The Daily Note with James A. Brown

Ringtone sales have taken a nosedive that’s more dramatic than a roller coaster drop, and we’re diving right into that wild ride! I’m James A. Brown, and today we’re reminiscing about how we used to drop serious cash just to make our phones sing a little tune that screamed “me!” Remember when we’d fork out money for ringtones that matched our personalities, like blasting “Crazy in Love” for our best buds or busting out the Imperial...

Ever wonder what life would be like without the constant buzz of the internet? Well, we dive into that juicy topic today! With AOL officially saying goodbye to dial-up, we’re looking at the quirky reality that 160,000 Americans will be losing their beloved slow connection. Can you imagine waiting three whole minutes for a photo? Talk about suspense! But here’s the kicker: this shift might just be a blessing in disguise. We’ll explo...

Eastman Kodak is at a crossroads, claiming it can pay its debts but might not survive—a bit like saying you can cover the funeral costs but can’t afford the medicine, right? I mean, I’m coming at you from Rochester, New York, Kodak’s hometown, and let me tell you, this news hits like a ton of bricks. For generations, Kodak wasn't just a job; it was a way of life, woven into the very fabric of our city. We dive deep into the irony o...

Ever find yourself in an elevator with strangers, all staring intently at your phone like it’s the latest episode of your favorite show? Well, I’ve been there too, and it got me thinking about something pretty profound: our phones may be keeping us entertained, but they're also robbing us of those little moments of connection that happen when we just look around. You know, those awkward pauses where you could compliment someone on ...

Mattel has just launched a Barbie doll with type 1 diabetes, complete with a tiny glucose monitor and an insulin pump that syncs with an app to track blood sugar. While it’s pretty awesome to see representation in toys, we have to wonder if Mattel is losing the plot a little here. I mean, when did toys start doubling as life lessons? Instead of opening a toy box filled with endless possibilities, kids might just find a reminder of ...

Most of us think our job is whatever our boss tells us it is, right? But hold onto your coffee cups because Scott Adams, the genius behind Dilbert, has a different take: he says our real job is to snag a better job! Yep, you heard that right! We’re not just clocking in to make someone else’s dreams come true; we’re building our skills, expanding our networks, and ultimately working for ourselves and our future. So, the next time yo...

Cheaper hamburgers have become a nostalgic dream for many of us, and today, we’re diving headfirst into that juicy topic! We stumbled upon a McDonald's menu from 2007, and let me tell you, the prices are 92% higher than what we used to pay. Talk about a wallet punch! But what really got us thinking is how we reacted to this blast from the past. Instead of just being annoyed, we found ourselves treating that menu like it was some ki...

Remember when every minute of a phone call felt like gold? Well, we’re diving into that nostalgia today! We chat about how we went from rationing our words like they were precious commodities to having unlimited everything, yet somehow, we’ve managed to talk less than ever. Crazy, right? We explore the irony of having unlimited minutes but still opting for emojis over actual voice chats. So, is it that we’ve found slicker ways to a...

Get ready to take a delightful stroll through the charming streets of Geneva, New York, where small-town vibes meet big-time fun! We’re diving into the heart of this Finger Lakes gem, where summer nights are lit up by twinkling lights, live music fills the air, and the aroma of delicious food wafts from local eateries. Picture this: pedestrians enjoying a leisurely evening, sipping cocktails and sharing laughs on an old brick stree...

Let’s dive into the idea of “deep casual hosting,” a concept I’m totally vibing with after hearing Kathryn Goldstein chat about it on Substack. The main takeaway? It’s all about whipping up double the food and inviting your pals over—easy peasy! We’re talking about creating a laid-back atmosphere without all the fuss of a formal dinner party. In a world where loneliness is creeping up on so many of us, maybe the magic fix isn’t the...

Ever feel like cars have lost their soul? Well, we're diving into that very topic today! We're chatting about how electric sports cars are flopping in the market, and it's not just because they’re eco-friendly; it's because they’ve gone all antiseptic on us. Frank Marcus from Motortrend chimes in, pointing out that people really miss the raw feel of an engine purring and the steering wheel vibrating with each bump on the road. Can ...

Trust is a tricky thing these days, and we’re diving right into who we really trust in this episode! Spoiler alert: it turns out we trust our local mom-and-pop shops way more than the folks in charge of running the country. Can you believe that about 70% of us have more faith in small businesses than in the military, science, or even Congress, which is barely scraping 10%? We’re talking about a world where we value competence and h...

Let’s dive into a topic that really gets under our skin: income inequality and how it shapes our friendships. So, here’s the kicker—research shows that your income can predict your friends' income too! If you’re on the lower end of the financial spectrum, chances are your buddy list looks pretty similar. But if you’re rolling in the dough, you might be hanging with other high-flyers. It’s like we’ve all sorted ourselves into little...

Nobody likes taxes, right? I mean, whether it's the ones we file in April or the emotional toll life throws our way, they can feel like a real drag. Today, we dive into what Seneca called “the taxes of life”—those pesky little heartaches, the grief, and even the bittersweet goodbyes that come with living. But here’s the kicker: instead of resenting these payments, what if we embraced them? Paying these taxes with gratitude can ligh...

If you couldn’t fail, what would you do? That’s the big question we’re diving into today, and trust me, it’s a mind-bender! We kick things off with a lighthearted chat about how often we get stuck in defensive mode, always calculating risks and worrying about what could go wrong instead of dreaming big. We realize that practical thinking is super important, but if it’s the only tool in our toolbox, we might as well be stuck in a ca...

Alright, let’s dive into this juicy topic! It turns out that a whopping 72% of American teens are turning to AI for companionship, according to some fresh research from Common Sense Media. Crazy, right? With fewer teens hanging out in neighborhoods and school buses looking emptier than a pizza box after a party, it’s no wonder these kids are feeling lonelier than ever. They’re surrounded by technology, but that doesn’t mean they’re...

Ever feel like your phone is a sneaky little thief stealing your precious time? Well, I definitely had that epiphany while hanging out with my mom, who was busy crafting some adorable beaded earrings. She caught me glued to my iPhone and reminded me that I should really be present—after all, who knows how many moments we have left to spend with our loved ones? In this lively chat, we dig into how these pocket-sized pickpockets snag...

We dive into the wild world of unexpected big cat sightings that caused a mini-mania in Rochester, New York! Picture this: a ring doorbell camera captures what looks like a panther prowling the streets, and suddenly, everyone’s heart is racing faster than a cheetah! But just when the fear of a furry predator had us on edge, the internet came to the rescue with a flood of hilarious memes and some truly questionable photoshops. I mea...

Ozzy Osbourne has left us, and as we sit with that news, our minds can't help but drift back to that infamous bat incident from 1982. You know the one—Ozzy, thinking he was just biting into a rubber toy, ended up gnawing on a real bat instead! It’s a wild moment that perfectly encapsulates the chaotic charm of the Prince of Darkness himself. In this episode, we dive into the legacy of Ozzy, not just through his music but through hi...