Last night, I attended a talk by the Managing Partner of McKinsey (UK + Ireland), followed by a 15-pax dinner with him.

Mr Dominic Casserley read History at Jesus College some time ago and was the President of the Cambridge Union in his time.

It's these talks and dinners that marks one's journey. Not the core curriculum which is largely similar in all business schools. For example, because the dinner was held at Jesus College, we got to visit the Master's Lodge for pre-dinner drinks. Incidentally, the master of Jesus College, Professor Mair, consults for LTA. There is so much I want to ask him. Then there is our director of Judge Business School, Professor Arnoud de Meyer, who hosted the dinner. Apart from listening to Mr Casserley's responses to our questions, it was a joy watching the Prof facilitate the session. Perhaps we should have a dinner session with the Prof. Personally, I prefer small and extended group discussions.

Speaking of Cambridge History graduates... We spent the evening with another today.

At 4.30pm, I excitedly announced via Facebook and Twitter that I was gonna meet Alain de Botton. At 5.30pm, we made our way to Robinson College.

It's like going for a rock concert and meeting one's idol.
It has been a long time since I felt this way.

As part of the Cambridge Business Lectures, they brought in Alain de Botton.

How can a concert by Alain de Botton be free of charge, while one has to pay so much for a ticket to a MayDay concert?!

After waiting for about 20 minutes, he finally appeared and stood in a corner while being introduced.


Finally, he got onstage and started his talk. Mainly about his latest piece on Work.

He started his session by emphasising how work take centre-stage in modern life.

In the most freaky manner, just a couple of hours ago, I was having the following conversation with SS:

SS: actually hor, if you can afford hor, its ok to be jobless for sometimes. too many times our values are judged by work work work.... sibeh sian

BM: our existence is defined by work

SS: then just use material to bluff ourselves that we are happy

BM: when pple first get to know you... the first question = what do you do?

After his talk, the crowd spilled into the courtyard. Just like after a concert.

I began to wonder... Most people listen to the music of the rock star before going for the concert. In fact, most can sing along with the rock star. They just want to hear the same songs live and watch their rock star move before their eyes.

Though I did read his earlier book, I didn't consume Alain de Botton's 'latest album' before going for this concert. In fact, I'd ever only read one of his books. I wonder if that'll strain our fan-idol relationship.

There he was... Availing himself for chats, pictures and signatures.
I snuck beside him quietly and took a pic... without flash... of course.


Meanwhile, a line has built up before him... To buy his books, ranging from the first to the latest... Then to get his signature.

'Good Fren' commented that Alain de Botton was more accessible than MayDay. =_=

Once again the earlier question flashed:


'Good Fren' reckons it has nothing to do with the substance of the content each star provides. It has more to do with the appeal of the star. Mass appeal = higher star value.
=_=

Though I didn't really want to buy his latest book (I am not sure why), the groupie in me really wanted his signature. So I bought a copy and asked him for his signature and a picture.

He is really more accessible than MayDay.
He's human. Without make-up and star-nannies.
A different Fan-Idol relationship from that I'd explored earlier.

Meanwhile, other people gathered around the alcohol downstairs.

擦肩而过的 有名人 有明天的知己