The Lost Art of the B-side
So, kids, when artists of old released what we called singles – individual hits – they would release a record, and that record would have the hit on one side – called the A-side, but then they would be left with the problem of what to put on the other side of the record. That seems an easy one now – just put the second … Continue reading The Lost Art of the B-side
Venerable Bede’s Sparrow and the allure of nihilism
This morning we will be making a short detour to early medieval philosophy and the venerable Bede. Bede, who was among a handful toi survive the plague that ravaged his monastery, grew up to become not just an era-defining thinker and historian, but also a teacher revered by his students and generations to come. One thing that sticks out is Bede’s view of the transitory … Continue reading Venerable Bede’s Sparrow and the allure of nihilism
The podcast takes on jurisdiction – in a first go
The issue of jurisdiction is one we will return to. Here is the first go! Continue reading The podcast takes on jurisdiction – in a first go
Eviatar Zerubavel and in praise of continuous work
One of the most fascinating books on writing that I have read was recommend to me by a professor who I once considered doing my Ph D for. I ended up, for different reasons, doing it for another amazing professor who really helped me think about not just the topic and dissertation, but about thinking over all and the academic context – but the book … Continue reading Eviatar Zerubavel and in praise of continuous work
Is it a competition or a race? Building scoring structures (Mental Models XIII)
Metrics are dangerous. You manage what you measure, as the old saw goes, and you want to make sure that you are not measuring the wrong thing – or things. We need to take great care when we set up metrics for anything we want to accomplish in order to make sure that we do not get the wrong outcomes. One way to approach metrics … Continue reading Is it a competition or a race? Building scoring structures (Mental Models XIII)
A new episode of Regulate Tech – about the ideas of open and closed in tech policy.
Do send comments and ideas to us! Thanks for all the ones you have already sent! Continue reading A new episode of Regulate Tech – about the ideas of open and closed in tech policy.
The myth of profit maximization
The FT editorial today deals with Danone and its shift to a “purpose driven company”. The shift has been less than successful and its architect was unceremoniously removed. The editorial then goes on to note that there is a tension here between the Milton Friedman vision of companies as socially responsible when they maximize their profits and the more fuzzy vision today of companies as … Continue reading The myth of profit maximization
The US returns to the endless frontier?
The organization and funding of science is a key geopolitical competitive advantage – and badly underrated across most economies. The European Union has failed at organizing tightly around scientific challenges, relying on large flagship programs that fragment into systems for distributing money across member states and the US has lost track of the post-world war II investments and strategies that through Vannevar Bush gave it … Continue reading The US returns to the endless frontier?
Have you had a good day?
As we reflect at the end of the day we all know what it feels like to have had a good day. A day that has left us feeling content with our accomplishments and connected to the world, to other people and to ourselves. We also know what it feels like to have a bad day, one where we have never really found our footing … Continue reading Have you had a good day?
