• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content

Cris Anzai

Be Authentic

  • Home
  • About
  • Photos
  • Archive
  • Quotes
  • CORONAVIRUS

Blogging

Value Liberal Creativity

Value Liberal Creativity

by crisanzai · Mar 4, 2019

My 4-year-old daughter and I were playing barbie dream house with her massive collection of barbies one night (no shame) and I was astounded by her creativity.

As she grows older I realize these moments are fleeting, bittersweet. She won’t be the same age forever and the environment and times that I’ve grown up in (the dawn of the internet age), will be wildly different a few decades from now when she’s an independent adult.

As I sat there “pretending” to be the daughter of batwoman and an owner of a giant blue tyrannosaurus rex, I began daydreaming about my daughter’s future and what it possibly could look like.

While there’s a huge push for STEM in America right now (Science Technology, Engineering, Math), I think it’s important to not discount liberal arts and creativity or liberal creativity (a term I just made up, but fitting). As we advance in STEM I even think creativity and arts will be even more imporant.

We’re at the cusp of many great emerging technologies. Quantum computing and its applicaitons are just beginning to blossom. Machine learning and advanced AI systems are being deployed in big businesses. It’s only a matter of time those technologies will be very widespread and available. A lot of human capital in STEM fields won’t be required and will inevitably be replaced by machines.

I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with STEM education paths or careers. Rather, I’m pointing out that right now there’s a lot of value placed in those fields and not so much in the creative arts.

We’re going to eventually need people who think outside of the box, who think outside the bounds of science and technology. Even bridging the gaps between arts and sciences. Think of the enormously successful technology company Apple and its melding of art and technology.

And if my daughter wants to puruse one of the STEM fields, I’m 100% ok with that and will support her fully. But, if she’d like to be an artist, musician, writer, history major, I more than welcome and support that too. I’m just enjoying my daughter’s sense of wonder and imagination.

Filed Under: Blogging

Three Simple A’s of Great Content

Three Simple A’s of Great Content

by crisanzai · Mar 3, 2019

I’ve been reading a lot of blog articles lately – averaging around 25 a week (5 per day each weekday) for the last 4 months. It’s just become part of my morning routine. Many of these articles are amazing and some fall short. These blogs range in topics from photography, productivity, science, technology, and history.

The content that resonates with me the most all have three things in common.

Authority

Whether inherent or extrinsic, great authors write with authority. That doesn’t mean the author has to be the “end all be all” expert of the content, but the articles that typically add the most value have an air of authority. The writer whether or not an expert, will have solid arguements, vetted references, and personal experience. I find that most articles that I’m drawn to are pretty confident in what they are writing. In other words the content I’m drawn to won’t make me doubt it’s credibility.

Authenticity

I look for an authentic voice when reading articles. Sometimes content can be boring, because people keep regurgitating the same thing over and over again. I like to read articles with a unique and authentic voice, something different.

Out of the 400+ articles I’ve read recently, I’m put off the most with articles that intentionally try to sell me some product that I’m not particularly interested in. The title may be intriguing, captures my attention, but the content is inauthentic and almost deceptive. There’s a massive difference when you read something written from a perspective of a writer who’s persuading the reader of an arguement, vs a writer persuading the reader to buy something.

Actionability

All great content gives you something to do. Next steps, take-aways, whatever you want to call it, great content demands you to do something after you consume it. Whether it’s defined actions or even food for thought, everytime I read a great article I’m left with the feeling that I must take action.

Authority, Authenticity, and Actionability may not be the only elements to a great article, but it’s something I see time and time again after reading something of significant value. It’s a frame work in which I employ when I’m making a decision whether or not to read an article. Does the writer have authority over the subject? Is he writing from an authetic perspective? What value can I gain from reading the article and how can I apply it?

What do you look for when searching for great content?

Cover Image: by Angelina Litvin on Unsplash

Filed Under: Blogging

10 Week Blog Challenge

10 Week Blog Challenge

by crisanzai · Feb 18, 2019

Cover Photo by Kaleidico on Unsplash

One of my work buddies rallied together a group to participate in a 30 day blog challenge. Here we go again! Another blog challenge. I’ve really fallen off the bandwagon with posting blogs on a regular basis, these blog challenges help me write on a regular basis and motivate me to continue to write.

The Rules

  • Post 3 days a week for a total of 60 days: Starts Feb 17 ends April 27th
  • Post a link in the blogging challenge team’s channel when your article is live.
  • 1 comment on another person’s blog per week that requires a response
  • No paragraph blogs (just to check off the day)
  • Only 1 blog about the challenge itself (this will be my 1 blog)

Lessons learned from the last challenge


Photo by rawpixel on Unsplash

The number one thing I learned from the last blog challenge is that being accountable (having accountability) to a writing group is the best motivator for writing and publishing blog posts.

The Obliger in me demands the external accountability to get things done.

Posting 7 days a week was probably not the best idea. I ended up writing a ton more “filler” content during the blogtober challenge and I should’ve focused on poviding more value.

Things that have changed

WordPress released the new Gutenberg Editor in one of its updates late last year. That’s been a huge change. It feels and looks like Medium’s blog formats. I’m still getting used to the block formatting, but I think in the long run it will work out better than the old editor.

In the last challenge I used mostly original photographs in my posts. Although a valiant effort, sometimes the photos didn’t make sense (as it related to the article). I’ll be leveraging unsplash for most of the images on the blog posts moving forward and do my best to post images that are relevant to the article.

Blog Challenge Participants

  • https://jeremiahsloanblog.wordpress.com/
  • https://medium.com/@jaselanguasco
  • https://www.jasonscottmontoya.com/
  • https://jakehughes.home.blog/
  • https://oldbootsnewdirt.com

Filed Under: Blogging Tagged With: Blog Challenge, Blogging

Copyright © 2021 · No Sidebar Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in