karaoke capitalism

We live in the world of karaoke capitalism (KC) where individual choice is endless. But this costs, either cash or competence. In the economy of KC we need to face the ultimate choice: copy or create.

Karaoke copycats look alike - read alike - think alike. If everyone is thinking alike, then someone isn't thinking. For some people, probably the majority of the population, imitation is enough. We are Mr. and Mrs. Average.

We live in the world of individual. All over the world, people are beginning to exercise their right to express themselves even though no one is paying attention to anyone.

You may think life is full of chance. Let's face it. The game of chance is over. Individualism represents the triumph choice over control and the victory of selection over chance. Satisfaction is based on choice.

KC is not open to all however. Money talks and, you like it or not, shapes our lives. Please help ourselves to find meaning in moneymaking.

The democratization of information should not be mistaken for the democratization of power just like the democratization of luxury good should not mistaken for the democratization of tastes. Information makes real sense only when you are capable of understanding it. Power is transferred from those who control information to those who control knowledge.

Knowledge is perishable. You need to exploit your skills right now, or at the best moment. Today, there is a best-before-date on people and their skill.

More opportunities come with an increasing number of responsibilities. Power structure is being reshaped. Power is shifting from the rule-takers to the rule-breakers and rule-makers.

People do not dislike change, but being changed. To succeed, we need more, not fewer non-conformists.

Meaning is no longer given by state or church. Materialism rules. More than ever people seek self-expression and self-identity through their their purchases. The gap between haves and have nots is increasing between as well as within countries. It is increasingly difficult to have a life while also making a living.

Forget about normal. Abnormal is the new normal. Indeed, we live in a world of double economy, a binomial society, a polarized world of wealth and poverty, opportunity and misery, luxury and low-cost. Either you make an input or you become an output.

In the world of KC where virtuous and vicious realities are the alternatives on offer - capital and competence versus change; opportunities versus responsibilities; liberty versus duty; individual splendor versus loneliness.

Modern cosmocrats outsource the family to have more time to work. In Hong Kong, working parents tend to outsource day-to-day nurturing of their children to barely paid maids who virtually have no emotional and ethical connection with the family in general.

Do whatever you want, but make sure that you are really good at it - world-class. Competence will buy you choice.

Education boosts the depth of the skills needed while competition simultaneously decreases the durability of knowledge.

Stories translate information into emotion.

Technology doesn't make you less stupid; it just makes you stupid faster.

We gamble because our lives have become overly predictable and safe.

The 10 commandments of karaoke leadership:

1. Thou shalt not display your feathers to demonstrate your all around brilliance and beauty.

2. Thou shalt not walk unto the wilderness blindly, but open your eyes and those of others.

3. Thou shalt not count the pennies at every turn.

4. Thou shalt value values and live them purely and unequivocally every day.

5. Thou shalt loveth all and all will love you back

6. Thou shalt know the inner-most sanctums of your customers as well as your own backyard.

7. Thou shalt cast out the rule book of bureaucracy.

8. Thou shalt giveth out carrots as you would have carrots given to you.

9. Thou shalt not engage in acts of self-congratulation.

10. Thou shalt depart toward the door before you are forced or asked to do so.

Source: Jonas Ridderstråle and Kjell A. Nordström's Karaoke capitalism : daring to be different in a copycat world (Westport, Conn. : Praeger, 2005).