How many of you have made a mixtape? Back in the day, making someone a mixtape was a well-known sign of affection. For those of you who are too young or too old to understand the significance of the mixtape, they were significant because of the time and effort it took to make one. Filling a 90-minute cassette tape with music meant cueing up a record 20 times or so (unless you included In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida, which cut down the number considerably). This was after you decided on the songs, rounded up … [Read more...] about Our On-Demand World
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Fred the Stoic
Fred was an epic cat. Really. While most pets are special to their owners, Fred really was special; if nothing else, he lived to be almost 22 years old, which you have to admit, is special. As nearly as I can tell, the oldest cat currently alive is around 27. Fred came close, which is pretty special. But what was most special about Fred was his attitude towards life. As any cat owner can tell you, saying a cat has attitude is redundant, but as he grew older, Fred’s attitude morphed from typical … [Read more...] about Fred the Stoic
Understanding the Benefits of Freedom of Thought, Expression
In my younger days, I was pretty intractable, convinced that I was always right. When my wife, Tracy, reads this, she’ll do an eye-roll and think “was?” but I really have gotten much better about allowing for the possibility that I might be wrong. (At some point, I had to give in to overwhelming evidence of my fallibility.) Unfortunately, the belief that we’re infallible infects us as a society. This is a pernicious threat to our future. Believing that we’re infallible leads to the … [Read more...] about Understanding the Benefits of Freedom of Thought, Expression
Becoming Excellent
In some circles, the term “excellence” gets thrown around frequently, either explicitly or implied in phrases like “going to the next level.” Organizational gurus have penned dozens of views on what excellence means, and how to achieve it. (Anyone remember “In Search of Excellence?”) Excellence is a fascinating, important topic (hence all the books), but despite all the books and articles, the topic remains muddy to many. So, I thought I’d share my take on excellence. The first question is … [Read more...] about Becoming Excellent
Six for 2016
Here we are, at the beginning of another year. 2015 was eventful, but I’d be hard-pressed to think of an uneventful year. While we don’t know what 2016 will bring, I know a few things I’d like to see in the New Year. Since I’m not one for New Year’s resolutions, I decided to simply describe what I hope to see this year in myself and in others. More civility: This will surprise no one who read my December column. The world needs more civility and less rancor, especially as we move into the … [Read more...] about Six for 2016
