What kind of books do you like? 
What if an algorithm knows better than you do?
This Wall Street Journal article captured my attention: Goodnight Ninja? Knuffle Blobfish? Children’s Books Get the Algorithm Treatment.
In short: there is a digital reading platform for kids called Epic (not the founders of Fortnite) that is now using its own data to create and publish books.
Want to write a kids book about book about crocodiles or bugs?Go with bugs (that’s what more kids prefer).
How do you feel about kids readings habits, searches, and time spent on books being used to create bestsellers?
Some parents might not like this kind of tracking.
Some parents might love this kind of tracking (or: Whatever it takes to get the kids reading some more).
Kick this stone just a bit further down the road...
Will machine learning and artificial intelligence be able to take this data and - without the need of an author - be able to write the actual books as well?
From the article:
"A chaotic time-traveling owl named Hoot is at the center of the new children’s book, Time Buddies, which is now breaking records on the online reading platform Epic. The digital comic book passed one million reads in its first five days last week. Epic predicted as much. It engineered the book to become a hit with kids ages 6 to 10 by basing its new owl heroine partly on children’s preferences and reading habits on the site. When a kid’s sticky fingers search for something to read, Epic captures that activity and feeds the information into its book recommendation engine—a tool that also informs the creation of new titles in-house."
Wasn’t Amazon doing something similar?
I do remember Amazon offering famed authors advances and publishing deals, because they had the data to support and out-bid traditional book publishers.
I do remember there being buzz that the same Amazon publishing division also knew which kind of books, titles, topics, and storylines most attracted readers as well.
This changes the book publishing business, doesn’t it?
This is what Heather Backman and I discussed this morning over on Jack 103 FM for a couple of minutes.What is Tech Tuesday? 
If you ever find yourself wondering… 
What, exactly, is the point of TikTok? How can I make myself look better on a Zoom? Reddit? What's that about? How do I help my kids be safer online? Who's the latest creator and streamer that I should be checking out?
You are not alone.
Every Tuesday - for just a few minutes - I join Heather Backman (my old buddy from her days on CHOM FM) on the air at Jack 103 (Rogers Sports & Media) to give a quick blast about the current state of technology, media and Internet culture. We're calling the segment Tech Tuesday (and we do it in just a few minutes).

Tech Tuesday

Tech Tuesday - Jack 104 FM - Bestselling Books By Algorithms - March 30th, 2021

Every Monday morning at 7:10 am, I am on air at CHOM 97.7 FM radio out of Montreal (home base). It's not a long segment - about 10 minutes every week - to decode the future. We discuss everything that is happening in the world of technology, digital media and culture. The good folks at CHOM 97.7 FM are posting these segments weekly on i Heart Radio, if you're interested in hearing more about what's happening in the transformation of our digital world. I'm really excited about these weekly hits, because this is the radio station that I grew up listening to, and it really is a fun treat to be invited to the Mornings Rock with Terry DiMonte morning show. The segment is called, CTRL ALT Delete with Mitch Joel.

This week we discussed:

- While many businesses struggled during the pandemic, big tech thrived (see YouTube/Netlfix below). Small business? It has been brutal. And, it's not just small business. 80,000 retail stores (9% of all stores) will close in the U.S. by 2026, according to a new report from UBS. E-commerce sales are projected to account for 27% of all retail sales by 2026, up from 18% now. Amazon? Their earnings more than tripled. Shopify has done fantastic as well (which bodes well for the newer small businesses). What a strange recovery this will be. 

- In 2006, Google bought YouTube for $1.65 billion. I remember it well. The world lost its collective mind. YouTube was video on a small screen, shaky cameras publishing user-generated content, buffering issues (the Internet struggled to make video clear and flowing back then). Alphabet/Google just released their quarterly earnings. YouTube made close to $7 billion in one quarter. YouTube's ad revenue is similar to Netflix's total revenue. 

- App of the Week: LinkTree - Connect audiences to all of your content with just one link (here’s mine).

CTRL ALT Delete

CTRL ALT Delete - CHOM 97.7 FM - May 3rd, 2021

Your digital media catch-up is right here.

Every Tuesday - for just a few minutes - I join Heather Backman (my old buddy from her days on CHOM FM) on the air at Jack 103 (Rogers Sports & Media) to give a quick blast about the current state of technology, media and Internet culture. We're calling the segment Tech Tuesday (and we do it in just a few minutes).

What is Tech Tuesday? 

If you ever find yourself wondering… What, exactly, is the point of TikTok? How can I make myself look better on a Zoom? Reddit? What's that about? How do I help my kids be safer online? Who's the latest creator and streamer that I should be checking out?

You are not alone.

This is what Heather Backman and I discussed this morning over on Jack 103 FM for a couple of minutes:

Apple's new 16-inch MacBook Pro will have a 'high power’ mode - Mashable.

If you're in the market for a new computer, now may be the moment. Apple just launched their latest MacBook series. Along with better screen resolution and the like, we've got their new and improved M1 Max processor that is giving super-fast speed along with zero fan spinning silence gold. Perhaps the biggest news is that Apple has brought back the HDMI port, Magsafe power plug, and more USB ports (less dongle hell). Expensive? Yes. Worth it? If you've been waiting to upgrade... this is the moment.

Will you be upgrading to the new a MacBook?

App of the week: Mapstr. Mapstr lets you keep track of all your favorite places around the world, tag them, and find them on your very own map (and you can share with friends too).

If You're Looking For A New MacBook Computer - Jack 103 FM - October 26th, 2021

Every Tuesday – for just a few minutes – I join Heather Backman (my old buddy from her days on CHOM FM and Jack 103) on the air at 95.9 Star FM to give a quick blast about the current state of technology, media and Internet culture.

We call it Tech Tuesday (and we do it in just a few minutes).

Tech Tuesday - Star 95.9 FM

Pixelated Productivity - The Mirage of Remote Work Efficiency?

Pixelated Productivity - The Mirage of Remote Work Efficiency? - Tech Tuesday

What is Sharenting?

Every Tuesday – for just a few minutes – I join Heather Backman (my old buddy from her days on CHOM FM and Jack 103) on the air at 95.9 Star FM to give a quick blast about the current state of technology, media and Internet culture.

We call it Tech Tuesday (and we do it in just a few minutes).

Tech Tuesday - 95.9 Star FM - September 19, 2023

From Cute To Cringe - Unpacking The Complex World Of Sharenting

U2 live at The Sphere in Las Vegas.

What bands will be able to afford to play here (rumors are Harry Styles might be next)?

How can any other bands do this at the level that U2 committed?

How different is this tech from current live band productions?

Does all of this perpetuate the inability for most people to afford a great live show?

And, perhaps, my biggest fear/concern/excitement: Does all of this tech take away from a live band performing?

What is Tech Tuesday?Every Tuesday – for just a few minutes – I join Heather Backman (my old buddy from her days on CHOM FM and Jack 103) on the air at 95.9 Star FM to give a quick blast about the current state of technology, media and Internet culture.

We call it Tech Tuesday (and we do it in just a few minutes).

Tech Tuesday - 95.9 Star FM - October 3rd, 2023

With or Without U2 - The Sphere Is An Unforgettable Fire In Tech

The Beatles are back with a new (and final) song, Now And Then. 
Is it any good?
How cool is this AI tech that made it happen?
This is what Elias Makos and I discussed on CJAD 800 AM. 
Listen in right here.

The Elias Makos Show - November 3rd, 2023

Come Together Over AI - The Beatles' Long And Winding Road Leads To ‘Now And Then'

What happened to WeWork? 
Self-inflicted wounds? 
Victim of the return to office world? 
This is what Elias Makos and I discussed on CJAD 800 AM. Listen in right here.

The Elias Makos Show - CJAD 800 AM

WeWork...WhatHappened? - The Elias Makos Show

WeWork...WhatHappened? - The Elias Makos Show - CJAD 800 AM

The virtual reality soap operas of Silicon Valley continue as the world turns...
Last week, Meta’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, took to his personal Instagram account to review Apple’s Vision Pro headset (recorded - naturally - on his own Quest 3 headset).
Zuck later appeared on the Morning Brew podcast and called out “Apple Fanboys” as well (it all left me wondering if he’s taken a page from one of his pastime’s favorite CEOs - Dana White from the UFC?).
It’s both bold and reminiscent of tech critiques from the past, and Zuckerberg didn’t mince words - asserting that Meta’s Quest 3 headset surpasses Apple's offering in both value and performance.
Can Zuckerberg’s IG post sway markets?

Virtual Reality, Real Rivalry - Meta’s Quest 3 Challenges Apple’s Vision Pro

Google launched a new generative AI tool for its Gemini conversational app (formerly known as Bard), which included the ability to create images of people. It’s clear that this feature missed the mark. Some of the images generated are inaccurate or even offensive. Google has apologized for this mishap and temporarily paused image generation of people in Gemini, while they work on an improved version. 
What happened?
This is what Elias Makos and I discussed on CJAD 800 AM. Listen in right here...

From AI Angels To Data Demons - Did Google's Gemini Cross The Line?

Apple's Project Titan, a secretive car project, was cancelled after a decade of development and $10 billion in research. The project went through various iterations, from rivaling Tesla to a self-driving car like Google's Waymo. Leadership changes and conflicting visions contributed to the challenges of steering innovation in new domains. The influence of Steve Jobs and the absence of his visionary leadership may have impacted the outcome. The decision to focus on CarPlay and seamless integration in the car dashboard played a role in the cancellation. Despite the end of Project Titan, Apple gained valuable knowledge and talent that can be applied to other areas of innovation.

This is what Elias Makos and I discussed on CJAD 800 AM. Listen in right here.

Navigating The Road Not Taken By Apple - The Elias Makos Show - CJAD 800

Diving into the TikTok debate: Is it a creative haven or a security risk? From its role in innovation to congressional moves for a ban, we explore the fine line between digital freedom and national security. How can we balance expression, privacy, and safety in the digital age? 

This is what Elias Makos and I discussed on CJAD 800 AM. Listen in right here.

TikTok On The Chopping Block? - The Elias Makos Show - CJAD 800

In the cozy French village of Seine-Port, they've decided to hit the "pause" button on public smartphone scrolling, sparking a worldwide chin-wag about whether we're all a bit too glued to our screens. Some folks think it's a step back to the good old days of chatting face-to-face, while others reckon it's a bit too bossy, forgetting how much we rely on our digital sidekicks for, well, everything. Amidst worries about feeling left out or missing out on what's happening online, this bold move aims to get people looking up from their phones and into each other's eyes again. It's all about finding that sweet spot between liking posts and genuinely liking the moment, a conversation that's got everyone from teenagers to their parents weighing in on how much screen time is too much.

This is what Elias Makos and I discussed on CJAD 800 AM. Listen in right here.

Swapping Screens For Scenes In A French Village - Seine-Port's Public Smartphone Ban

Is Apple's tech empire a beacon of innovation or a step towards monopoly? 🍎🚫 The DOJ's lawsuit echoes the Microsoft antitrust saga, questioning if seamless integration crosses into monopolistic territory. Are antitrust laws ready for the digital age, or is Apple just playing the game too well? 📱💡 Let's discuss.

Apple's Orchard Under Scrutiny - Innovation Or Monopoly? - The Elias Makos Show - CJAD 800

This past summer, Hollywood writers struck over concerns like AI in storytelling, questioning credits and payments. Enter OpenAI's Sora, a game-changer that's reshaping filmmaking with its text-to-video generator, sparking both excitement and concern among creators. As Sora redraws the boundaries of visual art and storytelling, it challenges us to find the sweet spot between AI's potential and the irreplaceable human touch in art. 

This is what David Heurtel (Elias Makos was away for vacation) and I discussed on CJAD 800 AM. Listen in right here.

Lights, Camera, AI - Sora's Hollywood Debut - The Elias Makos Show - CJAD 800

Canada, under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberal government, has announced a substantial $2.4 billion investment aimed at establishing the country as a leader in artificial intelligence, with significant portions allocated to enhance computing capabilities for AI research and development. This initiative includes a $2 billion injection for computing power and a $405 million allocation to support AI startups, promote AI integration in businesses, and address ethical AI challenges through the establishment of a Canadian AI Safety Institute. Amidst questions about talent retention, potential acquisitions by Big Tech, and the implementation of these measures with the upcoming Budget 2024, the Canadian AI community remains optimistic yet cautious about the real impact of this funding.

This is what Elias Makos and I discussed on CJAD 800 AM. Listen in right here.

AI, Eh? - Unpacking Canada's $2.4 Billion AI Bet

Are we thinking deeply enough about the impact of technology on our kids? 
This thought-provoking conversations explores the urgent need for smarter strategies to manage children's screen time, emphasizing the crucial role of parents, schools, and governments in fostering healthier digital habits. 
Dive into insights from experts like Jessica Grose, Jonathan Haidt, and Dr. Perry Adler, and discover how balancing screen use can promote better social skills and reduce anxiety and depression in our youth. 
This is what Elias Makos and I discussed on CJAD 800 AM.
 Listen in right here.

Swipe Left For Excess - Balancing Pixels And Play In Kids’ Lives

🎙️ Dive into the vibrant world of modern media with Episode #744 of The BeanCast - Three Bald Men! Join host Bob Knorpp and a panel of business thinkers as they untangle the web of mass personalization, AI's ethical dilemmas, and the transformative power of synthetic data. Don't miss out on this eye-opening discussion! 🌟 #TheBeanCast #MarketingInsights #AIChallenges

BeanCast #744 - Three Bald Men

In a bold move straight out of a cyber-thriller, President Joe Biden has just upped the stakes in the digital arena by signing a law that puts TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, in a tight spot: divest its U.S. operations or face a ban. Caught between the hammer of national security concerns and the anvil of free speech rights, TikTok is not going down without a fight, promising a courtroom showdown that could reshape the landscape of digital sovereignty. This high-stakes drama not only questions the balance between privacy and power but could also set a global precedent for the future of tech governance—grab your popcorn, this is going to be interesting!

This is what Elias Makos and I discussed on CJAD 800 AM. Listen in right here.

Tick Tok TikTok - The Rush To Ban TikTok - The Elias Makos Show - CJAD 800

There is a growing trend of Instagram users hiding their profiles or deleting their posts, known as 'Grid Zero', as a reflection of a cultural shift towards privacy and a pushback against the permanence of a digital footprint.

Why is this happening?

This is what Jeremy White and I discussed on 640 Toronto. Listen in right here.

Going Ghost - The New Social Media Is Not To Be Seen - 640 Talk Radio

When Apple launched the Vision Pro, it gave us a dazzling $4,500 sneak peek into the future of augmented and virtual reality, courtesy of a true Silicon Valley heavyweight. Fast forward a few months, and the buzz has cooled off, shifting from initial excitement to a reality check with revised production forecasts and lukewarm demand. But let's keep things in perspective - this is more than just a tech launch; it's a learning curve in the ambitious world of AR/VR.

This is what Elias Makos and I discussed on CJAD 800 AM. Listen in right here.

Reality Bites - Apple Revises Vision Pro's Bright Future

Randy Travis’ AI-assisted comeback is a harmonious testament to tech's restorative power, reviving his voice with unprecedented creativity. But amidst the warmth of his inspiring return, we must stay vigilant as AI dances between art and deception, wielding both miraculous melodies and dissonant deepfakes.

This is what Elias Makos and I discussed on CJAD 800 AM. Listen in right here.

Singularity Songs - AI Composes For Randy Travis But Who's Conducting Misinformation?

Apple's latest iPad Pro ad backfired spectacularly, as its attempt to tap into viral hydraulic press videos left many creatives feeling crushed. While some saw it as a clever nod to trendy memes, others, like Hugh Grant, condemned it as "the destruction of the human experience," igniting a firestorm of controversy.

This is what Elias Makos and I discussed on CJAD 800 AM. Listen in right here.

Pressing Matters - Apple’s Ad Leaves Creatives Crushed

AI just took a giant leap forward, and it’s both awe-inspiring and a bit unsettling! Google’s Project Astra, unveiled at Google I/O 2024, introduces an AI agent that seamlessly integrates into our daily lives, offering an immersive experience far beyond any chatbot. Is this the future we want? Dive in to explore Astra’s capabilities and the ethical, social, and cultural implications of this groundbreaking technology.

This is what Elias Makos and I discussed on CJAD 800 AM. Listen in right here.

Astra-nomical Leap - Bridging The Gap Between Human and Machine

When you need to find something online, do you “search” for it or “Google it”? Google’s new AI Overviews feature aims to give quick, conversational answers right at the top of search results, but it’s faced some humorous and alarming hiccups. From glue-on pizza to eating rocks, these AI “hallucinations” highlight the challenges and excitement of integrating AI into everyday search – a journey where credibility and innovation must go hand in hand.

This is what Elias Makos and I discussed on CJAD 800 AM. Listen in right here.

Google’s AI Overviews And The Battle Of Wits

Episode #576 of Six Pixels of Separation - The Mirum Podcast is now live and ready for you to listen to.

If you are responsible for being creative (and, who isn’t these days), there are few that are more inspiring than Jeff Goins. He believes that we all have a creative gift worth sharing with the world. And that is our art (and yes, work is art too!). So, whether you are grappling with a business idea, are thinking about writing a book, or there’s a project you want to create, Jeff has amazing insights into how to get that work out and into the world. Plus, if you’re more of a traditional artists, he believes that you don’t have to starve to do it. His latest book is called, Real Artists Don’t Starve. He's written other books as well (The Art Of Work, You Are A Writer, Wrecked and The In-Between). He's not just a bestselling author (writing is his passion), but he's a professional speaker and offers online courses (Tribe Writers) for those who want to follow his career path. Looking for a kick in the creative cranium? Enjoy the conversation...

Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast

SPOS #576 - Real Artists Don't Starve With Jeff Goins

Ever wonder how some people can charge a $20K public speaking fee, but others struggle to make ends meet?

There are a few key elements that make this possible and today, on episode 144 of The Speaker Lab podcast, Mitch Joel, an international speaker, author, and CEO walks us through the process of how to position yourself as a highly sought after speaker that can charge $10K, $20K or more.

Mitch shares a story of how he spoke in front of 6,000 people and shared the stage with Dr. Phil on his first ever speaking engagement.

Today, Mitch works with companies like Wal-Mart, Google, and Starbucks and he breaks it all down for you on the podcast.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:   

- How to find your “content center of excellence” and why you need it
- Examples of great speakers who have gone from $5K to $50K in speaking fees
- What is an SME and how can you be one?
- 3 “must-haves” if you want to be considered someone with a “significant platform”
- How to know if you’re killing it on stage or not
- Why being memorable is better than funny
- How social media plays a role in how much you can charge
- What is the Louis CK model of public speaking?
- How to identify yourself as 1 of 3 types of speakers

And so much more!

The Speaker Lab Podcast

The Speaker Lab - How To Charge $20K Or More As A Speaker With Mitch Joel - Episode #144

Welcome to episode #580 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Mirum Podcast. 

He's back! Google's Digital Marketing Evangelist, bestselling author (Web Analytics - An Hour A Day and Web Analytics 2.0), powerful writer (Occam's Razor), friend and marketing big brain, Avinash Kaushik. His monthly posts may as well be business books, and his insights into what should really count today for marketing is refreshing. He's got an attitude, he is full of passion, and he has some ideas about what we all need to be thinking about in this day and age. More recently, Avinash also lauched his own, personal, e-newsletter titled, The Marketing-Analytics Intersect (you best sign up for it), and we're back to discuss why he is spending so much time thinking about and working on machine learning, artificial intelligence… and how marketing is going to change dramatically (along with everything else) once business leaders really get on board with it. Enjoy the conversation... 

- Running time: 1:11:39.
- Hello from beautiful Montreal.
- Here is my conversation with Avinash Kaushik.
- Occam's Razor.
- The Marketing-Analytics Intersect.
- Web Analytics - An Hour A Day.
- Web Analytics 2.0.
- This week's music: David Usher 'St. Lawrence River'.

SPOS #580 - Avinash Kaushik On Machine Learning And Artificial Intelligence For Marketing

Episode #587 of Six Pixels of Separation - The Mirum Podcast is now live and ready for you to listen to.

He's one of the most respected thinkers in digital media. It's mostly due to his YouTube rants... and he pulls no punches. It takes many people aback, because Scott Galloway is not your typical YouTuber. Scott is a Clinical Professor at the NYU Stern School of Business where he teaches brand strategy and digital marketing. In 2012, Professor Galloway was named “One of the World’s 50 Best Business School Professors” by Poets & Quants. He is also the founder of Red Envelope and Prophet Brand Strategy. Scott was elected to the World Economic Forum’s Global Leaders of Tomorrow and has served on the boards of directors of Urban Outfitters, Eddie Bauer, The New York Times Company, and UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business. I first discovered Scott's work as the Founder of L2 research (now owned by Gartner) and his incredible keynote presentations on state of the digital economy called, Winners And Losers In The Digital Age. Most recently, Scott published his first business book, The Four - The Hidden DNA of Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google, and it's an incredible read. Enjoy the conversation...

You can grab the latest episode of Six Pixels of Separation here (or feel free to subscribe via iTunes): Six Pixels of Separation - The Mirum Podcast #587.

October 8th, 2017

SPOS #587 - Scott Galloway Rants On The Digital Age

Episode #592 of Six Pixels of Separation - The Mirum Podcast is now live and ready for you to listen to.

I was surprisingly taken aback by the book, Exactly What To Say. There are no stories in this book. No case studies. It’s a small book. It’s a very smart book. In a world where you might assume that anything and everything has already been written about sales, Phil Jones’ book packs a lot of wows. Smart and just the facts and tactics. No fat… all protein. It will also help you to frame (and reframe) how you think about everything from introducing yourself to pitching your wares. Phil is a sales machine at heart. He started his first business at fourteen. He’s worked in fashion, retail, sports and beyond. After extensive travel, he honed in on what he likes best: helping other people get more comfortable with closing deals. If you have not picked up, Exactly What To Say… you really should. The subtitle of the book is, “the magic words for influence and impact,” and it delivers. Enjoy the conversation...

Six Pixels of Separation

SPOS #592 - Exactly What To Say With Phil Jones

Episode #614 of Six Pixels of Separation - The Mirum Podcast is now live and ready for you to listen to.

There are so many books on how to generate leads, close the sale, negotiate the sale, market the products and services and on and on. How many books have you read (or seen) about how to not lose the customer once you get them? You might think that once you have a customer, that you have them for life. Not even close. Joey Coleman has a unique ability. He is laser focused on how brands need to think once they have closed the sale. It’s not just an ideology, either. It’s a system. HIs latest book, Never Lose A Customer Again - Turn Any Sale Into Lifelong Loyalty in 100 Days is rocketing up the charts of every bestseller list… and for good reason. For over a decade, Joey has helped organizations retain their best customers and turn them into raving fans via his entertaining and actionable keynotes, workshops, and consulting projects. He has a long history of energizing and motivating audiences to enhance their customers’ experiences. He is an award-winning speaker, and now he has packed that insight into a very important book. Enjoy the conversation...

You can grab the latest episode of Six Pixels of Separation here (or feel free to subscribe via iTunes): Six Pixels of Separation - The Mirum Podcast #614.

SPOS #614 - Never Lose A Customer Again With Joey Coleman

Mitch Joel is Co-Founder of ThinkersOne - a platform that empowers companies with personalized and bite-sized thought leadership from the best Thinkers in the world. His first book, Six Pixels of Separation, named after his successful blog and podcast is a business and marketing bestseller. His second book, CTRL ALT Delete, was named one of the best business books of 2013 by Amazon.

Popular tracks by Mitch Joel