Lane Would

Yesterday I shared the only four technologies I would repurchase if I lost them.

Next up, the uniform I would select if I had to edit it down to just a few things for the rest of my life. This isn’t exhaustive, just the items I actually feel strongly about. I walk out the door with most of these things at least 70% of the time.

1. Apolis Standard Issue Civilian Blazer ($248) 2. HELM Railroad Revival Tour Boot ($395) 3. Property Of… Tommy Sports Pack ($300) 4. Goorin Bros Mick Bloom Fedora ($110) 5. J. Crew Timex® Vintage Field Army Watch ($150) 6. Warby Parker Sunglasses ($95) 7. FOUND MY ANIMAL Dog Leash ($55) 8. 3x1 M1 Jeans 9. Uniqlo Underwear ($12.90)

“We’re all designers.” - Mike Del Ponte, like 2 hours ago.

I was reminded today of something that I’ve felt for a while. The art of design isn’t reserved for top architects… we’re all actively designing, all the time. One of my clients, Soma, is always talking about this. Some of us are better than others, but we’re all designers, sculpting and curating and editing our way to the lifestyle we want.

I’ve spent a lot of time thinking through the things that I allow into my life. Products for my home and for my hair. Clothing and food. Tech and heirloom. In my mind, less is better… so if it makes the cut, it better be good, and hopefully solve a problem.

I thought I’d take a second and share them bit by bit.

Part 1: Tech Edition- Four things that I would actually buy again if I lost them.

1. iPhone 5 + Mophie

I include them both here because they’re (and we’re) never apart. If we discover that this causes cancer, my manhood is in trouble.

2. Sonos

Sonos EVERYWHERE. Syncs with about every music service you can imagine. Control from your phone/tablet/computer. Just plug them into the wall and go. The app is on my home screen. 

3. iPad Mini + Logitech Keyboard

I surprise myself at how much I use the iPad mini. I had the original iPad and used it maybe 10 times. The keyboard is a must, and it’s incredibly well designed (hat tip: Matt Galligan).

4. LSTN Headphones

My buddy Joe Huff just launched this company. Love the design and the sound.

———-

(Note: Although I have a laptop (13” Macbook Air)… I’m currently debating whether I can do without it.)

It’s time to call it, friends… Social Innovation is dead.

Don’t hate me yet. The idea is very much alive and thriving. But the phrase “Social Innovation” is just lame and inadequate. I’ve talked about this before, but the word “social” is just a whore of a word. It pairs with “media” and “entrepreneur.” Social hooks up with “pariah” and “butterfly” as easily as it does with “worker.” What a slut.

Reality is: when you mention the phrase “social innovation,” the natural assumption is (and will be for a long time) that you are speaking about “SOCIAL MEDIA.” I have good friends that still think that I run the Twitter account for the companies that I work with. I’ve given up trying to explain. I still get spam from social marketing companies trying to sell their product to my past employers.

Another issue that I have with the concept of Social Innovation, is that it has begun to feel exclusive to entrepreneurs that are building and running “for-purpose” companies, rather than including artists, musicians, philosophers and authors. The creative class has been left out of this innovation.

So I propose we admit defeat. Put a mark in the W column for social media and just let them have the word. I want something better. 

And I think we’re already close.

Word-Nerd Time

Social’s origins are pretty obvious: Society (English) -> Société (Old French) -> Societās (Latin for “fellowship”) -> socius (Latin for “companion”).

There’s no reason to abandon our term completely. What I want is a phrase that implies that we are working to move society forward in our own innovative ways. This is relational and communal. It’s collaborative and thoughtful. Full of fellowship and companions. 

Artists, Entrepreneurs, Moms, VCs, Botanists, DJs, Brand Experts, and social media gurus alike. Doing good in the world is not reserved for just a few. The opportunity to tap into your passions and strengths to push society forward is open to everyone.

And I’d like to call it Societal Innovation.

It’s a subtle yet important shift. You can feel the intentionality. 

Here’s to the masses of societal innovators wanting their life to matter.

Would love to hear your thoughts.

@lanewood

My Facebook News Feed is a minefield this week.

Growing up as a conservative christian cliché in Oklahoma, then moving to Nashville… then to NYC… then to Austin and back to NYC… and now to San Francisco, my position on marriage equality has evolved as much as my geographic position.

And although my views on the topic have changed dramatically, I know that some of my good friends have only deepened their roots in their belief one way or the other. By one group, I’m viewed as a heretic. By the other, an anti-gay sympathizer for not having an equal sign up as my profile photo. Genuinely, I’m trying to walk humbly down my own path of discovery while respecting anyone’s right to the same journey, with no bias of where it takes them. Because I know how hard it is to learn something new. 

Regardless of how one might feel… our country is not a theocracy. Morality is not co-opted by those who read the Bible and love is not co-opted by those who are attracted to people of the opposite sex.

There are four thoughts that I’d like to just throw out there:

1. We throw the prefix “Anti-” around too easily. Biased voices from both sides invent enemies and inspire hate through these four letters. Please stop using it. 

2. The battle is almost over. Same-sex marriage is going to be legalized and socially accepted. Fighting as though there is a chance to stop it is a waste of energy and human potential.

3. Getting this conversation out of politics is going to be healthy. It’s too polarizing. We’re genuinely talking about this issue as if there aren’t hurting people in the middle. This is now going to be a conversation for families and neighbors and friends.  

4. Give the gays a break. As the gay community finds their relationships on display, don’t get up in arms about every failed marriage and remember… the straight community hasn’t exactly set the bar too high.

With that being said, I’m genuinely excited to move beyond this conversation. At least in the form that it exists now. I’m less excited for the comments and texts I’ll get after I press “publish.” But I’m thrilled for my gay friends to be able to move forward in their commitment to each other.