Perspectives of a Lifelong Learner
It was June 1967. Commencement over, we had said our goodbyes. Yearbooks sported both the sincere and the trite, those embarrassing scribbles scanned but not read. After those final goodbyes, we searched the pages, reading and re-reading the notes left behind. Many a familiar face had been seen for the last time. Some would actually... Continue Reading →
A TEN-POINT ACTION PLAN FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPERS (OR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS) By Richard Florida and Steven Pedigo "Even as cities focus on a full-out mobilization of required health and medical resources to cope with the first phase of this pandemic, it is important that economic developers mobilize all available resources to get their communities ready... Continue Reading →
Empathy is usually the biggest skill. That doesn’t just mean feeling sorry for people with problems. It means an ability to understand the needs and wants of a diverse group of people – Anders http://www.bbc.com/capital/story/20190401-why-worthless-humanities-degrees-may-set-you-up-for-life?fbclid=IwAR2L23uwDYl_SL78aAfiBRdpcjfeahw0jzHLNW5HtkXDErauFyNABlueXsA
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/02/opinion/sunday/political-polarization.html?fbclid=IwAR0t4dN76SYMSwq0VcLp_Eo6cjEAwCmpB0SBxksbJRDrFi6fuACkUCgodJg This is a must read. Arthur Brook's focus on contempt does seem to capture the mood of the nation although I would posit, with all due respect to the Civil War, this is not the most polarizing period of American history. It may just be quibbling but the Reconstruction Period, the occupation of southern States... Continue Reading →
"This crisis of incivility has become a chronic condition of public life. Consequently, incivility is compromising the success of American society and especially the viability of the government. We should not, however, assign the blame exclusively to our leaders. As a people, Americans have become highly desensitized to behaviors that would have been outrageous not... Continue Reading →
On to more important things and a reminder that our system of governance has worked in the past, and it will work again. Even with the disturbing events of our times, one could certainly argue that we've thankfully not matched the tumultuous times of the 1960's through to the end of the Vietnam War. For... Continue Reading →
"Overcoming toxic arrogance is not easy, and our present political moment is not making it any easier. But if we want to live in a tolerant society where we are not only open-minded but willing to learn from others, we need to balance humility and conviction. We can start by looking past ourselves —... Continue Reading →
I've signed up for Malcolm's master class in writing. Since it's "Malcolm," it's intimidating. But it's also really cool. He makes it clear that writing is a calling. It has purpose. It has meaning. I've got the intent. Now for the talent. As a part of the program, he has included one of his... Continue Reading →
History is probably the greatest teacher. That is if we are really willing to take the time to learn. One hundred years ago the nation had sent nearly a million Americans to "defend" freedom in Europe. Regardless of race or gender they went to protect the inalienable rights of others. Rights that, for many, were... Continue Reading →
In 1965, James Baldwin debated William F. Buckley at the Cambridge Union Society, Cambridge University. The topic of the debate was, "The American Dream is at the expense of the American negro." The viewing of this series of videos should be required material in every high school and college curriculum. In addition to discussing our... Continue Reading →
The Scholarly Participant 
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