PinnedHOW ADAM SMITH CAN HELP US BECOME MORE PRODUCTIVE WRITERS… some Socratic Scribbling on how to divide the labors of writingAdam Smith has always offered us a stellar model of clear and vivid writing, especially when he is explaining complicated matters… like the components of money. Indeed, before he begins his discussion, he apologizes for the necessity of proceeding with his analysis in step by miserable step fashion. …Writing Tips7 min read
PinnedWHY DO SO MANY PEOPLE LOVE TED LASSO? The Socratic Scribbler meditates…Ted Lasso is not just popular. It’s good, getting rave reviews and recommendations from just about everyone…except the chronically grouchy. Ted Lasso is based on a classic “fish out of water” premise. A Witchita State football coach is surprisingly hired as a coach for a professional British soccer team, AFC…Ted Lasso6 min read
PinnedYOU ARE PROBABLY SMARTER THAN YOU THINK…Find out by becoming a Socratic ScribblerYOU ARE PROBABLY SMARTER THAN YOU THINK…Improve by becoming a Socratic Scribbler Maybe you think you are not so smart. Maybe a teacher told you that you do not have a well endowed IQ or that your college entrance exam barely qualifies you for Loser U. I would not worry…Creativity5 min read
Oct 17, 2021TRIANGULATION…Three Powers of Persuasion…Three ways to insure your message motivates your audienceWorking in advertising for thirty years gave me plenty of opportunities to think about and read about the art of persuasion. Now that I’m a retired old man I’ve come to believe that just about everything you need is in Plato and Aristotle. I’m not sure Plato would approve of…Persuasion7 min read
Sep 6, 2021HOW SOCRATIC SCRIBBLING CAN MAKE YOU A BETTER BUSINESS THINKERWhen we think of preparation for a life of working in business, few people put Philosophy at the top of their list. In today’s obsessive, STEM driven world, many people are calling into question the value of the liberal arts all together. The very thought of sitting around and talking…8 min read
Aug 27, 2021HOW TO SCRIBBLE READING NOTES…IN THE SOCRATIC WAYAt OnlineGreatBooks many people from around the world are reading the Great Books and meeting in small groups for monthly discussions on Zoom. They are generally following the chronological scheme outlined by Hutchins and Adler. I have the good fortune to host a few of those monthly Great Conversations. The…Notes To Self10 min read
Jul 25, 2021SOCRATIC SCRIBBLER ON HOW TO THINK AHEADWhen was the last time you said, “Hmmm, I’ll think about it.” When we say that, just what do we intend to do? All kinds of books on Amazon promise to show us how to think better. Many of them tell us how the brain works, you know, the ones…Thinking8 min read
Jul 5, 2021THE SOCRATIC SCRIBBLER ON BLANK PAGES and GRAND COLLISIONSTHE SOCRATIC SCRIBBLER ON BLANK PAGES and GRAND COLLISIONS Trapped home during the plague, my wife Karen and I joined a faith group of several people who meet on Zoom early Saturday mornings to discuss the scripture readings for Sunday’s mass. …6 min read
Jun 17, 2021WHY THE SOCRATIC SCRIBBLER MISSES THE DAILY NEWSPAPER — THE ONE MADE OUT OF PAPER —WHY THE SOCRATIC SCRIBBLER MISSES THE DAILY NEWSPAPER — THE ONE MADE OUT OF PAPER — Have you been finding your life a bit chaotic, adrift, almost random…bouncing from one thing to another? …5 min read
Jun 12, 2021The Socratic Scribbler On Life Planning…FROM ARISTOTLE TO PANTYHOSEhttps://flashbak.com/the-sexist-gentlemen-prefer-hanes-adverts-of-the-1970s-and-80s-27455/ Last time we talked about how making a proper to-do list requires that we first create a plan to change our lives for the better. This plan can then become the basis of motivating to-do lists, day after day. To make this life plan, we start by asking ourselves…9 min read