http://www.aliyaleekong.com/

For my foodies. I, myself, have been learning how to cook. However, my Marcus Samuelsson book is not very user friendly for an inspired novice. Aliya (on the other hand) is beautiful and makes DIY dishes. She is very passionate about cooking, and even more so about the cultural importance that cooking has on all of our lives. Stimulate your senses and visit her blog. Know her name, love her star.

A few words from Aliya:

For me, the restaurant, travel, and lifestyle aspects I describe create the story line – the why and how for the dishes I develop. They will span the gamut from a stage at a Michelin-starred restaurant in Europe to an interesting local bodega in Crown Heights, Brooklyn or a unique photographer of indigenous people to exploring spice bazaars in North Africa.

I come from a multi-cultural upbringing – Indian, Pakistani, East African, and, of course, American – and I am constantly influenced by the cultures I encounter. I would say my style of cooking is American, signifying that American cuisine is subject to interpretation, to personal reinvention. My food honors my American sensibilities and simultaneously pays homage to the flavors and traditions of a variety of ethnicities.

I love this because it is NYC RIGHT NOW. The video is something I hope to show my kids one day. Maybe another city can do their version?

A crowd sourced creative collaboration series by Lemon Andersen and Rik Cordero

What should we do next? We’ll listen.

Visit http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Imp…

Welcome To The Imperial” is a 1-minute viral video from Brooklyn born spoken word poet and actor, Lemon Andersen and Queens-bred filmmaker, Rik Cordero to the millions of New York City basketball fans. It features a mixture of Rik’s eye for iconic New York City sights and faces seamlessly combined with the richness of Lemon’s poetry. In essence, the Big Apple exerts a powerful influence over those who live here and those who play here. Welcome To The Imperial…

“…It represents two artists on their way to the throne. It’s Majestic. It’s us. Now when you hear “Welcome To The Imperial” you will hear our stamp.” – Lemon

“…What we’ve done only scratches the surface of what Lemon and I are capable of but ultimately we achieved our goal with Imperial: to visually capture the essence and magic and complexity of New York City.” – Rik

Jets  x Taylor Gang-

Can you partner with the movement?

Sincerely,

Kenji Summers

Gilbere Forte is on another level. WOW. This guy’s music has blown me away.

Listen to his music at Band Camp.

Note: I am 3 months late on posting this, but I thought it was still relevant. Thanks Marvel.

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When Facebook announced its decision to switch from the “Become A Fan” button to the “Like” button, there was a lot of backlash. Many viewed the change as a something that will hurt the connections brands had built with users.

There were some valid arguments supporting that position such as: It is more powerful to be a fan of a brand than to like a brand.

Yet these arguments were premature. Recently, the F8 Developer Conference was held. At the conference, Mark Zuckerberg gave the keynote speech which was focused on Facebook’s Social Plugins, specifically the new “Like” button. He began by hailing what he was about to share as the biggest thing Facebook has ever given to the web developer community (paraphrasing). I deem that statement as correct.

So why is the “Like” button so awesome? Simple answer: it attempts to allow every website to be personalized for each user* whether or not they have ever been on the website before.

How does it do this, you ask?

If a website has added the code for the Facebook’s social plugin on their website, Facebook will track the activity of a visiting user*. For instance, if I am on Pandora.com and I “Like” a bunch of bands. That will be recorded onto my Facebook page and my Facebook cookie. If I go onto Yelp.com and I review a few restaurants that will also be recorded onto my Facebook page and my Facebook cookie.

Now here is the awesome part. When I then head over to CNN.com, which has already integrated Facebook’s Social Plugins, CNN will know what restaurants I reviewed and what bands I “Liked.” With this information, despite the fact that I am not signed in, CNN can customize my experience. Using the knowledge gained through the social plugin, they can give me content more personalized to my interests. Or at least that is the hope.

This is going to be my weekend:

Scotiabank Caribana Festival Launch from T-Square Media on Vimeo.

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Let’s connect.

The future is at it again. S/O to the big bro George 2.0.

Advertisers: Send an RFP to MetaThinQ, you won’t be disappointed,  I wasn’t. #PassportProject or watch TV.

I started this blog with different interview series, such as Tastemakers and Bright Future (see Interviews). Now I give you Interwebs Famous.

Brian Moore is a smartly dressed chap that is interning at BBH NY this summer within our Barn program. He decided to crowdsource his dating–leaving the people of the interwebs to choose who he dates. (Visit DatingBrian.com to see where the project lives. For (near) real time updates about the social experiment check @DatingBrian). Becoming interwebs famous is not easy, and I doubt we have heard the last from Mr. Moore (and his amazing two team members involved in the project). While you ponder about how you can become internet famous, watch my exclusive (part 1 of 3) interview with Brian.

Press:

Gothamist

AdWeek

NY Daily News

Village Voice

Social experiments make the world go round. Get out and do one for yourself. You can check a few of my own if you want some inspiration.

“We have created something called the collective brain…we are the neurons” – Matt Ridley

Reminds me of the concept of C.G. Jung‘s collective unconscious.