I have been influenced by lots of dystopian sci-fi, and speculative fiction of all genres. Distraction by Bruce Sterling is one of my faves. Recently I read Learning The World by Ken Macleod. Very interesting in the use of ubiquitous technology and its impact on culture and community. I also enjoy SM Stirling’s series about the near future when the laws of physics have changed EVERYTHING. It starts with Dies The Fire.

Finally, I am a notorious re-purposer. I love to find things in discount stores that can be used for something else. Like the wooden craft box I use to keep the index cards organized.

Weird things that influences me: Perez Hilton. He’s mean, offensive, and sometimes vulgar but the guy is not a hypocrite. He dishes it out, but he’s not afraid to take it back (did anyone see when he co-hosted The View?). He’s also honest. He checks his sources and his stories always turn out to be true. So there ya go! I know, I know, it’s strange but he’s cool!

I had to think about this question a little bit. I think I have an eclectic taste with movies, books, and even food but I ascribe to the long tail theory and actually consider it normal to be different. I think that’s why I don’t see it as weird. I’ve met some people that are almost completely vanilla – meaning they are nothing but mainstream and predictable with their tastes. I consider that to be weird, or sometimes suspicious!

My dad. Sure, many people say their father or mother was a role model or an influence but my father’s influence – at least in business, and in steering me to become an entrepreneur – was more subtle. First, I’m fortythree and remember when he paid by cheque at retail and they stamped the back of it. He had to fill out all sorts of information. One of the fields was “employer” and my father wrote “self”. He said that it meant he was his own boss. Subtle, but dramatic. Second was a sign in his office, “Please don’t straighten out the mess in my office. You’ll confuse me and screw up my whole world.” Validation that being less than anal with my office organization – or lack thereof – is actually OK. Oh yeah, and Stephen Colbert. Being slapstick, cynical and unapologetic in your work can be rewarding…

Wow, thanks for the comments guys. I think I’m seeing a pattern regarding people who are outspoken and unapologetic being influential because at the end of the day they know what they are on about and speak the truth.

Al, I like your thoughts on the long tail theory and definitely agree. For instance, I consider my musical tastes to be widely eclectic (as long as it’s “good” I don’t care whether it’s death metal or pop) and it’s something I’m very proud of because I know a lot of people can be quite narrow minded about these things.

And for your comment about people being vanilla and mainstream, I find it sort of ironic that even those people who claim to be “alternative” all look the same.

I have been influenced by the study of social dynamics, sometimes called the seduction community, which for lack of a better term is the art and science of becoming a great pickup artist. Neil Strauss discusses his experiences with the seduction community in the book The Game. It taught me a lot about genuine self-confidence. It’s easy to pre-judge the book and community as being about sleazy guys, but it is actually about quite the opposite – how to make yourself the best (and therefore most attractive) you can be.

I recently read about The Game. Thanks for pointing out the genuine benefits of it, because it is so easy to just judge it in a tacky way.