There Is No Box

Have you seen FX Networks’ new branding efforts?

They ditched the klieg lights from the logo and have adopted the slogan: “There is No Box.” The TV spots are so innovative – I love them. It might be the best network branding since NBC first used the Peacock in 1956. Brilliant.

Planet Earth

When Discovery Channel began airing Planet Earth in March of last year, I was sure to be home every Sunday night for the 11-part mini-series. Billed as “the definitive look at the diversity of our planet,” the documentary was shot almost entirely in high-definition – something that has never been attempted before. I sat in my living room every Sunday night, in awe at the beauty of our planet.

Recently, I purchased the DVD box set, and have started to re-watch the various episodes. I continue to sit in amazement at the intricateness and stunning magnificence of the world that we live in. I can’t help but revel in it’s splendor, it’s diverse wildlife, incredible geological formations and vast expanses. In fact, it has helped me in being creative – to see all that creation – it’s expanded the way I am thinking about the tasks ahead of me.

Being Wrong

I just watched the Iconoclasts pairing of the former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and actor Ashley Judd. It was a rather moving episode because both women are so deeply passionate about humanitarian causes and seeing change in the world. Both Madame Albright, through various organizations (The Albright Group, National Democratic Institute, to name a few), and Ms. Judd, with Population Services International have affected great change throughout developing countries. I was amazed at how inspiring these two women are. One specific learning I received from the episode, was Madame Albright’s ability to look back on her career, and evaluate the times she was wrong. She talked about how she has learned from those times – and does not shy away from admitting that she has made mistakes. Specifically, she mentions the genocide in Rwanda. Madame Albright is frank about the UN and US’ shortcomings in responding to the catastrophic and horrific events. Her insight was so valuable – she deeply stressed the importance of admitting when you are or have been wrong, and then growing from that.

Learning from Iconoclasts

Robert Redford’s Sundance Channel is constantly impressing me with its refreshing and provocative programming. One of my favorite series on the channel is a series Mr. Redford himself created – Iconoclasts. The series pairs two icons – people who are innovators and pioneers in their respective fields – and paints a unique picture of creative visionaries. Entering its third season, Iconoclasts has had such pairings as dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov and chef Alice Waters; media mogul Sumner Redstone and producer Brian Grazer; designer Tom Ford and artist Jeff Koons; and other creative forces.

Each show has provided me with incredible learnings from a myriad of brilliant minds. My thinking has been challenged in so many ways – whether it be an artist deepening my thinking on how I express myself, a dancer expanding my ideas on creative collaboration, or a poet reframing my view of words – I thoroughly enjoy learning through this avenue and will probably write much more about this series in the future.

Download Season 2 here (iTunes).