My Fascination With Amazon

The Visionary Strategies of Jeff Bezos

Inside Amazon’s massive warehouse operations

For the future of retail, I’m sure you are looking at Amazon like everyone else is. I’m convinced the Internet will continue to disrupt traditional retail. Bezos is one of the most brilliant minds of our time, some say the next Jobs. I have tremendous respect for Bezos. Just a few of the things he’s done…

The Bezos Playbook

  • Early E-commerce Pioneer — Started Amazon before anyone even started thinking about e-commerce at scale. He is willing to take enormous risks at any cost. He left a high profile Wall Street job to start a company that few believed in. An e-commerce bookstore in ’94? He is a visionary.
  • Strategic Category Expansion — Started with books, expanded quickly to nearly everything. The strategic risks continue.
  • Smart Acquisitions — Bought Zappos, has left them alone. Is letting Tony continue to work his magic. Wants to bring more of the Zappos culture to the rest of Amazon.
  • E-reader Innovation — Saw e-books coming, thanks to Jobs/iPad. Pivoted and developed the Kindle. My wife and I love our Kindles.
  • Hardware as Entry Point — Gives the Kindle/Fire away at cost, or next to cost, and makes money on services/goods from using the device.
  • Customer-First Economics — Loses money on shipping (Amazon Prime etc), will do anything it takes to win your business (see this article about shipping heavy items for free).
  • Supply Chain Mastery — Amazon’s supply chain is incredible. Look at these pictures of their warehouses!
  • Robotics Investment — He didn’t just invest in Kiva, he bought the entire company! If you haven’t seen this video of their warehouse robots, it is a must.
  • Shopping Psychology — They use psychology to encourage you to make more (and better) purchasing decisions. They are masters. Look at me when I did Christmas shopping. They know people will go shopping for themselves, and used my own data to tempt me.
  • Recommendation Engine — Analytics/Algorithms. Amazon has the best recommendation engine. Google has to be worried about this. You don’t go to Google to search for products, you go to Amazon.
  • Continuous Innovation — He isn’t done. Amazon is still going strong. He still has more tricks up his sleeve, you can bank on that.

I’m sure I missed lots of things. I have my eyes on Bezos (I personally think Amazon’s stock is overvalued, though!). He will win, continue to win until someone disrupts the great disruptor. Whoever that will be, it won’t be easy.

Your Thoughts?

What other innovative strategies have you noticed from Amazon? Do you think anyone will be able to disrupt their model?

My 2013 Resolutions

My 2013 Resolutions

With extra animated GIF flair, because that’s how we roll in 2013!

I know this might be shocking, but I’m famous for not following through on my resolutions, but I do them each year any way. What is more awesome than New Year’s resolutions? Animated GIFs, my friends. So hold on to that computer mouse, here are my 2013 resolutions. I added some animated GIF flare because that is how we are going to do it in 2013.

This is my 2,900th post to jeremyperson.com!

I think that is awesome and if you are reading this you might too. I’m looking forward to a few more posts, so I can be a 3k post blogger. I like to share…a lot.

Past Resolution Adventures

OK, now let’s get into the resolutions!

Push-up animation gif

Resolution #1: 50 Consecutive Push-ups

I can do 16 currently. I have push-ups on my resolution list almost every year and for 2013 let’s shoot for 50 since I’m half way there.

16 of 50 (32%)
Camera shutter animation

Resolution #2: Take More Pictures

Try not to worry too much about what others are doing. Just take lots of pictures and document the life through the camera lens. I really enjoy life and love sharing it with others.

Ping pong animation

Resolution #3: Rock the Ping Pong

We got a ping pong table at work, which has given me a chance to get pretty decent at it. OK, it probably helps that I have freakishly long monkey limbs. Playing more ping pong is not really a goal, but I just want to keep doing more things that make me happy.

Kid shaking brush animation

Resolution #4: Make the Bed Each Day

Next comes something I don’t like, and I don’t think I’m alone. I want to make the bed each day in 2013. OK, kid, stop shaking that brush at me, I’ll do it, I’ll do it.

Bike riding animation

Resolution #5: Teach Tyler to Ride a Bike

Teach Tyler to ride a bike without training wheels. He is super cautious like his dad and I won’t be like the dad in the animation, but we will prevail in 2013!

Running animation

Resolution #6: Run a 5K

Run a 5k with an average pace of less than 10 minutes a mile. I just started getting serious about running and although that is probably slow to some of you, it would be a remarkable feat to me.

I have never taken my health too seriously and with me losing so many around me in 2012 I don’t want to be the next person to leave prematurely. I’ll see how the 5k goes and hope to do a half-marathon in the summer if I can get super dedicated. If you can have a lion, tiger, or bear chase me, that would be even better.

Celebration animation

Happy New Year and here is to another year of rocking the Internet together!

What are your 2013 resolutions? Let me know in the comments!

All animated GIFs lovingly collected from around the internet. If one is yours and you’d like credit, let me know!

The Inspirational Story of Jeffrey Wright: Teaching Physics and Life Lessons

The remarkable physics teacher whose personal journey teaches students the true meaning of life

Wright's Law: A Unique Teacher Imparts Real Life Lessons | The New York Times

Jeffrey Wright uses wacky experiments to teach children about the universe, but it is his own personal story that teaches them the true meaning of life

In the halls of Louisville Male Traditional High School in Kentucky, physics teacher Jeffrey Wright has earned a reputation for his spectacular classroom demonstrations—exploding pumpkins, hovercrafts, and a particularly memorable experiment involving a bed of nails, a cinder block, and a sledgehammer. But it’s not these theatrical science lessons that have made him an extraordinary educator whose influence extends far beyond the classroom.

What makes Mr. Wright truly exceptional is an annual lecture that contains no scientific props or demonstrations—just his personal story of fatherhood, struggle, and discovery. This heartfelt talk about his son Adam and the meaning of life has become a pivotal moment each year for his students, captured in a documentary that has touched millions worldwide.

Today, we explore how one teacher’s vulnerability and wisdom have transformed not just his classroom, but the lives of everyone who encounters his story.

The Science Teacher: Beyond Formulas

To his students at Louisville Male Traditional High School, Jeffrey Wright is known for his energetic and often explosive physics demonstrations. His teaching style is anything but conventional, designed to make complex scientific concepts both memorable and accessible.

Yet Wright understands that teaching physics isn’t just about explaining how the universe works—it’s about helping students discover their place within it. This deeper understanding of education’s purpose sets him apart in a profession often constrained by standardized curriculums and test preparation.

Wright’s approach reminds us that the best teaching transcends subject matter. As he explains: “When you look at physics, it’s all about laws and how the world works. But if you don’t tie those laws into a much bigger purpose, the purpose in your heart, then they are going to sit there and ask the question ‘Who cares?'”

Adam’s Story: A Life-Changing Diagnosis

The most profound aspect of Wright’s teaching comes from his experience as a father. His son Adam was born with Joubert syndrome, an extremely rare genetic disorder that affects only about 600 people worldwide. While Adam’s brain functions normally, the condition prevents him from controlling his body movements. He cannot walk, talk, or sit up on his own.

In his annual lecture to students, Wright shares how Adam’s diagnosis initially shattered his dreams:

  • The emotional devastation of learning his son’s condition
  • His anger and questioning of purpose: “What was the point of it?”
  • The moment of revelation that changed his perspective
  • How this personal journey transformed his understanding of life’s meaning

“All those dreams about ever watching my son knock a home run over the fence went away. The whole thing about where the universe came from? I didn’t care… I started asking myself, what was the point of it?”

The Moment Everything Changed

The turning point in Wright’s journey came unexpectedly. One day, he observed his daughter Abbie, then about 4 years old, playing with dolls next to Adam. This simple moment revealed something profound—that Adam could see and engage with his surroundings. He had an inner life.

This realization led to several transformative insights:

  • Wright and his wife began teaching Adam simple sign language
  • Eventually, their son signed “I love you”—a moment Wright describes as indescribably powerful
  • This communication revealed Adam’s intelligence trapped within his uncooperative body
  • Wright discovered a purpose greater than his own disappointment

Through this experience, Wright developed the core message of his lecture to students: “There is something a lot greater than energy. There’s something a lot greater than entropy. What’s the greatest thing? Love. That’s what makes the ‘why’ we exist.”

Wright’s Law: How a Lecture Became a Movement

What began as a personal reflection shared with students transformed into something much larger when former student Zack Conkle returned to document Wright’s teaching. The resulting short film, “Wright’s Law,” captured both the dynamic classroom experiments and the moving personal lecture.

The documentary’s impact spread far beyond Louisville:

  • Won a gold medal in multimedia in the national College Photographer of the Year competition
  • Featured in The New York Times and other major media outlets
  • Led to appearances on shows like “Katie Couric” and “The Doctors”
  • Continues to inspire educators and students worldwide years after its release

Even a decade after the documentary’s release, Wright continues to receive messages from people touched by his story. The film’s enduring impact demonstrates how authentic stories of resilience and purpose resonate across time and cultures.

The Classroom Impact: Beyond Physics

When Wright concludes his lecture each year, the reaction is powerful. Students often leave wiping away tears or stopping to hug their teacher. But the emotional response is just the beginning of the lecture’s impact.

Wright’s students report lasting effects:

  • A deeper appreciation for their own abilities and opportunities
  • More compassionate understanding of people with disabilities
  • Recognition that scientific principles connect to profound human questions
  • Inspiration to pursue careers in science, especially genetic research

This integration of emotional wisdom with academic content creates a learning experience that stays with students long after they’ve forgotten specific physics formulas or equations.

The Wright Family Journey

Behind the inspiring classroom story is the daily reality of the Wright family’s life with Adam. Their journey includes:

  • The practical challenges of caring for a child with profound physical disabilities
  • Finding joy in small moments and unexpected progress
  • Building a support network of family, medical professionals, and community
  • Creating a home environment adapted to Adam’s needs

After Wright’s appearance on “The Doctors,” Home Depot partnered with the show to design a wheelchair-accessible first floor for the Wright family home—a practical expression of how his story has moved people to action.

Conclusion: The Science of What Matters Most

Jeffrey Wright’s dual role as a physics teacher and father of a special needs child has created a unique perspective that bridges the gap between scientific understanding and human meaning. His story reminds us that education at its best doesn’t just inform—it transforms.

Wright continues to teach physics with his trademark demonstrations and experiments. But his greatest lesson remains the one about love, purpose, and finding meaning even in life’s most difficult circumstances. As he tells his students: “That’s what makes the ‘why’ we exist.”

In a profession often measured by test scores and academic achievements, Jeffrey Wright exemplifies what education at its best can be—not just the transmission of knowledge, but transformation of lives. Through both his dynamic demonstrations and his vulnerability in sharing his personal journey, he shows how the greatest scientific discoveries may be those we make about ourselves.

Join the Conversation

Who was a teacher that made a profound impact on your life? How did they go beyond the curriculum to teach you something meaningful about life itself? Share your experience in the comments below!