Every movie fan knows that in space no one can hear you scream. Just like everyone knows Hollywood loves hearing the “ka-ching” of box office sales anytime it releases a new Alien movie. No one could have imagined it at the time, but Ridley Scott’s iconic 1979 film launched an entire sci-fi horror series that’s still going strong. The franchise will soon deliver not only a new film, but a new live-action TV show. When will both take place, though? There have been so many Alien movies, along with other tales told in various media, it can be hard to keep remember when every installment took place. What’s a sequel and what’s a prequel? When did certain characters join and leave the story? And what’s canonical and what’s not? It’s a lot to keep track of. Only, you don’t have to anymore. We did it for you.
Nerdist‘s own Adam Murray went deep into the history and lore of space, monsters, mega corporations, and milk-filled robots in this in-depth video “The Complete Alien Cinematic Timeline.” It will help you accurately place every major event and figure in the franchise. And as a bonus it will also prove why you should really avoid sticking your face in weird eggs.
From Engineers and Xenomorphs, to Ripleys and androids, for over 40 years the Alien franchise has provided a whole lot of story and world-building. (Or, rather, space building.) Now, with both Alien: Romulus and Noah Hawley’s Alien show on the horizon, we thought this was the perfect time to help make sense of a complicated timeline.
In addition to this great video breakdown, we also made you a cool chart. It not only easily places every major event in its correct order. This graph also highlights exactly what’s canon and what’s not. It has way more answers than Prometheus. Though in fairness Prometheus provided zero answers so that wasn’t a tough hurdle.
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We love a good timeline chart as much as David loves playing the flute with himself.
Now that we made sense of this timeline, we are left to wonder: what new entries await the future of Alien and where and when will they take place? In space no one can hear you scream. But if you ever need us to update this chart in the future give us a holler. Just promise us in the meantime if you come across a weird space egg you’ll keep your face far away from it. Trust us, if Alien has taught us anything over four decades it’s that space eggs always cause problems.
Make sure to check out the above theater before you head to theaters for Alien: Romulus when it releases on August 16.
Originally published on December 19, 2023.
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Which Alien movies are sequels? Prequels? Canonical? And when will new entries take place? Our Alien Cinematic Timeline breakdown has all the answers.
The post We Engineered a Complete ALIEN Cinematic Timeline Video Breakdown (And Bonus Graph!) appeared first on Nerdist.
Amazon’s Leadership and Corporate Culture: Lessons from Jeff Bezos
Amazon, one of the most influential and innovative companies in the world, has a corporate culture and leadership philosophy shaped largely by its founder, Jeff Bezos. Bezos’s approach to leadership and his vision for Amazon have set the company apart in the highly competitive tech and retail sectors. This article explores the key elements of Amazon’s leadership and corporate culture, and the lessons that can be drawn from Bezos’s unconventional methods.
The Bezos Leadership Philosophy
Jeff Bezos founded Amazon in 1994, and his leadership philosophy has been instrumental in driving the company’s success. Central to Bezos’s approach is a relentless focus on the customer. He famously emphasized, “We’re not competitor obsessed, we’re customer obsessed. We start with the customer and we work backwards.” This mantra has guided Amazon’s product development, customer service, and innovation strategies.
Bezos’s customer-centric philosophy manifests in various ways. For instance, Amazon’s customer service policies are designed to maximize customer satisfaction, often going above and beyond industry standards. This includes offering easy returns, fast shipping, and a broad range of products. The commitment to customer experience is not merely a slogan but a guiding principle that influences every aspect of Amazon’s operations.
Innovation and Risk-Taking
Another hallmark of Bezos’s leadership is a strong emphasis on innovation and risk-taking. Bezos has been known for his willingness to experiment and embrace failure as part of the innovation process. His approach is encapsulated in the principle that “failure and invention are inseparable twins.” This mindset has led to the creation of groundbreaking products and services such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Kindle, and Alexa.
Bezos encourages employees to think big and explore unconventional ideas. Amazon’s “Day 1” mentality, as described by Bezos, means treating every day as if it were the first day of the company’s existence. This approach fosters a culture of continuous improvement and creativity, where employees are motivated to push boundaries and explore new possibilities.
The Two-Pizza Rule
Bezos’s leadership style also emphasizes the importance of small, agile teams. The “Two-Pizza Rule” is a notable example of this principle. According to this rule, teams should be small enough to be fed with two pizzas. The rationale behind this is that smaller teams are more effective at communicating and collaborating, which leads to faster decision-making and more innovative solutions.
The Two-Pizza Rule has influenced Amazon’s organizational structure, promoting a decentralized and flexible approach to management. It encourages teams to be autonomous and take ownership of their projects, leading to a more dynamic and responsive organization.
Long-Term Thinking
One of the defining features of Bezos’s leadership is his long-term thinking. Bezos has consistently prioritized long-term goals over short-term gains, a strategy that has often led to criticism from investors focused on quarterly results. However, Bezos believes that focusing on the long term is essential for building a sustainable and successful business.
This long-term perspective is reflected in Amazon’s investments in infrastructure, technology, and talent. For example, Amazon’s substantial investments in its fulfillment network and cloud computing services were made with the expectation of significant long-term returns. Bezos’s willingness to forgo immediate profits in favor of future growth has been a key driver of Amazon’s success.
Leadership Principles
Amazon’s leadership principles are a cornerstone of its corporate culture and reflect Bezos’s values and vision. These principles guide decision-making, employee behavior, and company policies. Some of the most notable principles include:
Customer Obsession: Always start with the customer and work backwards. Work to earn and keep customer trust.
Invent and Simplify: Seek out new solutions and simplify processes to make things easier for customers.
Hire and Develop the Best: Raise the performance bar with every hire and promotion. Recognize exceptional talent and help them grow.
Deliver Results: Focus on the key inputs for your business and deliver them with the right quality and in a timely fashion.
These principles help create a unified company culture where employees are aligned with Amazon’s mission and values. They also serve as a framework for evaluating performance and making strategic decisions.
A Culture of High Standards
Bezos is known for his insistence on high standards, which is reflected in Amazon’s corporate culture. He believes that maintaining high standards is crucial for driving excellence and innovation. This approach has led to a demanding work environment where employees are expected to deliver exceptional results and continuously improve.
While this culture of high standards has contributed to Amazon’s success, it has also been a point of contention. Critics have pointed to the intense pressure and high expectations placed on employees, leading to concerns about work-life balance and employee well-being. Bezos and Amazon have addressed these concerns in various ways, including investing in employee benefits and programs aimed at improving workplace conditions.
Lessons for Other Organizations
Amazon’s leadership and corporate culture offer several valuable lessons for other organizations:
Customer Focus: Prioritizing the customer can drive innovation and create a competitive edge. Companies should continually seek to understand and meet customer needs.
Embrace Failure: Viewing failure as a learning opportunity rather than a setback can foster innovation and resilience. Encouraging experimentation and risk-taking can lead to breakthroughs.
Small Teams, Big Impact: Smaller, autonomous teams can be more agile and effective. Empowering teams to make decisions and take ownership can drive productivity and creativity.
Long-Term Vision: Balancing short-term pressures with a focus on long-term goals can lead to sustainable growth and success. Investing in future-oriented projects can pay off over time.
High Standards: Setting high standards and striving for excellence can drive performance and improvement. However, it is important to balance this with consideration for employee well-being.
Conclusion
Jeff Bezos’s leadership and Amazon’s corporate culture have been instrumental in shaping the company’s success and influence. Bezos’s focus on the customer, innovation, long-term thinking, and high standards has created a unique and powerful organizational environment. While there are challenges associated with this approach, the lessons from Amazon’s leadership can provide valuable insights for other organizations striving for excellence and growth.
