There is a Taoist tale from the Lieh-Tzu about a man who loses and gains different things. Among the people who lived close to the border, there was a man who led a righteous life. Without reason, his horse escaped, and fled into barbarian territory. Everyone pitied him, but the old man said : “what… Continue reading What Makes You Think This Is Not A Good Thing?
Cunning, Tricks and Manipulation
I recently wrote a response to Kristina Bjoran’s Psychological Manipulation in eCommerce Design over on my professional blog. I want to further follow up because it is such a valuable conversation. If you haven’t already read my first response, go ahead and read it now. I’m not singling out Kristina here— her negative judgment of e-commerce processes seems… Continue reading Cunning, Tricks and Manipulation
Words Matter; Choose Them Wisely
A recent article over at Apple insider reveals the following about how Apple carefully crafts the words that they use throughout their business: In keeping with a positive theme at Apple’s retail stores, those who hold the title of “Genius” are reportedly told to say “as it turns out” rather than use the word “unfortunately.”… Continue reading Words Matter; Choose Them Wisely
Carl Sagan vs. Skepticism
A great quote by Carl Sagan: “Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.” Works for God, UFOs, ghosts, etc. Seems ironic because skeptics are fans of him, yet by taking this quote to heart, skeptics would have to give up their posture that they think they know.
Are You Going to Catch That Ball?
You are at baseball practice. Coach is at the plate with the bat and ball and he’s pointing at you. “Pouliot! I’m going to hit this ball to you, are you going to catch it?” The sun is bright and high between you and coach. Horseflies are biting you. It’s a hot day and you… Continue reading Are You Going to Catch That Ball?
Blasphemy vs Heresy
Terry Jones: “Blasphemy is the undermining of a spiritual belief system. Heresy is the undermining of the bureaucracy that has grown around a spiritual belief system.”