President Obama lamented Sunday that "with iPads and iPods," information has become a distraction that is putting new pressures on the U.S.A. and "democracy."

"’You’re coming of age in a 24/7 media environment that bombards us with all kinds of content and exposes us to all kinds of arguments, some of which don’t always rank all that high on the truth meter,’ Obama said at Hampton University, Virginia," Reuters reports. "’With iPods and iPads and Xboxes and PlayStations, — none of which I know how to work — information becomes a distraction, a diversion, a form of entertainment, rather than a tool of empowerment, rather than the means of emancipation,’ Obama said."

‘All of this is not only putting new pressures on you, it is putting new pressures on our country and on our democracy… We can’t stop these changes… but we can adapt to them,’ Obama said, adding that US workers were in a battle with well-educated foreign workers. ‘Education… can fortify you, as it did earlier generations, to meet the tests of your own time,’ he said."

The current information flow – more tidal wave – is going to place a premium on new tools and techniques. Where we once thought the network would be the ultimate filter, it’s already proving not to be the case.

Stowe flags, with some merit, that there are bigger fish to fry right now.

I glanced at her and took my glasses
off—they were still singing. They buzzed
like a locust on the coffee table and then
ceased. Her voice belled forth, and the
sunlight bent. I felt the ceiling arch, and
knew that nails up there took a new grip
on whatever they touched. "I am your own
way of looking at things," she said. "When
you allow me to live with you, every
glance at the world around you will be
a sort of salvation." And I took her hand.

William Stafford, in honor of National Poetry Month

Great example of how we are driving green at Dell…

I’m not so sure. I’m a true fan of many brands. And man, the temptation is like nothing else when you are one. But normally logic prevails. Most people I know seem to be like that.

So why I buy the idea that building true fans – fans with no likely barriers to purchase – should be a mission for any marketer, I don’t buy they will actually do that. The true metric of a true fan, IMHO, isn’t the propensity to purchase but rather their propensity to promote.

That’s what makes net promoter one of today’s most important business metrics. And yes, they might drive 200 miles to see you sing… they just might not buy the albumn. The goal then is to convert them to buyers, sponsors and supporters.

So, the idea of true fans is a really powerful one. And Tim is right, this is critical reading for any marketer. And, we all ought to strive for 1,000 true fans.

All it takes is a lone nut to create a leader… and for followers to coalesce and create a movement.  Nurture your first followers as equals. Leadership is overvalued when compared to followers. It’s the followers that matter.

Thanks for inspiration Gerry…. Brilliant!