I don’t know where to start to explain my concerns on this issue. After 9/11, we talked about making our country less vulnerable to terrorist attack. I was involved in looking at various systems, determining what and how we should do to render ourselves more protected.
Monthly Archives: June 2012
Four Eyes? Or Four I’s?
I’ve been asked by some of you, by my kids, and by my students: What skills or talents does a good designer possess. I wish I had all the answers- but I have amassed a few findings over the years. I call these observations the four I’s- inquire, involve, interconnect, and intrust.
From dental implants to jaws…
So, here’s a big secret. An artificial jaw was implanted in an 83 year old patient. Not only did this operation occur a year ago in the Netherlands (June 2011), but the jaw was produced by a 3D printer. [If you want even more information about 3D printers, search for 3D in the index to the right.] The first jaw transplant in North America was performed in 2006- and in that case the patient had the donated jaw reside in his back muscles for 8 months to insure biocompatibility.
Big and small, small and big
I often get asked why I no longer work for a large company, where the money is greater. I admit that I consider it on occasion (like when I wonder why I don’t visit my favorite cities every month like I used to), but, generally, I don’t have that strong desire. It helps that I am the Chief Executive of my firm, and serve as advisor to other CEO’s, and as CFO or CRO for still other entities.
STEM<>Political correctness
I grew up in the greater New York Metropolitan area. I strongly considered various high schools to continue my private school education. I was lucky in that my “grade school” (K-9) offered instruction in many areas that left me ahead of my “normal’ grade- way ahead. I considered going to another private religious high school and to the Bronx High School of Science, among many others. I ended up not going to any of them- not because I didn’t want to, but because of the costs.
$%$#@!!%&*(- OR Smile?
Letting the blind see
I had the honor of knowing Bill Dobelle for more than 25 years. With his ever-present bowtie, he was enamored with bringing sight to the blind (which number about 15 million people around the world). I am sure if he hadn’t died prematurely at 64, he would have succeeded completely. As it was, he managed to enable those who had lost their sight to recognize shapes, patterns, and colors, using a series of implanted electrodes.
Reading is Fundamental
So, I’ve lived in New York, Cambridge, Ann Arbor, Charlottesville, Los Angeles, and Alexandria. And, according to Amazon, my current abode (Alexandria) is “the most well-read city in America”.
And you thought Vulture Capitalists were bad?
I have been blessed with working with a variety of clients over the years- companies included on the Fortune 50, Fortune 500, Fortune 5000, WhoHasAFortune?, and the Inc5000, among other entities. I’ve also worked with and for venture capital and private equity firms, helping them determine if an investment is the proper fit. (That process is typically called ‘due diligence’.)
Continue reading And you thought Vulture Capitalists were bad?
Electronic Security- no, a different kind
Times have changed. It used to be that our company had two keys to the post office box. One was held by Harry Thornton (A’H), who picked up our mail each day (and cleaned up our offices and did odd jobs) and the other sat in my locked desk drawer. The keys to my desk drawer were on my key ring and in the safe. Simple.