Cultural Offering has performed a noble act by assembling a great list of books that should be optional reading in high school English classes.
Two that I'd add:
Treblinka by Jean-Francois Steiner. [A memorable novel about an uprising in a Nazi concentration camp.]
The Warden by Anthony Trollope. [A good man is accused of being unethical.]
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Neck Tie Translation Guide
Loud colors: Used-car sales rep or talk radio host.
Tie-dyed: Former hippie, head of the Sociology Department, or both.
Harvard crests: Didn't go to Harvard.
Regimental stripes: Probably not a member of the regiment.
Large picture of trout with hook in its mouth: The only tie in the wearer's closet.
Red tie, 1970: The Power Tie.
Red tie, 1980: The Wish I Had Power Tie.
Pink tie: Donald Trump.
Yellow tie: The wearer's profession has something to do with serious money.
Tie with plastic pull-down protector to prevent stains: The wearer's profession has nothing to do with serious money.
Black tie with black shirt: Comedian.
White tie with black shirt: Sopranos wannabe.
Bow tie: George F. Will.
Tie-dyed: Former hippie, head of the Sociology Department, or both.
Harvard crests: Didn't go to Harvard.
Regimental stripes: Probably not a member of the regiment.
Large picture of trout with hook in its mouth: The only tie in the wearer's closet.
Red tie, 1970: The Power Tie.
Red tie, 1980: The Wish I Had Power Tie.
Pink tie: Donald Trump.
Yellow tie: The wearer's profession has something to do with serious money.
Tie with plastic pull-down protector to prevent stains: The wearer's profession has nothing to do with serious money.
Black tie with black shirt: Comedian.
White tie with black shirt: Sopranos wannabe.
Bow tie: George F. Will.
Miscellaneous and Fast
Smile: Cartoon of the Day.
Josef Joffe sees dark clouds in Europe.
Outside magazine gives 52 ways to wander better.
Nissan's electric car: Test-driving the Cube.
Prediction: It will be a cold day in Hell before G.L. Hoffman writes another marketing article with Ron Paul in the headline.
Fortune on whether Chrysler can survive. [Be sure to click for the subsequent pages.]
Harvard Business School's Working Knowledge interviews Robert S. Kaplan on strategy execution.
Josef Joffe sees dark clouds in Europe.
Outside magazine gives 52 ways to wander better.
Nissan's electric car: Test-driving the Cube.
Prediction: It will be a cold day in Hell before G.L. Hoffman writes another marketing article with Ron Paul in the headline.
Fortune on whether Chrysler can survive. [Be sure to click for the subsequent pages.]
Harvard Business School's Working Knowledge interviews Robert S. Kaplan on strategy execution.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Where is Bob?
Where is Bob? Tales of an Absentee Manager may be a spoof, but it is well-written and amusing. A sample:
Last week, Bob’s absenteeism morphed from all-day getaways due to illness, family issues, or the classic “waiting for the UPS man,” into half days of alarm malfunctions and train delays. Bob would show up for work at around 12:30pm, bleary eyed and scruffy, dark circles under his eyes. He would mumble something incomprehensible about how he needs to purchase a new alarm clock. He would then proceed to lock himself in his office with a liter of Mountain Dew. His wardrobe also changed. Crisp designer suits (his not-so-subtle way of crushing our relaxed and groovy university vibe) were replaced by torn jeans and faded Rod Stewart t-shirts, which offended even our low standards for professional attire. Morbid fascination soon turned to genuine concern (we are not terrible people, after all) and frequent speculation about Bob’s late night whereabouts.
[HT: Neatorama ]
Last week, Bob’s absenteeism morphed from all-day getaways due to illness, family issues, or the classic “waiting for the UPS man,” into half days of alarm malfunctions and train delays. Bob would show up for work at around 12:30pm, bleary eyed and scruffy, dark circles under his eyes. He would mumble something incomprehensible about how he needs to purchase a new alarm clock. He would then proceed to lock himself in his office with a liter of Mountain Dew. His wardrobe also changed. Crisp designer suits (his not-so-subtle way of crushing our relaxed and groovy university vibe) were replaced by torn jeans and faded Rod Stewart t-shirts, which offended even our low standards for professional attire. Morbid fascination soon turned to genuine concern (we are not terrible people, after all) and frequent speculation about Bob’s late night whereabouts.
[HT: Neatorama ]
Believing the Worst
Tom Traina examines a study on how we judge people. An excerpt:
Research subjects were then asked questions about the Chairman’s intent in carrying out the program. The results were startling. Only 60% of research subjects given “the help scenario” believed the Chairman knew the program would help the environment. By contrast, 90% of subjects given “the harm scenario” believed the Chairman knew the program would harm the environment. Furthermore, while only one in three of the “help scenario” subjects indicated that their answer had a maximum degree of certainty, two out of three of the “harm scenario” subjects were certain to the maximum extent.
Research subjects were then asked questions about the Chairman’s intent in carrying out the program. The results were startling. Only 60% of research subjects given “the help scenario” believed the Chairman knew the program would help the environment. By contrast, 90% of subjects given “the harm scenario” believed the Chairman knew the program would harm the environment. Furthermore, while only one in three of the “help scenario” subjects indicated that their answer had a maximum degree of certainty, two out of three of the “harm scenario” subjects were certain to the maximum extent.
The Biggest E-Mail Sin
What is The Biggest E-Mail Sin?
Let's consider some nominees.
Let's consider some nominees.
- Copying people on e-mails that are of remote or no interest to them.
- Keeping the same subject line even though the actual message has significantly changed.
- Promising to share part of the fortune that you inherited in the Ivory Coast.
- Replying to All when you meant to hit Reply.
- Not checking spelling.
- Not checking the tone.
- Using e-mail for a sensitive topic.
- Forwarding an e-mail that was meant only for you.
- E-mailing jests of dubious wit.
- Using an e-mail address that is unprofessional.
What have I missed?
By Their Offices Shall Ye Know Them
A look at the Senate offices of John McCain and Barack Obama finds the old messy desk versus clean desk contrast.
Quote of the Day
He can run and throw - and we think he can hit.
- Scouting report on Roberto Clemente
- Scouting report on Roberto Clemente
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