer to not spend money when long-term outcomes are unclear than sign the check hoping for the best.

If this democracy survives, politicians must become more decisive and risk losing the next election by acting “in the public interest.”

Health Care Benefits for Congress?

To the Congress of the United States regarding your health care benefits:

Over the weekend with the Senate’s narrow but passing vote to “debate” health care legislation, it’s become crystal clear that some members of Congress don’t care about the health care crisis.

With a few exceptions, the Republican leadership is unwilling to debate the legislation passed by the House. Worse yet, you have no alternative proposals to reduce the high costs of medical care or save the 38 million Americans who lack health insurance from financial ruin. You’re ignoring your responsibilities as representatives of the people in the United States.

Since you are unwilling to accept the responsibilities for which you were elected, I have a proposal to force the debate. As of January 1, 2010 if you haven’t passed legislation to help remedy the health care needs of Americans, you lose your health care coverage.

As members of Congress, you have one of the best health care plans in the country with 75% of your premiums paid for by taxpayers. Your health coverage includes a variety of plans covering medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts and dependent care.

Clearly, if you oppose health care reform or are unwilling to debate proposed legislation, you must believe that medical care for the American public is not a debatable issue. Guess what, you’re wrong.

To force you to debate and remedy the health care issue, let’s push the envelope. If you’are unwilling to debate and pass legislation by the first of the year, you enter the world of the medically uninsured.

Become ill and need a doctor? You pay the entire bill. End up in the hospital for an operation? You pay the $30,000 charge out of your own pockets. Need a pair of glasses or a tooth filled? The bill is yours.

Why? Because you don’t deserve health care benefits. You haven’t earned it by showing social responsibility. You’ve broken your promise to your constituents and the American people to resolve an ongoing nightmare faced by every individual and family in this country.

And I’m not only referring to those without health insurance coverage. I’m talking about those who work, pay high health care premiums, co-pays and deductibles. I’m speaking of taxpayers who pay your salaries and health care benefits.

Your non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, which provides you with best estimates on legislative costs, now estimates that H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act, would reduce the Federal deficit by $138 billion dollars a year.

Here is the first page of the the CBO’s letter to Congress:

“The Congressional Budget Office has revised its estimate of the net budgetary impact— transmitted on November 6, 2009—of H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act. In that November 6 letter, CBO and the staff of the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) estimated that changes in direct spending and revenues from enacting H.R. 3962 would yield a net reduction in federal budget deficits of $109 billion over the 2010-2019 period. CBO and JCT now estimate that the legislation would yield a net reduction in deficits of $138 billion over the 10-year period, correcting a mistake that CBO made in its earlier assessment of the impact of section 2581 of the legislation, which would establish the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) program.”

Ignoring the CBO analysis and failing to act responsibly is a dereliction of your duties as elected representatives.

Act now or face the consequences.

Health Care Reform Stifled by Drug Companies

The Washington Post reported two unrelated stories that, considered together, demonstrate a concerted effort by large drug companies and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to kill health care reform. The reports are disturbing and reveal two major challenges to controlling health care costs in the U.S.

First–and most disturbing–the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, in concert with other unidentified business groups, are funding an “economic study” showing that health care reform would destroy jobs and worsen the economy.

Supposedly, a respected economist would do the dirty work of writing letters to other economists encouraging them to squash health care reform legislation now under consideration in Congress.

Second–and equally disturbing–the New England Journal of Medicine just published a study that, for the third time, claims Zetia and Vytorin, two cholesterol drugs with worldwide sales exceeding $4.5 billion dollars, are less effective unclogging arteries than a modified version of vitamin B3. Merck, the manufacturer, denies the study’s conclusion, of course.

It’s becoming clearer each day as health care legislation moves through Congress that our country is not united on changing a health care system that’s bringing us quickly to financial ruin.

The Russ Limbaughs of the world blabbering away on radio, shouting trite diatribes against Obama and Democrats who support change, is one thing. But it’s totally irresponsible for business groups and gargantuan drug companies to destroy our country for the financial benefit of stockholders and drug executives.

Excessive political and social influence by drug barons and unnamed “business groups” is not acceptable in a democracy. To argue that health care reform will eliminate jobs and ruin our economy is not only illogical; it clearly demonstrates the desperation of misinformed business leaders to halt structural changes leading to a healthier population and an economically stronger nation.

For years, drug manufacturers have done everything in their power–spending millions–to halt health care legislative reform. As a result, the cost of prescription medications has soared into the stratosphere, directly raising insurance premiums and out-of-pocket costs to consumers. Seniors on Medicare, in particular, have suffered the most as supplemental insurance has drained the pockets of those most in need.

It’s time to put an end to this deliberate, obnoxious strategy of companies and individuals who benefit from the sickness of their fellow citizens.

Improve Your Blog Writing with Aristotle and your Mom

Writing a personal blog and improving your blog writing is more art than science. A couple of past week’s experiences convince me that if Aristotle were still alive he’d issue harsh criticism to bloggers.

I recorded a podcast with one of the top execs at a mobile marketing company. My guest, during the 30 minute recording, was amazed I’d read one of his articles on the Web. He said he thought only his mother read the piece. After joking that I was his second reader, we finished the podcast interview.

Checking my blog stat’s on “Brian Prows’ Blog,” compared to my other blogs, also blew me away. My personal blog, which I haven’t really promoted at all and launched two weeks ago, has some decent readership stats.

Why? In the first two weeks of “Brian Prows’ Blog,” I haven’t posted a “spill my guts piece.” I haven’t revealed any secrets about blog writing. I’ve ignored SEO’ing the blog and posts pretty much. I don’t think I write half as well as years ago. I ramble at times. Why would anyone want to read my stuff?

Darren Rowse, who writes the very successful ProBlogger blog has a a new guest post by Patrick Riddel called: “The Holy Grail to Writing Great Content – Rhetoric.” Rhetoric is generally defined as “the art of effective or persuasive writing or speaking,” although lots of people, especially politicians, use the term negatively–for example, “Obama’s rhetorical remarks about health care upset Republicans.”

Riddel debunks the myth that writing “great content” by itself will cause your Technorati ratings to skyrocket. Instead, he gives examples of rhetorical techniques that will help you write better. And he links to Robert A. Harris’ “A Handbook of Rhetorical Devices” page, containing definitions and examples of rhetorical techniques.

Riddel’s advice and examples are worth reviewing. Excellent bloggers, who care about their writing styles, want to write more clearly and persuasively to increase their readership. Paying more attention to how you write as well as what you write is essential.

Meanwhile, if in doubt about your next post, consult Aristotle and your Mom.

Letting Go Story of the Monkey and the Coconut

Letting Go Story: Monkey and the Coconut — Letting Go Story

Letting Go Story
Most of us have a hard time letting go of our beliefs, our actions and thoughts. I know I do.

As we engage in our day-to-day activities at work and home, we tend to cling to the familiar and avoid the unfamiliar. We hold on to thoughts and attitudes that don’t challenge us. We vote for candidates who are like us. We stay away from situations and people whose beliefs and lifestyles don’t mimic us. We’re like the monkey and the coconut.

Ever hear the story? Villagers in a far-off land wanted to capture monkeys. So one ingenious person thought of cutting a hole in a coconut and stuffing peanuts in it. Then he placed the coconut in a tree frequently visited by monkeys.

Letting Go Story Lesson

Within minutes of putting the coconut in the tree, a monkey wandered by, smelled the peanuts, crawled up the tree and put his hand inside the coconut. As villagers approached to nab the monkey, the monkey couldn’t climb down the tree because he was clutching the peanuts inside the coconut and his hand was stuck. If he had let go of the peanuts, he would have made a quick getaway. The monkey got caught.

Aren’t we all like that monkey? We’re stubborn and hold on to beliefs that cause arguments with others. We like to be right. We like to think others think we’re right. Clutching peanuts and not letting go causes us a lot of troubles in our lives.

Instead of behaving like the monkey, we could occasionally open our minds to conflicting beliefs, listen to others who say things that upset us and stand up for causes that might help reduce anxiety and suffering in the world.

Just think if we tried doing that: letting go, just for a moment, opening up, allowing our minds to change. The world we see would change before our eyes. Unlike the monkey, we could end up having both the coconut and the peanuts.

Talking With the Cloud

Talking with the Cloud

Prescription Drug High Costs Helped by GoodRx

Are you struggling, like me, with prescription drug high costs? Do you wonder why generic and name brand drug prices vary considerably at pharmacies? Then you’re part of the growing number of folks who ask “what’s going on here?” Why do prescription drug prices differ a lot at retail? And what can we do to lower our ever-increasing drug bill?

I recently discovered, when changing health plans on the “open exchange”–ObamaCare to some–that prescription drug retail prices vary considerably from chain-to-chain.

Using GoodRx, an online prescription drug information and discount coupon service, I compared three generic medication prices at CVS, where I’ve filled most prescriptions in the past year. I discovered that Walmart, Target and a few other chains were cheaper using GoodRx’ contract prices.

GoodRx Lowers Prescription Drug High Costs up to 80%

Working with PBM’s (Pharmacy Benefit Management) firms, GoodRx finds the lowest prices for users of its site. Consumers enter a drug name and zip code online to find GoodRx’ contracted prices with Walmart, CVS, RiteAid, Walgreens and a few online pharmacies. Consumers may print out coupons containing drug names, types and retailer codes, then show the printout when paying for drugs. GoodRx doesn’t require registration to use the service.

Today, I saved $133 on three meds filled at Walmart paying only $35 rather than the chain’s $165 published price list. That includes one medication already on Walmart’s $4 generic list for a month’s supply. If I would have filled the three meds at CVS, my bill would have been $110 (includes CVS’ $15 yearly Health Pass Savings charge). Prices, per GoodRx, were similar at Target, Walgreens and Safeway, while RiteAid and CVS were considerably higher.

Why do Prescription Prices Differ Significantly?

You’ve probably paid “full retail” for one or more medications. One time, I was charged over $100 for a couple of medications at Walgreens when I was in between plans. Despite attempts at health care reform in Congress, prescription manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers and hospitals continue charging consumers exorbitant prices for medications.

When I worked in the pharmaceutical “reverse distribution” business (taking back drugs from the market), I learned that prescription drug marketing in the U.S. is very non-competitive.

Too few manufacturers produce the majority of drugs we consume
Large corporations buy smaller firms and attempt to shut down generic manufacturers
Prescription drug research costs are high
Brands accounting for the majority of sales revenue per company are few
Regulation by the FDA hinders timely release of new pharmaceuticals

It’s the perfect storm for a non-competitive, high priced, anti-consumer business adding billions of dollars to U.S. health costs.

Taking Steps to Lower Prescription Drug Costs

So what can be done? If I had the best solution, someone would hire me as a consultant. While I don’t have the “magic pill” to reduce high prescription drug costs, I do believe consumers, companies like GoodRx and watchdog groups must lead the charge. To begin:

Reveal and compare pharmacy pricing
Negotiate with major retailers to lower prescription drug high costs
Educate consumers about making wise buying decisions
Consumers, talk with your physicians about your prescription drug costs. Find other suitable medications for illnesses. Don’t ask doctors for a script every time you don’t feel well.

Over time, costs will drop. Yes, prescription drug high costs can be controlled.

“Learn More” on the Web Causes Brain Damage

learn more

Most Web users continuously encounter the phrase “learn more” on Google or other websites. It’s intended to entice readers to click for more information about a topic. For example, “Gmail lets you archive all your conversations so you can search for them at a later date…’learn more.’”

A recent Google search for “learn more” reveals the phrase appears 584 MILLION times. (Search = “learn more” + company name). Prominent websites with high use of “learn more” include:

USPS = 11 million (USPS feels there’s very little reason to learn more; each webpage is clear by itself.)
Comcast = 16 million (Comcast really doesn’t want anyone to learn more, although they use the phrase moderately)
Netflix = 20 million (Netflix is curious since the $7.95 per month is quite clear; the company must have written a lot about network neutraity.)
Microsoft = 78 million (Computer and tech firms strongly believe in using “learn more” as much as possible. With Microsoft’s current layoff announcement, the company will probably outsource out to maintain the learn more pages; Nokia’s mobile product managers also insisted on using the term frequently to better explain its line-up of smartphones.)
Hewlett–Packard = 119 million (HP’s computers, printers, other hardware and supplies–especially the price of ink replacements–require extensive explanatory material; thus, the enormous use of “learn more” on company webpages.)
State of California (all ca.gov websites) = 306 million (State governments, especially those with huge deficits, always require more extensive information to explain why things are the way they are; so it’s understandable why the State of California has copied tech companies in the use of “learn more.”)
Google = 437 million (Google feels that its customers should always want to “learn more.” With its large product line, Google frequently uses “learn more” several times on its webpages; the company is also testing the click-through rate of the phrase.) Even I am part of the trend with Google’s listing: Images for brian prows learn more
Facebook = 695 million (And, finally, the 1.X billion member social network Facebook. Its privacy policies, as everyone knows, are extremely complex; even game companies like Zynga have joined Facebook writers in the largest use of “learn more” found on the Web. The phrase also helps the 60% international audience better understand how to share the fun on FB.)

Learn More Leads to Mental Damage

To “learn more” opens up the “Internet of Things,” something you don’t want to unleash. Like Pandora’s box, clicking “learn more” will open a gigantic Cloud at a data center. From the Cloud will come torrents of things you don’t want to read or know or learn or memorize.

This causes an illness called “pervasive Cloud overkill” (PCO). PCO happens to numerous Web surfers who are analytical by nature and want to find answers to all questions before using a mobile app, Google product or, for that matter, a new fridge. According to studies by the Don’t Learn More Health Society (DLMHS), “Learn more” takes the mind on a one way no-return mind trip resulting in early PCO, followed by dementia and other nefarious diseases.

So whatever you do, never click on “learn more.” It’s o.k. to click “next page” or “continued” or even “read more.” These phrases tell the brain that there’s an end to information or content. “Learn more,” rather, implies a continuous, invasive entry of words, pictures and videos which attack neurons in the neocortex. Once reaching this stage, the “learn more” opt-in folks find themselves getting dizzy, then faint, before PCO starts neuronal damage.

This message is brought to you by the “Don’t Learn More” health society, a group dedicated to the preservation of the human brain’s ability to consume limited information on the Internet. To receive further information, please email [email protected]

Attitude of Gratitude Leads to Happiness in Life

Many of use go through life believing that we’re “self-made.” We don’t think enough about the others who have listened to us, given freely of their time, money and help. We don’t have an “attitude of gratitude.”

That point was driven home this morning when I heard a woman (let’s call her Jennifer) speak about her life. Her father abused her, her mother and siblings. She went through a life of homelessness, abuse and trauma until in her late teens. She spoke candidly about how she became grateful for things in her life despite her anger at her father and others who mistreated her.

Jennifer now helps others who have experienced similar lives develop a positive mindset.

Attitude of Gratitude Journal

Jennifer found help in her daily life by keeping an “attitude of gratitude” journal.

Keep a gratitude journal. A gratitude journal can give you perspective about the great things in your life. Take some time every day to write down five things you are grateful for today.
Remember and be grateful for challenges and “negative experiences because they’ve taught you valuable lessons in patience, understanding, humility and strength.
Focus on the gifts. Be thankful for the gifts we receive from others such as a smile or kind word, as well as the gifts we off to others.
Be grateful for your health. The human body is an amazing machine. Be thankful for all that yours can do.Keep a visual reminder to be grateful, such as a picture frame with your favorite gratitude quote, and surround yourself with grateful people.
Commit to practicing gratitude. Make a concerted effort to practice gratitude every single day. Let other know you appreciate them.
Maintain a positive, grateful attitude. Replace a negative internal monologue with positive thoughts.
If you must, fake it till you make it. If you’re having trouble being grateful, fake it until you are. Smile, say thank you and write a thank you note to someone who’s helped you recently. Soon, all of this gratitude will overtake any negativity.

Jennifer, despite her challenging life, now works for a San Francisco Bay Area non-profit. She delights helping others get jobs, find housing and, best of all, keep an “attitude of gratitude.”

Brian Prows Dot Com Has a New Look

Brian Prows Dot Com Blog New Look

Blogs–especially personal ones–need re-varnishing occasionally. So, this being the day before the Christmas Eve, I’m sprucing Brian Prows Dot Com.

“Blog” sounds like “grog,” a drink once relished by those with money in the 1800’s and those “down under.” A short quote from Wikipedia explains it well:

“The word grog refers to a variety of alcoholic beverages. The word originally referred to a drink made with water or “small beer” (a weak beer) and rum, which British Vice Admiral Edward Vernon introduced into the Royal Navy on 21 August 1740. Vernon wore a coat of grogram cloth and was nicknamed Old Grogram or Old Grog. Modern versions of the drink are often made with hot or boiling water, and sometimes include lemon juice, lime juice, cinnamon or sugar to improve the taste. Rum with water, sugar, and nutmeg was known as bumbo and was more popular with pirates and merchantmen…By contrast, in Australia and New Zealand the word has come to mean any alcoholic drink.”

Now that I’m writing about alcohol, I’ll have to create a new category. I’m not sure yet which category to use–maybe “society” or “drugs.”

Well, I didn’t want this post to impress anyone with my lack of brilliance. I’ll only thank readers who’ve written me with unfounded praise or a raking over the coals.

Brian Prows Dot Com will probably get more of my attention in the coming year. It’s fun to write about sharks invading the Golden Gate Bridge, Congress folks who nearly bankrupt the Federal Government or days when they’re isn’t any news.

It’s a nice alternative to writing about technology and mobile. Have a nice Christmas and great New Year. And….hmm…don’t forget the grog.

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Taking Steps to Lower Prescription Drug Costs

Learn More Leads to Mental Damage

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