Gary Ackerman @garyackerman@qoto.org

Surely the Earth and life will recover from humans, but we won’t be here to see it.

Me: I see you have a bi-modal distribution. Have you identified the two “things” that you think account for this?

“Data-driven” leader stares at me and blinks before charging through their slides.

What great natural disasters have become the foundations of our culture? I expect there are many, but we will never know them.

Rejecting science would not be a big deal if lives didn’t depend on it.

If your classroom rules are the most important thing you do on the first day, you are teaching wrong… and this is true no matter the age of your students. OK… maybe an exception if you have potentially lethal stuff (chemicals, machines, etc.) in your teaching space.

Facts do not speak for themselves… we interpret them in light of theory.

If your data can’t be replicated, then the effect is probably random.

Denying reality is qualitatively different from skepticism.

If your belief isn’t based on evidence, then no evidence will change it.

You may have terrific data, but if there is no theory to support its interpretation, then it is really useless and uninteresting.

In general, those who believe they are the most objective in their assessments are the least.

Carl Sagan reminded us science and truth are based on openness (to new ideas) and skepticism (to keep only those supported by evidence).

Accurate self appraisal is something leaders are seldom able to accomplish.

When leadership changes, it is wise to prepare for a job search. What was a good fit can change quickly.

Simple and effective technology solutions are not always welcomed. Many leaders want fancy and expensive solutions even if they are unused or used in a manner similar to the simple one.

When does self-delusion constitute fraud?

Most of your data just reinforces what you already think. Don’t deceive yourself into believing otherwise.

Numbers do not guarantee truth. - Stephen Jay Gould

Every instructor can be regarded with a "presumption of competence;" we assume you can to perform the duties. The best instructors recognize the "presumption of ignorance." They assume each class is filled with unique learners who make this group unlike any they have taught before.

Streaming media is great... you actually get to listen to 3-5 minutes of content between the advertisements.