Archive for May, 2009
« Previous EntriesSwine Flu – Then & Now
Saturday, May 30th, 2009We can learn from our history how past generations thought and acted, how they responded to the demands of their time and how they solved their problems. We can learn by analogy, not by example, for our circumstances will always be different than theirs were. – Gerda Lerner For several weeks this past spring, millions [...]
From Exurbia to Megalopolis – The Rise of Super Cities
Wednesday, May 27th, 2009The Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, CA may seem an odd place to look for correlations between ‘building big’ and the potential pitfalls of future urban planning. Begun in 1884, construction on the house continued around the clock – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – for 38 years, resulting in one [...]
Funerals
Sunday, May 24th, 2009Every family has its traditions. One of ours? Not having traditional funeral services. To my memory, my family has never, during my lifetime, had a church service funeral-not for Mom, Dad, Gramp, Bam, Gramps, Gram, Aunt Ann, Uncle Bill, or even my cousin Hamill. Not a single church service. My cousin Nancy tells me that [...]
Warren Buffett’s Test Drive into an Electric Auto Future
Saturday, May 23rd, 2009Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain. The Oracle of Omaha has spoken. Warren Buffett may not be the Wizard of Oz, but considering his almost mystical track record as a powerhouse investor and one of America’s most successful businessmen, it would be easy to understand any confusion. The Berkshire Hathaway CEO is [...]
Anita Roddick – Corporate Rebel with a Cause
Thursday, May 21st, 2009“I want to work for a company that contributes to and is part of the community. I want something not just to invest in. I want something to believe in. ” – Dame Anita Roddick Dame Anita Roddick was not a wallflower. She was not timid, quiet, or dispassionate. She was not afraid of courting [...]
Arie de Geus
Tuesday, May 19th, 2009Adaptation is an alteration in the structure or function of an organism that results from natural selection and by which the organism becomes better fitted to survive and multiply in its environment. This is a concept well embraced by those in the biological sciences, but less so in the corporate world. As the worldwide economic [...]
Long-Board Shuffleboard
Saturday, May 16th, 2009In 1977, I was a relatively young, energetic thirty-year-old working for the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS). I’d just moved my family from Princeton, New Jersey, out to Olympia, Washington, and as a newcomer to the area, I wanted to explore and experience life in the Pacific Northwest as much as possible. A [...]
Dr. Amen’s New Rules for the Care of Our Brains
Thursday, May 14th, 2009Each of us, usually without consciously acknowledging it, walks through life with a 3-lb supercomputer between our ears. And for the most part the processes and activities within that supercomputer – our brains – are a complete mystery to us. It controls the automatic functions – breathing, digestion, metabolism – freeing us to address the [...]
David Neeleman – Soaring Beyond ADD
Wednesday, May 13th, 2009Just keep thinking about the good side of ADD – the creativity and the originality it can stimulate. – David Neeleman David Neeleman isn’t your average entrepreneur. While many successful businessmen (and women) share common characteristics such as keen intelligence, strong focus, a drive to succeed, and the ability to ‘think outside the box’, Neeleman [...]
In Celebration of Trains!
Saturday, May 9th, 2009On Friday, May 8th, railroad enthusiasts across America celebrated the 2nd Annual National Train Day. The railroad played an integral role in the development of the American West, and continues as a work horse today – transporting freight and passengers around the country. I have long been a train enthusiast. So, in honor of this [...]
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