From 1999 till 2005 I ran a discussion group with many of today’s top marketers and copywriters.  Not only did we exchange great ideas but also great finds.   In 2003 I happened upon what seemed to be a predecessor of the “Two Young Men” ad that the WSJ has consistently used.

This ad was printed in 1919.

Unfortunately the original format of the ad is impossible to replicate in text format. The ad was originally in three columns with headline on top and coupon to send in. It was a full page ad in a magazine.

This lead generation ad is VERY well done.

Great use of current events (many men had just returned from WWI) and tie-ins to history.

Use of contrast by using the “Two Men” type story that was later used in the greatest sales letter of all time.

And lot’s more….

What are some of the things you notice?

Found this great site where the world’s most renowned scientists and researchers were asked the following question this year:

The Edge Annual Question — 2008

“When thinking changes your mind, that’s philosophy.
When God changes your mind, that’s faith.
When facts change your mind, that’s science.

WHAT HAVE YOU CHANGED YOUR MIND ABOUT? WHY?

Science is based on evidence. What happens when the data change? How have scientific findings or arguments changed your mind?”

John Derbyshire of the National Review Online calls it “[A] feast of egg-head opinionating!” I agree. So it’s not for everyone but I like it and you might too.

I especially like these:

Do our languages shape the nuts and bolts of perception, the very way we see the world?

The sad tale of the aspiration treadmill by Daniel Kahneman (My favorite Nobel Prize winner)

I Used To Think I Could Change My Mind

You can visit the main page here: The World Question Center 2008