Slope of Hope Blog Posts

Slope initially began as a blog, so this is where most of the website’s content resides. Here we have tens of thousands of posts dating back over a decade. These are listed in reverse chronological order. Click on any category icon below to see posts tagged with that particular subject, or click on a word in the category cloud on the right side of the screen for more specific choices.

Two Falls of Grace: One Into – One Out Of

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I can’t think of a time in recent history where falling could be used
as both an inspiring metaphor while at the same time describe a
spiraling ride to shame, and dishonor. Both have been stunning.

Of course I’m talking about Felix Baumgartner, and Lance Armstrong.
Both of these men achieving stunningly detailed, and witnessed falls.
Yet, one is the absolute polar opposite from the other. Once again I
can’t think of such ever happening like this before.

Heroes and the need for them is part of the human experience.
Sometimes in our own trying hours we’ll look for guidance or inspiration
where one can say; “Yeah, you did and so will I.” Sometimes we find it
spiritually. Sometimes from a fictional character in movies or books.
However most times it’s an actual person in pursuit of some quest.
Whether they ever achieve it or not isn’t always the end all be all.
Sometimes it’s the effort that matters more.

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Google and The Algos: Welcome To Our World (by Mark St.Cyr)

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The headline sounds like it should be said by some aging disc jockey
on a classic hits station. However it’s probably the newest phenom that
Google® itself never envisioned happening to them. After all, if you’re
the crowned ruler of the algorithm machine (some might call it more of a
monster) then you never think the robots can turn on you.

But these bots don’t belong to the Google kingdom, nor do they answer
to their servers. Just like Google, they can’t be reached by phone or
seemingly anything else if you disagree with what they’re doing – or
what they’ve done. Regardless if it cost you money, time, reputation, or
business disruption.

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How To Monetize Mobile: Stop Being Idiots (by Mark St.Cyr)

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On the subject of advertising unlike most, I’ve actually been in the
conference room making my case to one of the countries definitive ad
agencies whom represented not just a regional or national corporation,
but international. While simultaneously trying to convince both them and
the company they represented on a new untested marketing campaign.

Not only was I successful, that campaign has grown both
exponentially, and is still in force today nearly 25 years later. So on
this subject I believe I have a legitimate stand to voice my opinion.

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The Problem With Kids Today: They’re 26! (by Mark St.Cyr)

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Every generation as they grow older looks at the ones coming up with a
jaundiced eye. They look and say “In my day we walked to school –
barefoot – in snow – uphill – both ways!” However there seems to be
something quite different today. Everybody’s still in school.

Although many will pile on that kids are different today because of
this or that, I’ll contend there is one over arching reason for the
problems that plague most of them: Most never had the ability to learn
or start adulthood early as many like myself did.

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Just People Helping People? (by Mark St.Cyr)

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This week the airwaves were once again abuzz with a soundbite from
some campaign supporter screaming why you should support their
candidate. The reason? Free stuff.

I’m not insinuating condemnation for any candidate or person. No matter what side of the aisle your on or whom one supports it
breaks down just the same for rich or poor: Who’s going to give
me more stuff?

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