Ellie Mae heads to Harvard

Ellie Mae heads to Harvard

Sunday, March 28, 2010

The Checklist Manifesto - How to Get Things Right

Atul Gawande - I'm looking forward to his lecture.

The book tells stories of his quest to insert a checklist into surgery and many stories of its success.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Deepening Democracy

This was referred to me by your Law School, the author is a Harvard professor. At any rate, the book outlines deliberative democracy. Unfortunately, success requires that the deliberators are somewhat selfless and willing to do what's the greater good. Oh, well.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Greene: The Secret Joke of Kant's Soul

Seems to differentiate deontological and consequentialist moral judgement. Just when I thought I had a label it escaped me.

I guess I need to read Kant. I need to figure out what determines morality; 'cause it appears I ain't gettin' it.

The critiques were interesting.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Switch - How to Change Things When Change is Hard

The Heath brothers.

Unfortunately, it hinted at a self help book; however, many of the concepts have good research behind them. Basically, it's about the three components of making change: logic, emotion and direction. No one component will allow a change to continue - all three need to be addressed.

The book was a valuable read and one that I am actually using.

Monday, March 8, 2010

The Quants

This book is about the mathematical geniuses that made billions investing. It's very interesting; however, the author is rather immature and the timelines are confusing. But, the point is made. I thought the best part was the fact that two firms were successful and the statement was made "They were just smarter than the rest." I liked that.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Made to Stick

Written by brothers, and, yes they mention that one is a Stanford professor of behavioral science and the other did research at Harvard.

Kinda like Gladwell, only they did some of their own research. Good insights into communication mechanisms that allow you to get folks to remember what you said.

The most important parts seem to be that we must keep in mind the core message, sometimes we confuse ourselves and secondly, make it specifically simple.

Anyway, a good read.