This is a follow on to a piece written by Amy Senger over at 1h57.com.
As Amy explored, trust is central to success in the collaborative environment. She makes the point that on the internet we don't get to look folks in the eye, hear the inflection in their voice or gauge their mannerisms. We have to base our trust on what they "say" and what they do. We examine, as best we can, what they have done in the past. And we are cautious to not get burned.
That is a start, but is that really good enough to establish real trust though? I think we intuitively and automatically create, for ourselves, 'chains of trust'. I trust Steve, Steve trusts Amy, I therefore am more likely to trust Amy. It’s why we think we should dates friends of friends in lieu or strangers. We prefer our chain of trust to blind luck.
Note that when I say trust, I mean that I trust that what Steve says and does are done in good faith. That he is truthful. And by extension, that Amy will be truthful. I don't necessarily trust Steve’s fashion sense or taste in music, but I do trust that he is being truthful about his thoughts and opinions.
We should also examine the difference between trust and security. Trust can be very powerful and can help use succeed, but it is no replacement for security. Trust can be broken and lost in an instant. Security, real security, doesn’t suffer the same failings as trust. But poorly implemented, it will stunt creativity and destroy collaboration.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Friday, November 28, 2008
Thanksgiving funk
My dad died on Thanksgiving day, 1981. He was 43, I was 13. This time every year I'm forced to reflect on this fact and try and understand how it affected me and still shapes me today.
I truly enjoy Thanksgiving. I love seeing everyone and seeing all the kids play together. I love how excited they get. Even my almost 2 year old son seems to understand that something big is less than a month away. After the festivities, we pile the kids into the car, and everyone but me falls asleep on the hour plus drive home. It is that quiet time that always gets me. I have often, like this year, made it through the whole build up and excitement without even spending time thinking about my dad. But that quiet solitude of driving, always gives my mind just enough time to reflect on what this day means.
I'm the second son of a big strong athletic Dad. My older brother was the athlete. Tall and strong with good hair and good looks. I was the skinny, artsy, band geek, with thick glasses. I enjoyed playing outside, but never was good enough at any sport to get picked. My first season of soccer, I broke my leg (not playing soccer, of course) before our first game. The coach didn't see any reason to give me a team uniform, but my mom complained. The coach came back with a T-shirt with the team name, but it didn't look like the other kids' shirts. Their shirts were printed with a nice script of the team name and looked somewhat cool, for '77. Mine had the same words, but was made with those iconic '70s iron-on letters. It looked like what it was, an afterthought. It sat in my drawer at home, as a reminder of what a loser I was. I didn't play soccer much after that.
I was in the eighth grade when my dad died. I was the class Vice President. I had been class President in 5th through 7th grade. Not bad for a skinny geek, but that was all to change.
I had always enjoyed math and was in the eighth grade Algebra class. This was the advanced math class, You had to earn your way in, with good test scores and good grades. It seems after my dad died, I just couldn't 'get it'. My mind wouldn't wrap around the intangible theories of Algebra. I'm not sure the cause, but I lost my ability to focus enough on math, or anything else, to makes sense to the 'a + b = c' stuff. Looking back, I'm certain this was a byproduct of not wanting to focus on anything too hard. Of course, I did poorly in math and earned a D in the fall grading period. You can't have below a C and be in student government so I lost my post as class VP. Rules are rules, you know, and the math teacher was the head of the SGA so that chapter in my life closed. Looking back, I'm certain the teacher didn't mean me any harm, but at the time I hated him for it.
My dad grew up in Clarke County, Virginia, in a little town named Boyce. He was a total country kid. He hunted, camped, worked outdoors and worked at home in their small farm. Dad played high school football and started college on scholarship. He injured his back early in the first season and lost his free ticket. After that he spent time in the Army, then back to college while my Mom worked, then he worked for many years as a Boy Scout Executive. Essentially, he started troops, raised money, attended various Scouting events and raised more money. he was good at it, but it didn't pay well and he was often gone at night and on the weekends. I never really got a feel fr who he was, or what made him tick. I know he loved my mom and us kids. He did what he could to provide for us and protect us. He died hunting deer. He was supposed to go shopping with my mom, but she let him have to day to go hunt instead. His plans were last minute and he ended up hunting alone, which he had never done before. He had shot a ten point buck and was dragging it back to his car when he had a heart attack. He died there in the woods, all alone.
My grandfather, Jake, was a drunk. He was a classic old-school, whiskey drinking drunk. My dad had suffered Jake's drinking for years. My grandparents got divorced when my dad was in high school, most likely related to Jake's drinking. Dad always did double duty at the holidays to make sure we saw Jake and my grandmother, plus my mom's family. Around 1978, after a very bad trip to Jake's house, my dad finally told Jake that he would "not come see him, or bring us kids to see him until he got himself straight". Jake never sobered up. Dad passed away without resolving the problem with Jake. We kids never saw Jake again either. I never knew if visiting Jake would betray my Dad or not, but I wouldn't dare take that chance. When I was in college, I got a call from my mom that Jake had passed way. Of course, he had passed away weeks before we were informed and was already buried before any of my family knew. The act of intentionally not informing us seems cruel, but maybe it was just payback.
This time of year I feel lost, alone and 13, all over again.
This day is a reminder that I need to be a good father, each and every day, to my kids. I need to make sure they know me, know that they are important and that they are loved. I don't ever want them to not know that. I don't want to take that chance.
I truly enjoy Thanksgiving. I love seeing everyone and seeing all the kids play together. I love how excited they get. Even my almost 2 year old son seems to understand that something big is less than a month away. After the festivities, we pile the kids into the car, and everyone but me falls asleep on the hour plus drive home. It is that quiet time that always gets me. I have often, like this year, made it through the whole build up and excitement without even spending time thinking about my dad. But that quiet solitude of driving, always gives my mind just enough time to reflect on what this day means.
I'm the second son of a big strong athletic Dad. My older brother was the athlete. Tall and strong with good hair and good looks. I was the skinny, artsy, band geek, with thick glasses. I enjoyed playing outside, but never was good enough at any sport to get picked. My first season of soccer, I broke my leg (not playing soccer, of course) before our first game. The coach didn't see any reason to give me a team uniform, but my mom complained. The coach came back with a T-shirt with the team name, but it didn't look like the other kids' shirts. Their shirts were printed with a nice script of the team name and looked somewhat cool, for '77. Mine had the same words, but was made with those iconic '70s iron-on letters. It looked like what it was, an afterthought. It sat in my drawer at home, as a reminder of what a loser I was. I didn't play soccer much after that.
I was in the eighth grade when my dad died. I was the class Vice President. I had been class President in 5th through 7th grade. Not bad for a skinny geek, but that was all to change.
I had always enjoyed math and was in the eighth grade Algebra class. This was the advanced math class, You had to earn your way in, with good test scores and good grades. It seems after my dad died, I just couldn't 'get it'. My mind wouldn't wrap around the intangible theories of Algebra. I'm not sure the cause, but I lost my ability to focus enough on math, or anything else, to makes sense to the 'a + b = c' stuff. Looking back, I'm certain this was a byproduct of not wanting to focus on anything too hard. Of course, I did poorly in math and earned a D in the fall grading period. You can't have below a C and be in student government so I lost my post as class VP. Rules are rules, you know, and the math teacher was the head of the SGA so that chapter in my life closed. Looking back, I'm certain the teacher didn't mean me any harm, but at the time I hated him for it.
My dad grew up in Clarke County, Virginia, in a little town named Boyce. He was a total country kid. He hunted, camped, worked outdoors and worked at home in their small farm. Dad played high school football and started college on scholarship. He injured his back early in the first season and lost his free ticket. After that he spent time in the Army, then back to college while my Mom worked, then he worked for many years as a Boy Scout Executive. Essentially, he started troops, raised money, attended various Scouting events and raised more money. he was good at it, but it didn't pay well and he was often gone at night and on the weekends. I never really got a feel fr who he was, or what made him tick. I know he loved my mom and us kids. He did what he could to provide for us and protect us. He died hunting deer. He was supposed to go shopping with my mom, but she let him have to day to go hunt instead. His plans were last minute and he ended up hunting alone, which he had never done before. He had shot a ten point buck and was dragging it back to his car when he had a heart attack. He died there in the woods, all alone.
My grandfather, Jake, was a drunk. He was a classic old-school, whiskey drinking drunk. My dad had suffered Jake's drinking for years. My grandparents got divorced when my dad was in high school, most likely related to Jake's drinking. Dad always did double duty at the holidays to make sure we saw Jake and my grandmother, plus my mom's family. Around 1978, after a very bad trip to Jake's house, my dad finally told Jake that he would "not come see him, or bring us kids to see him until he got himself straight". Jake never sobered up. Dad passed away without resolving the problem with Jake. We kids never saw Jake again either. I never knew if visiting Jake would betray my Dad or not, but I wouldn't dare take that chance. When I was in college, I got a call from my mom that Jake had passed way. Of course, he had passed away weeks before we were informed and was already buried before any of my family knew. The act of intentionally not informing us seems cruel, but maybe it was just payback.
This time of year I feel lost, alone and 13, all over again.
This day is a reminder that I need to be a good father, each and every day, to my kids. I need to make sure they know me, know that they are important and that they are loved. I don't ever want them to not know that. I don't want to take that chance.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Health Insurance - The Next Crisis
John McCain claims to be a reformer. John McCain is actually a deregulator. He has claimed this many times. The problem is this:
We continue to have crisis after crisis following periods of deregulation.
Now John McCain is starting to pay attention to the Health Insurance industry. You know his answer will be... yep, that's right. Deregulation.
Given our history of crisis following the deregulation of industries, is this really a good idea?
John McCain: The Fundamental Deregulator
We continue to have crisis after crisis following periods of deregulation.
Now John McCain is starting to pay attention to the Health Insurance industry. You know his answer will be... yep, that's right. Deregulation.
Given our history of crisis following the deregulation of industries, is this really a good idea?
| When | Event | Root Cause | You lost: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Late 1980s | S & L Crisis | Deregulation | Your savings |
| Late 2000's | Subprime mortgage Crisis | Deregulation | Your house |
| Soon | Health Insurance Crisis | Deregulation | Your health insurance, or worse... |
John McCain: The Fundamental Deregulator
Monday, October 6, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
So this is Honor ?
From: Wisconsin State Journal: McCain's mailer creates controversy
The state elections agency is investigating complaints about a massive campaign mailing Republican Sen. John McCain's presidential campaign has directed toward Wisconsin Democrats and other voters.
Each mailing includes at least one copy of the state application for an absentee ballot that has the address of a local clerk and a box for postage printed on the other side.
But in some cases, the incorrect clerk's address is printed on the application, leading some Democrats to wonder if the Arizona senator's campaign is deliberately trying to get them to apply for absentee ballots in places where they aren't eligible to vote.
The state elections agency is investigating complaints about a massive campaign mailing Republican Sen. John McCain's presidential campaign has directed toward Wisconsin Democrats and other voters.
Each mailing includes at least one copy of the state application for an absentee ballot that has the address of a local clerk and a box for postage printed on the other side.
But in some cases, the incorrect clerk's address is printed on the application, leading some Democrats to wonder if the Arizona senator's campaign is deliberately trying to get them to apply for absentee ballots in places where they aren't eligible to vote.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Slash and Burn - Palin's FY08 Budget for Alaska
Take a look at the FY08 Alaska state budget, as enacted. It got all chopped up. Really amazing. Maybe this is a good thing, but the cuts are surprising. The first cut completely drops funding for the 'AARP Ketchikan - Access Road for Ketchikan Senior Housing Project', from $100,00 to $0.00
So.. there is a Senior Center, but no access road?
That just seems cruel.
Take a look at the FY08 Alaska state budget, as enacted. It got all chopped up. Really amazing. Maybe this is a good thing, but the cuts are surprising. The first cut completely drops funding for the 'AARP Ketchikan - Access Road for Ketchikan Senior Housing Project', from $100,00 to $0.00
So.. there is a Senior Center, but no access road?
That just seems cruel.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Palin OUT by End of Week - My best guess
This is just a guess, but it is certainly plausible...
The Palin nomination is a total gimmick and won't last until Friday.
It is intended to gain news attention, create a brilliant flash, and then go away. McCain has no intention of keeping Palin on the ticket. This is just for show. Sure, it may show a lack of judgment, but time will heal that. Don't you know? McCain is a Maverick...
The second choice will show much better judgment.
After all, McCain himself didn't actually vet Palin. He only met her once or twice. Some staffer, you know, the real slacker, screwed it up.
McCain will accept Palin's heart felt apology and her 'Thanks but no Thanks' letter later this week.
The pundits will all point out the heartless bloggers and internet a--holes for pointing out her lack of experience and all the 'other problems' she has. They will be throughly beat-up for pointing out the pregnancy issues. How dare they talk about that? Jerks...
Then McCain will choose someone else. Like his actual first choice, Joe Lieberman. It will be a classic bait and switch, just like Bush did with Harriet Miers and Sam Alito.
And the sick thing? It just might work.
McCain will also get credit from the PUMA whack jobs, who will feel that McCain tried to select a woman, but the 'misogynistic' DNC just couldn't let that happen. And everyone will be too tired to even notice when McCain selects an equally terrible VP candidate...
But, this is just my guess.
Reference to history:
From wikipedia on the Miers/Alito bait switch.:
This is just a guess, but it is certainly plausible...
The Palin nomination is a total gimmick and won't last until Friday.
It is intended to gain news attention, create a brilliant flash, and then go away. McCain has no intention of keeping Palin on the ticket. This is just for show. Sure, it may show a lack of judgment, but time will heal that. Don't you know? McCain is a Maverick...
The second choice will show much better judgment.
After all, McCain himself didn't actually vet Palin. He only met her once or twice. Some staffer, you know, the real slacker, screwed it up.
McCain will accept Palin's heart felt apology and her 'Thanks but no Thanks' letter later this week.
The pundits will all point out the heartless bloggers and internet a--holes for pointing out her lack of experience and all the 'other problems' she has. They will be throughly beat-up for pointing out the pregnancy issues. How dare they talk about that? Jerks...
Then McCain will choose someone else. Like his actual first choice, Joe Lieberman. It will be a classic bait and switch, just like Bush did with Harriet Miers and Sam Alito.
And the sick thing? It just might work.
McCain will also get credit from the PUMA whack jobs, who will feel that McCain tried to select a woman, but the 'misogynistic' DNC just couldn't let that happen. And everyone will be too tired to even notice when McCain selects an equally terrible VP candidate...
But, this is just my guess.
Reference to history:
From wikipedia on the Miers/Alito bait switch.:
On July 1, 2005, Associate Justice Sandra Day O'Connor announced her retirement from the Supreme Court effective upon the confirmation of a successor. President George W. Bush first nominated John Roberts to the vacancy; however, when Chief Justice William Rehnquist died on September 3, Bush withdrew Roberts' nomination to fill O'Connor's seat and instead nominated Roberts to the Chief Justiceship. On October 3, President Bush nominated Harriet Miers to replace O'Connor. However, Miers withdrew her acceptance of the nomination on October 27 after encountering widespread opposition.
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