Articles from 2021
442 articles · browse by month or scroll through the year.
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Worth Considering
What MIT Mathematician Gian-Carlo Rota Taught About Work
Business Lessons From an MIT Mathematician Gian-Carlo Rota was mathematician, teacher, and philosopher who spent most of his career at MIT, teaching functional analysis, probability theory, phenomenology, and…
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Postscript
Phenomenal Photos I Wish I'd Taken
#1
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From My Work-in-Progress Basket
If It Ain’t Broke… Fix It Anyway!
“Change is vital, improvement the logical form of change.” – James Cash Penney If It Ain’t Broke… Fix It Anyway! How to Aim Your Business After It’s Been Started If you want your business to grow quickly and…
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Worth Considering
Buster Keaton’s “Special Effects
A few weeks ago, I shared a video of Buster Keaton’s greatest stunts. Readers wrote to ask: How much of that was real? Turns out, there weren’t any “safety nets” in place. Stunts that looked dangerous really…
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Postscript
Rancho Santana Named Among World's Best Hotels
The Inn at Rancho Santana has been featured in the March issue of Travel + Leisure as one of the 500 best hotels and resorts in the world. You can read the article here.
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Notes From My Journal
The Question of Tax Increases
When people say they are in favor of increasing taxes, what they generally mean is that they favor increasing taxes on “others” that make more or have more than they do. Recently, I challenged a friend who…
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Worth Considering
3 Facts, 3 Numbers, 3 Thoughts — March 13, 2021
THE FACTS * Prohibition helped make Walgreens the giant it is today. While prohibition made alcohol sales illegal from 1920 to 1933, “medicinal” alcohol was still perfectly legal. Anyone with a doctor willing…
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Postscript
Toni Basil Still Dances Circles Around Younger Performers
I missed Toni Basil when she was at her dancing prime. But last night I saw this… At 74, she can hold her own with dancers less than half her age!
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Notes From My Journal
The “For the People Act
After Daniel Ortega was elected as President of Nicaragua, legally in 2006, the Sandinista party went to work modifying election laws to secure its preeminent position in government and improve its chances for…
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Notes From My Journal
Power to the People?
“The difference between a democracy and a dictatorship is that in a democracy you vote first and take orders later; in a dictatorship you don’t have to waste your time voting.” – Charles Bukowski Power to the…
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Worth Considering
The Car That Obakeng Built
When I lived in Africa, I was always amazed at the toy cars that little kids built out of scraps of wire and metal – pull toys or push toys, like American kids had back then, but they were homemade. Think…
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Postscript
Rare Footage Captures Lightning Striking The Ground
We’ve all seen lightning in the sky. But have you ever seen it strike the ground? (Joe M. sent in this video.)
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Notes From My Journal
New Words
I read something yesterday about how new words make their way from the fringes to mainstream usage, and then finally into dictionaries. For example, in 2020, the Merriam-Webster dictionary added hundreds of…
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Notes From My Journal
Proud Dad Moments
“It’s easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.” – Frederick Douglass Proud Dad Moments In a recent issue of his “Postcards From the Fringe” blog, Tom Dyson told this little “Proud Dad…
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Worth Considering
Coca-Cola's Awkward Attempt At Addressing Racism
Why is it so hard for Coca-Cola to talk about racism? Conservative commentators had a field day with a program offered as part of Coca-Cola’s Better Together campaign, an employee training video that included…
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Postscript
Drones Deliver Medical Supplies To Rural Ghana
This is how drone technology is already being used in Ghana (West Africa) to deliver medical supplies, including coronavirus tests and vaccines, to rural communities…
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Notes From My Journal
I’ll never read all the books I want to read. I won’t even come close
I group these books in four levels of priority. First is a list I keep of titles recommended by good friends and respected colleagues. Next are literary prize winners (especially the National Book Award and…
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Worth Reading
The Blue River
The Blue River By Ethan Canin 222 pages Published in 1991 by Warner Books Blue River is the story of two brothers, Lawrence and Edward, who, after having taken very different paths in life, are reconnected…
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Worth Watching
Pillow Talk (1959)
Pillow Talk (1959) Directed by Michael Gordon Starring Rock Hudson and Doris Day Pillow Talk was a Valentine’s Day suggestion by K. Neither of us had ever seen it. On the one hand, it’s an old-fashioned…
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Postscript
Keone & Mariel Madrid's Latest Dance Creation
A fresh and fun bit of choreography from Keone & Mariel Madrid Dance Company…
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Notes From My Journal
Surviving… Everything
I’m here in Nicaragua, a country that was once devastated by an earthquake and then a revolution that changed it from one of the richest countries in Latin America to one of the poorest. But gradually over the…
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Worth Considering
3 Facts, 3 Numbers, 3 Thoughts — March 6, 2021
THE FACTS * Dr. Seuss books discontinued as racist. Dr. Seuss Enterprises announced that they will cease publication of six books that had come under attack by the Sensitivity Police. Three of the stated…
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Postscript
Woman Leaves Boyfriend Over Body Shaming Comments
When I saw the headline – “Woman Dumps Boyfriend Who Shamed Her for Having ‘Beer Gut’ ” – I assumed it was a satirical news story from The Onion. I was wrong.
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From My Work-in-Progress Basket
Biden's Stimulus Bill: Popular But Poorly Understood
“If we take the route of the permanent handout, the American character will itself be impoverished.” – Richard Nixon Free money is popular! Who woulda thunk? A vast majority of Americans – 72% to 76% – support…
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Worth Watching
Martial Arts for Women
I’ve been training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for about 23 years. I’ve earned a black belt and have won several regional and national contests (for my age group), and I came in third in the 2016 IBJJF World Master…
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Postscript
Brain Stuff . . . From Cambridge University
Olny srmat poelpe can raed tihs. cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't…
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Notes From My Journal
Sitting…
Perhaps it’s my age. Or maybe it’s something I should have figured out long ago. One of the great pleasures in life is being seated. Whether it’s for work, socializing, or meditation, I’ve come to understand…
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Notes From My Journal
What I Believe
“Any clod can have the facts; having opinions is an art.” – Charles McCabe What I Believe A compilation – in no particular order – of some of my longstanding theories and many of my current ideas and opinions……
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Postscript
Prado's Cubist Purchase Sparks Madrid Museum Turf War
One of the great pleasures of keeping an eye on the art world is to be able to enjoy the ridiculous issues that are passionately debated. It reminds me of the sort of controversies I noticed when I was…
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Notes From My Journal
The Power Of Self-Forgiveness In Business And Life
“Forgiveness says you are given another chance to make a new beginning.” – Desmond Tutu One of the Most Important Skills I Ever Learned – How It Improved Both My Business and My Personal Life I learned to…
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Worth Considering
The Parable of the Two Monks
Two Buddhist monks on a journey came upon a rushing stream. Standing next to the stream was a young, pregnant woman who was clearly in distress. “Please help me,” she said to the monks. “I have to get to the…
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Postscript
Interesting Maps: #3
How much snow does it take to close the schools in your state?
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Worth Reading
The Turncoat
The Turncoat By Siegfried Lenz Translated by John Cullen 384 pages Written in 1951; posthumously published in 2020 The Turncoat is the story of a German soldier’s experience of World War II, fighting for a…
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Worth Watching
Delhi Crime
Delhi Crime (2019) Directed by Richie Mehta Starring Shefali Shah, Rajesh Tailang, and Rasika Dugal Available on Netflix I’ve been to India a half dozen times – for business and pleasure -- and have nothing…
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Postscript
Supporting Survivors Through Jyoti's Family Legacy
If Delhi Crime moves you to want to take action, you should investigate the Nirbhaya Jyoti Trust, launched by Jyoti’s family, which provides shelter and resources for victims of sexual abuse in India. Amaru…
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Notes From My Journal
My Unexpected Bitcoin Windfall And Lingering Doubts
I’ve never been able to get a convincing answer to this question about cryptocurrencies: Why would the US government allow any currency to replace the dollar when it has the means to prevent it? (Which it…
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Worth Considering
3 Facts, 3 Numbers, 3 Thoughts — February 25, 2021
THE FACTS * The NBA player with the second-highest net worth was not a well-known all-star. Everyone knows #1 on the list (Michael Jordan: net worth $2.2 billion), but few people outside of the business world…
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Postscript
Life Without Petroleum Products: A Visual Exploration
Ever wonder what life without petroleum products would be like? Take a look at this video sent in by my friend Joe S…
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From My Work-in-Progress Basket
The Hidden Choreography of a Compelling (and Very Profitable) Marketing Tool
“Advertising is fundamentally persuasion and persuasion is not a science, but an art.” – William Bernbach As a consultant to one of the world’s largest digital publishing networks, I’ve had the opportunity to…
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Postscript
Twelve Warhol Works That Challenged The Establishment
Say what you will about Andy Warhol, the man was one of the most influential artists of his time. What I liked about his work was his undeniable enjoyment in producing pieces that shocked or even offended the…
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Notes From My Journal
Yawn!
I have four grandkids. Watching them grow these past five years, I’ve been reminded of many things I’ve forgotten over the 40 years since I had my first child. One of those things is that newborns sleep…
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Notes From My Journal
Afternoon Drag: Don’t Fight It! Take a Nap!
“Sleep is the Swiss army knife of health.” – Matthew Walker Afternoon Drag: Don’t Fight It! Take a Nap! It happens like clockwork most days, says Dr. Eifrig. Around 3:30 in the afternoon, you get sleepy. Your…
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Worth Considering
The New Normal” Documentary
I had heard about this documentary, and remembered it described as a conspiracy theory disguised as a documentary. My lifelong friend TG sent me the link, and I watched it. It didn’t strike me as such. It…
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Postscript
Inflammatory Political Rhetoric Predates Trump's Recent Statements
The election is over. And so is the impeachment trial. But the bellicose rhetoric that Trump used – rhetoric that the impeachers categorized as inciting violent “insurrection” – was hardly a Trump trademark…
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Notes From My Journal
The Politics of Goal-Setting
This week’s movie recommendation – Borat Subsequent Moviefilm – is a surprisingly well done bit of political satire aimed at the Trump administration. But first, speaking of politics, take a look at David…
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Worth Watching
Borat Subsequent Moviefilm
Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, aka Borat 2 (2020) Directed by Jason Woliner Starring Sacha Baron Cohen and Maria Bakalova Available on Amazon Prime Video I loved Sacha Baron Cohen’s Ali G character since I first…
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Worth Reading
A Letter from Charles Darwin, age 12, to a friend (Jan 4,
You must know that after my Georgraphy, she said I should go down to ask for Richards poney, just as I was going, she said she must ask me not a very decent question, that was whether I wash all over every…
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Postscript
We Need People Like This
I’m not sure why. But I’m pretty sure we need them.
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Worth Considering
3 Facts, 3 Numbers, 3 Thoughts — February 18, 2021
THE FACTS * China is conducting another test of their digital Yuan. To start off the lunar new year, $1.5 million worth of digital currency will be given to 50,000 randomly selected Beijing residents. They…
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Postscript
Dogs Having More Fun Than Kids In Snow
For those of you who favor fun with canines… My favorite is the one that stops the toboggan, tosses out the kids, takes it from them, and sleds down the hill. uploads/2021/01/DOGS-IN-SNOW.mp4
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