JP Morgan's Genius Challenge

The Genius Challenge is about how you can awaken genius in yourself and others to foster a truly extraordinary life. It’s about the practices geniuses use to transform values and principles into sustainable actions, dreams and visions into realities, challenges and obstacles into innovative thinking, separation into solidarity, and experiments into rewards. Genius is many things, however, tapping into the practical benefits of genius creates a climate in which people of all ages can turn even the most difficult challenges into opportunities to achieve their goals and their dreams.

      In today’s extraordinarily fast-paced technological climate, the challenges and the speed at which we need to operate are increasing exponentially. New fandangeled gadgets like dishwashers and washing machines will allow housewives everywhere to put their feet up and enjoy a cocktail with their husband while the amazing new appliance does all their domestic chores. 

1930s: GE Monitor Stovetop

1940s: GE Swivel-Top Vacuum Cleaner

1950s: GE Refrigerator and Freezer

The idea that technology will free us from the mundane aspects of daily living, leaving us with an abundance of time to play bridge, catch up with friends and family, pursue hobbies, and even take a much-needed nap, is EXACTLY what what we're selling at General Electric; but, that’s not all. The devices we create will do all your work so you can slow down and smell the roses. 

      Time, as we all know, can be our friend or foe, depending on how we treat it. Treating time as you would a respected elder is one of the secrets of unleashing the practical aspect genius. Some might say that time management is not genius at all, but rather a learned skill or an aspect of what we so fondly refer to as “common sense.”

Adorning the General Electric building at 570 Lexington Avenue. Completed in 1931, the 50-story building was originally meant to be the headquarters for RCA, but GE moved in a few years later, making some design changes - including turning what was supposed to be a globe into an electric bolt running through this very unique clock.

      Call it what you like, managing genius is an aspect of living as a genius. No matter how talented, skilled, or smart you are, if you do not manage your time (and geniuses) well, you will not unleash your potential; your brilliance and contribution to the history of humanity will go unnoticed and undone. This is a waste of genius.

      Tapping into your genius means tapping into your potential to profoundly change the world in which we (make money off of how you) live, work and play.

1920s: GE 12" Oscillating Table Fan

Oreo Speedwagon

Oreo Speedwagon is an American rock band of cookies. Formed in 1912, Oreo Speedwagon has become the best selling band of cookies in the United States. The band of cookies cultivated a following with early 20th century rockers who were looking for an alternative to the small, flat, flour-based baked biscuits that were typically circulated at Rock Concerts. 

Sometimes called a "cookie" after the Dutch word koekje or (informal) koekie which means little cake, Oreo's trace their origins back to 7th century Persia, shortly after the use of sugar became relatively common in the region. 

Oreologists speculate that the cookie that gave rise to the Oreo spread to Europe through the Muslim conquest of Spain and that by the 14th century, they were common in all levels of society, throughout Europe, from royal cuisine to street vendors. 

As global travel increased, early Oreo Biscuits made a natural companion, a modernized equivalent of the travel cakes used throughout history. 

It was in the early 1900s that Oreo Speedwagon was formed, hitting the Top 40 charts with their "Keep on Eating You" and "Can't Fight This Feeling". 

While the origin of the name Oreo is unknown, Oreologist's believe that it is a derivation from the French word 'Or', meaning gold, or the Greek word 'Oreo', meaning beautiful, nice or well done. More radical Oreologist's believe that the word "Oreo" is derived from the combination of taking "re" from the word "cream" and placing it between the two "o"s in "chocolate" - making "o-re-o" (in the middle). 

A Defense of Goofing Off

A defense of goofing off can take the same form as the defense of theatre in ancient Greek philosophy. Aristotle thought that the altered states that comprise the theatre were actually a vital forum for the development of our moral identity. 

Essentially, we can become better people by entertaining 'possibilities'... insofar as they allow us to contemplate the dangers of things such as attempting to quit coffee on a Monday morning. When we goof off, we lay our cards out on the table. Our vulnerability to fortune or chance, and the value of integrity (as well as good hair days) play out before our eyes. 

Aristotle also prized goofing off and the liberal arts because both involve some sort of escape or departure from history. While history deals with actualities the theatre show us what we might do differently were we to have been born into different life circumstances. In this respect, we can think morally about instructive possible fates or destinies.

Aristotle's theory essentially turns goofing off into an enema thesis, an opportunity for us to let off steam. Here the experience of allowing ourselves to just totally "be" in a moment provides us with a psychological relief from boredom. 

Goofing off induces an altered state (narrative) that can be used as a tool which can assist us in enlarging our moral as well as creative imaginings. 

Handy Dandy Hand Gesture iCase

"I once caught a fish, this big."

Most people gesture with their hands when speaking. Even when talking to ourselves, we move our fingers and hands about in swirling motions that indicate, "I mean business." 

"I mean business."

With all this hand gesturing moving about, it can be difficult to know just what to do with our hands when we're not directly engaged in the act of speaking. But no worries... because thanks to the 

HANDY DANDY 

HAND GESTURE iCASE

You'll never again have to worry about what to do with your hands when you're not speaking!

HOW IT WORKS

Simply slide on the very uncomfortable metal chain directly around your neck so that the hand forceps rest directly in front of your mid-region. Now, slide your fingertips into the cold metal pouches while simultaneously sliding your thumbs into the one-size fits all thumb rests. 

THE GOOD NEWS

You'll never have to worry about making those ridiculous, annoying hand gestures ever again!

Interferometry for Adventure Time Kids

Interferometry is what happens when two waves of energie interact. Take Finn (the Human) and Jake (the dog). They live in the post-apocalyptic Land of Ooo. Let's say they want to get out one day. They could joke around a bit, then when they're seriously ready to leave they could get a running head start and run until they ram into each other. 

The force they create could manifest a rainbow filled world of baby unicorns and singing mountains or a post-apocalyptic doom, the difference is largely based on the position from where they got their running start. 

If Finn and Jake were close together when they took off running, their collision might result in the rainbow of sensations one feels when in the presence of baby unicorns. 

If Finn and Jake were further apart when they took off running, then because of it, had to run for a long time to finally crash into each other, then, well, let's just say they'll need some brimstone to go along with that fire. 

So, there you have it kids. Interferometry in a nutshell. 

The Mimetic Art of Wile E. Coyote

There are many Greek stories recounting the mimetic theory of art. Perhaps the least known is that of Wile E. Coyote, Supergenius. 

Wile E. Coyote (also known as "The Coyote"), while know for his elaborate plans to pursue The Road Runner, much to our chagrin, has not yet been recognized for his contribution to mimetic art. 

His ability to depict realistic tunnels on mountain sides went unnoticed until now. Wile E. Coyote painted tunnels that were so realistic that The Road Runner ran right through them. 

While the Roman writer Pliny the Elder (CE 23-79) gave an account of the Greek legend of the invention of drawing, in his Natural Histories, whereby... 

the Maid of Corinth's lover was departing to go and fight in a distant war, she noticed how his shadow had been cast by a candle on the wall of their room. She picked up a piece of charcoal and drew around the shadow, and created a perfect likeness or mimetic image... 

It was Wile E. Coyote who really brought home the question of what art does, and how it represents the world as we know it. 

The Coyote's tunnels are a faithful mimetic reminder of what it feels like when we get fooled or tricked into thinking something's real when it isn't. 

Facebook Abbey

Facebook: "Social Networking: Classic." 

The more things upon which we click "like" ...the more often they appear in public news feeds, no matter how fervently Lord Google and fans of other social networking sites may wish otherwise. 

In Facebook Abbey, it is the dawn of a new age. Next year will mark the 10th anniversary of the highly popular social networking site. The great Timeline is over - Facebook is changing. 

Women are posting more thought provoking links to compliment their 'Have a Nice Day Kitty Cat' photos and men are learning how to communicate with respect to feminine sensitivities...

Even with these improvements, repetition has taken a toll on Facebook, and on Facebook fans. 

For nearly a decade, Facebook fans have depended on basic algorithms to support their photos, videos, links, and likes - but this quickly became boring. 

While the promised new Timeline allowed users to go back and catch-up on what they missed if they were offline for more than an hour or two, it just wasn't enough to sustain interest levels. 

Reportedly, many users are maintaining their Facebook accounts via shared posts from Pinterest, Twitter, or Tumblr. 

Even with combining networks, very quickly the feeds became rather droll. The same old pics, the same old jokes being shared... Facebook fans cried out for more! 

Just as some Facebook users battled to keep things from changing too much, other Facebook users demanded a new way of interacting, delighting when the news of Facebook Abbey wikied it's way out into Internet forum discussions.   

It would appear that Facebook Abbey is coming upon the scene in a way that will raise both Facebook and Google eyebrows. 

Struggling to maintain users' interest, Facebook prepares to yield to Facebook Abbey, as more and more users post that they are eager to play out virtual roles. 

From stubborn heiresses to gallant Valets, Facebook Abbey will allow users to get some distance from their ordinary posts while acting out scripts in a way only Facebook Abbey users can....

But won't that be intimidating? 

We certainly hope so. 

While Facebook Abbey hasn't yet been released, I have it on several reliable sources that the change will offer users an opportunity to hone their acting skills, to express their most sincere thoughts, and to finally adorn that little Machiavellian mask when faced with meaningless comments to otherwise humorous or seemingly straight-forward status updates. 

True, many of the script posts could amount to a really condensed dose of muddle, but we make of things what we put into them. Most Facebook users are quite capable of reasonable thought. Put a few of the day's weightier moral topics in front of them, and you never know where the script will lead. 

The idea that Facebook should remain stagnant, filled with meaningless status updates and parodies of meaningless updates means it's time for a change.  

If the matter at hand is genuinely something someone cares about, let users act it out with British accents, lavish sets, and in context to some greater historical event. 

Facebook Abbey will finally allow Facebook users the opportunity to enjoy status updates as the drama begins to unfold in our personal news feed. 

As the dramatic temperature of Facebook rises, so should the number of users.