Posted in Blog, Change, Future, Stories, Unlearning Lesson
By Jack Uldrich & Rick Smyre On August 5, 1949 Wag Dodge and a team of fire-fighters were air dropped into Mann Gulch in Montana to battle a raging fire. The conditions were hot and dry. As evening approached, the fire changed directions and hot embers flew over the heads of the crew and ignited…
Posted in Black Swans, Books, Stories
In honor of tomorrow being Thanksgiving, I thought I would recount a wonderful story from Nassim Taleb’s outstanding book, The Black Swan: “Consider a turkey that is fed every day. Every single feeding will firm up the bird’s belief that it is the general rule of life to be fed every day by friendly members…
Posted in Ask a New Question, Change, Creativity, Example, Imagination, Innovation, See What Isn't There, Stories, The Way We See the Problem, Think Like a Child
Often, the first step to solving an old problem is viewing your situation–and the tools at your disposal–in a new light. If you want to watch a short, fun and inspirational video, check out this two-minute YouTube clip on a simple solar solution:
Posted in Stories, Unlearning Lesson
Earlier today, I shared my own personal experience of how a “one mile error is really a two mile error” and why unlearning is more difficult than learning. The road to Rutland, Vermont is now open and, because I was allowed to continue my journey westward, I encountered this sight near Killington, Vermont. It is…
Posted in Analogy, Change, Parable, Stories, Uncategorized
I have been traveling a great deal lately and between trips to Newport, Rhode Island; St. John’s, Canada and Lake George, New York, I thought it would be more relaxing to stay at a Bed & Breakfast near the Green Mountains of Vermont instead of returning home to Minneapolis during my short break between speaking…
Posted in Stories, Unlearning Lesson
Unlearning Lesson #1: Knowledge Can Kill, Unlearn or Die “The most necessary part of learning is unlearning our errors.” — Zeno Question #1: Estimate the number of people you expect to die in the United States from the following causes over the course of the following year: 1. Homicides ___________ or Suicides _____________ 2….
Posted in Analogy, Beliefs, Education, Enlightenment, I Don't Know, Lessons Unlearned, Metaphor, New Cards, One minute unlearning, Perspective, See What Isn't There, Spiritual, Stories, The Way We See the Problem, Wisdom
I am in Iowa to deliver a keynote presentation (entitled “Why Future Trends in Healthcare Will Require Unlearning“) to the Iowa Healthcare Collaborative today. After working on my presentation early this morning, I decided to go for a walk at sunrise. The photo to the right offers a view of what I saw. As I…
Posted in Children, Education, Example, Failure, Happiness, Problems into Opportunities, Relationships, Stories, Wisdom
Let me begin by admitting that it is not easy to smile after losing $25,000. At 3p.m. today, I should be addressing a senior group of utility executives who are part of IBM’s Global Intelligent “Smart Grid” Network in Campinas, Brazil. Unfortunately, because I failed to secure the necessary visa application I was not allowed…
Posted in One minute unlearning, Parable, Spiritual, Stories, Wisdom
“What is reality?” asked the student. The traveler didn’t answer. He said only, “Go to the well and fetch a bucket of water.” The student did as instructed. “Now grab a cup of water from the bucket and take a sip.” The student again did as instructed. The water was cool and provided refreshment. “Aah,…
Posted in Arts, General, Metaphor, See What Isn't There, Stories, The Way We See the Problem, Unlearn Strategy
If you had the chance to listen to one of the world's best violinists for free, would you? Probably not if he or she were playing in a subway station. A few years ago Joshua Bell, one of the world's top violinists, played for over three hours in a subway station in Washington, D.C. He…
