Razing the Right Issues

Will Harvard Business School raze the right issues? Harvard Business School has long preached innovation. Now the new dean at HBS is trying to innovate—at HBS. Nitin Nohria is an articulate Indian-American who has already demonstrated he’s capable of raising the right issues related to innovation. But innovation also requires razing the right issues. Can…

The Soul's Software

Hardware without software is potential without production. This is the challenge facing genome scientists. Having sequenced DNA, the wonder drugs have yet to appear. Scientists have since discovered DNA is only hardware. Genes operate by instructions, or software sitting atop the hardware. Mapping the software is the next challenge. In a similar fashion, ought-is-can-will is…

An Unwinnable Debate

You can’t solve a problem with the same mind that created it. Einstein’s axiom addresses a problem presented in a new book, Science vs. Religion: What Scientists Really Think. At elite American universities, 50 percent of scientists claim to be religious yet keep silent. The problem is framed as science vs. religion. But this isn’t…

Cognitive Resistance

Suppose you believe something with your whole heart. Suppose you are presented with evidence that your belief is wrong. What’s likely to happen? Most people assume they’d change. Not so, said Leon Festinger who posed this question in his landmark study of what he called “cognitive dissonance.” Festinger’s findings tell us why change is so…

Shalom & Suds

On March 16, 1621, the Pilgrims received quite a surprise. The English settlers had arrived the year before, in 1620. But only half survived the winter. Come spring, survivors set out exploring and soon encountered a nearly naked Indian. Surprisingly, he welcomed them in perfect English. Then he asked whether they had some beer. Not…

Shalom & Suds

On March 16, 1621, the Pilgrims received quite a surprise. The English settlers had arrived the year before, in 1620. But only half survived the winter. Come spring, survivors set out exploring and soon encountered a nearly naked Indian. Surprisingly, he welcomed them in perfect English. Then he asked whether they had some beer. Not…