Once You're Lucky, Twice You're Good

If you are thinking of starting a Web 2.0 company, you should probably read Once You're Lucky, Twice You're Good: The Rebirth of Silicon Valley and the Rise of Web 2.0 by Sarah Lacy.

The book shows how the rules have changed since the crash a few years ago. Thanks to open source technology, broadband and more net users, companies like Facebook didn't need a ton of VC money to get started. The book covers how people like Mark Zuckerberg (founder of Facebook) and others had the advantage of mentors who made many mistakes back in the 90's and were determined not to let them suffer the same fate.

Besides Zuckerberg, the book covers several other entrepreneurs of past and present. It seems that you can't keep a good entrepreneur down. Marc Andreessen of Netscape fame is back with Ning, as well as Max Levchin of PayPal who is now running Slide.

The Nontrepreneur

"Evan simply didn't know if he was up for it. He was part of this new breed of creative Web nontrepreneur. He wasn't the world's best coder. He didn't like being the CEO. He just liked coming up with the idea ..."

Besides the enterpreneurs, I found the chapter titled The Nontrepreneur fascinating. It covers people like Evan Williams (Blogger - the software I'm using to post this) who is the total opposite of Zuckerberg. It sounds like he'd like to live comfortably like the rest of us, living off his creations. But he doesn't have the need to build a multi-billion dollar platform. Kevin Rose of Digg fame is somewhere in between. This contrast of personalities helps round out the book.

Director's Label Series Boxed Set - The Works of Spike Jonze, Chris Cunningham, and Michel Gondry

Björk - All is Full of Love
Directed by Chris Cunningham

Since several well known directors got their start doing music videos, I decided to do a little research. While surfing Amazon I found a great resource: Director's Label Series Boxed Set - The Works of Spike Jonze, Chris Cunningham, and Michel Gondry.

The video above is by Chris Cunningham. He is best known for Madonna's Frozen video, as well as the "orgiastic" Aphex Twin video Come To Daddy (not for the timid!) - both on his DVD. The DVD also contains a behind-the-scenes look at the Björk video as well as some other "video installations."

Spike Jonze is best known for directing Being John Malkovich. He also directed a couple of infamous Fat Boy Slim videos. One video features Christopher Walken dancing to "Weapon of Choice". Another features a dance troupe from Torrance dancing outside a theater to "Praise You." The DVD also contains a behind the scenes look at the Torrance group getting ready to perform at the MTV Awards.



Chemical Brothers - Let Forever Be
Directed by Michel Gondry

Michel Gondry is best know for directing Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. His videos will leave you scratching your head wondering "How did he do that???"

With a large collection of music videos, commentary, behind the scenes and extras - I found the DVD's a great resource.