News and Analysis

How A Helpful Letter Produced A Firestorm

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OK, clearly I missed the whole Shea Gunther drama, so let me recap.

  • Monday, Mr. Gunther sends out an email to people who applied to a job for a cleantech news site, listing criticisms and giving advice on the job search process. It hit the newsat the Guardian.
  • This hit the Gakwer network, who posted it in a rather negative context.
  • This produced what we technically call a “shitstorm” and Mr. Gunther ended up with a predictable amount of trolls and insults – as well as people praising him. Though the usual dogpile of would-be internet tough guys/gals is odd to see as this is about job search advice, and I don’t get why it’d get people that riled up.  Mr. Gunther summarizes the experience here.
  • You can read his entire list of advice in this Scribd document.

I’ve read it Know what? It’s good advice. In fact, I advise that anyone read it, as his tips are accurate, if skewed towards the writing positions in question. Mr. Gunther lists a whole lot of trends that are troublesome, gives advice, and makes good points about what people do wrong.

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An RPG/Series Mix?

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An interesting Facebook game that’s a kind of modular RPG that’s story focused.

An intriguing idea, mostly because it takes things we’ve seen before (RPGs, modularity, social media, etc.) but actually involves more a realization of what can be done to create a tighter media experience.  There’s a Kickstarter involved, so you know what do to.

There’s so many fascinating unusual game projects out there I think we almost need a catalogue fo them all.  That’s a hint by the way.

– Steven Savage

Best Buy Layoffs and A Sign Of The Future?

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Best Buy Lays off 400+ people, closes stores.

I know, I’ve been of the opinion Best Buy is in trouble.  I’ve agreed with those various analysts on the issues.  So on the surface, the fact I’m not surprised by this is, well, not surprising.  I figured it was coming.  In fact, I figure more will come.

But what is interesting is how Best Buy seems to be putting more focus on Best Buy Mobile, smaller, “Kioskesque” stores.  A focus on smaller stores, more on mobile and related gadgets?  There’s a lot to that . . .

  • First of all, this seems like a viable strategy.  Focused, organized, standardized stores that are small and cheaper to run make sense.
  • Secondly, these stores could be easily resupplied from a central location (suggesting to me that, much like the Safeway delivery service, stores could serve as warehouses).  This could mean big stores being repurposes may be a logical focus (and may limit layoffs).
  • Third, these smaller stories could get more easily set up or torn down as needed.  Limited risk, faster adaption, and faster to take on rivals.  These stores could even be piloted easy.
  • Fourth, and this may seem out there, but in an age where you have vending machines with iPods and DSes in them, I could see experiments with a Best Buy vending system.  If we’ve got automated convenience stores, Redbox, and iPod dispensers, this isn’t too outrageous.  Oh, and it’s 24/7 . . .

– Steven Savage