Crowdsourcing My Bio

I’ve got to put a bio on the student page for Boulder Digital Works. I decided to crowdsource it. I asked acquaintances, friends, family and colleagues to tell me who I am.

I’m in the midst of the book Groundswell and thought this would be a great exercise. Groundswell is essentially about how communities of people have come together via social media and the digital universe and how their contributions determine brand identity as opposed to the it used to be with companies controlling their images unfettered.

The groundswell comments I received varied from “best son-in-law” to “Dan is a fucking loony” and “modern day Rasputin.” They said things I never would have thought of or said about myself. This was a lot of fun.

Here’s the amalgamation from what everyone said that I plan to put on the site:

Dan crowdsourced his bio. He is a storyteller who has told some unforgettable tales, both absurd and true. Dan gets off his ass to do things. He’s the guy in the dance off,  a f@#*ing loony, a modern day Rasputin, the best son-in-law, the worst cook and a little stinker. He’s hilarious, confident, creative, industrious, independent, thoughtful, optimistic and sarcastic. Dan’s got a zest for life and a bit of swagger. He is a fountain of the unexpected and a loyal friend. Olives are his enemy and fresh powder is his ally. A deep curiosity for the world drives him. He’s a passionate multimedia producer, filmmaker and writer. Dan’s a dog lover, traveler and a lucky man to have a wife who deals with him, inspires him and partakes in his shenanigans.

Here’s what they said exactly.

Up to the line below was added on Nov. 4, 2009

You are the same as when you were born. Happy, totally non traditional! Never one for the big block buster, more the sleeper independent film. Happy! The last thing you on your list of things to do was watch TV. A true baseball kid, loved to play the game, watch the game, talk about the game, go to a game and knows the statistics. Happy! Definitely self confident, always an excellent sense of self. One characteristic I never realized was so neat, was your wanting to be a part of something but not needing to be the star. Of course wonderful sense of humor, and a lovely way of connecting with people…and dogs!

One thing you left out is that you are really good at asking questions.  Not just stupid questions like such as “how is your day going” more like you ask thoughtful insightful questions about peoples livelihoods because you truly care and want to learn about them.

You are: Red Sox, Patriots, kind, funny, and creative.  You’re also a listener, smiler, and go-getter.  You make people want to be around you.

Dan Viens is a rare concoction of ambition, cognizance, and bedlam best served at room temperature.

Gives great advice on your wedding day.

Is a Blazers fan. Was there when Brandon Roy hit “That Shot” against the Houston Rockets. Go Blazers.

Knows that a text message reading “are you watching this game” actually means “I don’t want to ruin anything for you, but if you’re not watching this game then turn it on right now.”

funny, witty, fast, sharp, stubborn, realistic, sensitive, creative, serious, dog lover, nature lover, trendy, foodie, drinkie, fun

I think you are someone people can always count on. Someone with a witty sense of humor, someone people trust, someone that cares, someone that makes people laugh. And most importantly someone who likes to have fun and make sure everyone around you is having fun

Dan Viens: One of the most diverse, imaginative, and creative minds of our time. A modern marvel who encompasses and pushes the limits of the human innovative spirit. He’s pretty smart too.

1.  Dan is a killer kickballer

2.  Dan likes to crush, cut & smother

3.  Dan’s presence is enlightening

4.  Dan’s jokes turn smiles into laughter

5.  Dan has the quality to cause amusement

6.  Dan is a phishhead

7.  Dan has great taste in music

8.  Dan is a rockstar

9.  Dan should stand for Dreamer, Achiever & Narrator

10. Dan is the friend that you want forever in your life

a strong, fine man with a wonderful passion of life- an amazing pallet for fine wine, an ear for beautiful music and an eye for a lovely wife.

Warm, engaging

Dresses to accentuate his cute looks, including the selection of eye glass frames and sneakers!

thoughtful, creative and attentive listener

gentle persuader.

Multidimensional

Proven friend of Portland Audubon!

DJ Viens, DV, Dan, Dan & Sue, Viens with the V-Ends, electric, intelligent, informative, energetic, kickballer, video capture, film cutter, kid-play, techie geek, facilitator, negitive flipper – side stepper, positive emiter, phishhead phamily phriend, beat breaker, music aficionado, .com, art admirer, pop, trend, healthy yoga, skippy, 21 century digital man, renaissance man, hugs, sensitive, laughter, feelings, road tripper, jet setter, adventure seeker, risk taker, mover & a shaker, east coaster, good people.

high spirited, enthusiastic, quick with a joke, but seriously hard working. Beard or no beard, an interesting person to be around!

_______________________________

Dan is a storyteller who has told some unforgettable tales. Some absurd and some true, but all little gems. He’s the man in the dance off – the one with a bit of swagger.

You’re website lists you as storyteller.  This is entirely true. There have been a long line unforgettable tales – some absurd, some true, all little gems in an ever-growing arsenal of purely American stories.”

Dan is a copywriterfilmakercreativedirectorbosoxfanhusbandanlist.

Cheap laugh…

Trustworthy…

puts the F in FUN…

I think you are a hilarious, confident, thoughtful, genuine, creative, sarcastic, intrepid, caring, little stinker.

Funny, verbal, quick paced, kind, dedicated and loyal.

Dan has a zest for life, oozes personality, has a number of eclectic

interests/hobbies, and is “that” friend- you know the one, the friend

who stays dialed in to the music scene, knows who is playing

where/when, what new album is worth listening to, etc.  Everyone needs

that friend.

The best son-in-law in the world!

Dan is a fucking loony.

Dan is a creative industrious can do multimedia producer, advertiser, filmmaker.

fun, optimistic, honest, intelligent, appreciative, comfortable with yourself and your place in the world, accepting of people, non-judgemental, engaging, inclusive and most importantly….THE BEST NEPHEW EVER!

creative, fun, and easy going with a side of sillyness to spice it up.

snappy responses shows a quick mind, and an easy smile shows an eagerness to involve others into your world.

open and comfortable in your skin, confidant with a slight swagger.

You are that gorgeous newborn sent to eight hungry uncles and aunts who fought over you from minute one like a slab of meat.

Competition was tough… the years went  by…who could spoil you the most?

You were so easy to be around……not to mention fun.

Modern day Rasputin

For what it’s worth, I consider you to be a creative spirit, with

incredible wit, driven by a deep curiosity about the world around you.

To sum up, you put the Dan in Dan the Man.

When I think of Dan, I think of Dan and Sue. Ever since I first programmed Dan’s number into my phone I always would save it as “Dan of Dan and Sue!” This wasn’t because I didn’t know his last name was Viens, it was because where ever I would see them they were always together. Colorado, Las Vegas or everywhere in New England. I met them both at a phish concert, I saw them both last at a phish concert, and I will see them both at the next phish concert for Halloween! Two things Dan really loves are Sue and Phish, and imp sure it’s in that order as well!

Dan is by far and away one of the funniest persons I have ever met and his humor rubs off on everybody he comes in contact with, especially his friends. I met Dan through my friends Michael and peter, which are very close to Dan. Every time I hang out with either of them I see Dan’s style of humor that has rubbed off on them. When imp laughing from their witty jokes I often think of Dan.

Dan is a man values, principles and many friendships. His creativity is seen in everything he touches. Whether its documenting a mural in Africa, filming a bluegrass band from Boulder, making hysterical McDonalds commercials or filming some random birds in the pacific northwest, it all reeks of Dan simplistic style of humor. Dude, the kids funny!

You are arguably the most creative individual I know … also one of the funniest. Your positivism and overall enthusiasm for life – music, art, and sports - are contagious. Bowie and Sue are fabulous too! Whenever I think about a relationship or marriage that I’d like to emulate someday, you and Sue always come to mind.  Because of all this and much, much more I am extremely happy to call you a friend.

A “getting to the bottom of things-type” who is not satisfied until he has gotten to the bottom of things.  Obviously someone you want on your team.

You are a fountain of the unexpected.

You are the lone person laughing when the rest of us are standing around with our jaws dropped in astonishment.

You might be the most creative person I know; top three at least.

You are a lucky guy to have a great wife that can keep up with you, deal with you, forgive you, and partake in your shenanigans with you.  (I know because I’m equally lucky)

You are my friend, that’s who you are.

is the king of small talk

is the witty jokester

is the loyal and honest friend

is the worst cook

is a copywriter and a filmmaker

tells it like it is

loves a good debate

is the trivial pursuit master

is a music collector

is very flexible

is the life of the party

is the lover of puns and word play

is a snowboarder

takes sarcasm to a whole new level

is down for anything except olives

is a dog person

has deadly snowball throwing accuracy

is the man in the dance-off

is a super creative guy

is an amazing husband

creativity flowing through his viens