Worth reading

On iTunes, I recently came across one of the best TV documentaries I have ever seen: “America: The Story of Us” by History. It is an awesome 12 hour documentary depicting 400 years of US history from the first settlements in Jamestown to present-day America. What makes it so special is that it really brings across the heart of the American entrepreneurial spirit and the American self-reliant soul. If you are any interested in history or present-day politics, watch this. I promise, it will change the way you look at the US. (Actually, any so-called European intellectuals with very limited understanding of America should be forced to watch it.)

Apart from movingly bringing across the values of the American Dream and what makes the US so special in terms of entrepreneurial mindset, the documentary will teach you some great facts. Here are three of the many things I learned about American history:

• The invention of wire-mesh fences by a smart farmer killed the cowboys (BTW: who’s job was not shooting around wildy , but rather driving cattle north to first railroads.)
• The rapid installation of the telegraphing network helped Lincoln win the Civil War
• 2007 one in eight (!) Americans was born abroad.

One of the interviewees makes a great statement: “We are an optimistic people. We believe the future is our friend”. Who would say this about Europe or Germany where innovation & change are both constantly being fought against instead of actively engaging and shaping the future.

Get it on iTunes here (you’ll need an US iTunes account, easy to set-up, just google it). It’s split into 12 45-min episodes, which makes it hard-working people friendly.

There is also a free sneak preview available or watch this American TV trailer I found on youtube (the sneak on iTunes is better though):

Twitter-Gründer Evan Williams:

“Ein Unternehmen zu gründen ist, wie auf einer einsamen Insel zu stranden”, schreibt er auf seiner persönlichen Internetseite. Williams zählt in diesem “Blog” Parallelen auf: Man hat erst einmal keine Ahnung, wie groß die Insel ist oder welche Raubtiere es geben könnte. Man hat nur eine bestimmte Menge an Proviant mit sich, die reichen muss, bis man sich selbst versorgen kann. Jemand kann kommen, um die Insel zu erobern. Aber wenn man denn irgendwann erfolgreich ist, dann ist man der König in seiner eigenen gedeihenden Welt. Und wenn nicht, dann stirbt man eben – oder muss nach Hause gehen. “Wie dem auch sei, es ist ein Abenteuer, das Spaß macht”, resümiert Williams.”

via FAZ