Find Something Beautiful Today

Gaining Power

Anderson Layman's Blog is daily reading, full of neat stuff.

He has pointed to Ryan "The Obstacle is the Way" Holiday's list of books on strategy.

Real Life

Wally Bock has Stories and Strategies from Real Life, including an unusual source.

They Saw It

Cultural Offering points to some observers who spotted the political tsunami before it reached shore.

Vargas Llosa

The Paris Review: An interview with Mario Vargas Ilosa.

When the People Who are Supposed to Know, Don't

The National: Rob Long on why Hollywood is shaken by the pollsters' inability to predict the election.

Pulp Break

10 Rules for Thanksgiving

I wrote this post several years ago and it is now an Execupundit tradition:

1. Thou shalt not discuss politics at the dinner. There is next to no chance that you'll convert anyone and any hard feelings that are generated may last long after the pumpkin pie is finished. Why spoil a good meal?


2. Thou shalt limit discussion of The Big Game. This is mainly directed at the men who choose to argue plays, records, and coaches while their wives stare longingly at the silverware. The sharp silverware.


3. Thou shalt say nice things about every dish. Including the bizarre one with Jello and marshmallows.


4. Thou shalt be especially kind to anyone who may feel left out. Some Thanksgiving guests are tag-alongs or, as we say in the business world, "new to the organization." Make a point of drawing them in.


5. Thou shalt be wary of gossip. After all, do you know what they say when you leave the room? Remember the old saying: All of the brothers are valiant and all of the sisters are virtuous.


6. Thou shalt not hog the white or dark meat. We know you're on Atkins but that's no excuse.


7. Thou shalt think mightily before going back for seconds. Especially if that means waddling back for seconds.


8. Thou shalt not get drunk. Strong drink improves neither your wit nor your discretion. Give everyone else a gift by remaining sober.


9. Thou shalt be cheerful. This is not a therapy session. This is not the moment to recount all of the mistakes in your life or to get back at Uncle Bo for the wisecrack he made at your high school graduation. This is a time for Rule #10.


10. Thou shalt be thankful. You're above ground and functioning in an extraordinary place at an extraordinary time. Many people paid a very heavy price (and I'm not talking about groceries) to give you this day. Take some time to think of them and to express gratitude to your friends and relatives. Above all, give special thanks to the divine power who blesses you in innumerable ways.

Miscellaneous and Fast

Reprise of Mitchell and Webb: Their classic Nazi succession scene.
Rob Long on Benedict Cumberbatch's accent in "Dr. Strange."
Althouse: Kanye West, political philosopher.
Bloomberg: Ford says it is keeping its Lincoln SUV production line in Kentucky
Michael Barone analyzes the Clinton campaign.
Independent: Harriet Marsden reports on intolerance in Britain.

If You Owned a Robot

Assume that you purchased an expensive robot that is a close replica of a human being. It can handle very complex tasks. There is no other robot that is quite the same; it is indeed unique.

Would you protect it from abuse, treat it courteously, and make sure that it is well maintained?

Would it receive better treatment than some of its human coworkers?

[Photo: From the film Ex Machina.]