The Language of War

I was listening to a BBC news report on the radio earlier today about the recent fighting in Mogadishu, Somalia and something struck me about the way that the correspondent described the battle. He kept using the word "insurgents" to describe the fighters on one side of the conflict. As I listened to this, I began to wonder just when fighters on one side of a conflict became "insurgents.'" Specially in a country where there is no established government.

We don't seem to hear about guerrilla fighters any more, and anyone who seems to be fighting from a perceived extremist position is considered a terrorist. Which raises the question - What are they really?

It seems to me that the language of war has changed more that the reality. According to the dictionary, and insurgent is someone who rises in revolt to an established political party or system. In places like Somalia and Iraq one could argue that there is a vacuum of authority, in which case the people fighting may or may not be insurgents. Why are they not called rebels or, as I mentioned earlier, guerrillas?

I remember during Gulf War I that the generals used to talk about how we were attriting the enemy. Attrit is the back formation of the word attrition, but was virtually unheard of for centuries before the generals began using it. No we see it fairly frequently applied to all sorts of situations.

Another recent word, which has its origins in the last century is "enemy combatant," which is one of those legal definitions that should probably never have been unearthed in a public forum. If someone is my enemy and he is fighting against me, he is naturally an enemy combatant, regardless of whether he is fighting for a nation, or as a mercenary for some form of private army. I was recently in a business meeting where someone used this term to refer to a salesperson from another company. Is this right? Has the language of our recent wars become the description of choice when we describe anyone who is opposed to us.

Wars are a terrible thing and should only be fought for the most noble of causes, but should the language of war be carried over to our every day lives. Business has always been considered somewhat of a battleground, but until recently the language seemed so much more civilized.

No real point to this post, other than to get you thinking and ask the question: how much has the language of war changed over the years and where do we see it popping up in our every day lives.

Helping artists become good business people

Dear Fellow Artisians-

I'm going to lead you to the key of good business sense -and hopefully success will soon follow. Remember the cash and sex job I referred to months ago? (Cash is your day job supporting your sexy job you love to get home to) Well, Niche Magazine talks about Donald Clark's Book, "Making a Living in Crafts" by combining business and beauty to assist artists understand the value of recognizing trends. Simply, one just cannot continue the prima donna attitude of forcing others to adhere to one's artistic world, unless that's the sexy counterpart of cash.

Back in design school, we understood from the starting gate that there would be parameters -budget being a big one, if not the biggest. Budget also opens the door to creativity with parameters and with parameters, limitations are understood. Knowing one's limitations help to quell anxieties and my suggestion? Go shopping -for yourself and for your customer.

Budgets, no matter how big or small, have restrictions. In this example, I'd equate small with that of a couple shopping in a gallery for a new piece in their home vs a corporate client looking to fill the office buildings within their business park. Clark talks about "wanting craftspeople to shift their attitudes, to see themselves not just as artists, but more as business people who produce art. Artists "have to price correctly, market correctly, break down all facets of the business," he says. "The competition is huge. We're competing with the mug made in any number of places on this planet."

Clark continues by indicating that "retailers can help by demanding of craft artists both professional business practices and competitively priced work. "Artists need to go shopping and discover the range that people are paying for items-shawls, bowls, mugs, earrings. Customers are doing that; they know what things cost." Further, "Artists may not want to compete with the low end, but they need to know where the low end is." Clark's new book, Making a Living in Crafts, includes charts to help artists keep track of materials and time in order to develop a product line they can make at a price that competes in the marketplace.

It's imperative that artisians make a conscious decision to participate in the system [of understanding SWOT: Strengths, Weakneses, Opportunities, & Threats] in order to thrive as business professionals. Wanting to jump on the bandwagon with the next big craze is fun, but be sure you aren't selling what all the hobbyists are selling. Getting serious about your art will transform your afternoon hobby into a business that profits and you you have to ask yourself just how far will it [your art] get you in terms of authenticity and uniqueness? It's just not enough to use a different color.

When you do begin to see a consistent profit from your work, then take a moment and do some experimental work -and this becomes sexy side of your job enriching your self-made 'day job.'

Niche: Combining Business & Beauty

Is It Real or Is It Mammorex?

Yesterday, Andrew received his annual Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2007 issue. Naturally, I grabbed it first just to see how my 40ish body compares to the ones laid out on each glossy page. Bleck. So, then I move onto critiquing the bathing suits, layouts, and the potentially cool airbrushing section -you know the one: the girls are nude but due to some of the skilled hands of the artists, you can't tell they're nude.

The centerfold caught my attention, and it's not what you might think. I was captivated for two reasons:

1) the oh-so-cool seam that was painted under her armpit, extending in all 4 directions where the seam should, and
2) the fabric looked real, her face and hips did not. Her face and hips looked so airbrushed that she should have been on the cover the "The Cars" album in the 80's.

My body image just increased by 20 points. :)

While the online version is difficult to see the nuiance, you'll want to take a look at the print issue.

Making Dreams Happen

I've just read a great article by Keith Ferrazzi, author of Never Eat Alone, who outlines on how to convert self-defeating behaviors into success in Steps to Achieving Your Dream on the Reader's Digest Site. The power of relationships, focusing on what you really want, getting out of your own way, comprising a dream team, and milestone planning all form one strategic path to making your dream happen.

With the help of Dr. Mark Goulston, author of Get Out of Your Own Way at Work, Keith presents 10 quick questions that will help you identify key areas of potentially unconstructive areas.

On Keith's site, he's designed an online Life Coach tool that will allow you to begin the process of becoming your own life coach.

Good luck on your endeavors!

Guide to Art Exhibition Applications

Kristy on Fragiletender has outlined the guide to art exhibition applications. It simple, straight forward no-nonsense advice.

http://fragiletender.livejournal.com/325150.html

Bring Out Your... Snot!!

I've just discovered that Kleenex has created a personal design opportunity for you. If you're anything like me, you dicker over daisies versus butterflies versus 'there-must-be-something-else-on-the-shelf-that-I-can buy' on a tissue box. Your toes stretch to help your hands reach the back of the shelf as you toss one box aside for another and your armpit scrapes against the metal shelf.

"Nuts, maybe I'll just go for color and not worry about the motif, I shouldn't be so picky over a tissue box, anyway! Must be my neuroses kicking in again," you mutter to yourself as you finally toss in one or two into the cart.


Well, bring out your snot and feed that neuroses as much as you want. Kleenex is offering a personalized opportunity to comfort your nose as well as your desktop.

Kleenex

What are you personalizing for your customers?