The premise for this movie was that “God is a lie”. While I don’t have a problem with anyone actually believing this, there was a line that Ricky Gervais crossed with the handling of this material.

“If you believe in God, You’re an idiot”

This statement is presented mainly by the reaction that people have to this lie. Ricky Gervais invents this lie in order to comfort someone who is dying. But when he tells the world of “the Man in the sky”, it is their reaction that offends me. The movie suggests that this belief in God creates a world where people act like idiots. There belief does not guide their lives in any way, but simply gives them someone to blame when things don’t go right. In short, it suggests that Christians are morons.

I see this belief echoed in the current issues; evolution, abortion, politics, and the death penalty, among others. Rather than simply debate our differences and look for common ground, we apply human value to others by how much our beliefs match up. By having faith, Christians are portrayed as lacking reason.

Haven’t we learned anything by our past? Valuation based on belief is subtle and dangerous. It leads us to look at people through a filter that can change. As we mature, and experience life, our beliefs change.  The goal of simply converting someone to our belief systems DOES NOT match the evangelistic goals of Christianity.

Christians are called to do 2 basic activities; Love God and love each other. These goals, if followed, promise a life filled with happiness and contentment. They do not suggest that we should only love other Christians. It is a religion of tolerance, however poorly practiced. It gives me a reason to look beyond someone’s belief and try to know the real person. It is this love that Jesus spoke about in the bible. He was always looking through people, much to the dismay of those around Him, and seeing the real person. In short; Jesus didn’t look at peoples beliefs, He looked at people.

Our beliefs are a result of living in this world. The spiritual draw on our lives is to help us to know who we really are, despite our surroundings. This sometimes painful pull on our lives is because of God’s ultimate love for us.

The difference between “I don’t agree with you” and “You are less of a person because of your beliefs” is huge. The former is our right, but the latter is scary.

History is rife with example of intolerance; The crusades and slavery are just two examples. It’s easy to find, yet this same intolerance is now being incubated against the Church. If allowed to continue, Christians are in for a rough ride. We will be persecuted in many of the ways that we have persecuted others throughout the years. 

The Invention of Lying, by it’s mocking portrayal of Christians as morons, is telling the world that the Christianity is a lie, and that absolute truth lies in each of us by the choices that we make. While I understand this belief, I disagree that humans have the ability to make consistently good choices. It is my relationship with God that drives me towards things like tolerance, love, acceptance and honesty.

This movie would have us believe that belief in a higher being is a sort of de-evolution of our society, created to provide comfort to those who lack the ability to manage themselves. The film speaks out of both sides of it’s mouth, and is simply one of the worst films that I’ve ever seen. I was both surprised and insulted at the blatant attack on my beliefs.

Can you imagine a film that had the opposite agenda? Here’s the premise; Anyone who is not a Christian is a moron. Wow! Now that movie would stir up some negative headlines, and rightly so.

I don’t believe that Ricky Gervais is an idiot, I just think he’s wrong. And that’s the difference.

At some point, I think we all have to question why we do what we do.  As a person, I am annoyingly introspective and yet in all of my self induced doubt and fear I sometimes forget that work is not separate from life but simply part of it.  I cannot separate myself into work me and home me, even though I try.  I am at my best as a person, and by extension a professional, when I am passionate about the thing that I’m doing, and this passion can’t be left at the office door.

It’s easy to be passionate when everything aligns perfectly.  Perfect client, perfect budget, perfect project.  But, seriously, when how often does this happen. Something else must drive us to get up in the morning besides circumstance.

I sometimes think about what drives me on. Why do I put up with the stress, long hours, ungrateful clients and disappointments that come with managing a creative agency? Is it the money? The quick answer there is no (believe me). The long answer is more complex.

Does it Matter?

I’m driven by a desire to be relevant. In a world that is filled a lack of authenticity, I burn with a desire to be genuine. The business world can be as disingenuous as a fairy tale sometimes, and it’s painful to see. But in all of the posturing and manipulation that occurs in the world of Marketing and Advertising, it’s seldom that we can have an actual impact. End the end, companies are too afraid of standing out to actually stand out. The problem with this thinking is that the company in question is most likely ACTUALLY DIFFERENT, yet too afraid to say so. This fear leads to failed marketing, and a distrust of the very consumer that they need to reach.

But people are desperate for the real thing. They want to care. I want to care. The greatest advertising is that which speaks to people on a personal level. It’s a marketing piece that drips of passion. The authentic can’t be faked, but the fake also can’t be made authentic. Having been inundated with marketing messages our entire lives, we can sniff out a phony from distance.

This desire for authenticity helps explain society’s love of sports. In it’s simplest form, sports can’t be faked. The process of achieving collegiate or professional success requires a rare dedication, and people are able to connect with athletes in a unique way. They buy their endorsed products, they chant their name, they tune in on the television when they play; all in the name of passion.

People are desperate to find help navigating the blitzkrieg of marketing messages they receive every day. An estimated 10,000 messages daily find people (ZAG, 2007), and the human brain is working overtime to filter for relevance. But if we can only help people find a reason to care, then we’ve achieved something.

Yep, it Matters

At FORGE, I dream of working with clients that will allow us to care about what they do. Our 2010 FORGE Your Dot Org (FYDO) winner is a great example of passion. The Other Place has a mission to end homelessness in Dayton, OH, and we are working with them to help clarify and enhance their branding and marketing message. As we work to serve the Dayton community, our FYDO program allows us to give our services away to one non-profit per year, but my hope is that we are given a chance to share this vision with our paying clients as well.

As I do my part to make FORGE vibrant company, I hope we have a chance to engage in projects with a strong cultural relevance. People are desperate to find products and services that connect with them on a higher level than just a commodity, and consumers (myself included) are just waiting for companies that we can care about.

This truth lies at the heart of branding, and it’s why I do what I do.

In one way, I guess I’m glad that every crap-tastic design firm in the world follows the lead of the innovative firms.  At some point in time, a company actually created the world’s first swoopy logo.  I bet it was radical at the time.  Perhaps at that time, every logo was Times New Roman, and the swoop was the wave of the future.  Maybe I should just realize that’s just the way it is.  Sometimes I think that I should just not watch tv, read magazines, or visit any stores.  All it does is serve to depress me.  Especially when I see how much money goes into advertising and promoting a brand that is basically a piece of clipart.

So if your a company and you’re looking for a new logo, brandmark, whatever.  Use a good company.  Look at their work BEFORE you call them and make sure that they aren’t going to just put a swoop next to your company name and call it a day.  If you’re going to do that, just pay $99 and don’t bother calling a good branding firm.

Image taken without permission by a company that does the crap I’m talking about

Ok, I’m done.  I don’t really feel better.  Vent Fail!

What makes us feel safe? Is it complacency? Ignorance? The truth is that our safety comes not from the past, as the past has little impact on the future. Preparation, education, planning; these things can all help the future be a bit more predictable, but just ask the many people affected by wars, flash floods, freak snow storms and a surprisingly bad economy if their plans were enough to secure their future. So are we ever safe?

For too many years I felt that my actions only effected me and my immediate friends and family. If I did well at work, I could keep my job.  If I was a good husband, I could keep my wife. My vision was limited to what was immediately around me.

The safety and security that I feel comes, not from a historical perspective, but from the faith that the future holds something great. Like the Israelites, I sometimes miss the blissful ignorance that can only come when you truly don’t think that you matter, but I’m also finding that the freedom that comes from dreaming is addictive. As I have become older, and a bit wiser, I am keenly aware that my sphere of influence continues to expand. I guess my only choice is to either run back to slavery or trust that God will lead me someplace exciting.

So I would encourage you to resist the temptation to run back to safety.  Embrace the feeling of the unknown. Trust that God has set you on a path that will scare you, force you to change, and ultimately make you happy.  Free indeed!

So I was wondering what it would be like if FORGE treated potential clients like we treat prospective employees.  Instead of us selling ourselves, we would let potential clients know if THEY fit the bill. Here’s my first draft:

INDUSTRY: Any

POSITION: FORGE client

JOB DESCRIPTION:
FORGE is looking for a client with a solid understanding of the world of business, and how design and the web effect their brand as touchpoints. This company must have relevant needs and be willing to discuss these needs with FORGE. This company must also be willing to discuss their budget with FORGE. Also, they must have a budget!

You know you’re the right company if:

• you know what a brand is (or are willing to learn)
• you know what a brand standards manual is (or would like FORGE to create you one)
• you are willing to actually put relevant, well-written content on your website (not just once, but many times)
• you are looking for a long-term partner
• you have a marketing plan (or would like FORGE to help you create one)

You know you’re not the right company if:

• you think that a website is an SEO project
• you think that the Yellow Pages = eMarketing = a good idea
• you just want somebody to draw you a picture
• you want a flash website cause somebody told you it’s cool
• you want to hire a company that “offers search engine optimization and internet marketing services”
• you want a splash page for your website
• you have a great idea for a website, and if we’ll partner with you and make it for free we’ll get paid once it takes off

DESIRED SKILLS/DUTIES:
Applicants must have relevant experience in the “being a client” industry. Although FORGE will consider applicants without experience, they must have a degree in french cooking, as we like to eat. A lot. Potential clients must like to surf (no reason, we just think it’s cool) and have no problem paying their bills on time. Good ideas are helpful, and potential applicants must show experience in approving designs and copy. A college degree is helpful, but not required.

Please send applications to FORGE.

West Virginia Coal Miners in 1908

My father represents a forgotten time and place to me. This time only exists in my head, as history and fact have little place in my vague memory. My mind is tainted by things like my childhood fears that I would one day have to come home black-faced and tired like him. These fears were reinforced by everything from the evening news, with stories from the daily coal soap opera, to the fact that most of my friends’ parents were miners. I simply didn’t have a frame of reference for a different life.

It’s interesting for me to visit Beckley, West Virginia now. While here, I am reminded of all of my insecurities of youth. I am reminded of how I could have been, had it not been for my encouraging parents. There is so much poverty, not extreme poverty, but an overall depression here that is simply heartbreaking to me. One has to wonder, of course, about things like the social aspects of poverty. The answer is never as simple as job creation, stimulus packages, or outsourcing. The blame game that is common, and one that Washington routinely plays on, is simply not robust enough to explain a problem that is deeply associative and complex such as the economy.

The pervasive redneck mentality that is common in places like West Virginia is based upon a purposeful separation from “the establishment”. Of course, the establishment in this thought process is also the pathway to economic prosperity, as it can only be through embracing opportunity that one is able to move up the economic ladder. One has to only look at the emerging economies of the world to see examples of how the social climate effects economic prosperity. Jeffery Sachs, Director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University and author of Common Wealth and The End of Poverty, has addressed these issues in great detail. The United States and most of Europe have been blessed by a perfect storm of opportunity. We have freedom, natural resources and social progression that allows us the chance to progress. It’s sad to me to see even pockets, like West Virginia, that have thus far been unable to create an environment of prosperity. I would encourage everyone to read the books listed above, which will give you a deeper understanding of economic truth, especially in these troubled times.

Of course, any mention of the negatives of West Virginia is really a contradiction of sorts, as it is a breathtakingly beautiful state. I was amazed the other day, as I was driving through the mountains, at the natural beauty here. A few snow flakes and it seems that Ansel Adams would be at home here.

View from Hawks Nest of the New River in West Virginia

As my path in life has brought me to live in Dayton, OH, I am glad to visit West Virginia on occasion. I enjoy spending time with my family and reminiscing. I love to stop and see the beauty that God has made, and to breath the fresh air that is uniquely home. When I tell people where I’m from, they always respond “I’ve been through there, it’s pretty.” I would encourage you to stop next time; find a state park like Hawks Nest or Little Beaver State Park, take a deep breath and enjoy West Virginia as it was intended. It is truly a perfect example of the adage: “It’s a great place to visit, but you don’t want to live here.” Unfortunately.

As much as I am glad to live in an area that is slightly more economically sound, I wonder what my life would have been like had I chosen the life of a coal miner. Still today, yound men head to the coal mines at the tender age of 18, hoping to land a position in a dying industry. The appeal of college or skilled trade is not enough to battle the weight of an instant career. With the encouragement of my amazing parents, I have battled my way to a college degree (B.S. in Finance from Liberty University). The difficulties that I faced in the process meant that it took me more than 10 years to finish. While I know that everyone has a different story, mine was an internal battle. I persevered to the end, and have found that my old way of thinking has died. In it’s place is a man who does not quit. I am proud of what I have achieved, and by the grace of God I hope to achieve more.

While I am also proud to be a coal miners son, I am more proud of the example that my father gave me. He works a job that he has never liked in order to support his family. He has taught me to love my family and to love God above all. The economic depression here in West Virginia is in direct conflict with the amazing people who live here. One day I am confident that this place will find a new identity. When it does, maybe it will start to more closely relate to the slogan “Almost Heaven, West Virginia.”

I recently received a facebook friend invite from somebody I went to High School with. Now, I’ve long since moved away and haven’t kept in touch with a single person that I knew from my hometown, but I accepted this Facebook invite anyway. I guess it’s because I was interested to see what he’d been up to. Maybe it’s the fact that I am not required to actually participate in the Facebook dialog, but can simply consume it as I do a news site. This leads to questions of the relevance of Social Networking as a part of a vibrant and healthy lifestyle.

I will admit that I routinely flip from one thought to another while my wife is talking to me. She will be telling me about her day as a Nursing student and I will suddenly think “I wonder what my calendar looks like tomorrow?”, or “I wonder if there are any new articles about Arsenal out there?”. This is ridiculous, as I obviously am more interested in listening to her as I love her and am interested and amazed at what is going on in her life. I see this in my work life as well.  If I’m writing an email, I will suddenly think about a meeting that I’m supposed to have, or a proposal that I’m writing. My brain expects me to jump from one thing to another, never spending the appropriate amount of time on any one task. Are these thoughts a result of living a lifestyle of information overload, or am I simply unorganized and undisciplined?

In the context of a discussion like this, I think it would be easy to blame the internet and the subsequent social networking craze, but I don’t this problem is so new. Many years ago Television taught us to only consume around 10 minutes of entertainment at a time before we are bombarded with 3 minutes of commercials that would suggested that all we do in the US is eat and take drugs. While 10 minutes may seem like a lifetime in the internet generation, I wonder if we haven’t been slowly boiled into a twitter mindset. Three minutes of commercials seems like a lifetime compared to 140 characters.

Now as a Partner at FORGE, I spend a lot of time talking about Marketing on the web, Social Networking, etc., so it would be hypocritical of me to suggest that those things are all bad.  But I feel that we need to introduce balance back into our lives and our culture. If we value personal relationships over virtual ones, then let’s act like it.

I am going to personally try and not even pull my phone out of my pocket if I’m speaking to someone. I want to show respect to the person talking, and not allow my mind to be as easily distr … I wonder if the Arsenal Champions League game this week will be on TV?