This isn't exactly a business topic, but an article caught my eye about people who get scientific degrees based on traditional science, then use their credential to lend support to non-scientific groups....
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Should I deal with my ex-boss or not?
When an ex-boss calls who wasn’t your favorite, wanting to reopen a friendship, what do you do?
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“Bomb hoax” hoax undermines our real emergency response ability
Ok. I can't keep quiet about this any longer. It's driving me nuts. I just read a story titled $2 million US settlement in Boston TV ad bomb hoax. This is a fine example of how the wrong words can do damage, even when intending to inform. "Bomb hoax" implies intent to...
Other than pure profit, why would anyone pretend fast food is glamorous?
In an article on Reuters, Steven Anderson, the National Restaurant Association's Chief Executive, has asked that an ad starring Kevin Federline as a fast-food worker leaves the impression that "working in a restaurant is demeaning and unpleasant and asking the...
The answer to CEO pay: yes, make them pay…
In a recent New York Times article on CEO pay, the reporter closely examines pay practices where companies use peer groups to justify CEO pay. But they don't disclose who those peers are, allowing CEOs to inflate their pay by carefully choosing the peer group. That...
No one really knows how to measure software productivity
I just ran across this article on how consultants (mis-)measure productivity in software development. http://www.joelonsoftware.com/items/2006/11/10b.html Sad to say, I couldn't agree more with the article. I started my career as a software engineer, and I've met very...
Long-term thinking: Water shortage may bring business opportunity
I was just reading an article on the impending water shortage. Most of us are totally in the dark about it, but for years, people who track such things have been warning that our water usage is coming close to surpassing the world's available fresh water supply. MIT's...
Insurance is just community for a profit
Insurance is a weird beast. Basically, we all band together and put in money so if any of us hits misfortune, the pooled money can be used to help out. It works because typically, most of us do fine, and we can cover the misfortunates. This is basically what...
Even our “best and brightest” aren’t doing so well in actual ability.
Wow. I knew we were in deep sneakers when it came to the preparedness of our next generation to become productive members of society. I had no idea how bad it's become. "According to scores on the 2006 ACT college entrance exam, 21 percent of students applying to...
There’s more to life than funding and taxes.
We're approaching our state primary for Governor here in Massachusetts. All the commercials I've seen simply tell how each candidate will cut taxes taxes taxes. "I'll cut the gas tax." "I'll push to roll back the income tax." "I'll cut all taxes." I can't help feeling...