Every how-string has its origins, its starting point, and if you keep pulling, you might be lucky enough to discover the starting point. That starting point may not even resemble what's on the other end of the string anymore.

If my signature were a string and I pulled on it, it might straighten into something uniform, and perhaps even recognizable. But its not now. Instead it has evolved in to this squiggly, ugly mess over years of neglect, contempt and self imposed rush. Yet, this still seems to be the basis of my identity in many realms- proof. Positive. That I am who I am. 

Election Day!  I thought it would never come, but here we are.  By the time you read this excellent article by Barry Ritholtz, entitled "How to Debate Financial Policy", the die will have been cast, and we will all have great clarity about our path into the future.... Right??
Read Barry's article to remind yourself of what your high school debate coach taught you about how to discuss issues in a civilized and effective way.  His basic advice is "stick to the facts, and don't get personal". How quaint! Nevertheless, this advice is timeless and puts the onus back on your to at least try to know what you are talking about before you open your big fat mouth (I am talking to YOU, Ray Brimble).  His focus is on financial matters, but obviously his tips apply to virtually every other subject and kind of debate.

Today’s conversation is about the value of diversity in America.  Several pundits forcefully argue that cultural diversity is, in fact , NOT a strength, but rather a liability.  I would disagree and could back up my position with lots of historical, financial, empirical and anecdotal information. In short, a fact-based analysis supports the case for diversity. However, never mind that, for now.

This article describes another string that connects- expectations. We see what we expect to see. Only this time, research shows that those who choose to see the brighter side more often than not end up with the brighter outcomes. Did you expect something different?

In the gospel of Fred Rogers, children are our superiors in the way they trust each person they meet, the way they lack guile, the way a child can admit simple vulnerability.

When I discovered this list from Australian sociologist William D. Rifkin some 30 years ago, it blew my mind, because it had never occurred to me that many so-called “experts” are either self-designated or are crowd-designated by virtue of a ritualistic presentation of one’s self, and one’s material.  This does not imply that there are no actual experts in the world, but rather that we should be a bit more discerning about the real ones and the poseurs.             

What does it take to be regarded as the voice of authority?  Here are twenty-five tips to gain “expert status”, to be recognized as an expert or perhaps just  to be able to recognize when somebody is trying to make you think they are an expert.