Presentation Tip: Remember the Skeptic

Whenever preparing for and making a presentation, pretend that there is a skeptic in the back of the room who is about to say, "So what? Why should that matter to me?"

Bock: Get the Truth

Wally Bock explores the importance of getting the truth and the danger of shooting the messengers. An excerpt:

The higher you go up the org chart, the less likely you are to get the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. That's because you have power and influence. People below you on the chart are wary of your power and want to curry influence.

Art Break: Beall

Art Contrarian looks at the work of C. C. Beall.

Gem Show

Anderson Layman's Blog contains gems. It should be a daily visit.

Virtual Book Fair

I'm proud to be in this book fair.

"What Did They Know and When Did They Know It" Dept

Althouse points to an article.

From the comments:

"Hey, I never intended to pay the guy, but I had to tell him I would pay him or he never would have mowed my yard!"

Throwing a Workshop

I often think that teaching a workshop resembles throwing a party, not because workshops are fun and games but because a sizable amount of behind-the-scenes work can ensure a smooth event.

As much as possible, the prep should be done so it is not noticeable. Everything simply clicks and the magic beneath the magic is not spotted.

You want a smooth forum for the transfer of information. Don't let them see you polishing the silverware.

First Paragraph

The roots of capitalism are ancient, so ancient in fact that they likely predate even language in the development of civilization. Capitalism arose from something so uniquely human and so intuitive that it may well be hard wired into our genetic code - barter.

- From A Capitalist Manifesto by Gary Wolfram

Language to Remember and Use

"He used his umbrella as a swagger stick."

Quote of the Day

If I ordered in only the product that suited me personally, I'd sell about 3 percent of the market.

- Bob Tasca Sr.