Conformists Open Road-New Social Media Puritans-Podcast 729

Do you believe in individual freedom? These days governments, institutions and big companies act as though they make the rules. Most of all when it comes to rights. Learn why I say this in Conformists Open Road-New Social Media Puritans-Podcast 729.

A Post About The Republican Convention Is A No No?

I covered the state republican convention in Duluth, Minnesota. My post included a title referring to the Minnesota Republican Party and a photo I took of conventioneers. No political advertising in the podcast or post. In addition, I don’t do political advertising. Podcast 728 is an account of the convention and my observations about what I saw.

It is pure citizen journalism.

Blocked From Advertising

Podcast 728 got great response on social media, so I decided to advertise it. I was shocked when FaceBook blocked me from boosting that post.

Change Your Settings and Conform

Moreover Podcast 728 could not be advertised unless I changed The Bob Davis Podcasts FaceBook page settings to allow for ‘political advertising’. If I did this, all my boosted posts would contain a warning. Find out about it in Conformists Open Road-New Social Media Puritans-Podcast 729.

Maybe Artificial Intelligence Isn’t That Intelligent

I was not silenced by FaceBook but their silly rules did prevent me from promoting. What’s more I have the impression this review was conducted by robots rather than humans. If they actually reviewed my content any reasonable human would conclude the post was not political advertising. What FaceBook is doing is violating the 1st amendment rights of news organizations and citizen journalists.

Take a look and see what you think.

Fear Of Offense Drives Silly Rules

Especially relevant is the question of what happens when you can’t advertise or talk about any subject because of the fear of offending someone.

God Forbid anyone might see something they disagree with!

Yeah the Internet is an open road. For conformists only.

Rugged Individualism? Don’t Make Me Laugh!

While politicians talk about rugged individualism there seems to be less of it.

These days it’s rigged collectivism.

FaceBook Is The New K-Mart

In conclusion rules and regulations and blocks do not make for a free exchange of ideas. It is most noteworthy that content creators find ways around these rules anyway.

Microsoft used to be the software King Kong. Better companies and better ideas eventually eclipsed the Seattle Giant.  The lesson? Bad service and silly rules are a recipe for failure. Big Social Media is vulnerable to competitors that innovate and promote free speech.

What Do You Do When You Are On An Open Road?

Sometimes following the rules is the worst thing you can do.

Sponsored by Ryan Plumbing and Heating of Saint Paul

Conformists Open Road-New Social Media Puritans-Podcast 729


 

Farewell Boy Scouts America-Podcast 724

The Boy Scouts of America recently changed its name. The reason? Scouts USA will admit girls. These days a decision like that can kick off a firestorm of criticism. There’s even a new Christian alternative to the Boy Scouts. For my best friends and I, BSA was all about camping. We’ll talk about it in Farewell Boy Scouts America-Podcast 724.

Best Friends Like None Other

I had two best friends growing up. Both of them invited me into the Boy Scouts. The other day one of them texted me, concerned that the Boy Scouts would not admit girls. “Are you gonna do a podcast about that?”, he wondered. I said I didn’t think so. The idea of a podcast about changes in our social institutions though, stuck with me.

Summer Memories

Especially relevant is how summer brings back memories. It’s warm already in Minnesota and that makes me think about my best friends, camp outs, summer camp and fun. For us, that’s what the Boy Scouts were. So I’ll share some stories about our campouts in Farewell Boy Scouts America-Podcast 724.

Nonconformist Scoutmaster

What’s more, as I researched and thought about this podcast I realized how important our scoutmaster was to all of us. It’s not what you’d expect. Our scoutmaster and the men who watched over us were anything but conformists.

No Patience For Rules and Regulations in 1970’s America

As world war two vets, our scoutmasters weren’t about to take crap from anyone. Moreover, they didn’t have much patience for bureaucracy, rules and regulations. What they did was make sure we were safe, had a good time, and took care of each other. They also stood up for us, celebrated us and had our back. In Farewell Boy Scouts America-Podcast 724.

Changing Institutions

Most noteworthy to this podcast is the idea that institutions like the Boy Scouts are changing. Crumbling even. There’s no shortage of criticism for ‘Scouts USA’ from commentators who make sure to tell the reader they were Eagle Scouts and went on to Explorers. We didn’t. In fact we thought ‘Super Scouts’ were kind of weird.

Friends For Life

For us it was all about camping and the kind of friendship none of us will have again. I think it was that way with our scoutmasters and the fathers of the kids who came to the campouts too. For me, I don’t mind leaving it all behind and keeping those times as memories. As Stephen King once wrote, “I never had friends later on like the ones I had when I was 12. Jesus. Does anyone?”

My sentiments exactly.

Was it the Boy Scouts? Or was it us?

Sponsored by Ryan Plumbing and Heating Of Saint Paul

Farewell Boy Scouts America-Podcast 724


 

Flight Dreams And Inspiration At EAA OSH17-Podcast 651

Where do you draw your inspiration? Where do your dreams come from? What pushes you to keep going. These days, none of us have an easy task. Some days you’re just grinding it out. We’re talking about inspiration in Flight Dreams And Inspiration At EAA OSH17-Podcast 651.

You Don’t Have To Be A Pilot

Let me say it. I am not a pilot. My interest in this amazing event at Osh Kosh’s Wittman field started with Alpha Systems, a client and supporter of the Bob Davis Podcasts. One of my passions is history. History lives everywhere you look here at OSH17.

The Essence Of What Makes A Great American Event

Listeners and subscribers wonder whether they should bring their kids to this event. What’s it like? Think of the AirVenture show like a well run state fair, where everyone is focused on one idea. For me, this is the essence of what makes a great American Event. In Flight Dreams And Inspiration At EAA OSH17-Podcast 651.

A Dream That Inspires

Flying is like a dream. Clearly it’s a dream for the people who fly. It’s also a dream for those who come to these shows. We all wonder, “What’s it like up there?”. For me though, it’s history that inspires. Whether it is homebuilders, ultra-lights, warbirds, and especially the vintage planes that made so much history in the United States in the 1920’s and 1930’s before World War II.

You hear a lot of talk these days about the political process. What ‘they’re’ doing in the state capitol, or Washington DC. Lots of head shaking and concern.

One of the things that inspires me about this event is the evidence of pilots, engineers and dreamers who focused on their passion. People who made huge contributions to the world through flight. In Flight Dreams And Inspiration At EAA OSH17-Podcast 651.

Don’t Let It Bring You Down

Yes things are changing. Fast. You can see each generation’s contributions flying over your head, parked on the field, or in the exhibition hangers. Some are worried about their personal future. Others have concern about the future of the country. When you come here you realize it’s always been that way and yet, inspired people still made great contributions.

My Airstrip In The Desert

Podcasting is my air strip in the desert. Mobile Podcast Command is my old plane. When you do something that is so new it can be difficult to get businesspeople to understand. Sometimes you wonder why you do it at all. Then you come to an event like this. In Flight Dreams And Inspiration At EAA OSH17-Podcast 651.

Sponsored by Ryan Plumbing and Heating of Saint Paul.

Flight Dreams And Inspiration At EAA OSH17-Podcast 651