Tod Maffin's "Caddyshack"

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?

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

What God?
What soul?

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

The Magic of Tod Maffin

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

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

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

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

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!

YOU'RE IN CHARGE!



You don't need Starbucks.

Starbucks needs YOU !

Is there a new blog in town?

Tod Maffin still bills himself as working for the CBC

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

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

but people do

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

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

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

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

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

Tod Maffin Hides The Cheese

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

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

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?