Kevin Goodman – Blogcritics The critical lens on today's culture & entertainment Fri, 26 Aug 2016 13:08:42 +0000 en-US hourly 1 strategy Sun, 01 Mar 2009 15:36:46 +0000 Strategy is the process of planning and executing various maneuvers and/or actions in an attempt to reach a goal. Strategy is often associated with business, politics, and military planning, but individuals can also strategize towards achieving their career, health, or relationship goals. Strategy is essentially akin to planning but implies a maximization of resources with logical thinking, intelligence (acquired knowledge), and leverage.

Strategy is differentiated from tactics in that tactics are micro strategies that contribute to a larger goal. Operating a successful business would fall under strategy, achieving financing or an important client would be considered tactics towards that strategy.

A successful strategy begins with a goal, along with an analysis of the current situation, and then sets out a plan that addresses each operational aspect needed to realize the achievement of that goal. This generalized formula is characteristic of all strategizing.



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Body Language Sat, 28 Feb 2009 03:53:42 +0000 Body language is defined as "the gestures, postures, and facial expressions by which a person manifests various physical, mental, or emotional states and communicates nonverbally with others." Many people feel we can gain a certain advantage by learning to interpret body language. The desire for this knowledge has led to some bestselling how-to books. A popular TV show has even been created based on special investigators who interpret facial expressions.

Can you learn the secrets of body language? Can you manipulate your appearance? The truth is that the interpretation of non-verbal communication is a very complicated science. There are certainly some practical and common sense approaches to projecting confidence and improving your own credibility. Interpreting other people’s body language is much trickier. Beware of popular books on the subject and use due diligence when judging other people or manipulating your own appearance.

Business bloggers often give advice for projecting authority and trustworthiness to potential buyers. Dating blogs tell you how to read the body language of a potential romantic partner. Successful con artist, sales people, negotiators, trial lawyers, psychics, interrogators, undercover agents, showman, and politicians have natural abilities for reading body language and manipulating their own.

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Sex Fri, 27 Feb 2009 17:35:27 +0000 Sex is the reason you’re here! Talk about multiple layers of meaning, aye?

Here are a few things I can tell you about sex – Sexual topics are controversial, Sex is usually private (arguable), Sex is the means by which we create, Sexual desire is a potent force, Sex sells, Some say sex dictates our thoughts, Sex is sacred, Sex is a pretty hot word, Sex can be taboo, Sex can be fun, Sex can be love, Sex can be bliss, Sex can be kinky, Sex can be innocent, Sex can be betrayal, Sex can be dangerous.

Did I tell you sex is the reason you’re here? What is sex? Some say it’s the stimulation of sexual organs between two (or even more) people (hopefully people). I don’t really know about that but I can tell you sex is a mega industry – porn, movies, and commercials are all trying to sell us on a fantasy of sexual desire. Sex is an instinctual, primitive, primal and basic desire superseded only by the desire to avoid immediate harm (yes, there are exceptions).

WIth the ubiquity of sex in our everyday lives it's no wonder sex is all over the blogosphere.  Some bloggers give sexual advice, some write about sexual health, and others write in a more confessional manner.  

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Natural Law Fri, 27 Feb 2009 14:49:01 +0000 Natural law is a legal theory that posits that right and wrong is subject to universal principals. There are some theories that may oppose natural law such as relativism. Relativism believes morality is culture specific. The legal systems of many western countries have natural law at their foundations. The United States based its Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Right on the "rights of the people."

Natural and unalienable rights are both natural law concepts. Every human being is believed to have certain rights. The writers of the American Bill of Rights realized that rights could not be wholly and entirely realized. The ninth and fourteenth amendments to the United States of America’s Constitution are believed to protect those rights that are not explicitly named. The natural rights guaranteed by the 9th and 14th amendments have been used to argue everything from gun rights to gay rights.

Notable philosophers of natural law include: Aristotle, Thomas Aquinas, John Hobbes, and Thomas Locke.

Natural law is not limited to human rights per se, but is concerned with the natural justice of right and wrong. Natural law can be argued for any ethical dilemma. If an ethical breach can be reasoned then it should have full force of the law.

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Marketing Communications Fri, 27 Feb 2009 09:15:50 +0000 Marketing communications are essentially the development and deliverance of marketing messages. Public relations/publicity and advertising are the prime disciplines behind marketing communications, the purpose of which is to inspire a positive consumer response, create market desire, and ultimately sell a product or service within an intended price range.

Marketing communications involve a range of people in various disciplines including designers, producers, copywriters, marketing strategists, publicists, spokesmen, and many others. Communication vehicles can include product packaging, display design, posters, website banner ads, websites, blogs, bill boards, bus logos, press releases, newspaper and magazine ads, TV ads, store design, image branding, and event sponsorship. Marketing strategists can be creative and sometimes try to orchestrate stunts to garner public and media attention.

Marketing communications really begin at the strategic level with a mission and vision statement. These strategic proclamations set the "mood" and goals of the company and its communications. Marketing communications professionals often share career tips and advice on their blogs.

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Moonshine Fri, 27 Feb 2009 09:03:14 +0000 Moonshine is a distilled alcohol beverage that is made illegally. It’s called moonshine in reference to the fact that it’s often made in a secluded place, in the open, and under the cover of night. Moonshine is made in many countries but production in the U.S. is mostly limited to hobby production.

There is still limited commercial production of moonshine in the U.S., especially in the rural areas of the Appalachians and the Ozarks. This production caters to those who have acquired a taste for moonshine, appreciate the tradition, or live in a "dry" county. Moonshine production has been a prominent part of eastern mountain culture. Moonshine is also made in the state of Alaska where the importation of supplies can be restricted for months at a time.

Until 1978 it was illegal to make your own wine or beer but hobbyists successfully lobbied for their rights and now home brewing is a popular hobby. In 2001 a bill was introduced to allow home distilling but failed to pass. Home distilling as a hobby seems to be growing from out of the home brewing and winemaking movement. There are dangers involved in distilling that are not apparent with home brewing or wine making.

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CSR Fri, 27 Feb 2009 08:57:04 +0000 CSR stands for corporate social responsibility. Proper CSR is a conscious attempt by corporations to act ethically. CSR has also become a marketing advantage. Businesses can promote their ethical approach to employees, the environment, human rights, fair trade, honest marketing, ethical selling, community involvement, and policy transparency.

CSR might also be abused by enacting ethical policies without actual intention for the sake of liability, marketing, or to appear within compliance. A notable example of this is Enron’s seventy-five page code of ethics.

Evidence indicates that consumers are willing to pay more for items and services believed to be ethically produced. One study even indicates that consumers punish unethical business. There are many blogs that discuss various aspects of CSR.

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Hoodoo Tue, 24 Feb 2009 15:09:05 +0000 Hoodoo is an American folk magic tradition. Hoodoo is not a religion but a tradition of magical folk customs. The most popular hoodoo charm is a mojo.  Hoodoo is usually associated with African American culture. It’s believed that slaves carried their superstitions to the Americas and combined them with Christianity, European superstitions, and Indian medicine and folklore. Whites practiced hoodoo, too, but often called it conjure, medicine, pow wow, doctoring, or witching.

Hoodoo is still very much alive. It’s practiced in rural Southern communities, and the Appalachia’s very much unchanged. Nearly every large city has a botanicals or curio shop to cater to hoodoo practitioners.

    — John George Hoffman in Pow-Wows, published in 1820.
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MBA Sat, 21 Feb 2009 13:37:46 +0000 An MBA or Masters of Business Administration is a terminal graduate degree for management disciplines. The MBA is becoming increasingly expected of senior level executives and managers at both middle and large sized companies. Many MBA programs have specialty concentrations in marketing, strategy, leadership, finance, human resources, supply chain, project management, international business, and/or entrepreneur studies.

Highly ranked business schools are extremely competitive to get into. The most important factor for getting into a good MBA program is your GMAT test scores. The AACSB is a highly regarded accreditation program for business schools. AACSB accreditation demonstrates competency and universal educational standards. Nevertheless, highly ranked business schools have higher job placement success and higher graduate salary averages.

The two most popular MBA rankings are listed in U.S. News and World Report, and Business Week. Forbes Magazine, the Wall Street Journal, The Economist, and the Financial Times all publish their own annual MBA rankings.

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BBQ Tue, 17 Feb 2009 11:03:42 +0000 BBQ, also called Barbeque (sometimes spelled Barbeque), is any meat slow-cooked with natural hardwood smoke. BBQ is generally prepared at temperatures between 180 and 300 degree Fahrenheit with cook times from three hours to over twelve hours. The low heat and slow cook time turns otherwise marginal cuts of meat such as ribs and brisket into tasty and tender delicacies.

Some people suggest BBQ is any meat grilled over charcoal and slapped with BBQ sauce but most BBQ connoisseurs agree that it’s not just the sauce. There are regional differences, however, and many U.S. cities claim to have the best BBQ recipe based on spices, sauces, or cuts of meat.

The distinctive taste of smoke is a BBQ trademark. Different woods impart different flavors, with mesquite, oak, hickory, apple, and grapevine all popular choices. Wood chunks are sometimes used solely for smoke generation with charcoal briquettes generating the heat. Another trademark of BBQ is the sauce, but Champion pit masterPaul Kirk says he can beat any sauce with a dry rub.

Bloggers are passionate about BBQ, and blog about every detail.

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