Think Ambiguously: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times …” I could not help but think of this quote as I read these two diametrically opposed articles–both of which are true. The first article, 9 Astonishing Ways that Living Standards have Improved Around the World is optimistic in nature and highlights the many ways our world has gotten demonstrably better. The other article is pessimistic (but realistic) and highlights a very serious problem: Animal Populations Have Experienced an Average Decline of Almost 70% Since 1970. My advice: Embrace ambiguity and think about the many ways you and your business can continue to make the world a better place; while, at the same time, spend an equal amount of time thinking about how you and your business can be better stewards for all species on this fragile, beautiful planet.

Think Fast: This past week I traveled to Philadelphia to keynote an event for Trinity Life Sciences. One piece of advice I offered them was this: Don’t think about time in this order–Now, Next, Future. Instead think –Now, Future, Next. The reason is because the world will change significantly in the next ten years and if you can broadly understand the future trends that will shape the world of tomorrow, you will begin to take action in the mid-term to prepare for this different future. To this end, here are two pieces of news that everyone in the pharmaceutical/life sciences industry may want to think about: Vaccines to treat cancer possible by 2030, say BioNTech founders and Moderna teams up with Merck for personalized vaccine against cancer.

Think Radically: Sometimes the severity of a problem or issue requires radical action. I am of the opinion that the issues surrounding climate change and biodiversity loss warrant a radical rethinking. To this end, the White House is pushing ahead research to cool Earth by reflecting back sunlight.

Think Different: On a less serious note, as a proud bald man, I pass along this article to those who may not be as welcoming to their baldness: This Follicle-Hacking Drug Could One Day Treat Baldness.

Think with Your Heart: This past week, I drove my elderly mother to the funeral of one of her best friends. Fortunately, my mom had an opportunity to say goodbye to her friend of 50 years before she died. Here is a short article I wrote about their beautiful farewell: Two Friends Final Farewell.

Afterthought: “Talent hits a target no one else can hit; genius hits a target no one else can see.”–Arthur Schopenhauer