Tod Maffin Rules The Universe

Tod Maffin Makes Books Obsolete

2010-08-23T20:09:00.000-07:00

Did you know that Tod has written a book?

No, wait.
That would be "book".

In Tod Maffin's world, there's books, and there's "books".

Write a long essay, save it as a PDF, and voila! you've written a "book"!

Tod Maffin The Blogger Has-Been

2010-06-10T16:22:00.000-07:00

FROM
http://www.podcastersacrossborders.com/2010/06/10/pab2010-speaker-profile-tod-maffin/

We asked Tod to answer five very important questions.

What is your best memory of creating media for other people to enjoy?

I think my best memory of creating media was during the CBC lockout some years back. I ran one of the popular blogs covering events around the lockout, bringing people on the line together, and hopefully bridging the communications gap between management and labour.

Which media creator has been most inspiring to you and why?

Ira Glass has been my most inspirational model for storytelling. His show (This American Life) is one of the few shows I know of which both follows a formula AND makes each show sound new and unique.

What do you think is the most important consideration to media relevance?

[NOTE: There was some confusion over this question. We'll add the answer when we get it.]

If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently?

If I could do it all over again? Hmmm… tough one. I’ve been pretty happy with the way things have gone. I probably wish I’d have kept doing my podcast (The How To Do Stuff Podcast), but I got quite ill so I wasn’t able to keep doing it. I keep meaning to get back to it, but just never have found the time or same level of inspiration.

[NOTE: We remain fans of the long absent How To Do Stuff Podcast and will be campaigning for its return.]

How do you hope your PAB2010 session will change the way people think and/or act?

I hope my PAB session will help people find and tell stories better, and use their storytelling to make change in their communities.

COMMENT, not yet published by PAB2010:

Tod has tried to resurrect his podcasting, after trying to get a TV podcast off the ground.
Neither went anywhere, and disappeared after one or two tries.

He recently tried to do a Tech type podcast of a sort interviewing others and posting the audio on the net as a tech contributor to some on-line web site.
That's history too, because Tod sees nothing in it for him.

He will tell you how to spice up your little hobby of trying to do an interesting "podcast", but neglects telling you that you are wasting your time.
That's why he isn't doing a podcast, when there was once a time when you couldn't keep him away.

Tod hopes that your podcast will make change in your community, and counts BLOGGING as the highlight of his efforts at communications.

At his own blog, he hopes you'll never eat at SCOOZI'S.

http://todmaffinrulestheuniverse.blogspot.com/2007/08/what-would-asshole-do.html

and yes, he also believes it's a good idea to erase past stupidities - pretty much anything since 2010.

Tod Maffin was never ever ever "worth Millions"

2010-05-21T16:43:00.000-07:00

"Tod Maffin was a top-flying CEO of a technology company during the web 1.0 craze. Worth millions, he led a busy life that included running his publicly traded company while hosting a national radio show on CBC Radio One about technology. He was working 16-hour days, non-stop. And then, everything crashed ..."

It was simply a giant novelty cheque, that couldn't be cashed.
Just for show.

to be continued as long as Tod Maffin is a devious dork ... could be a while

2010-04-30T19:15:00.000-07:00

all that's missing is the pole dancing and skimpy outfit

2010-04-21T19:25:00.000-07:00

Tod Maffin will resort to anything to keep his audience confused and laughing.

Dazzle them with facts! as if he knows what they mean.

Tod Maffin: Taking Crazy Back from Justin Carlson on Vimeo.

What happened to Tod Maffin's JFK assasination bullshit?

2010-03-14T01:45:00.000-08:00

Did the CIA get to Tod?
He's erased all his bullshit fanboy about the JFK shooting.

Even that long itemized list of all the useless garbage he collected about the big conspiracy.

Has the truth been suppressed?

He was going to tell us what he figured out, he was going to tell us who really did it!

The conspiracy is obviously bigger than even Tod had realized.

If Tod Maffin were still on the radio here's what he would be saying

2010-03-14T01:26:00.000-08:00

He put so much work into this.
A longer than usual piece from Tod
There's more at
http://www.todmaffin.com/please_hold_lies

until he erases it.

All the crap he had written in the last six months was erased, because he realized how stupid they were.

But this gem is still there

"“We are experiencing a higher-than-average call volume.“
Bullshit. I’m looking at you, Shaw Cable. You’ve had that on your “please hold” message since 1821

“Our menu options have changed.“
No. They haven’t. Companies use this line because they want to rope people into listening to their whole spiel first — which often includes product ads.

“So that we can route this call to the right agent, please choose from one of the following options.“
This is one of the oldest tricks in the books. It’s called the “Operator 123″ trick in marketing circles. You know those ads that say to call their number and ask to speak to operator 123? Here’s the secret: there is no operator 123

“Your call is important to us.”
Oops, excuse me — I throw up in my mouth a little. The paradox here is that the companies who dole out this rote, weak statement are the ones who seem to care the least about their customers — at least judging from their customer service.

“Please choose from one of the following options.”
This would be great, if the options they’re offering have anything to do with why I was calling

“To make sure you get excellent customer service, this call may be recorded.”
Um, what?! I’m going to get better service because a hard disk somewhere is recording our conversation? Get real."

There you go.
Now you know how to spot lies in an autimated routed answering service

Tod Maffin Is Still A Douche

2010-03-14T00:56:00.000-08:00

Tod's latest ... "article"

wow. what publisher couldn't wait to print this?

He manages to take a shot at his domain provider as well
Posted August 11th, 2009

"All Posts, Fun, Tech Reviews

I sometimes wish customer support staff should simply not be able to use canned response templates. More times than not, I find support people don’t read your email at all — instead they seem to glance at it, find a few keywords, and match it to a canned response they have. Prepared.

Here’s today’s exchange with NetNation/Hostway, the provider I used in the past (and still, sadly, retain some domain names with).

Enjoy this nonsensical response......"

... by all means enjoy it.

Read more: http://www.todmaffin.com/template_responses#ixzz0i8hfJDnQ

He never actually says the "why", just calls them nonsensical.

The top companies use them, including Apple and Google, but Tod wants them banned because he doesn't like them.

Tod Maffin Assured ROI

2009-12-19T19:48:00.000-08:00

and here it is ...

Tod Maffin asks: would you rather be an idiot or listen to me?

2009-12-19T19:39:00.000-08:00

"Wouldn’t you rather spend your time planning a guarantee a return on your social media investment, than learning how to re-color a Twitter avatar?"
~ le Tod

- such elaborate attention to style and presentation, very little to proof-reading

Tod Maffin on Google Wave: "I don't get it"

2009-12-14T20:11:00.000-08:00

Tod wants so desperately to do radio again ...

http://todmaffin.com/trustagents

but how long will his interest last?

Now he's trying to float a weekly "podcast" via MediaOnTap

http://www.mediaontap.com/radio/

No, Tod Maffin

2009-11-24T04:13:00.000-08:00

that is not the G Spot

The Goofy Guru

2009-11-24T03:52:00.000-08:00

He's at it again.
The JFK Assassination conclusions are about to be blown wide open!
From the mind of Tod Maffin comes what everyone else missed.

Of course, when I tell people about my fascination (obsession?) with the Kennedy assassination, many people ask if I think Lee Harvey Oswald did it. I do have a theory. (”Well Chris, what is it that it is – this theory of mine. Well, this is what it is – my theory that I have, that is to say, which is mine, is mine.”)

Like the Warren Commission found, I think Oswald fired shots from the sixth floor of the TSBD building. Except don’t think he was aiming at Kennedy.

I’m going to finally write out my theory in the coming day or two and will post it here.

~ Tod

And while we wait ... holy crap ... he's going to print out his meticulous inventory of JFK Assassination memorobilia ... started when he was 11 ...
Really, worthless junk.
To the point where it includes a magazine that's famous for NOT HAVING ANYTHING IN IT ABOUT KENNEDY !!!!!

And lots of DVD's he couldn't even sell for a dollar!

All typed out with dates and details.

At least he wasn't collecting dolls, but, Tod may surprise us yet.

Tod Maffin, Wikipedia has multiple issues with you. So too, reality

2009-09-18T17:15:00.000-07:00

Tod Maffin Makes A Good Living Talking, Essentially, Bullshit In Front Of Idiots

2009-09-18T16:57:00.000-07:00

Now Tod is claiming that he's been speaking professionally for 13 years.

Tempting to ask "how is that possible? you're only 12!"
But Tod is way ahead of his age. He's got that futurist mind, you know.

And Tod doesn't speak to his own age group, because that group can see right through him.
He speaks to older people, really, really, older people, the kind who have given up thinking for themselves, kind of like the people who work in government.
He speaks to younger people too, who want to know "hey, how can I get a scam like this going myself, because you're full of shit and hey, even I can do that".

Tod's own age group just stare at him, thinking "you've got to be kidding me. Here's a guy arrogantly trying to pretend he's totally with it and not an idiot, when at every turn he proves he is one!"

probably a pirated copy. Go to Firefox, then Preferences ...

2009-09-17T01:01:00.000-07:00

Would you buy an absurd idea from this man?

2009-09-07T19:10:00.000-07:00

2 Years Seem Like A Lifetime When You're With Tod Maffin

2009-08-25T08:55:00.000-07:00

but Tod, your whole schtick DEPENDS on being unethical

2009-08-24T03:03:00.000-07:00

SWARM Communications: Protecting Your Brand When Good Buzz Goes Bad from Tod Maffin on Vimeo.

Tod Maffin 2005 "using his employers resources to promote it" - why does that ring a bell?

2009-08-23T20:36:00.000-07:00

from

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/air-canada-aeroplan/425183-cbcs-tod-maffin-scamming-upgrade-3.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/air-canada-aeroplan/425183-cbcs-tod-maffin-scamming-upgrade.html

destruction with a purpose

2009-08-23T20:28:00.000-07:00

Tod Maffin deletes negative comments all the time in real life but he plays one who doesn't on TV

2009-08-23T18:35:00.000-07:00

after admitting to unethical behaviour Tod Maffin suggests fighting back

2009-08-23T18:27:00.000-07:00

but if you're TOO passionate he'll call you a stalker

2009-08-23T18:23:00.000-07:00

The Maffinizer

2009-08-23T18:00:00.000-07:00

a post reviewing Tod Maffin promotional material

Have you ever seen that arcade game where a mechanical gopher sticks its head out of a hole, out of several holes, and you're supposed to see if your reflexes are fast enough to hit it?

Tod is kind of like the gopher, and the Internet is the board of holes.
Something like that.

This week in Tod Maffin News, Tod posts a new promotional video.
And it is, as always, delightful.
Another instant classic, alongside those of Moe, Larry and Curly.

your window on that master of strategy ...
http://todmaffin.com/webinar1

Tod Maffin's "Caddyshack"

2009-06-28T19:18:00.000-07:00

Ross Petty.
Richard Petty.
Tom Petty.

All masters in their field.

Tod Maffin?

Just plain petty.

According to Maffin, if YOU are a member of this golf club YOU ARE A SNOB!
That's right. ALL of you.

Here's Tod, who posted this for a few days and then censored himself and deleted it ...

just how slow are the people of New Brunswick?

2009-05-12T03:14:00.000-07:00

Once again Tod spreads his bullshit to the Eastern shores of Canada.

Excerpts from reports about a recent Maffin speech ...

http://nbbusinessjournal.canadaeast.com/front/article/664170

he's a tech whiz
a powerhouse on new technologies

Maffin, a national CBC broadcaster, podcasting pioneer and entrepreneur, gave tips on recruiting the Facebook generation.

"Traditional communications for corporations has been like a flock of birds," he said. "Companies were always trying to push their message to the front of the flock."

"But in the new world of social media," he said, "trust and affinity groups are the key drivers behind information spreading. It's more like a swarm of bees where information sharing is based on trust."

Although every company should use online social media tools, Maffin said executives - often well past the 18 to 32 year-old Facebook generation - don't need a crash course on how to Tweet or upload photos to Flickr.

"CEOs of corporations don't necessarily have to Tweet or become an expert in all these nerdy things," he said. "What they do have to do is recognize results when they come in."

http://nbbusinessjournal.canadaeast.com/front/article/664074

Whether you work for a local firm or a foreign multinational, Tod Maffin says you'll need social networking to take flight in this economic downturn.

Maffin said companies of every sort need social networks to forge tighter ties with their customers.

He said the old corporate method of only reaching customers through traditional advertising won't work in an age where customers control the medium and the message on Facebook and Twitter.

"Every company that fails to be an active member in the swarm will eventually get bitten, and bitten hard, because of the way young people want to engage with a company. They want to have that relationship."

He said forming that relationship can be done with a few easy Twitter messages, or by creating a Facebook group about the company and what it has to offer.

As that method becomes the norm, Maffin said, smaller economies such as New Brunswick will be better suited to build a tightly knit online community.

"I think smaller businesses and smaller economies like New Brunswick have a much greater opportunity than big New York companies," he said.

"The closer you are to the ground with the people you're trying to reach, the easier it will be to make that connection."

But Maffin said companies shouldn't get overzealous with their online campaigns.

One of the worst online experiences he could remember was when he once tried to ease his cold symptoms by researching what type of Kleenex came laced with lotion, only to be bombarded by a three-page online survey.

"I didn't want a one-on-one relationship with their vice-president of marketing; I wanted to blow my nose and get on with my life," he said.

"Don't try to fit old advertising square pegs into the round holes of social media - personalize your sites, let the customer get involved, and we'll build an economy of trust together."

Tod Maffin STILL Says The Dumbest Things

2009-05-12T03:08:00.000-07:00

What God?
What soul?

He declares himself a heretic, then calls on God to save him.

The Magic of Tod Maffin

2009-04-24T22:03:00.000-07:00

Tod Maffin would have made a very good Minister.

He can say unbelievable things with such conviction.

He could have easily followed in his mother's footsteps.

But he wasn't bright enough to figure out that spiritual realm where God exists.
He realized he lacked the fundamental requirement.

So he chose computers, where he fit perfectly.
Because computers have no soul.
And no conscience.
And it worked great for a while.
For a while, people actually thought that Tod, like computers, was smarter than them.

But now, everyone Tweets and blogs, and stare blankly when you say the word Podcast.
Now Tod's magic has become very ordinary, just like him.

So what is Tod busying himself with?
Banging hot chicks like Hez?
Nope.
He's learning real magic tricks.

Get ready for a ping pong ball to emerge from Tod's mouth during his next Powerpoint presentation.

Tod Maffin Should Start A Blog On Me

2009-04-24T22:02:00.000-07:00

Well, not ON me but about me.

He could retaliate... eh ... respond, by starting a blog that says how great I am.

See now that would be ironic, Tod.
And far more clever than calling me a "stalker".

Calm Down, Tod

2009-04-24T21:01:00.000-07:00

Tod has gone from banging his head against the wall to actually putting his fist through it.

Ha, just kidding.
Tod's rage is totally under control.
Totally.

Betty Gilgoff, an educator, gives her impression of a Tod Maffin speech

2009-04-23T20:50:00.000-07:00

FROM

So the inspiration which has pushed me to do this today is Tod Maffin, the end-of-the-day-keynote at the VSS conference. The first time I heard Tod Maffin was on CBC radio early one morning when I woke up to him being interviewed about why he had just deleted his Facebook account; yes, he deleted his Facebook account! His friends were all, rightly so, immediately concerned about his well being. Tod is funny, articulate and provocative. Thinking back to that, I shouldn’t have been caught off guard when he spoke, but I was. While I don’t have today’s speech but if you haven’t heard him speak before, its worth watching one of his YouTube videos to get a sense of who he is:

Appealing to the Facebook generation isn’t particularly contentious, nor really was today’s talk. Early on he asked who believed in multi-tasking. A good portion of the audience raised hands, me included. This was bold on my part given some of my previous thinking on the subject such as one of my earlier blog posts on LIveJournal in 2007 Flow vs Multi-Tasking. But understand that since I wrote that post I’ve been immersed in teaching with technology. I’ve become a real blogger AND a microblogger on twitter. I now have my own ipod touch and I’m learning spanish partly through long walks with little white wires dangling from my ears. So while I do still find it rude and I would agree 100% that one cannot totally be at one’s best when multi-tasking, I would not agree that learning and multi-tasking are incompatible. But I guess one has to start this discussion with actually defining learning and that may be wherein lies the real meat of the argument. Tod Maffin didn’t go there.

His talk though based on his opinions was, he said, well backed up with research or at least reading he has done. Certainly there is lots of research coming out about brain plasticity and how digital media and imagery is changing the way brains are developing. We both agree that children’s brains are developing differently. Children who spend a lot of time using digital media scan a page of text differently. They process images differently. He spoke to the over identification of learning disabled students in a world that might really be about learning disabled teaching environments. I applauded that point as well as when he started to look at what an amazing creative, critical thinking generation of students we are beginning to see emerge from this digital, imagery driven world. Then he took a turn back to three ways to help these digital student learn better, presumably in our text based world without really ever bringing up the question of what learning really is. His example, two university classes one in which the students kept their tech toys while the in other students were asked to leave them at the door, may have demonstrated that the students paid attention to his words differently, but says nothing at all about the learning, the critical thinking, the retention, the risk taking or creative thinking that may have come from what was presented in either group. This is of particular interest to me as I consider with my colleagues in our self study the question of what learning really is. What do we except as evidence of learning?

So while I do agree that we do want to be attentive to helping our students to monitor the learning space (consider the tech toys, rethink multi-tasking), by informing the habits (get enough sleep, have a good breakfast) and by informing the balance (be mindful, keep perspective) I’m not yet ready to buy in to believing that learning just happens if we set up the right environment. Learning needs active participation on the part of the learner that I still believe might be enhanced by keeping the tools in the learners hands. All good food for thought though. Thank you Tod for an inspiring, stimulating talk.

[Editor's note: this post inspired by "quiltily" watching and contributing to the #VSS2009 twitter conversation during the Tod Maffin talk while also note taking. So I ask you, what do you consider to be evidence of learning?]

My Response ...

I'm going to ask you to think seriously and look closely at what Tod Maffin is saying.
I ask as well that you look at his qualifications for giving a talk like this, as say compared to you giving a talk like this.
What claims does Tod Maffin make about himself?

But yes, let's deal with the content of his speech regardless of who gave it.
Multi-tasking.
How was that defined?
As juggling and playing the accordion at the same time?
Or as going to school full time and being a single mother?
Unless you have a clear definition, then what's the point of asking people to put up their hands?

As an educator, I think it is vital that you question the information you are given, and examine it closely.
I was looking for a more complete, almost a transcript of Tod's remarks when I got to this page, but it's alright that you simply share "impressions".
However, I think a careful reading of his remarks will lead most anyone to agree that what Tod presents is indeed "walking the fine line between science, opinion, and entertainment".

The YouTube clip is one I'm familiar with.
I will ask you if you really think you hold the cards when going into a job interview - ANY job interview.
What is Tod trying to say to these employers?
The candidate holds all the cards? Since when?
Even Tod doesn't hold all the cards for ANY job.
The CBC doesn't need him. Does he still work there?

I won't belabour the point other than to say, you need to realize that you are just as smart and capable as any Tod Maffin, and would likely give a more responsible and factually based presentation if it were you up there, which it easily could be.

Thanks for this chance to contribute here, Betty.

AND BETTY RESPONDS!

Thanks Allan for contributing here. I think you make an important point in acknowledging my comment that refers to the fact that Tod is presenting as an entertainer and so mixes opinion and fact to make it all palatable. Please let me be clear though. I did thoroughly enjoy his talk. While I don't agree wholeheartedly with everything he says I certainly don't go through life expecting nor wanting to only listen to those with whom I agree. You're right that each of us needs to learn to think critically about what we hear. I welcome opportunities such as the one Tod provided where I am challenged to think and question. I enjoy the light hearted humorous approach Tod takes. I would certainly enjoy further opportunities to hear him speak.

I've had a look at your Tod blog and shuttered a bit to find my writing reproduced there as I certainly don't want to be represented as being anti-Tod Maffin. I will add a comment on your site as well to clarify my position. At the same time I do really like that blogging allows for dissenting ideas and opinions to come together in debate. All this helps to push each and every one of us to think for ourselves.

As to the content, indeed we need to clarify what multi-tasking means. Tod did do that to some extent in that he talked about the synapses in the brain switching from one task to another. (Again, I was tweeting and notetaking and so probably missed the exact words, perhaps someone who was simply listening will remember it all verbatim). As Claire mentions, we should likely consider very different levels of multi-tasking. My other concern with multi-tasking would be that even though it may cause distraction and prevent reaching a state of what Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi refers to as being in "flow" in some cases, such as with notetaking or other activities which might help with retention of information, various kinds of multi-tasking might help with some kinds of learning.

[Today Wikipedia defines "flow" as "the mental state of operation in which the person is fully immersed in what he or she is doing by a feeling of energized focus, full involvement, and success in the process of the activity"]

Thanks again for commenting and contributing to the conversation.

Tod Maffin is immune to Powerpoint

2009-04-23T20:44:00.000-07:00

That's why he uses it so much.

Are you part of the Facebook Generation? Then Tod Maffin has some employment interview tips for you!

2009-04-23T20:37:00.000-07:00

YOU'RE IN CHARGE!

You don't need Starbucks.

Starbucks needs YOU !

Is there a new blog in town?

2009-04-16T03:58:00.001-07:00

Tod Maffin still bills himself as working for the CBC

2009-04-14T21:48:00.000-07:00

LAVIN AGENCY, April 15, 2009

Maffin is a national CBC broadcaster, a podcasting pioneer, and a popular blogger whose posts are followed by thousands of people in the media, tech and business worlds

How many of these claims are actually true any more?

Are Tod and The Lavin Agency pretending that they haven't noticed this?

A Cosmic Twit, that is and from Tod Maffin

2009-04-13T22:44:00.000-07:00

the ultimate sad zen

tod maffin has seen the future

and it is time travel in reverse

the future is back there

from where you were propelled

the Mother Corps

look at this boy what does the future hold for him

he'll be alone and masturbating for the rest of his life

unsuccessful in a relationship with a woman other than his mother

and really let's face it

who could stand for long looking up at those nostrils

as he grunts away thinking you probably like this

no he's more fun in other ways

like the odd couple but Tod won't live with anyone but his mother

and you his forever internet friends

who all pretend you believe him

all you who go along with his "gag", the unspoken "joke" and let's pretend

and hope that as you forgive Tod Maffin so too will you be forgiven your own barely believable reason for being in existence

here's pity for all of you whose mighty leader has fallen

may he yet rise again the rightful leader of CBC social media

juggling more balls than he has

to control and influence the digital publishing landscape

he's a nerd and will forever be a nerd

dreaming of the day when he'll become an authentic person

neither microsoft nor apple

neither a nerd nor an asshole

but a real man

it may yet happen

Icons don't age

2009-04-13T22:41:00.000-07:00

but people do

Review the Toshiba Portege R600 : you can't do it much worse than Tod Maffin

2009-04-11T21:22:00.000-07:00

Why are you doing this, Tod?

It's not working. Too hokey, and no entertainment value whatsoever.

Comes off like a very lazy approach to pretending to be David Pogue.
I know David Pogue, and you're no David Pogue.

Does the world really need another review of this notebook?
Or is there some ulterior motive to doing this?
Because you hardly ever see Tod doing video for the web (or anywhere) ever.

Now kids, pay attention.
You can actually get away with doing reviews like this. Reviews that a 12 year old could do better. See, nothing to it. Kind of like Tod's brain.

Can you say "shift key" again, Tod?

And that grunt was extra special.

Betcha can't watch this video to the end.

Annoyance Averted: Tod Maffin NOT Elected

2009-04-11T21:06:00.000-07:00

Regrettably, Tod was unable to get that $20,000 a year gig with the VanCity Credit Union.
And it was sooo close.
Their gain is our loss.

"The results are in and while I didn’t win a seat, I did really well and I’m thrilled with the showing.

Of the candidates who did not win, I was behind only two people — one was a highly respected incumbent (who, I think, most people expected would get a seat), and the other was an excellent candidate who had ran three times before. She and I were basically tied.

I garnered more than 5,800 votes. Not bad for somebody who’d never run for the board and hadn’t been known among Vancity circles."

We had been looking forward to watching Tod irritate the hell out people as he tries to bring everyone in Credit Unions to the realization that he is the de facto "electronic god" of all that exists within the human brain.

Instead we are are stuck with following whatever Tod's Plan "B" is going to be.

At his YouTube page he still wants people to believe that he works for or is affiliated with the CBC.

Probably no other person in the world still claims to be working for a company a year after they've left.
That rascal Tod. Still trying to con people.

Another Tod Maffin Website For The Dustbin

2009-04-11T21:00:00.000-07:00

Having failed to get elected, you can be sure that Tod's enthusiasm for his involvement in a couple of websites is about to evaporate.
Besides, it was going to be a pretty tough gig trying to sell people on being a "forecaster" in the current economy.

Tod Maffin Regrets "dirty2" Tactic During Election

2009-04-07T18:13:00.001-07:00

He doesn't apologize for anything.
Just removes the post, and pretends it never happened.

Tod Maffin Hides The Cheese

2009-04-07T16:17:00.000-07:00

Tod Maffin uses social media to attack opponents for not using social media

2009-04-02T22:52:00.000-07:00

In a post, aptly titled dirty2 ...

The slate of Kim Griffiths, Wendy Holm, and Lisa Barrett, in trying to connect with voters, established a blog some weeks ago. We welcomed them to the social media world!

But… are they actually interested in engaging in a dialogue with members, or is it all just a smoke-screen to just look like they’re hip to social media?

Let’s look at the facts.

1. First, they have not posted a single thing on their blog, except for a single “Hey, look at us, we launched a blog!” posting.
.
2. They do not have a Twitter account. Instead, they link to one of their slate’s personal Twitter accounts which has had all of four tweets throughout the campaign, and not a single @reply to start a discussion with members.
.
3. They have a “campaign diary” but do not accept any comments, questions, or critiques from members. One person even asked on their main blog site why…

Their response? Nothing. No answer back. That was 11 days ago and counting. This is their method of using social media to engage in a dialogue with with members?!

As we enter a decade where social media, technology, and large-scale change is occurring, are these really the people you want at the helm?

... Tod's usual public relations begin taking shape on behalf of Van City Credit Union.

Just think of what's in store for the people who will have the delightful experience of working with Tod Maffin.

TOD Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah MAFFIN

2009-03-18T00:35:00.000-07:00

For a Limited Time!

THE NEW TOD MAFFIN
(clickable)

The latest Tod Maffin Podcast.

A 4 minute reminder of how weird Tod Maffin still is after all these months.
Another recitation of that special style of Tod Maffin bullshit.

But you know what?
There are a LOT of weird people in B.C.
So he could go far.

Like on the Board of a fuddy duddy credit union.
One that looks at Tod and sees an ambitious phony who's willing to do some public relations on the web for free for them so they can get with the times, while Tod thinks power.
But do you know anyone who can work with this asshole for more than 5 min.?
Even Tod can't stand people.
He's not a "people" person.

And nothing holds his interest for long.
And the writing's on the wall for his keynote career.

He has to do something.
Whatever happened to Swaziland?

F is for Fearful, Fucked-Up and Fatherless

2009-03-03T08:56:00.000-08:00

In his most recent epistle Tod Maffin continues to peel away the layers of the outstanding individual that is at the root of the real "Tod Maffin".

What starts out purporting to be an essay of navel-gazing about religious faith becomes almost instantly yet another litany of Tod Maffin's many great accomplishments.

to be continued ...

Tod Maffin searches his soul, using Advanced Preferences

2009-03-03T08:27:00.000-08:00

Tod finally concedes that he doesn't believe that Jesus was the Son of God.

Also that he can't for the life of him figure out "that damned trinity" concept.

In that case, Tod, you're going straight to hell.

See you there!

Maffin's Motorcycle Diaries, without the motorcycle

2009-03-03T08:04:00.000-08:00

– I travelled to rural Mexico with a group of other young Anglicans to learn about how the developing world lives and help build help for the people there

Come on, Tod, we all know why you really went there.
Souvenirs!

Tod Maffin's Most Frightening Flight Delay: helpless in a country of hot women

2009-03-03T08:00:00.001-08:00

– I attended and worked at a theological conference in Brazil (and was briefly trapped in the country during a country-wide economic meltdown, government crisis, and public strike)

Communist agents fail to apprehend Tod Maffin

2009-03-03T07:47:00.000-08:00

– I spent nearly two weeks in Cuba trying to evade government operatives, building from scratch an electronic mail and bulletin board system to link together the poorest of people.

~excerpt from Tod's evolving, imaginary biography.

Tod Maffin On The Couch - First Session

2009-02-02T23:10:00.000-08:00

Tod is being unusually frank and forthcoming in his latest blog post.
It's a good start, for the little twerp.

http://todmaffin.com/d-2

D is also for denial.

Relax, Dickhead

You know what your problem is?
You're a fake.

He keeps himself hopped on feel-good drugs, over-books his engagements, can't sleep properly, and then wonders why he has a breakdown in the bathroom of an airplane.

He secretly suspects that his dotcom charade is a house of cards but keeps adding more cards until he loses his nerve .

His wife realizes that he's not what he's cracked up to be. He's just cracked.
Instead of smoking, because of sensitive lungs, he pops pills.

And nothing is his fault.

He was abandoned by his father, so of course he has issues. Deep issues.

His relationship with his mother, who went on to a religious career, will make it hard for him to have a successful marriage.

Especially with me.

He should talk with Strombo, who found a way to cope with an absent father.
Make it into a radio special.
Marc Emery also has some worthwhile views on the subject.
He'll give Tod the framework for an award-winning program.
This would help Tod in more ways than one.

Exercise and get off the pills.
Be honest with himself. The article is a good start, but it's still avoiding the truth, and largely a manipulative piece that tries to engender sympathy.
But you also see an "I'm special", a twisting of the tale.
It's not entirely fair for Tod to take sole credit for MindfulEye.
He won't admit that it was not a valid investment for more than 5 minutes.
He blew other people's money on a dream that he didn't think through.
Everything is short-term.

He wants help, but wants to be in charge.

He may never be fully cured.

He brags about his success and lifestyle, but still wants you to feel sorry for him.
He thinks he's on to something, something he can exploit, his own illness. How much can he milk it for?

Tod put a lot of work into that piece. A LOT of work. That stuff takes days, even weeks to come up with. He has talent. He wants to entertain.
He was aiming for gut-wrenching, but it's so shallow.
He's experienced stress, which he doesn't handle well, but never real tragedy and loss.

He wants to be wealthy, famous, loved, respected, happy.

Don't we all.

There is no risk of Tod Maffin becoming a lawyer

2009-01-31T21:15:00.000-08:00

Tod gets all hopped up over a court ruling,
He views himself as more perceptive and sensible than a B.C. Supreme Court Justice.

the headline for the story:
Court orders Falun Gong to dismantle protest hut

I'm familiar with this part of Vancouver and this protest.
And I'm frankly surprised that it's taken this long for the city to act.
Does anyone think that people have a right to start erecting structures on any part of any street that they take a fancy to?
How about on your street?
How about on every street?
What if we all made a run for it and set up our own personal bus shelter with a private lock on it? I got here first!

B.C. Supreme Court Justice Sunni Stromberg-Stein ruled Thursday that erecting permanent structures goes against the fundamental purpose of the street.

Like, duh.

Tod Maffin is being very dumb, as usual.

TOD ... for the record ...in his own words

This ( http://twitclicks.com/t7zi ) is a SHIT DECISION. Look at the picture and you tell me if their booth "encroaches" on the sidewalk. :-(

@buzzbishop Whoa Look at the photo. It simply is NOT ON THE SIDEWALK. They impede nobody. The stay 100% silent. Remove them? Really?!?!

@buzzbishop Yes, but the structure isn't what the court ruled against. It ruled against impeding the SIDEWALK which it CLEARLY doesn't do!

@dbarefoot You asked "Should we permit all non-intrusive, effectively-permanent protest structures?" YES WE SHOULD. That's free speech. :-)

Never ever ever take legal advice from an idiot.
(that would be Tod Maffin)

Trust Is An Issue With Tod Maffin

2009-01-14T14:30:00.000-08:00

Tod shares, and finally puts some effort into his latest blog post ...

I ran into this policy more than once, working as DNTO’s western producer. Working on consumer-rights stories, I’d asked permission to record wearing a hidden microphone. I had to make my pitch to the head of news and each time I was turned down because the stories weren’t deemed to illustrate significant enough public trust.

Tod probably meant to say "enough public IN-TRUST", as in "interest", which is not spelled with a "u".

Of course, I was pissed off, but in retrospect, the CBC made the right call. After all, I worked in A&E (arts and entertainment), not news.

(Side note: With the help of six freelancers, I produced a documentary called “24 Hours at Hamburger Mary’s” — finding the stories of people who visit the Vancouver diner. The network killed the piece because I failed to tell the freelancers to get people’s last names. I still am bugged by that one.)

Getting last names is vital, in order that people take responsibility for what they are saying.
Otherwise the whole documentary could just as well be a work of fiction, as Tod's productions sometimes are.

Blogging - the easy way. By Tod Maffin

2009-01-13T05:25:00.000-08:00

Tod's "Original" blog entry. And the UBC Music Schoool

Tod Maffin's Brain Out Of Service

2009-01-12T05:28:00.000-08:00

It's come to this.
Tod sits at home copying entries from The Canadian Exncyclopedia and pasting them into his blog.
(that's right, I said Exncyclopedia. Tod is so out of it)

Try to imagine what it must be like inside Tod Maffin's brain as it directs him to post an entry about an event that happened 77 years ago. An event of interest to no one, not even to Tod.

Daily "I'm-Eager-To-Kiss-Tod-Maffin's-Ass" Award, goes to ..... ROB COTTINGHAM!

2009-01-11T01:34:00.001-08:00

QUALIFIED

Talking To Air: another Maffin minion who can't handle the truth

2009-01-09T09:40:00.000-08:00

You post a comment to her blog and she erases it.
Living up to the first principle of blogging Maffin-style: LIMIT DISCOURSE

Tod Maffin and The Lamest Blog Ever

2009-01-09T05:13:00.000-08:00

January 8, 2009

His newest urgent entry, from the heart, that he shares, because you need to know this ...

Sixty years ago today, Tom Alsbury was sworn in as Vancouver mayor. Alsbury was the first Vancouver mayor to have been born in the 20th century (1904). He served as mayor of Vancouver from 1959 to 1962 and was born in Edinburgh.

... from the freaking international authority on blogs.

The Typical Tod Maffin Scam - #1

2009-01-08T05:19:00.000-08:00

Day One : create web page

Day Two : abandon web page

Day Three: announce that web page is now "one of the industry’s leading sources of trends, forecasts, and news."

The Typical Tod Maffin Scam - #2

2009-01-08T05:17:00.000-08:00

Day One : create web site on topic of interest to professionals

Day Two : use web site relentlessly to promote Tod Maffin, posting resume and flattery about said individual

CBC Doing Much Better Since Tod Maffin Left

2009-01-08T03:18:00.000-08:00

Created only a month ago by Tod Maffin and already it's an industry leader. According to Tod Maffin.

2009-01-07T14:07:00.000-08:00

His web site, trendcentral.org, is one of the Credit Union industry’s leading sources of trends, forecasts, and news.

Only a very rare and very wonderful man could accomplish such a thing.

Tod Maffin is a rare and wonderful man

2009-01-07T13:59:00.000-08:00

“Tod Maffin is a rare and wonderful man. He is so accomplished in the areas of business, media, technology, and building community. But, he is also one of the most down to earth, approachable personalities I know. He is a gifted communicator, a caring person, and a first class technologist. This is a potent combination.”
– Arjun Singh, President, Fair Voting BC - www.stv.ca

As published by Tod Maffin

Tod Maffin launches TrendCentral to advertise himself

2008-12-06T21:52:00.000-08:00

At a new domain that posts stories of interest to no one, Tod inserts a big fat advertisement for himself and his services.

Though it bills itself as a "glimpse into the future", it is actually a glimpse into the past.
Past stories and pictures that have already appeared on the web that Tod can copy and paste into his new blog.

Watch the space to see how it becomes progressively neglected by Tod as he realizes there is no audience for these "trends".

If you see poet Rives, let him know Tod Maffin would do him

2008-12-04T15:00:00.000-08:00

Strange.
When I looked at this video of a Henry Rollins-type performance artist, I did not immediately think of "doing him".
But Tod did.

Bill O'Reilly and Tod Maffin will stoop to anything to assure themselves they're not really so bad

2008-11-30T14:26:00.000-08:00

Like offering up childhood pictures from their pre-asshole days.

Tod Maffin: "I'm a snob and I don't like being around people."

2008-11-25T17:46:00.000-08:00

Forthright Tod @6:28

"Tod Maffin taught me how to spice up my traffic reports on our community radio station in Swaziland"

2008-10-16T15:10:00.000-07:00

Tod: "I thought seriously about going to Africa to help out, but ... eh ...I decided to stay in Vancouver instead"

2008-10-16T14:35:00.000-07:00

Good thing you did, Tod.
Because I emailed ahead and asked them to send me their thoughts about an impending visit from Tod Maffin.

They sent back a picture.

people are no longer interested in Tod Maffin. Except us!

2008-10-16T04:37:00.000-07:00

Our 500th post about Tod Maffin

Tod Maffin and The End of the Age of Delusion

2008-10-15T17:28:00.000-07:00

and now, a brief twitter from Tod Maffin

It's been a sweet ride for Tod Maffin.
He got to hang with netchick and The Hez, fly on airplanes and stay in hotel rooms, with all his toiletries and grooming aids laid out neatly on the dresser each time ...

actually, Tod's not really a neat freak. He's obsessive and a perfectionist about some things, but housekeeping isn't one of them, as anyone knows who's seen his apartment.

This is Tod Maffin and another desperate plea for attention.
Tod isn't really planning to go anywhere, except on vacation. (those comedic breakfast gigs he does pay surprisingly well).

But he wants you to know that Tod Maffin thinks exotically, unlike you and I.
Well, alright, more so.
He's an adventurer, flying into the heart of Africa, where no white man could be bothered to go, and he will teach the natives in The Ways Of The Radio.
Presumably for a bit less than the usual two to four thousand dollars per gig that he usually is handed at the conferences.

Tod sees some advantages to going - it'll help his charisma further down the road when he comes back in one piece as a man of the world. As an altruist, nay a missionary, if you will.
Yes he can picture it now ... the selfless Maffin helping to further the progress of civilization.
And hiding out for a while might get that blog off his back.

But this is Tod Maffin. He doesn't actually do anything beyond the whiny wimp stage, such as twitter his fake dreams out loud.

I'm Tod Maffin and I WANT SPECIAL TREATMENT!

2008-10-15T16:00:00.000-07:00

a recent Tod Twitter

Tod has been divested of yet another iPhone, and once again it was his own damn fault.
But that's not acceptable to Tod.

So he decides to yell at Fido, who sold him the iPhone, because a replacement is going to cost $800 plus tax.
Of course Rogers has the same arrangement, but for Tod that's an inconvenient fact.
Finding out what he was getting into when he signed the contract was also an inconvenient fact.

LOOK AT ME EVERYBODY! Tod Maffin is one of the Top Ten most hyperactive people on the internet in the Vancouver area.

2008-09-27T18:06:00.001-07:00

This meaningless, inconsequential thing on the internet called NowPublic calculated what they believe to be the web's 10 most-visible individuals in Vancouver.
NowPublic is located in Vancouver, and going nowhere.

let's narrow it down to just 10 people-that-we-have-no-interest-in.

And yes, Tod is # 10

"I think the list will surprise some people,"
said Leonard Brody, CEO of NowPublic, a Vancouver-based site where people can post and discuss news stories.

In Peace, we hope

2008-09-18T20:32:00.001-07:00

Understanding Media and Me, by Tod Maffin

2008-09-18T20:02:00.000-07:00

To say that I’m now “shutting down” the blog because, in fact, I DON’T want to see opinions expressed is mind-boggling.

Tod

Please, God, let it finally be over

2008-09-18T19:05:00.000-07:00

No, these are not Tod Maffin's final words.

With Tod, there's no such thing as last words.
Just when you think he's said goodbye and left, he walks back into the room to perform another farewell once again.

When a reader wrote at insidecbc ...

Randall says:

Not surprised this is shutting down. All the negative comments regarding the new programming…not good for newcomers to see.

Sorry thats my cyncial corporations be damned viewpoint.

Tod saw an opportunity to get more "facts" on the record.
Such as: He quit. Voluntarily. So don't think he got fired. Got it?
And even though the comment is obviously directed at the CBC, Tod pretends it's a personal slight, and thus it affords him a chance to expound from his high horse.
Confirming, that he's a total asshole.

And he didn't print my comment either.
The coward.

Employment Opportunity: ABT*

2008-09-17T18:41:00.000-07:00

*anyone but Tod

click to enlarge

Doing Our Part To Help Tod Maffin

2008-09-16T07:55:00.000-07:00

Balancing excessive admiration with realistic feedback

What's Wrong With Tod Maffin (?)

2008-09-16T07:43:00.000-07:00

We're unable to find anywhere on the internet that Tod Maffin comes clean about his vague "health issues".
The ones he's always working on but is never able to resolve.

The words "depression" and "addiction" crop up, but it's hard to think of him in terms of either of those afflictions.

Tod appears to be not all that different from the rest of us, particularly as we all suffer from one common ailment to some extent:

Narcissism.

* Overreacts to criticism, becoming angry or humiliated
* Uses others to reach goals
* Exaggerates own importance
* Entertains unrealistic fantasies about achievements, power, beauty, intelligence or romance
* Has unreasonable expectations of favorable treatment
* Seeks constant attention and positive reinforcement from others
* Is easily jealous
* Has a sense of entitlement
* Is exploitative of others
* Lacks empathy
* Displays arrogant and proud behavior
* Displays haughty behavior
* Uses denial mechanism to downplay own inadequacies or failings
* Uses rationalization mechanism to justify self-centered behavior

We can easily see ourselves as having some of those characteristics.
But like almost everything else in life, Tod is way ahead of us.

Why Passion Matters: Success and Balance are Not Mutually Exclusive says Tod

2008-09-15T20:14:00.000-07:00

Turns out Success and Failure are also not mutually exclusive.
Last June, Tod Maffin was able to tell a story that combined the two.
His own.
At the Western Workplace Health 2008, Calgary

Lessons he learned about being successful?
Let me guess - run your brain in lo-tech.

And tell people you work for the CBC!

Tod went from imaginary multi-millionaire to realistic zero millionaire in a couple of years.
That's enough to make anybody depressed.

Recruiting the Facebook Generation: Winning the New Race for Talent

2008-09-15T19:31:00.000-07:00

Tod Maffin speaks again!

Thursday,
January 29,
2009

Metro Toronto Convention
Centre

when will Tod Maffin be starting his blog?

2008-09-15T19:18:00.000-07:00

"If you do nothing else, start a blog," says Maffin. Get the company president or someone high-profile to talk about what your organization is all about. "It's much more effective than an About Us' page on a Web site."

June 1, 2008

Health Care Leaders Association of BC Eats While Tod Maffin Talks

2008-09-15T19:06:00.001-07:00

Tod is scheduled to speak in October in Vancouver.

Attendees will be asking themselves "he's a CBC TV host? I've never heard of the guy!"

Tod Maffin's Dilemma: How do I promote myself without using the CBC's Official Blog?

2008-09-15T15:26:00.000-07:00

Tip For Tod: How to start your own Blog

2008-09-15T15:25:00.001-07:00

ADDENDUMB
I feel so silly. I forgot.
You're a worldwide authority on this stuff.

Tip For Tod: How to increase the size of your blog

2008-09-12T22:19:00.001-07:00

Tod took this picture of a friend of his who likes to ... have her picture taken.

If you're looking for a bigger blog, Tod, you might consider posting more great pictures like this one.

The Legacy of Tod Maffin

2008-09-12T17:49:00.000-07:00

for all intents and purposes ...

you're looking at it.

Tod Maffin: From International Authority To Worldwide Authority, In The Click Of A Web Page

2008-09-11T05:59:00.000-07:00

The Lavin Agency has given Tod a new status in life.
They have promoted him from international authority, and accorded him authority that extends worldwide.

from

from

Tod panhandling at the CBC

2008-09-10T15:17:00.001-07:00

The Long Goodbye - of Tod Maffin

2008-09-10T15:09:00.000-07:00

1

2

Try as he may (and he doesn't try at all), Tod just can't keep his mouth shut.
In his excruciatingly slow exit from the CBC blog, he says goodbye, and then finds it necessary to say it again, and again,
Of course what happened was that Tod just figured out a really cool phrase to use thanks to author Douglas Adams.
AND he wanted to make sure that everyone knew that he's looking for a job at the CBC. He has no shame.
And no class.

3

"... as I’ve not, despite trying, managed to score a job at the place I enjoy so much.

Best wishes! So long, and thanks for all the fish."

*try the seafood entres at Scoozie's, Tod. You know, the restaurant at the end of your universe.

"Made me wonder if management knew what was happening here" - K

2008-09-09T21:09:00.000-07:00

(from left to right - Future File, Inside The CBC, Todbits, I Love Radio.org ... actually, there isn't room to list all of the blogs that Tod has abandoned)

And the eulogies are already slowing to a trickle ...

I especially appreciated the obituaries.

Regards,
Peter Brandon
Edmonton

2008-09-09T18:48:00.000-07:00

Tod learns to take his own picture with the help of a convenient mirror

My Blog Is Bigger Than Your Blog

2008-09-09T18:16:00.000-07:00

an open invitation for Tod Maffin to submit a post for this blog .

Since he seems to be temporarily without, I'm happy to share the immense audience here at TMRTU.

Resisting Clicking The "New Post" Button

2008-09-09T17:03:00.000-07:00

This could be tough.

Just like Tod Maffin, I suffer from an addiction.

I was this close to 500 posts about my friend Tod Maffin when he pulled the plug on his domination of public chatter at insidecbc.ca.

This has profound implications, for Tod, and for me.

What are we going to do now?

Someone Comes To Their Senses: CBC or Tod?

2008-09-09T16:21:00.000-07:00

How much will Tod Maffin be charging the CBC to buy the domain name from him?

Suitable For Framing

2008-09-09T16:19:00.000-07:00

The Truth Is Out There

2008-09-09T16:09:00.000-07:00

It must be.
Because it seems kind of vague at Inside The CBC.

"With all the changes going on inside the CBC this fall, it only makes sense that some changes occur at Inside the CBC.com as well!"
~ Tod

eh ... ok, I guess that makes sense. Why not.

"Within the next week or two, I’ll be transitioning out of the blog editor’s chair to recover from a couple of major health setbacks and to work a bit on some outside projects"
~ Tod

Just like Tod, always working on outside projects.

But wasn't he hiking just a few weeks ago?

Confusion at joe clark's blog

2008-09-09T16:02:00.000-07:00

Tod Maffin Still Brags About Blogging

2008-09-09T13:08:00.000-07:00

from

But the truth is, he's blogless

Tod Maffin No Longer Rules The Universe

2008-09-09T13:02:00.000-07:00