Alec Saunders SquawkBox

The papers have been talking a lot about the Al Gore documentary on global warming, An Inconvenient Truth. This morning’s Ottawa Citizen had a three page(!) article, and multiple sidebar articles.  This write up from the Sydney Film Festival in Australia is particularly good.  

Anyway, the movie is playing here in Ottawa, at the Bytown Cinema, until the 18th of June. We saw it, and have been discussing it all afternoon and over dinner. Some characterize this as a shockumentary, but to me it was relentlessly factual.  And so I say, wherever you are, go see this film.  This could be the turning point in the climate debate.  It’s that important, and it’s that good. And Gore, well, he’s wonderful - human, funny, persuasive.  America - would you had elected this man instead of Bush!

Here’s a Google link to more blog commentary.  A lot of it is like this:

From Australia: This is one of those films that ALL people should see, no matter which country they’re from.

From Greater Democracy: Who lost the Environment? Who lost 8 precious years that could have made a real difference?

From LadyJayne’s Blog: “An Inconvenient Truth” shows that it’s not too late to make progressive, effective, and constructive change in this country in terms of our political, moral, and natural environment, a change that will be positive for us, and the planet, too.

 

So Scoble’s leaving Microsoft.  That’s the buzz this morning.  Some have been pretty critical of Microsoft for letting him go, and Robert answers those critics with a spirited defense.  He says “Career decisions are personal and opportunity and growth require thinking about a lot of different things, not just one or two.”  Amen! I’ll bet they did move heaven and earth to keep him, contrary to what the critics say.  Microsoft doesn’t let its stars go easily, and they make it very easy for them to come back, if / when some discover they’ve made a mistake. 

Robert’s biggest asset is the Robert Scoble brand.  The bet he’s making is that he can transfer that brand to another company. In some ways his growth from a highly respected corporate blogger into a media personality seems inevitable to me.

You’re a class act, Robert.  Good luck in your new home.