Why does the “save” icon continue to look like a floppy disk? Why do we offer a handshake to people we meet? It’s the same reason that virtual “trash” icons look like real-world trash cans, why car turn signals make a clicking sound, or why we use “tin foil” in the kitchen when it’s made … More Social Vestigial Structures
Our tale of how modern white-collar workplaces evolved into hybrid work environments usually goes like this: thanks to a massive “natural experiment” from the Covid-19 pandemic, employees demonstrated that remote work is productive, but also showed the limits to camaraderie and innovation in the workplace. As a result, white-collar workers are now mandated (or strongly … More The false dichotomy of hybrid work
The word “startup” conjures images of brash young founders, state-of-the-art technology, and creating “the future of” something. Let’s look back a century or two and review the “startups” of that time. Can you guess the company? Startup #1: deliveries and communications are slow because workers want to spend time with their families. That’s why we … More 19th Century Startup Pitches
“Bad news breaks suddenly, but good news is happening everywhere, all the time.” Here are 23 good, positive, and uplifting news stories from around the world this past year to start 2023 off right:
I spoke with someone the other day who had no idea about the “Enron” I referenced in conversation. And although most of the group did recognize Enron, few knew about Arthur Andersen. Whether you recognize both names or have no idea what I’m talking about, here’s a refresher on the infamous scandal that toppled them … More Enron and the Crux of Credibility
One of the great perks I get from working at LinkedIn is free LinkedIn Premium, but many other people pay for the upgrade out-of-pocket. A common question I’ve been asked as a result is “what’s great about Premium?” Here are some major benefits and “hidden gems” that I think make Premium very worth it. Disclaimer: … More Top Perks of LinkedIn Premium
Prediction is hard. We do our best with the limited information we have, and sometimes, that information allows us to be pretty accurate. In other cases, predictions can be spectacularly wrong. Here are a few of those “spectacularly wrong predictions” from the past: Covid-19 will be short-lived and low-impact “We could be just one or … More Predictions that Aged Poorly
Edit 12/13/22: The Respect for Marriage Act has been signed into law by President Biden. The bill has been updated since its initial short text, but in exchange for narrower definitions has passed with a filibuster-proof majority needed to enshrine the rights into law. For the first time in the US, guaranteeing the right to … More Pass the Respect For Marriage Act
In business and in war, logistics crowns the victor. And sometimes, logistics comes in the form of ice cream! Back in WWII’s Pacific Theater, intrepid US soldiers used high-altitude flights to transform rations into delicious ice cream. The recipe was simple: attach small propellers to ice cream cans for “churning”, load them up with canned … More Ice Cream Wins Wars
I’ve been thinking back to how experiences that used to be so common have shifted over the past couple decades. Some of the changes have been gradual, while others seemed to happen overnight. Here are a few that stick out: Dry Cleaning I have fond memories of going to a local dry cleaner with my … More Rise and Fall: Childhood Experiences
Andrew Jabara 