What we learned this week

• The rebranding of Starbucks has infused their stores with a vibrancy and playfulness that wasn't there before. 

• The launch of the iPad 2 once again provided long, baffling lines at Apple Store's nationwide. 

• The Elements of Content Strategy by Erin Kissane is a must read for everyone. Really, everyone. Buy multiples and hand them to prospective clients with your proposals. 
• The story behind the success of Angry Birds is as fascinating as the game itself. 

• The massive earthquake that hit Japan moved the island 8 feet and shifted the Earth's axis. It goes without saying, the news from Japan continue to startle us. The destruction is almost incomprehensible, and the repercussions will not be fully understood for days. The Big Picture has some harrowing images. We hope all our Japanese friends and their families are safe. The Huffington Post has a comprehensive list of earthquake relief options and how to help.

It's 2011 and it is pretty much safe to say that at this point in the evolution of the human species we all know someone that is different from us, different race, different gender, different sexuality, different nationality. Just different, and yet all the same. Pain unifies us.

When I woke up to see the news of the earthquake I was overcome with a profound sadness and an immediate fear for the people I've met and worked with that come from Japan, live and work in Japan. Like everyone I know I jumped on Facebook and Twitter to try to connect maybe even help. It was obvious, it is still obvious that we are all sad and concerned. 

I wish we would all remember this feeling we are having for the people of Japan and afford each other the same level of compassion day to day.