Do the Math Until It Doesn’t Add Up “Let me see: four times five is twelve, and four times six is thirteen, and four times seven is – oh dear! I shall never get to twenty at that rate.” –Lewis Carroll in Alice in Wonderland Question #17: Which is greater: 1 or 2? What about 100 [...]
“If we are to achieve results never before accomplished, we must employ methods never before attempted.” –Sir Francis Bacon Question #12: If the average temperature of the earth increases due to global climate change, what will be the primary cause of rising sea levels? Did you say melting ice caps and glaciers? Wrong. While it’s true [...]
Unlearning Lesson #11 “We only hear those questions for which we are in a position to find answers.” – Friedrich Nietzsche Question #11: Why does it get hotter in the summer? In the late 1980’s, for the production of a movie entitled A Private Universe, the filmmakers posited this question to 23 graduating seniors of Harvard University. [...]
Unlearning Lesson #8: Bite the Hand That Feeds You “The mastery of transformation is the process of unlearning what you have already learned.” –Unknown Question #8: In hospitals, what action is estimated to reduce the risk of infection from catheters by as much as 90 percent? The answer may surprise you: systematic hand-washing. That’s right, [...]
Lesson #7: Question the Wisdom of Experts “I can’t understand why people are frightened of new ideas. I’m frightened of the old ones.”–John Cage Question #7: Write the letter “E” on your forehead. (Go ahead, I’ll wait. You may also just trace the letter on your forehead if that’s more comfortable for you). Did you [...]
Lesson #6: Study at an Anti-Library ”There is a huge difference between what people actually know and how much they think they know.” – Nassim Taleb Question #6: Which of these animals is more likely to kill you: A shark or a deer? The right answer is the deer. In fact, the contest isn’t even [...]
Lesson #5: Do Not Feed Creatures of Habit “Not choice, but habit, rules the unreflecting herd.” – William Wordsworth Question #5: On a game show, you are given the option of choosing a gift behind one of three doors. One door holds a new car; the other two, goats. After you have made your selection, the [...]
Jack Uldrich is an acclaimed global futurist, compelling keynote speaker and best-selling author. His past works include, The Next Big Thing is Really Small: How Nanotechnology Will Change the Future of Your Business; Jump the Curve: 50 Strategies to Help You Company Stay Ahead of Emerging Technology; Unlearning 101:101 Lessons in Thinking … [More About Jack..]