Sensitivity training has settled comfortably in as the solution for when a co-worker, college student, or celebrity says something that may offend the easily offended. There has always been an element of watching what one says in public. That’s how things like class and decorum were determined. But as we’ve given more weight to the politically correct, watching what one says is becoming not only a full-time job, but also quite a guessing game. There’s no way to know who will find what offensive. And the scales of society have tipped to give weight to the offended. Perhaps we…
The lost art of looking out the window
Growing up, we took many long road trips from Wisconsin to places like Florida, Louisiana, Colorado, and North Dakota (to name a few). As I look back on those road trips, and the ones I’ve taken since, as an adult, the one thing that stands out is the view from the car. There’s really no other way to see America than to drive around and look. Sometimes, you see fascinating buildings, landscapes, houses, people, or just other cars that you’ve never seen before. And the calm that accompanies these views allows us to practice the art of introspection. There’s…
Liberalism is like a virus
People are leaving progressive states like California, Illinois, and New York for more conservative areas like Arizona, Idaho, or Texas. Those liberal states have gotten so bad with their regulations, high taxes, and homeless problems, that even the people who voted for the representatives who brought about the mess can’t stand it anymore. So, like a virus, they’re all moving on from their original hosts to find new states and cities to infect. Having seemingly learned nothing from where they just left, they’re voting in the same types of people to bring about the same problems – albeit in…
Reindeer nepotism
I’ve seen the classic 1964 “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” more times than I can count. And I’ve certainly heard the song hundreds of times. But I never put it together until watching it tonight that Donner is Rudolph’s father. It was almost the same feeling as learning that Darth Vader was Luke’s father. (Hope I didn’t spoil that for anyone.) Why doesn’t this ever come up in the song? Seems like significant information to me. Definitely some nepotism going on in Santa’s organization. Reindeer privilege.
Donut control
I was just at a donut shop, and someone behind me asked the person behind the counter for a dozen donuts. Not an unusual request, of course. The donuteer asked the customer, “Do you want me to put it together for you?” Who on earth would leave the selection of a dozen donuts to the counter attendant? The risk that they would blow it and select poorly is simply too great. The only people who allow that kind of silliness from their donut shop are those who don’t care about the people for whom they’re buying the donuts. And…
Work is not a playground
We’re moving into a new office next year, and the invitation for ideas was sent out. Predictably, there were calls for slides, video games, ping pong, a ball pit, and other adult play toys. One should bristle at any attempt by an employer to offer any amenities that make you less likely to want, or need, to go home. The Microsoft campus includes absolutely everything you’d need to live there, including dry cleaners, a post office, clothing stores, computer equipment (obviously), gyms, outdoor sports facilities, parking, etc. The goal is pretty obviously to keep your employees on the grounds…
The wisdom of Joe Strummer
I’ve long made the case that it’s lazy thinking to dismiss information because of the source. “Where did you hear that? Fox News?” “Is that what MSNBC told you?” It goes on… The fact is, discounting a source, or assuming they’re lying is lazy thinking and stunting your own ability to learn, develop, and possibly change. The way people dismiss news sources, you’d think if Fox News reported our Supreme Court has nine judges, some would accuse them of lying just because it’s Fox News. (Our Supreme Court does have nine judges, for the record…) Fast forward to Joe…
Stick it to sexism
It just seemed like a good campaign idea for the cause. Free for the taking for any of you entrepreneurial activists.
Google expertise is no expertise
We live in an age where whenever you need to accomplish something or learn a skill, you can find countless videos and information on how to do it. You don’t have to spend years learning to play guitar if you just want to learn how to play your favorite song. You don’t need to earn a design degree to create a website. You don’t need to spend years learning software engineering to write code that gets the job done. It’s the age of the Google expert. And we’re devaluing real skill, as a result. Design is art. It is…
The path to fearless
Yesterday, I wrote about the false premise of a ruined life. After I published it, I continued to think about the ramifications of realizing your life can’t be ruined. It can be altered. It can change. You can certainly hit a setback. But there’s too many unpredictable events and opportunities ahead of you to determine that whatever negative experience you just endured has permanently ruined your life. It is when you realize that your life is ahead of you and not dictated by your past that you can achieve true freedom. The fear and uncertainty that comes with an…