Truth is still true regardless of how much or how often propaganda and lies attack it. When science, evidence and reason are assaulted, it can be exhausting to constantly be on the defensive. There’s no practical or moral reason to do anything but tell the truth as straightforwardly and clearly ...
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I was in my favorite watering hole last weekend watching little kids and even babies enjoying the place with their parents, which would never have been the case not that long ago. Years back, a buddy and I found a new-at-the-time brewpub that had opened right around when smoking was ...
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I pledged, in the opening paragraph of this little blog, not to debate politics and that’s not what I hope you focus on in this story from The New Yorker. Politicking and policy is inevitably about communicating and how any side of the aisle crafts and delivers overall messages and ...
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I think I’ve been surveyed beyond exhaustion for quite some time now. Every major and minor encounter results in a text or email asking for my feedback (to serve me better), and unless I’m either joyfully giddy or mad enough to sue, I tend to ignore it. Don’t ...
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You’re being judged every time you open your mouth. That judgment becomes even more pronounced when you’re speaking to upset, emotional people. Your credibility, in their eyes, is actually less about the content of the message you’re delivering than it is about you, the deliverer. People are judging who you ...
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Behavioral science research, surveys and empirical evidence tell us that we’re living in uniquely unsettled, stressful times. Duh. Navigating and surviving will require courage, patience, self-care and understanding the triggers that make each of us particularly nuts. Here are some thoughts to help you manage your own emotions in the ...
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The gap between government and the people that it’s supposed to serve is more of a chasm than it’s ever been before. Government has rarely done a stellar job of communicating with its constituents; government and real people speak two different languages. People have never had access to more information, ...
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It’s well established that people tend to think they know a lot more than they actually do – we’re all wired to be arrogant that way. It’s called the “illusion of explanatory depth,” which is a fancy way of saying we’re biased to think we know more than ...
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Trust in government and previously trusted institutions is lower than it used to be. People’s trust in basic science and expertise is also down. COVID-19 pandemic changes and confusion exacerbated these problems and skepticism about science continues, which makes it tough for scientists and technical experts to communicate facts and ...
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For a lot of experts, especially engineering and science types, public speaking and presentations are fun – much like root canals and picking up in-laws from the airport are fun. But when you’re in the public sector business or even in a business, business that requires talking to actual human ...
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