"Do You Sell Pictures on a CD?"

Pitchers on a CD ready for Printing at your local Costco...

Over the past half dozen years I cannot count the number of times I've received phone calls and emails from potential clients asking about family portraits only to conclude their inquiry with the ubiquitous comment that they only need "pictures on a CD." You know the drill...

My question to you is, "How do you respond?" Are you one of the minons who've given in to the ignorant masses or have you remained firm, educating the public why you're a family photographer? Obviously, I would not be writing were I not a photographer dedicated to the latter option.

To that end, I am posting my two letter response, which is directed at those who cite their desire to purchase digital files on a CD. Why two parts? The first letter is to establish intent, while the second is to educate.

The first email has two goals. Besides establishing/confirming their request, the other, less conspicuous reason, is to cause them to consider and share what they are really asking. I'm not a fan of assumption. Asking them to articulate the reason they wish to own my digital files (i.e. put it in writing) places the proverbial cards on the table, making it clear their exact intentions; that being, they want to print their own. Most likely at their local Costco.

The purpose of the second letter is to gently and accurately expresse the reality of why family portrait photographers exist. It's perfectly fine that you not be in sync with every aspect of my rationale, as I don't contend it's either cutting edge, comprehensive or the definitive word. It's merel my point of view. Please feel free to extract whatever is relevant and disregard what is not.

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REPLY ONE

Dear _________,

Thank you for writing and inquiring about our family portraits. 

It is our understanding that you wish to purchase a "CD" of the digital files we create but do not wish to have us print any portraits.

Since it is not to have printed photographs from the exposures we create, for what purpose, might we inquire, do you intend with the digital files?

Should you have any questions, no concern is too small. We look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you, 

Mark Jordan

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Now then, considering that for as long as I have been forwarding REPLY ONE and have have yet to receive a single reply that did not express something to the effect that the inquiring client intended to create they're own prints (even though their first reason is typically for some form of electronic display), REPLY TWO is my customary response.

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REPLY TWO

Dear _________,

Thank you for again for writing and informing us of your intention for the purchase of "CD" of our digital files from a family portrait you're considering us to create.

Were it within our business model and artistic pursuit to meet your exclusive needs of purchasing a "CD" of our work, we would do so. However, as a portrait studio, and more in particular, a professional photographer, we design and create portraits, of which printing the finished image is one of the most essential and gratifying components. 

Were your need of owning our digital files restricted to non-printing (i.e. personal projection), we do offer finished digital images, which are perfected in every way, except with a lower resolution and the strict limitation that they cannot be printed.

Understandably, our dedication to the art of portraiture precludes the sale of our most precious resource, our digital files, for the purpose of do-it-yourself printing. I am sorry we are unable to serve you in this capacity.

Should you like to discover more of our heart and rationale, I kindly invite you to read on. If not, thank you again for your inquiry.

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Just as an architect and homeowner depend on an expert contractor to complete the painstaking efforts of their blueprints, so does the photographer and family rely on a talented print-master to fulfill their vision captured by mind and camera. What begins as vague impression to record a special moment in time, the photographer creates a photographic representation (a.k.a. "print") to treasure for a lifetime - and beyond.

Everyone knows that the professional photographer makes it possible to revisit the past. However, what is little understood is that the more refined the image (i.e. brilliant, rich color, print dimensionality and contrast, et al), the greater enjoyment and sense of being there. At its essence then, the art of portraiture is found in the extraordinary ability to bring memories to life - technically and emotionally. None of which is possible for the camera buff who sells CDs, shortchanging the process, rather than creating striking portraits.

Please understand, lest you think us persnickety, families hire us for our knowledge and our vision; not theirs. Though it is true that an economical print at Costco might satisfy the novice's eye, ask any Master Photographer and they'll readily disclose a catalogue of finish deficiencies. Whether the failings are inherent in color, contrast, density, subtle retouching, judicious cropping, or any number of essential design principles, any one of them would have been summarily avoided and masterfully effectuated by a bonafide, professional photographer.

The preceding morsel of guidance has proven to be especially relevant for younger families. As they grow so do their aesthetic awareness and acuity. As their appreciation for beauty, line and harmony blossom, what seemed like a great bargain in their early years comes back as a painful reminder of their naiveté and insensitivities. Over the past 32 years I've listened patiently to hundreds of moms and dads tell their stories of regret. The most common phrase we hear is, "What on earth were we thinking?"

As to your immediate need…be comforted in knowing there are a plethora of semiprofessionals throughout Orange County who own a camera and a website who will be elated to help you. There are literally hundreds, if not thousands of such folk. If your desire is truly a CD of digital files, you will have no problem whatsoever locating dozens to oblige.

We would forward you photographer recommendations, but we are unaware of a competent photographer, let alone an outstanding one, who sell their "pictures on a CD." Though we are not familiar with the rationale for every photographer who peddles their most precious resource, those who do are primarily focused on the proverbial quick-buck rather than the elevation of the Art of Family Portraiture and their client's best interests. Subsequently, we cannot in good conscience endorse those who sell CDs.

Here at Mark Jordan Photography, we are passionate about our art and masters of our craft. There is no greater reward for the us than watching the ebullient faces our families when they first see their beautiful portraits. If not for this joy, what other possible reason would we toil so arduously, dedicating ourselves to such an emotional demanding and academic intensive enterprise, were it not to see our initial strokes (i.e. digital files) come to life in the lives of the families we photograph? It is for this very reason the family portrait photographer exists.

Should your portrait needs change in the future, and you become interested in having us create a lovely family portrait that you will cherish for a lifetime, we would wholeheartedly welcome the opportunity.

All the best to you and your family,

Mark

©Googtoon - Life • Popular Culture • Politics • Entertainment • Public Figures

Mark Jordan Photography

Orange County Family Portraits

Orange County Headshots

Romney Wins Landslide Victory!

Sometimes Dreams Are Wiser Than Waking • Black Elk

Just because the drive-by media had exhaustively ignored America's abhorrence for President Obama (i.e. his policies), it doesn't mean it did not exist.

More importantly, it would appear they did not account for how the country's repulsion of Obama would so heavily influence the election results. A costly miscalculation on their part.

Considering the media's complicity in fending off Romney's brilliant campaign, one might argue it was a forced error.

The single most commanding muscle in state politics is also a force that's hard to reckon with in national elections: Governorships!

If history is any indication, we only have to look back a short four years ago where in 2008 Democrats held and overpowering lead in governorships. Obama won handily. This was not the case in today's election - Republicans control the majority of governorships. This was never more relevant than where John Kasich brought home the coveted 18 delegates from Ohio.

Americans have grown tired of liberal solutions to worsening economic woes. I learned recently that subsequent to the 2010 census, states which tend to lean Republican (i.e. Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Nevada, South Carolina, Texas and Utah), added electoral votes to their totals. Conversely, states that tilted left (i.e. Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey and New York), shed electoral votes. To wit, Romney's threshold to garner 270 is lower than it was or McCain, affording him a greater opportunity to win.

What came a surprise to me was Romney's ability to keep pace with the Obama fundraising juggernaut. This was no small feat. While controversy surrounds the Obama camp regarding shady contributions (not least of which is criminal foreign donors), Romney has been effective at staying above the fray. While the Obama coffers ran low during the crucial last two weeks of the campaign, Romney easily outspent Obama, making his presence felt all the more in the crucial swing states.

Next, and is what I predicted would occur, my fellow Christians showed up! Mind you, we Christians do not offend easily. There's a reason why Christianity is the Timex religion - we take a lickin and keep on tickin (paraphrase of Jesus' directive to 'turn the other cheek').

However, I don't think there has ever been a president any more antagonistic to Christians than Obama. Consequently, Christians turned out in record numbers. Lest you make more of my prediction than warranted, we only had to look back a few short months ago where America saw longs lines around Chick-fil-A restaurants in support of the founder's comment, Dan Cathy, in support of traditional marriage. This was a sign of things to come; all because Obama single handedly motivated Christians with his hostility toward them.

Romney Wins 2012 Presidential Election - Landslide Victory!! Well, Only In A Conservative's Dream

Another factor in Romney's win was this year's purging of felons and illegal aliens from voter rolls. It's a sad commentary on the ilk of constituent who the Democrats can always count on to cast a vote for their candidates, but it's a distinction - ignominious at that. This recent purge was especially helpful for Romney in both Florida and Ohio. With Democrats not showing in numbers at the polls, and then no longer being able to rely on felons and illegals to carry the load, it's no wonder Romney won the prize.

Then there's the "Eager Element." In Ohio alone, 120,000 more Republicans turned out for the early vote (Obama won by 340,000 in 2008, with 155,000 fewer this year). This was not a small swing in Romney's favor. While Romney supporters attended his rallies with numbers into the tens of thousands requiring news crews to employ wide angle lenses to cover them, not only was Obama's crowds anemic, coverage of his rallies consisted of telephoto closeups to obscure the fact than Obama's "Hope & Change" mantra had lost it's luster. Romney's enthused and animated troops (conservatives, independents, middle class white voters) were in direct contrast to the discouraged and vanquished crowds drawn by Obama. Not to mention we can all cite friends who changed their vote from Obama in 2008 to Romney in 2012, but I cannot think of a single McCain supporter who voted for Obama this time around.

For my last point I must once again rely on history. What have we learned how the great undecided respond on election day? That's right, when push comes to shove, they roll in the direction of the challenger. Just like Reagan did to Carter in 1980, Romney proved with his superior debating skills that both independents and the undecided could trust their collective futures to the challenger. I believe this was one of the most significant factors in putting Romney over -----------

Beep Beep Beep Beep Beep Beep Beep Beep - didn't intend to alarm you, but it's time to wake as the living nightmare begins.

Mark Jordan
©GOOGTOON - Observations on Life • Popular Culture • Politics • Entertainment • Public Figures

YouTube Good - FaceBook Bad

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that a Facebook post in which an Islamic militant group claimed credit for a recent terrorist attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya did not constitute evidence of who was responsible.

• "Posting something on Facebook is not in and of itself evidence. I think it just underscores how fluid the reporting was at the time and continued for some time to be."

YouTube, the While House's Standard for what constitutes credible evidence.

In others words, it was acceptable for the White House to base their supposition that the terrorist attack in Libya was a response to a "crude and disgusting YouTube video," but any suggestion to the contrary on Facebook, Twitter or a slew of emails to White House officials, including the Situation Room, does not rise to the level of being credible. 

Mind you, I don't side with any social medial as a reliable, official resource of White House intelligence. I just don't think it's rational for President Obama's State Department to pick and choose which and when what ilk of media they can cite as their nexus to international affairs. 

With explanations so dizzying as the White House would hope American's might believe, one can hardly fault those who might attribute this administration's shifting renditions to political expediency. From my perspective, the only plausible account is summed up in one simple word: coverup. 

Your thoughts?

Mark Jordan
©GOOGTOON - Observations on Life • Popular Culture • Politics • Entertainment • Public Figures

Abbott & Costello On Obama's Unemployment Rate

Abbot and Costello Try to Make Sense Of Obama's Unemployment Rate in America

COSTELLO: I want to talk about the unemployment rate in America.

ABBOTT: Good Subject. Terrible Times. It's 8.1%.

COSTELLO: That many people are out of work?

ABBOTT: No, that's 14.7%.

COSTELLO: You just said 8.1%.

ABBOTT: 8.1% Unemployed.

COSTELLO: Right 8.1% out of work.

ABBOTT: No, that's 14.7%.

COSTELLO: Okay, so it's 14.7% unemployed.

ABBOTT: No, that's 8.1%.

COSTELLO: WAIT A MINUTE. Is it 8.1% or14.7%?

ABBOTT: 8.1% are unemployed. 14.7% are out of work.

COSTELLO: IF you are out of work you are unemployed.

ABBOTT: No, Obama said you can't count the "Out of Work" as the unemployed. You have to look for work to be unemployed.

COSTELLO: BUT THEY ARE OUT OF WORK!!!

ABBOTT: No, you miss his point.

COSTELLO: What point?

ABBOTT: Someone who doesn't look for work can't be counted with those who look for work. It wouldn't be fair.

COSTELLO: To whom?

ABBOTT: The unemployed.

COSTELLO: But they are ALL out of work.

ABBOTT: No, the unemployed are actively looking for work. Those who are out of work gave up looking and if you give up, you are no longer in the ranks of the unemployed.

COSTELLO: So if you're off the unemployment roles that would count as less unemployment?

ABBOTT: Unemployment would go down. Absolutely!

COSTELLO: The unemployment just goes down because you don't look for work?

ABBOTT: Absolutely it goes down. That's how Obama gets it to 8.1%. Otherwise it would be 14.7%. He doesn't want you to read about 14.7% unemployment.

COSTELLO: That would be tough on his reelection.

ABBOTT: Absolutely.

COSTELLO: Wait, I got a question for you. That means there are two ways to bring down the unemployment number?

ABBOTT: Two ways is correct.

COSTELLO: Unemployment can go down if someone gets a job?

ABBOTT: Correct.

COSTELLO: And unemployment can also go down if you stop looking for a job?

ABBOTT: Bingo.

COSTELLO: So there are two ways to bring unemployment down, and the easier of the two is to have Obama's supporters stop looking for work.

ABBOTT: Now you're thinking like the Obama Economy Czar.

COSTELLO: I don't even know what the hell I just said!

ABBOTT: Now you're thinking like Obama.

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Thank you whomever penned this priceless scenario...

Mark

©Googtoon - Life • Popular Culture • Politics • Entertainment • Public Figures

Mark Jordan Photography

Orange County Family Portraits

Orange County Headshots

Crowley Carries Obama's Water

Candy Crowley, CNN's anchor and chief political correspondent, Carries Obama's Water

Making no pretense of impartiality, presidential debate moderator Candy Crowley fact checked Mitt Romney after the Republican presidential candidate charged that President Obama failed to call the attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi an "act of terror" - which anyone paying even casual attention to recent international affairs knows President Obama did not.

More than an hour into the debate, an undecided voter in the town hall forum asked President Obama about the recent attack in Libya that killed Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three additional Americans. Obama stated that he had called the attack in Libya an "act of terror" the very next day, September 12, from the Rose Garden.

When it was Romney's turn to speak, he reacted to Obama's response, charging that it took Obama days to call the Benghazi attack an "act of terror." It was obvious to all that Obama was caught lying to the nation - Romney was beside himself and attempted to capitalize on Obama's blatant falsehood. However, as much as he tried, there was no getting around Crowley, carrying the water for President Obama.

What President Obama actually stated one day after the Libyan tragedy was:

• "No acts of terror will ever shake the resolve of this great nation, alter that character, or eclipse the light of the values that we stand for," Obama said in the Rose Garden. "Today we mourn four more Americans who represent the very best of the United States of America."

It would seem that President Obama, appealing to his base, pinned his hopes on no one noticing that referring to "acts of terror" is quite different from identifying the the attack on the Libyan embassy an as "Act of Terror!"

Obama's ploy might have worked had President Obama not spent many days following the attack, first telling Americans the Libyan attack was because of the video (even arresting the producer), followed by denials that the State Department was in possession of bonafide intelligence regarding actual cause.

As to the debate, Obama interrupted Romney, telling the Republican presidential candidate to "get the transcript" of his remarks. When the governor doubled down on his charge, Crowley committed the unprecedented offense of interjecting her point of view by declaring President Obama "did in fact" call the attack an act of terror.

"He did in fact call it an 'act of terror,'" Crowley said.

"Can you say that a little louder?" Obama asked.

Crowley continued speaking to Romney. Referring to the president, she said, "It did as well take two weeks or so for the whole idea of there being a riot out there about this tape to come out. You are correct about that."

The succinct live factcheck left quite the impression. Twitter exploded with messages praising and criticizing the CNN host.

Within minutes after the debate, even Crowley's colleague, Anderson Cooper, threw her under the bus, noting that while Obama did indeed mouth the words "acts of terror," this is not what he meant by it. Instead, Obama simply referred to "acts of terror"; clearly not only making no mention of Al Qaeda or any of its affiliates with respect to the actual attack on the U.S. embassy in Benghazi but later making repeated statements in various venues that he was uncertain as to the cause of the attack. 

After embarrassing herself with her incompetently biased attempt to “fact check” GOP presidential candidate Romney, Crowley has already began salvaging her credibility. Shortly after the townhall debate, the embarrassed Crowley in a CNN panel discussion tried to say that Romney was indeed correct to criticize the Obama Administration’s wrong-headed refusal to tell the public that the attacks on the U.S. embassy in Benghazi, Libya were indeed the work of a terrorist organization.

 “He was right in the main, I just think he picked the wrong word,” Crowley said, echoing the extremely legalistic reading of the facts about what President Obama meant when he said “acts of terror” in reference to the Benghazi attack.

Mark

©Googtoon - Life • Popular Culture • Politics • Entertainment • Public Figures

Mark Jordan Photography

Orange County Family Portraits

Orange County Headshots

Posting Portrait Price Lists Online - PART 4 of 4

Continued from Part 3...

 It's not as black and white as I would like.

Nonetheless, if the budding Rice Krispers's vision of being a "photographer" is an emulation of Pennys/Sears, who I am to pop their bubble or question their paradigm?

This might be true were their feelings not so terribly hurt and hopes dashed when they score a 67 on their comp print, all the while posting a website price for an 8x10 under $50. It's even more distressing that they believe they've made a profit at such naive pricing, or that they're contributing to the advancement of their profession.

The issue, as I see it, is not that the online price-posters/Rice Krisper's don't care. For they too are merely a product of our culture - a culture that wants it now, and where price is valued, while value is neglected.

However, though I would hope that every soul who charges a fee for creating photographic images would be profoundly considerate of the impact their business practices are having on the industry I love, the truth of the matter is, it's not as black and white as I would like. I have to remind myself, these folk too are looking for creative expression and are in many ways, like us all, just groping the dark, looking for meaning and significance. For so many, photography is that "answer" they've been searching for.

As much as I carry on about the Krispers, and how much it might comfort me to garnish them with a Whiplash handlebar as the symbol of villainy and the prime perpetrators responsible for devaluing the art of fine portraiture, I have to pause and equally consider that, for so darn many, it's simply a matter of putting food on the table. Whether this excuses/explains their peculiar contribution, or is an indictment against them, is a question that might be prove worthy of an illuminating debate. But for me, I'll leave it to those who are a whole lot smarter than me. Nonetheless, it is a sobering thought.

With this in mind, it seems to me that the redress is not one of ridicule or finger pointing, nor is the question one of sincerity or of intention. The way I see it, the best and only way through our dilemma is none other than good ole' education. And the only way the remedy is going to see the light of day is for those of us who are enlightened to show the way for those who are not (i.e. one reason for posting my thoughts). This is going to require patience, compassion and imagination. Above all, it's going to demand perseverance.

Spreading the word not only means reaching out to the Krispers, but encompasses professional organizations, labs, and the ancillary businesses they rely on. This could involve putting pressure on such behemoths as PPA, as well as local affiliates, which, from my perspective, seem to have acquiesced rather than upheld standards of excellence. Instead of lowering the bar in pursuit of short-term profits, it needs to be raised to new heights, energized by a clear vision of what it could be. Albeit with the understanding and confidence that we are all in it for the duration.

When we stand together, we can endure the most turbulent of wakes, no matter how much our collective boats have been rocked. I'm willing. How about you?

I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Part 1
Part 2

Mark

©Googtoon - Life • Popular Culture • Politics • Entertainment • Public Figures

Mark Jordan Photography

Orange County Family Portraits

Orange County Headshots.

Ryan Beats Biden by KO

The early moments of the fight set the pace for the entire match. The back-and-forth action between Biden and Ryan was arguably the most evenly fought display by the two political stalwarts. Biden started by jabbing away left and left combinations, while Ryan displayed his skills of weaving and ducking at everything thrown at him.

Just before 30 seconds had elapsed, you'd think that Biden's uppercuts and body shots to Ryan's midsection would have caught him off guard and stumbling. However, even amid the sucker punches and headbutts Ryan stood tall and maintained his game plan. As much as the audience had anticipated the referee, Martha Raddatz, stopping the fight and talking to Biden about the low blows and pushing, it became apparent the fix was in.

As the middle stages of the round came about, Ryan began to grab hold of Biden as a strategy to fend off his repeated attempts to draw near for body attacks, keeping him at bay. Then, as Biden swung one wild left hook after another, Ryan leaned in to his right and laid a glove him - and that's all it took. Ryan was declared the winner by KO (kid-glove obliteration).

Nice Old Joe Biden Greets Paul Ryan ready to Box, while Ryan treats Biden with Kid Gloves.
2012 Vice Presidential Debate 

Boxing metaphors aside, though the polls are fairly close as to which candidate won the the 2012 Vice Presidential Debate, the majority of them, as well as media talking heads, give the advantage decisively to GOP vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan. Regardless, some theorize that Vice President Joe Biden also "won" by energizing the Democratic base after the calamitous Oct. 3 presidential debate. The consensus is that Biden's demeanor was a strategy not to win the debate but rather to resuscitate morale. 

The first poll out that foreshadowed bad news for Biden was put out by CNN (no friend to Republicans). Their quick poll of registered voters found that 48 percent cited Ryan was the winner, while 44 percent cited Biden took the night. More importantly, a whopping 60% of CNN’s respondents said Ryan was presidential, and 53% saw him as more likable.

Another bastion of the Democrat party, CNBC, published their poll that showed 56% declared Ryan the winner, while only 36 thought Biden won it.

A majority of CNN’s panel of 31 self-described undecided Virginia voters said Ryan offered the better vision for the future, while Biden was seen as more empathetic.

The most definitive poll in Biden's favor, was the CBS poll (as expected). 50% of their 431 “uncommitted" voters gave victory to Biden, while 31% said Ryan won. I assume the other 19% gave it to the moderator, Martha Raddatz, who seemed to be firmly seated in Biden's corner. Regardless, CBS voters’ said Ryan passed their basic expectations, with 75 percent of the respondents saying Ryan is knowledgeable, and 48 percent saying he is relatable.

As to how each political party weighed in on the fight, both parties are claiming victory. GOP's Reince Priebus, the chairman of the Republican National Committee, said, “The momentum stayed on our side, and that’s what we wanted." Priebus also echoed the sentiments of a larage majority of polled respondents who stated Biden's "rudeness" failed to convince them. His continuous interrupting, smirking, and "disrespectful" behavior was even more off-putting for females and independents.

However, sharing the belief that Biden was successful in restoring Democratic morale (after Mitt Romney’s shellacking on President Barack Obama) Paul Begala, a far-left Democratic strategist stated Biden “accomplished his strategic task."

Even father to the left than Begala, activist Van Jones said, “I was proud to be a Democrat. ... Democrats really needed this performance. … he energized his base.”

CNN’s Gloria Borger, also felt that Biden succeeded because “he righted the ship,” referring to the Oct. 3 presidential debate where Romney's decisive win, stunned and demoralized the Democratic base.

However, Borger also added that Biden’s demeanor was “condescending,” coinciding with comments from many GOP proponents and Romney supporters.

Even Democrats were forced to compliment a conspicuous noteworthy performance by Ryan’s performance, saying he was presidential, informed, reassuring and likable.

Summary, rude, bombastic bullying was overcome by respectful, restrained character. 

Mark

©Googtoon - Life • Popular Culture • Politics • Entertainment • Public Figures

Mark Jordan Photography

Orange County Family Portraits

Orange County Headshots

An Introduction to Thomas Sowell

Surprisingly enough, most American are not familiar with Thomas Sowell. Though he's been one of the most influential thinkers of our times, Mr. Sowell remains remarkably unknown at most kitchen tables, as well as with the intelligentsia throughout the country. However, the reason is no mystery to me.

Though some would point Sowell's skin color for his relative obscurity, those with understanding would tell you differently. It's not that Sowell is black that keeps our main stream media from celebrating the man's brilliance, but rather because he's a conservative with strong libertarian leanings. Need I say more?

While the left was busy boasting how President Obama was "the most brilliant man in America," with wall to wall coverage of him glad-handing on The View, Thomas Sowell went quietly about his business, writing ground-breaking classics that will outlive Obama and the great majority of the academe acknowledged today.

To date, Sowell has written over three dozen books. I understand that many of us do not have the time to pour through all of Sowell's work, let alone make the time to read one or two. If this is you, might I suggest you may be too busy. If only you knew what you were missing. George Will says of Sowell's writing, "Sowell proved me that someone could say something of substance in so short a space (750 words). And besides, writing for the general public enables him to address the heart of issues without the smoke and mirrors that so often accompany academic writing."

A sampling of just ten extraordinary books, out three dozen, written by Sowell.

Thomas Sowell is a man among men - my mentor. Considering so few Americans will not invest the time to delve into Sowell's books and enjoy them as I have, I wanted to offer a way others might at least sample his inspiring insights and peerless acumen.

It occurred to me that a befitting introduction might be one that simply offered a selection of his most quoted observations. My hope is that after sampling Sowell's universal precepts, those unfamiliar with his work might thirst for more, which would eventually lead them to the pages of his profundity and devotion.

Before we begin I'd first like to share a brief biographical sketch of Sowell. Since there is a plethora of bios written about him, rather than me reinventing the wheel, I've posted an abridged version of Sowell's bio from Town Hall.

Thomas Sowell was born in Gastonia, North Carolina but grew up in Harlem. As with many others in his neighborhood, Thomas Sowell did not finish high school and left home at an early age. The years that followed were difficult for Sowell. He eventually joined the Marine Corps, where he became a photographer in the Korean War. Shortly after his honorable discharge, Thomas Sowell entered Harvard University. He worked as a part-time photographer and studied the science that would become his passion and profession: economics.
For a man who didn't graduate from high school, Sowell did very well for himself. He graduated from Harvard University (1958), magna cum laude, then went on to receive his master's in economics from Columbia University (1959). Later he earned his doctorate in economics from the University of Chicago (1968).
In the early '60s, Sowell held jobs as an economist with the Department of Labor and AT&T. However, Sowell's fascination was for teaching and scholarly pursuits. While at Cornell University in 1965, Sowell began the first of his many professorships. Other teaching assignments quickly followed: Rutgers University, Amherst College, Brandeis University and the University of California at Los Angeles, where he taught in the early '70s and also from 1984 to 1989.
As noted earlier, Thomas Sowell has published a large volume of writing. His dozens of books, as well as numerous articles and essays, cover a wide range of topics, from classic economic theory to judicial activism, from civil rights to choosing the right college.
Though Thomas Sowell had been a regular contributor to newspapers in the late '70s and early '80s, he did not begin his career as a newspaper columnist until 1984.
In 1990, Sowell won the prestigious Francis Boyer Award, presented by The American Enterprise Institute.
Currently Thomas Sowell is a senior fellow at the Hoover Institute in Stanford, Calif.

Most Noted Quotes of Thomas Sowell

I suggest using this blog post as more of a reference that a one time read. While you'll find many of Sowell's words to be fun and witty, others will stick with you for awhile. In those instances I think it best to simply sit and reflect. This tribute to Thomas Sowell will remain posted for years to come, so enjoy.

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• It is amazing that people who think we cannot afford to pay for doctors, hospitals, and medication somehow think that we can afford to pay for doctors, hospitals, medication and a government bureaucracy to administer it.

• If you have always believed that everyone should play by the same rules and be judged by the same standards, that would have gotten you labeled a radical 60 years ago, a liberal 30 years ago and a racist today.

• One of the common failings among honorable people is a failure to appreciate how thoroughly dishonorable some other people can be, and how dangerous it is to trust them.

• It is hard to imagine a more stupid or more dangerous way of making decisions than by putting those decisions in the hands of people who pay no price for being wrong.

• Socialism in general has a record of failure so blatant that only an intellectual could ignore or evade it.

• Capitalism knows only one color: that color is green; all else is necessarily subservient to it, hence, race, gender and ethnicity cannot be considered within it.

• What is ominous is the ease with which some people go from saying that they don't like something to saying that the government should forbid it. When you go down that road, don't expect freedom to survive very long.

• Elections should be held on April 16th- the day after we pay our income taxes. That is one of the few things that might discourage politicians from being big spenders.

• It takes considerable knowledge just to realize the extent of your own ignorance.

• People who enjoy meetings should not be in charge of anything.

• Freedom has cost too much blood and agony to be relinquished at the cheap price of rhetoric.

• Much of the social history of the Western world, over the past three decades, has been a history of replacing what worked with what sounded good.

• Both free speech rights and property rights belong legally to individuals, but their real function is social, to benefit vast numbers of people who do not themselves exercise these rights.

• Liberals seem to assume that, if you don't believe in their particular political solutions, then you don't really care about the people that they claim to want to help.

• The real goal should be reduced government spending, rather than balanced budgets achieved by ever rising tax rates to cover ever rising spending.

• The problem isn't that Johnny can't read. The problem isn't even that Johnny can't think. The problem is that Johnny doesn't know what thinking is; he confuses it with feeling.

• The march of science and technology does not imply growing intellectual complexity in the lives of most people. It often means the opposite.

• Talkers are usually more articulate than doers, since talk is their specialty.

• Each new generation born is in effect an invasion of civilization by little barbarians, who must be civilized before it is too late.

• Actually lowering the cost of insurance would be accomplished by such things as making it harder for lawyers to win frivolous lawsuits against insurance companies.

• The most fundamental fact about the ideas of the political left is that they do not work. Therefore we should not be surprised to find the left concentrated in institutions where ideas do not have to work in order to survive.

• If you are not prepared to use force to defend civilization, then be prepared to accept barbarism.

• The next time some academics tell you how important diversity is, ask how many Republicans there are in their sociology department.

• The first lesson of economics is scarcity: there is never enough of anything to fully satisfy all those who want it. The first lesson of politics is to disregard the first lesson of economics.

• The big divide in this country is not between Democrats and Republicans, or women and men, but between talkers and doers.

• You will never understand bureaucracies until you understand that for bureaucrats procedure is everything and outcomes are nothing.

• Liberalism is totalitarianism with a human face.

• In liberal logic, if life is unfair then the answer is to turn more tax money over to politicians, to spend in ways that will increase their chances of getting reelected.

• If people in the media cannot decide whether they are in the business of reporting news or manufacturing propaganda, it is all the more important that the public understand that difference, and choose their news sources accordingly.

• Stopping illegal immigration would mean that wages would have to rise to a level where Americans would want the jobs currently taken by illegal aliens.

• The people made worse off by slavery were those who were enslaved. Their descendants would have been worse off today if born in Africa instead of America. Put differently, the terrible fate of their ancestors benefited them.

• The welfare state is not really about the welfare of the masses. It is about the egos of the elites.

• If the battle for civilization comes down to the wimps versus the barbarians, the barbarians are going to win.

• Mistakes can be corrected by those who pay attention to facts but dogmatism will not be corrected by those who are wedded to a vision.

• Like a baseball game, wars are not over till they are over. Wars don't run on a clock like football. No previous generation was so hopelessly unrealistic that this had to be explained to them.

• Would you bet your paycheck on a weather forecast for tomorrow? If not, then why should this country bet billions on global warming predictions that have even less foundation?

• Facts do not speak for themselves. They speak for or against competing theories. Facts divorced from theories or visions are mere isolated curiosities.

• People who have time on their hands will inevitably waste the time of people who have work to do.

• Mystical references to society and its programs to help may warm the hearts of the gullible but what it really means is putting more power in the hands of bureaucrats.

• What 'multiculturalism' boils down to is that you can praise any culture in the world except Western culture - and you cannot blame any culture in the world except Western culture.


• People who identify themselves as conservatives donate money to charity more often than people who identify themselves as liberals. They donate more money and a higher percentage of their incomes.

• The real minimum wage is zero.

• Balanced budget requirements seem more likely to produce accounting ingenuity than genuinely balanced budgets.

• The most basic question is not what is best, but who shall decide what is best.

• The least productive people are usually the ones who are most in favor of holding meetings.

• Too much of what is called "education" is little more than an expensive isolation from reality.

• As for gun control advocates, I have no hope whatever that any facts whatever will make the slightest dent in their thinking - or lack of thinking.

• Life in general has never been even close to fair, so the pretense that the government can make it fair is a valuable and inexhaustible asset to politicians who want to expand government.

• There are only two ways of telling the complete truth - anonymously and posthumously.

• One of the most pervasive political visions of our time is the vision of liberals as compassionate and conservatives as less caring.

• Imagine a political system so radical as to promise to move more of the poorest 20% of the population into the richest 20% than remain in the poorest bracket within the decade? You don't need to imagine it. It's called the United States of America.

• The simplest and most psychologically satisfying explanation of any observed phenomenon is that it happened that way because someone wanted it to happen that way.

• There are few things more dishonorable than misleading the young.

Thomas Sowell - A Man Among Men - My Mentor

• Do countries with strong gun control laws have lower murder rates? Only if you cherry-pick the data.

• Prices are important not because money is considered paramount but because prices are a fast and effective conveyor of information through a vast society in which fragmented knowledge must be coordinated.

• The Massachusetts Institute of Technology accepts blacks in the top ten percent of students, but at MIT this puts them in the bottom ten percent of the class.

• Tariffs that save jobs in the steel industry mean higher steel prices, which in turn means fewer sales of American steel products around the world and losses of far more jobs than are saved.

• The word 'racism' is like ketchup. It can be put on practically anything - and demanding evidence makes you a 'racist.'

• Wishful thinking is not idealism. It is self-indulgence at best and self-exaltation at worst. In either case, it is usually at the expense of others. In other words, it is the opposite of idealism.

Mark

©Googtoon - Life • Popular Culture • Politics • Entertainment • Public Figures

Mark Jordan Photography

Orange County Family Portraits

Orange County Headshots

Never Forget? Why Not "Always Remember"?

I hear so much talk of late to "Never Forget!" - yet for all it's bravado, such commanding messages do little, if anything, to help us actually remember. When's the last time you demanded yourself not to do something, which did not quickly degenerate into one failure after another? If such affirmations in the negative lack power to influence our own life, what sort of efficacy do you think they unleash upon an entire culture?

Never Forget? Affirmations stated in the Negative practically guarantee the opposite result.

Lest you think I'm a knit-picker, let me explain by way of a lesson on life I learned way back in 1981.

I had just picked up my first camera and was beginning to envision that a natural talent for seeing light could develop into a career. As I began to study photography I quickly grasped that merely excelling at my craft would not be enough - I needed to acquire not only savvy business sense, but a different way of looking at the world. Subsequently I was introduced to Nightingale Conant self-improvement materials, where I studied under such luminaries Brian Tracy, Denis Waitley and Zig Ziglar.

Brian Tracy, Denis Waitley & Zig Ziglar - Luminaries of Nightingale Conant

Though the insight I gained was fascinating and fresh, something Denis Waitley said spoke to me more than any other. It was like placing a powerful, wooden ship's wheel in the hands that directed my rudder...you get the idea. In short, it promised an auspicious change of direction. It did, from that moment on.

What did Waitley say that altered my life so? It was a matter of focus.

As a the principle photographer and owner of Mark Jordan Photography in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, focus has been a primary objective of my occupation. Along the way I’ve been fortunate to earn the trust of the wonderful people here in Orange County, all the while practicing my particular style of focus for over three decades. Hopefully, this affords me a modicum of credibility with what I'd like to share.

Over the years I’ve related my story (actually an exercise of sorts) to thousands of photographers and friends throughout the country. It was out of Waitley's insights where I made a few extrapolations, and in the process created an object lesson. Please know that though my message has primarily been delivered to audiences of professionals, it is relevant to any person, regardless of station in life or religious perspective.

During a pivotal moment in my lecture (usually about thirty minutes before lunch), I direct my audience’s attention to the red strip of three-inch gaffers tape in front of my podium. The tape is affixed to the carpet and running the width of the first row of seats.

After giving everyone an opportunity to verify the presence of gaffers tape, I quickly ask how many of them believe they could, if asked, walk atop the tape, from beginning to end. And just as quickly as I ask, I see a sea of outstretched arms and open hands. I also hear a flurry of comments such as, "Piece of cake," "Slam dunk!" and "No problem!"

Tape-Walk - What's Your Focus?

This reaction is the same each and every time I pose the question: unanimity! Everyone, on every single occasion, is thoroughly convinced they could successfully traverse the thin red line. However, accompanying such banter as “it’s a breeze," "duck soup," and "no-brainer,” I also detect a tinge of suspicion - "What’s the catch?"  They'll soon see.

So then, you might be wondering, do I give them an opportunity to prove their self-confidence? You bet I do. I waste no time in getting everyone on their feet and to the front of the room. A line forms, some without shoes/socks, while others disburden themselves of any article that might hinder them on their 30 foot schlep. The only direction I give them is walk upon the tape from one end to the other. At the sound of my bell, their trek begins.

In all the years I've conducted this exercise I don’t recall a single person ever stumbling or going askew. As you might have guessed, my audiences are supremely justified in their blusters. They are successful at achieving their goal, 100% of the time.

As to their wariness regarding the intention of my exercise, they are about to be right again. The “catch” is right around the bend.

After returning to their seats, I immediately prompt them to discuss the components of their tape walk and describe any special techniques employed in its execution. Regardless of my probing, the answers are pretty much the same. Paraphrasing now: “we looked at the tape and put one foot in front of the other - it couldn't be easier”

No big surprise. After all, what is there to say? I mean, how easy can it be? You look down, you see the path, and you walk on it. No apparent obstacles or negative consequences for failure. Their attention is fixed on the task before them and they perform it flawlessly. They were right – it is a piece of cake.

Next, I ask them if they found it all peculiar that in the descriptions of their walk no one mentioned or referred to the carpet in any fashion. At no time, as in NEVER, did I hear anyone, not once, ever mention a word about the carpet. Why?

The resulting conversation inevitably and invariably is comprised of phrases about the utter lack of relevance to the task. They weren’t charged with gazing at the carpet but rather the thin red line. Therefore, what possible concern was it of theirs?

Little did they know the answer to this question would soon redefine the way they not only approached their craft, as photographers, but also how they viewed life and their response to the unlimited challenges it presents.

I continue: “Since you all feel this exercise is so effortless, do you think it would alter the degree of difficulty if I increased the distance of the tape? Say 100 feet? 500 yards? A mile?” Their answer, no matter to what length I offer to extend it, always comes back a resounding “No!” In other words, we have clearly establish that distance is not a factor to a successful walk upon the red tape.

Additionally, my audiences affirm that the only obstacle that could interfere with any length I might stipulate is hunger, thirst or a potty-break. It's at this point I take a break for all three, giving them ample time to refresh themselves and to mull over what is in store for them next.

About an hour later they return to find the room as they left it. Nothing's changed in the slightest. The tape too is as it was. Everyone agrees. Same carpet. Same tape. Same expectation: walk on the tape from beginning to end. "Except now," I tell them, "we were going to walk the tape back and forth, multiple times - merely to prove your conviction that length is truly not an issue."

Tape-Walk at South Rim of Grand Canyon

As they rise to their feet to again walk the line, I make one, very tiny exception to their expectation: “As you come forward, I have a little confession to make. I've got a 747 waiting at the airport for us all to board. It's going to whisk us away to Arizona, where we will then hop on a buss and take a quick ride to Arizona's most visited and treasured landmark - the Grand Canyon. When we arrive at the south rim, you're going to notice my red tape is also waiting for you there. Except this time...and here's the catch you've been expecting...besides the red tape being just a tad longer, it will be also be extended over the deepest gorge of canyon."

6,000 feet & 10 mile long Tape-Walk - "Piece of Cake"

A slide of their impending Tape Walk is then projected on a screen. All advances to the stage come to an abrupt halt.

“Please, there's no need to worry. Though your ten mile bridge will be hovering over a chasm of six thousand feet, I guarantee it will maintain a rigid, inflexible form to ensure a sturdy and enjoyable stroll."

Yet another slide appears.

"The width will also remain a whopping three inches, which you all agree is so effortless to traverse. The color will also retain it's bright hue to facilitate recognition and contrast from the canyon floor…” After a long silent pause, “Any takers?”

Whoosh! The sound of derrieres taking their seat is predictable. But why?

"Okay," I ask, "how about if I offer an incentive of cash? $1,000? $5,000? Anyone game at $10,000? Wow, no one? How about $100,000? Still no one? Hmm, what's going on here?"

Obviously, something has changed. The discussion that follows, though different in intensity and route, always gets us to the same conclusion. There was nothing to lose while walking on the carpet, but over the Grand Canyon, their very lives are at stake. No amount of money is worth risking their collective lives.

The really important question has yet to be asked. "So folks, let us return to the topic that began our little object lesson - focus!"

"When you were walking on the tape here in front of my podium, what was your primary focus?"

As expected, they always answer correctly: the tape! In fact when I then ask how it was none them mentioned a word about the carpet, they all repeat that it was irrelevant. The only vital aspect to their goal was focusing on the tape. "So then," I lean in,  "why is it when the tape is extended over the Grand Canyon are you so suddenly turning your focus on the canyon floor? What changed?"

I then present/write two words for their consideration: one is achieve, and the other is avoid. Without saying a word, I stare into everyone's face. I look back at the two words and then back to their faces. As the relevance slowly becomes clearer, the discussion gets louder.

"Who among you will admit they've told themselves something like, 'I never want to be like my mother!'? What happened?" Laughter ensues. "Did you ever stop to think why it is you became just like her?"

When we cite our heart's desire in the negative (i.e. what we want to avoid), we connect our synapses to the myriad of elements we DON'T WANT - and instead of corralling the essential attributes to make our dreams come true, we program our mind to become or acquire exactly that of which we focused our intent. I kindly suggest reflecting on this a bit.

A vital truth about the human mind is that is does discern positive from negative, only that what it's been programed to observe and search out. And what we focus upon is what we receive in return. Thus why you've heard it said, "Keep your eyes on the prize, not the obstacle." A good corollary to this is, "Attitude is everything - pick a good one."

In the example of vowing to never be like one's mother, when programed in the negative, the unsuspecting soul is set off upon a journey to identify the primary characteristics most disliked about mother. Subsequently, they are in effect programing themselves to be just like her. Not exactly a prescription for success.

So then, where does this leave us? In my lectures we reexamine the words Achieve and Avoid. This is done in relation to the type of behavior we employ in our daily lives. Achieving oriented or avoidance? Do we articulate our desires in phrases designed to avoid (fear based), or do we express our goals in terms of what we are most earnest in achieving (trust based).

I then wrap it all up by emphasizing the catalyst in the equation, Focus. In the Tape Walk, an Achieving behavior talks about walking on the red tape, then keeps their eyes affixed to it. On the other hand, Avoidance behavior states something like "do not fall off tape" while staring at that they wish to avoid - the carpet or chasm below. Both behaviors, staying on the tape or falling off, will be successful, as both are focusing on what they've programed their mind to perform or seek out.

What behavior will help you reach your goals? Avoiding or Achieving? Where is your Focus aimed?

At the risk of belaboring the point, there are two fundamental components to focus:

1. Delineate precisely upon that you want to look.
2. Define precisely every element in your view.

In summary, to increase one's odds of succeeding in any area of life, it's vital to express our desires in the positive - what we hope to do, not what we wish to avoid. Once we've clearly articulated our dreams, we must then direct our gaze, our focus, on precisely that what we wish to accomplish. Having established our focus, the rest is a matter of practice.

The next time you hear your self-talk nagging not to eat fatty foods, you'll quickly replace it with focusing on the foods that will make for a healthier you. It won't be but a few weeks where your mind will have been reprogrammed to seek out more nutritious foods. Same goes for when your significant other has left the house for the umpteenth time without their ____________. Screaming at them to not forget will only exacerbate the undesired behavior. Next time, try a different approach, "Honey, please remember to take your _____________?"

When your teenager is running out the door on a Friday night, rather than reciting a litany of behaviors not to do, simply give them a single overriding principle they can easily recall. We reminded our kids to "Please God" (which was soon shortened to just PG!). Sure, it's no guarantee they'll actually emulate godly behavior, but at least they won't be focusing on the itemized list of bad behaviors we've just implanted in their brain. We used to tell them to Have Fun, but soon discovered they had no trouble with that directive. Be Good, was also an option, however, "good" was open for too many untended interpretations...

So then, what does all this have to do with 9/11 and the terrorist attack on the Twin Towers? I too prefer that the world never forgets. But the best way to accomplish this is not by shouting "Never Forget" - but rather "___________ ___________!" I'll allow you to fill in the blank (psst, the blank fillers are in the title of this blog).

Mark

©Googtoon - Life • Popular Culture • Politics • Entertainment • Public Figures

Mark Jordan Photography

Orange County Family Portraits

Orange County Headshots