The Death of Branding Focus

The Death of Branding Focus

by | May 30, 2017

I haven’t done much stonework in my life. But inexperience doesn’t much daunt me. Neither does taking the initiative. So, having heard that branding was on the way out, I decided to fire preemptively and cut a tombstone for it. While I wasn’t happy...
Try Thinking (Like a Person)

Try Thinking (Like a Person)

by | May 22, 2017

I’m one of those rare people who doesn’t mind going to the dentist. I don’t mind going to my dentist for two reasons: First, she’s very good at what she does. Second, the combination of her pleasantness and the reading material in her waiting...
Who’d ‘a’ Thunk It?

Who’d ‘a’ Thunk It?

by | May 15, 2017

Several years ago, we were hired to design, write, and publish a commemorative book for the 75th anniversary of the New England Water Environment Association. We learned many fascinating things while conducting our research for that project. Among the more...
Houses of Cards

Houses of Cards

by | May 8, 2017

The most amazing thing about houses of cards isn’t how flimsy they are. It isn’t the delicate, precarious balance required to make them stand. It isn’t the skill with which they need to be assembled or the guile required to make it appear as if they...
Unity

Unity

by | May 1, 2017

I’m profoundly haunted by the fact that our undoing — the undoing of culture, of society, of civility — is attributable to one very obvious lack: unity. We know it. We’ve known it for a long time. If you don’t believe that, find the time to watch...