Monthly Archives: December 2005

Aphid Philosophy

Posted on December 12, 2005 by Dave Pollard

My wife has moved the two green pepper plants into the room with our hot tub. Our hot tub is indoors, overlooking the back yard, in a room glassed in on all sides. We keep it covered when not in … Continue reading →

Posted in Collapse Watch | 8 Comments

Gene McCarthy Dies

Posted on December 11, 2005 by Dave Pollard

Gene McCarthy, the most important and influential critic of and galvanizer of action against the Vietnam War, died yesterday. His 1968 presidential campaign was what stirred me to believe in political activism, to believe change was possible. He was most … Continue reading →

Posted in How the World Really Works | 3 Comments

Police Report

Posted on December 11, 2005 by Dave Pollard

My latest short story. Not for sensitive or very young readers.My neighbours, Wendy & Don, had invited me to the theatre, and they had just bought a Smart Car four-seater so I couldn’t resist making the trek in with them … Continue reading →

Posted in Creative Works | 5 Comments

Saturday Links of the Week – Dec. 9/05

Posted on December 10, 2005 by Dave Pollard

Colourful regular winter visitors at our bird feeder yesterday: chickadees, juncos, grosbeaks, nuthatches and cardinals. The usual weekly mix of the profane and the ridiculous: China Watch: Since my recent article calling for a boycott of Chinese products, I have … Continue reading →

Posted in Our Culture / Ourselves | 4 Comments

The Innovation Opportunities Map

Posted on December 9, 2005 by Dave Pollard

The diagram above is a first attempt to synthesize all of the different ‘types’ of innovation into an organizational ‘map’ that illustrates all the ways innovation can occur in organizations. Most organizations have, in one way or another, the nine … Continue reading →

Posted in Working Smarter | 5 Comments

Horror Story

Posted on December 8, 2005 by Dave Pollard

Every once in awhile you read a true story that is so terrifying in what it tells you about human nature, and human insensitivity, that it leaves you wordless, dumbfounded. In this week’s New Yorker, staff writer Ian Frazier describes … Continue reading →

Posted in Our Culture / Ourselves | 11 Comments

What Was the Most Important Lesson You Learned in 2005?

Posted on December 7, 2005 by Dave Pollard

Chuck Frey over at Innovation Tools is asking this question, for the second year in a row, in the context of innovation, creativity and brainstorming. I’m going to answer him, but I’m interested in readers’ answers to this question in … Continue reading →

Posted in Our Culture / Ourselves | 7 Comments

How to Disrupt and Replace the (Distorted) ‘Market’ Economy

Posted on December 6, 2005 by Dave Pollard

The paradox of the economy is that we buyers have all the power, but there are so many of us and we are so uncoordinated that it is the sellers who effectively wield power — they tell us what they … Continue reading →

Posted in Collapse Watch | 12 Comments

Dave Barry’s Holiday Gift Guide

Posted on December 5, 2005 by Dave Pollard

This is funny. Don’t forget to read about all 17 items.

Posted in Our Culture / Ourselves | 1 Comment

Fear of Volunteering

Posted on December 5, 2005 by Dave Pollard

Volunteering is scary, for several reasons: You may be asked to do some things you’re not particularly good at, and/or don’t like doing. We already have enough of that in our lives. Many volunteer organizations are chronically understaffed, and hence … Continue reading →

Posted in Our Culture / Ourselves | Comments Off on Fear of Volunteering