Humans are arguably the most successful species in the world, adapting and spreading across a spectrum of environments like no other. You might see, for example, ants or grass or birds all over the world, but you won't see a particular species of any of them in the desert and in the rainforest and in the … Continue reading Perfectly adapted for somewhere else
No such thing as fair
When I began to write this, the Beijing Winter Olympics were going on,1 and as often happens during major sporting events, the question of "fairness" was raised. Which country should an athlete be allowed to represent? Does it make a difference if the athlete is a potential champion, as opposed to a lower-ranked competitor? What … Continue reading No such thing as fair
We are all free range chickens
When most of us hear the term "free range chicken," we probably imagine chickens wandering freely within a yard, cavorting (or at least picking around) wherever they like. The reality is actually very different. "Free range" is a label applied to the living situation of chickens, referring to access to open spaces. There has to … Continue reading We are all free range chickens
The hierarchy of burnout prevention for healthcare
Burnout is a big problem in healthcare. It's a hot topic in the press right now, highlighted by the pressures of the pandemic, but it's nothing new to those in medicine. Burnout symptoms have been experienced by - I’m taking a leap here - everyone who has worked in a healthcare setting, at least in … Continue reading The hierarchy of burnout prevention for healthcare
Start with why
I recently came across Paul Lockhart's amazing essay (rant?). He's a mathematician, and he's really unhappy about the way we teach math. The entire essay is worth a read and it opened my eyes to seeing math as an art. But it's valuable even if you just read the first few pages. He starts with an … Continue reading Start with why
Fear of Construction
I've recently been in the middle of a major career decision. Of course, I had all the pros, cons, risks, and benefits laid out in front of me. But as with many of these decisions, there was a part of me that sat just beyond the reach of my conscious, logical mind, and it seemed … Continue reading Fear of Construction
Neglected skills of a leader: humility and empathy
I recently wrote a multi-part series about how to argue better. I wrote it for anyone who wants to argue in a way that connects rather than divides, but I realized as I wrote that the same techniques could be used by leaders to become better at their work. Here were the steps: Decide what … Continue reading Neglected skills of a leader: humility and empathy
Red Goggles 