Author: Adam (Page 123 of 224)

Learning about management from sci-fi novels

“The difference between a good administrator and a bad one is about five heartbeats. Good administrators make immediate choices…A bad administrator, on the other hand, hesitates, diddles around, asks for committees, for research and reports. Eventually, he acts in ways which create serious problems.

“A bad administrator is more concerned with reports than with decisions. He wants the hard record which he can display as an excuse for his errors.”

“And good administrators?”

“Oh, they depend on verbal orders. They never lie about what they’ve done if their verbal orders cause problems, and they surround themselves with people able to act wisely on the basis of verbal orders. Often, the most important piece of information is that something has gone wrong. Bad administrators hide their mistakes until it’s too late to make corrections.”

–Leto II, “God Emperor of Dune,” Frank Herbert

Remind you of anyone you’ve worked for?

What’s in a name?

For some cosmic reason which escapes me, it suddenly occurred to me that Seamus (pron. Shamus) is probably the coolest name in existence. I would love to have people start calling me Seamus, but I don’t think I could carry it off. At the very least, you would need a cool last name too, like the Xbox guy. I don’t think “Blust” is going to cut it with Seamus.

When I was growing up I hated the name Adam, because it was extremely unusual in those days, unlike today where just about every 5- to 10-year-old has that name. (I still whip my head around when my name is shouted out at, say, Target, only to find the object of the yell is some meandering toddler.) And we all know how great it is to have something that the other kids can latch onto at that age – I had enough problems, as my picture on the about page makes painfully clear. But now I like the name, since it’s still distinctive and it seems to fit me.

If you were going to change your name, what would it be? And why?

Tongue-in-cheek backhanded compliment of the week

“I wish I had interests as common and vulgar as yours.”

–Mike Benedetto, during an AIM conversation about “American Idol”

Interesting. I have a feeling this will be a good place to check in the near future for some cool new writing and perspectives. Also, a huge boost for Userland Software and Dave Winer.

Before and after. I’m pleased.

Phrase You Just Don’t Hear Enough These Days:

Heaven forfend!

Funny Double-Oxymoron Business Division Title

Marketing Communications.

Best. Movie. Poster. Ever.

Movie quote of the week

“And why, I ask myself, why have I put up with you? I can’t imagine but I know. Fear. Yellow freakin’ fear. I’ve been too afraid to live my life so I sold it to you for three hundred freakin’ dollars a week!”

-Joe Banks, “Joe Versus the Volcano”

People have often made fun of my fondness for “Joe Versus the Volcano.” But I think one of the reasons I like it so much is that I’m a lot like Joe – or at least I was. I was afraid of so many things. I’ve spent the last few years trying to get past those fears, and I’ve made great progress. I’ll tell you, it’s not fun or easy to face up to the things you’re afraid of. But it’s worth it.

Does anyone else think that Operation TIPS is the scariest thing yet to come out the Bush Jr. administration? As if “Homeland Security” wasn’t enough echo of Hitler’s Germany, now we’ve got a program designed to turn us into a nation of snitches. Even the U.S. Postal Service, which had earlier said it wouldn’t participate, is already backing down. Better cancel that subscription to “Busty Arab Virgins” magazine now.

I’m making a joke about this, but it’s deadly serious. What’s so scary about this is not even so much the plans, but the fact that the American people are so comfortable with the unquestioning obedience and loyalty to their leaders. No proposal is apparently too outrageous, when it’s wrapped in the flag and justified by “national security.”

Exempt the new national police force from the Freedom of Information Act? Sure. Convict and execute “war criminals” in secret military tribunals? No problem. Hike funding to neighborhood watch groups so they can report “unfamiliar” activities to the feds? Sounds like a good idea to me.

Why are people so complacent about these outrageous plans? Is this the way we really want our country to run? Is this what we want America to stand for? We better decide now, before we can’t make any more decisions.