Pottermore

Pottermore

Cult of the Mouse

I have been a big supporter of Henry and his book.
I started reading the book again, after it sat on my shelf for about 3 years.
It's funny how the message of a book can evolve as your perspectives on your job change.

The first time I read this book, I saw most of Henry's points as only having to do with the giant animation studios. Now, I read it from the perspective of the smaller studios, runaway production, the world is flat, and the lack of innovation in animation today. Everyone is just trying to make money. No one is trying to build anything anymore. Steve Jobs may have been the last guy to be in it for the long haul as far as animation is concerned.

I guess Eisner was right in that memo he wrote at Paramout years ago, "We have no obligation to make history. We have no obligation to make art. We have no obligation to make a statement. Our only obligation is to make money.” I encourage you all to get this book and read it. Henry's insight into the future of corporate america based on pleasing a board of directors with short term profits tells the tale of the death of innovation in the workplace.

Great Books!

Howdy, Jamie here. Just finished a couple of great books.

The first one is by Henry Caroselli called The Cult of the Mouse.

This guy really hits the nail squarely on the head with his writings on corporate greed and the effect that it is having on innovation and creativity. He is a former Disney employee and his observations about the Eisner years are spot on ( for those of us who worked there during the time frame involved, it is often amusing in a sad kind of way). I highly recommend it.

The other books are a actually a series put out by Didier Ghez, called "Walt's People"and volume III is just out. All three books are excellent.


A series of interviews with former Disney giants, it includes luminaries such as Ward Kimball, John Hench, Joe Grant and many others. Fascinating stuff indeed.