The popular worn-out look in jeans is part of a 100 billion dollar global jeans industry that hides from public scrutiny and takes advantage of our ignorance. I recently watched a documentary about an ongoing issue in the denim production industry shown on Al Jazeera. The film was released in March 2015 and focuses on the…
Kobe’s Estate & Nike: The intersect of Charity and Business
On March 24, over two years after the tragic passing of Kobe, Gianna and seven others, Vanessa Bryant, on behalf of Kobe’s estate, announces the reconciliation of the Nike and Kobe partnership, with 100% net proceeds from an upcoming Gianna’s shoe going towards Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation (M&MSF). As many can see, the resale…
It’s not Charity! Don’t Ask for Self-Isolation
Asking for self-isolation or social distancing is equivalent to asking for a donation. You are appealing to the sense of good in people and the notion that everyone will follow in this path is admirable but naïve. To flatten the curve of the coronavirus, we ask for social isolation. We ask, not demand, in so…
Dear Global Icon – Thank You Kobe
Kobe is the first great global basketball icon to pass. Jordan, Magic, Bird, Lebron, Curry and all the other icons that we now know around the world are still young. We have the naive expectation that they will be around for a long time. And that’s why it hurts so much to hear of his…
Should we treat non-profits like for-profits? Understanding the people in charity.
Non-profits address a wide range of socio-economic issues and most of us can agree that they should hold an important place in society. These organizations operate in niches that provide assistance or advocacy for causes that the public would not know how to address. They are a vessel where people can contribute time and money…
Speaking About Legacy with a World Record Holder
Yesterday, I met Rich, a 68 year-old man who has run over 700 marathons in his life, most of them after he retired. His much younger wife, who is 50, sometimes joins him and runs half-marathons and she has done a few hundred. Rich is fundraising a world record-breaking marathon for our charity and…
Pura Vida – the essence of Costa Rica
Pura Vida. The two words were uttered at the uncomfortable end to a forced conversation between four aging gentlemen and myself. Recognizing the Canadian flag I displayed proudly on my backpack, they asked about my travels – an innocent question that I was happy to answer. “I am a philosopher, you know. I am a…
Tamarindo: Costa Rica’s Surf and Party Town
It is oddly peaceful at night on the beach. I could only see a few silhouettes in the distance, towards the north end and far out of earshot. There are only a few thousand tourists in the small town of Tamarindo during the wet season (the slow season), which still far outnumbers the locals. An…
The Impulsive Trip: Landing in Liberia
After two delays, I finally arrived in the city of Liberia in the Guanacaste Province – the northwestern region of Costa Rica known for lively rainforests and magnificent beaches. Liberia is one of Costa Rica’s two main entry points by air, the other being the more urbanized San Jose. I had chosen to land in…
And Away I Go – My Impulsive Trip
I’m at my computer and its past midnight. I should be packing, researching and sleeping, in that order. Instead, my tired eyes are glued to the screen and I’m getting my thoughts down before leaving for 10 days in Costa Rica. Just yesterday, I secured my tickets. It was a quick decision, perhaps rash, but…
National Geographic – Understanding Brand
Whenever I come across a piece that claims to be introspective, I tend to put on a different lens when reading through it. With great difficulty, I try to suspend my judgment until reading the entire piece, with an emphasis on the word “try”. I was inspired to write this post on an article from National…
Content Creation Monsters – Logan Paul’s YouTube Disaster
Oh boy, one day into 2018 and we’ve already got a viral disaster. Logan Paul shot a vlog that included a recent suicide and his reaction was completely inappropriate. I’ve taken a day to think about the entire scandal and what it means to me and I think the entire industry of content creating. Let…
The Scandalous Atrocities of NCAA Basketball
In the wake of a number of scandals that are being investigated regarding college athletics, focusing on the concept of the “student-athlete” (I use the “student” half loosely here), one can’t help but wonder to the purpose of maintaining such a system. At best, the NCAA is a corrupt system that needs radical measures to…
Clever Trev 