The woods are lovely, dark and deep, But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep. Those words from Robert Frost's classic poem, Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening, came to me today while my son and I went for a hike … Continue reading Stopping by Woods on a Sunny Day (with apologies to Robert Frost)
Where Are You?
This is the 50th in a collection of newspaper ads written by Harry Gray, then CEO of United Technologies, that appeared in the Wall Street Journal from the late 1970s through the early 1980s. Here is the text from that ad. Your third grade teacher said you had a problem with math. You gave up … Continue reading Where Are You?
My Senior Prom, and Other Rites of Male Passage That I’ve Missed
It was my usual Sunday morning routine, Dunkin' Donuts coffee and bagels at my Aunt's house, watching reruns of Deal or No Deal. I think I've seen most of the Deal or No Deal shows, but not the one that was on TV today. This episode from 2007 featured a young woman who mentioned to Howie … Continue reading My Senior Prom, and Other Rites of Male Passage That I’ve Missed
I May Have Just Won Several Million Dollars
I had a little bit of free time today, so I decided to clear out my junk email folder. And it may turn out to be the most financially rewarding task I've ever undertaken. While reading through the junk emails, I came across the following emails (certain details are left out so that no one … Continue reading I May Have Just Won Several Million Dollars
The Four Ps of Behavioral Economics
Some of you may have heard of the four Ps of marketing - Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. But what about the four Ps of behavior change - Process, Persuasion, Possibilities, and Person? I came across these four Ps while while reading a fascinating article about how the Google Food Team and the Yale Center for … Continue reading The Four Ps of Behavioral Economics
I’m the Clarence Thomas of Barbershops and Hair Salons
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas made the headlines this past week when he asked a lawyer a couple of questions during oral arguments about a gun ownership case. The reason it was such a big deal is because for the past 10 years he has maintained a strange and often-criticized code of silence. In 2013, he … Continue reading I’m the Clarence Thomas of Barbershops and Hair Salons
A Glimpse of the Future, and the Past: Robotics, U.B.I., and Bob Dylan
The New York Times had an interesting story today that looked at one possible consequence of a future filled with robots replacing human workers - U.B.I., or Universal Basic Income. The basic premise goes like this - as people are phased out of jobs, why not just give everyone a paycheck? Imagine the government sending each adult … Continue reading A Glimpse of the Future, and the Past: Robotics, U.B.I., and Bob Dylan
How Walking Around a Mall Showed Me What’s Great About America
My son and I were just walking through the food court at the Crabtree Valley Mall in Raleigh yesterday, and it just jumped out at me. Sitting around the tables, peacefully eating their lunches, I saw whites, blacks, Hispanics, and Asians. Undoubtedly those distinctions could be broken down into more sub-categories. I am also confident … Continue reading How Walking Around a Mall Showed Me What’s Great About America
When’s the Best Time to Stop Talking?
This is the 49th in a collection of newspaper ads written by Harry Gray, then CEO of United Technologies, that appeared in the Wall Street Journal from the late 1970s through the early 1980s. Here is the text from that ad. Probably now. A story is told about FDR when he was a young lawyer. … Continue reading When’s the Best Time to Stop Talking?
Having Fun Is a Full-time Job
It's Spring Break, and my youngest son and I decided to go visit our oldest son down in Raleigh for a few days. The drive down is usually about six and a half to seven hours, but in hindsight leaving on a Friday afternoon and driving through D.C. may not have been the best decision. … Continue reading Having Fun Is a Full-time Job
Borden's Blather 