Back in the day, fame had to be earned. You had to ski faster than everyone else (or a hundredth of a second slower, as all Finns know), write better than anyone else, or lead a country in a way that left a mark on history. Or, alternatively, fail so spectacularly that people would still … Read more
Finnish president Urho Kaleva Kekkonen in a pink puffer suit, on a fishing trip in a national park with Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev. A genuine photo like that would be pure gold: absurd, contradictory, and with far too much contrast to be real. The kind of image that sticks in your head and makes you … Read more
Have you noticed the explosion of success stories on LinkedIn promising that anyone can earn hundreds of thousands a year by selling their expertise through courses and webinars? In recent years, a phenomenon called expert entrepreneurship has emerged — a blend of personal branding, the education business, and social media marketing. The storyline often follows … Read more
Lately, I’ve noticed a troubling trend on Facebook: the creation of fake profiles seems to have escalated significantly in Finland. Many people in my circle have reported that fake accounts have been made using their names, only to be exposed after sending friend requests to acquaintances whose alarm bells started ringing. Right now, I’m coming … Read more
Pieksämäki is thriving. New projects are emerging, businesses are investing, and the sense of community is strong. There are many positive signs that highlight the town’s appeal and the progress happening on multiple fronts. As the newly elected town council begins shaping a new municipal strategy and vitality program following the April elections, this is … Read more
Anyone who makes a living through creative work has encountered the phenomenon where someone wants their services and offers “exposure” in return. Decades ago, when exposure was scarce, its value was entirely different. There were only two radio stations, two or three TV channels, and people stayed informed by reading local or regional newspapers. Back … Read more
Over the past decade, social media has radically transformed the way we experience community—but is that entirely a good thing? While new technology has increased connectivity, it has also reshaped the concept of community itself. And in doing so, it has changed us. When I first started my entrepreneurial journey as an online community producer, … Read more