An MIT cognitive scientist has released a study in how people’s names have an impact on how others judge their attractiveness. When men in the study were assigned names with a stressed front vowel they were rated as more attractive as opposed to a stressed back vowel. In other words, good news for Dave, Craig, Ben, Jake, Rick, Steve, Matt; bad news for Lou, Paul, Luke, Tom, Charles, George, John. In women the effect was reversed. Good news for Laura, Julie, Robin, Susan, Holly (boosted sex appeal) whereas Melanie, Jamie, Jill, Tracy, Ann, Liz, Amy had the opposite. Source: The Atlantic
Yearly Archives: 2004
Good October Reading
I was able to catch up on some reading this weekend and I came across some gems. Interestingly, the first two are about topics that may seem to have been beaten to death, but they are very well done and original.
1. The New York Times Magazine has a must-read cover article today on the unwavering presidency of George Bush. It’s almost 9,000 words, so print it out. Usually I try to come to a judgement on a political candidate purely on their positions on issues. I don’t like all the emphasis on “style” and interpersonal differences. But this article is probably best look at the very interesting – perhaps troubling – leadership style of our President and how faith and certainly play a role.
2. The November Atlantic Monthly has a terrific article (may need to be a subscriber) on Warren Buffet. No, it’s not more of that rah-rah crap that so many papers like to take when Buffet holds his annual meeting. I would quote, but it wouldn’t do justice. Go read it or buy the issue (there’s other good stuff too).
3. Speaking of other good stuff in the Atlantic, there are several good Letters to the Editor in the current issue including one of the most eloquent defenses of the Iraq war written by a solider responding to James Fallows’ article last month.
4. The October Harvard Business Review (need to subscribe) returns to its winning ways after a couple dissapointing issues. I feel like HBR is essential to get the latest emperical, academic thinking on key business issues. Michael Porter et. al. have a strong cover article on Seven Surprises for New CEOs. There also is a positive book review for Clinton & Me: A Real Life Political Comedy and I’ve added it to my have good articles on this whole issue about whether it is OK to execute teenage criminals or whether it would be unjust because teenage brains still develop until age 20 or so. If there was a way to check out how far along this kid’s brain has developed and whether he has those judgement skills that come with age then it would make it a whole lot easier.
Zurich Exchange Program: I'm In (and have a sister-blog)
I got some good news today that my family and I were one of four families at my school selected to participate in an exchange program with a school in Zurich, Switzerland. This school in Zurich wants to establish a Zurich/San Francisco sister-city relationship and is working with four schools in San Francisco – mine is one of them. When our Dean of Academics first announced this opportunity a few weeks ago I was immediately interested: a Zurich 16/17 year old comes and stays with us for three weeks in early November through Thanksgiving. He’s been in intensive English language studying in Zurich. Then, when school gets out in June, I go to Zurich and stay with that same family for three weeks and take classes there in English as their school is still in session. $500 covers all expenses, everything. What a deal.
So I put my name into the hat. I knew there would be a lot of interest, who wouldn’t want to do this? When I emailed the Dean, I put a sales-spin on it: “I’ve never been out of the country and I believe I could provide this kid an interesting and multi-faceted experience.” Despite my academic struggles, I have a pretty strong relationship with the brass at my school, I seek them out often (hey, who wouldn’t want to spend time with super-smart PhDs).
Yep, I’ve never been out of the country. Most of my friends did all sorts traveling and international programs this past summer. I worked (and traveled up and down the coast on Southwest). It was fun, make no doubt about it, but everyone keeps coming back saying “you really get a whole different perspective.” I was getting anxious.
Today I learned I was chosen. I have started a sister-blog within my TypePad account called My Zurich Exchange Adventures. There, I will be lightly posting news, updates, and pictures both when he comes and when I’m in Zurich and Europe from now till June. Occasionally, I may post Zurich thoughts on this main blog. FeedBurner has a cool feature so I created an animated GIF on the right column of my main blog that says “Latest From Zurich” and it pulls the latest headline from the Zurich blog. if you’d like to subscribe to my Zurich feed, use this link.
I would close with something like “Ciao!” but alas, Zurich has three official languages.
First Who, Then What
This is one of my favorite mantras from Jim Collins. “Get the right people on the bus. Build a superior executive team. Once you have the right people in place, figure out the best path to greatness.” I’ve always loved assembling a really smart, engaged group of people and then watching them germinate new ideas and figure out really complex problems. Naturally, I am taking the same approach toward my school newspaper. We have some editors who don’t give a shit, and I want them out. Most people around here are scared of any sort of confrontation. I’m not. Some get it, some don’t. Those who do, do. Those who don’t, don’t. Some will, some won’t. I like working/mentoring people, but if you don’t have a passion or don’t want to get better, you shouldn’t be in a driver’s seat.
Friends of Ben: Greg Lahann
Network: Ben Casnocha > Mike Patterson > Greg Lahann
Google: Greg Lahann
Greg is part of the same network that my first Friends of Ben profile, Carol Rutlen, is in. Greg Lahann is a partner at Novus Ventures, a VC firm in Cupertino with $150 M under management.
I didn’t really get to know Greg until this past summer. I had met him originally a few years ago but only stayed in touch via email. One day he responded to my general Comcate update with “Hey Ben – good to hear from you, glad all is going well, let me know if there is anything I can do to help.” I made a point to hook up with him come summer time.
We got sushi together at a place near his office and I immediately felt the warmth and kindness from him that i had heard about. As I gave him an update on things and as he filled me in on what he had been doing for the last year or so, I couldn’t help thinking “Why didn’t I stay in touch with Greg earlier on?” Greg probed, asked tough questions, and offered good feedback.
He also did something that I always listen for – speaking in the “we.” Even though we hadn’t talked for more than a year, he was asking things like “So how many clients do we have? Where do we need to go to get to the next stage?” When I work with advisors and partners – or even a new employee – an easy way to gauge how they feel about their affiliation with the company is whether they say “What you guys really need to think about…” versus “We should brainstorm about…”
After our lunch – a lunch in which I recall really opening up, cracking jokes about the NBA and his not eating breakfast – Greg introduced me to the CEO of Insevo a firm focused on GUI integrations btwn software systems. Not only did he introduce us, but he came to my lunch with the Insevo folks and helped facilitate and add his two cents.
I can’t wait to stay in touch with Greg, pick his brain, and find out how his warm people skills can emit such a friendly atmosphere.