His model predicted, in different fields of medical research, rates of wrongness roughly corresponding to the observed rates at which findings were later convincingly refuted: 80 percent of non-randomized studies (by far the most common type) turn out to be wrong, as do 25 percent of supposedly gold-standard randomized trials, and as much as 10 percent of the platinum-standard large randomized trials. These were challenging facts for me, as a deep believer in science and rigorous research. It's worth considering the meaning of these findings … [Read more...]
If you dislike change, you’re going to dislike irrelevance even more – Shinseki
I flagged this post principally for the title quote. It captures perfectly the choice facing so many arts and cultural organizations today. I like the quote and the post as a reminder of where our efforts need to be focused. Turning Point Network Journal - If you dislike change, you're going to dislike irrelevance even more - Shinseki. … [Read more...]
A Social Competitiveness Index | Tactical Philanthropy
A global discussion to define and track the things that make a society capable of social innovation. Read A Social Competitiveness Index | Tactical Philanthropy. … [Read more...]
Agnes Gund: Taking the Arts Seriously
An opinion piece that has been highlighted many places but I still wanted to flag. The piece reminds one that the construct of "the arts" marginalizes artistic and creative activity. It makes the end product the focus of attention, rather than the role artistic activity is playing in society, the process of creating and participating in art, and the affect on people engaged through the work. "The arts" has its purpose in organizing a passionate interest group and securing resources, but I wonder if the cost is greater than the benefit, … [Read more...]
Acting with Power Journal
An interesting integration of theatre and business school theory in a class led by Deborah Gruenfeld at Stanford University. This journal tracks and shares the progress of the class from week to week. Acting with Power Journal. … [Read more...]
Social Outcomes: Lifting Sights, Changing Norms
The air is filled with conversation about measurement and metrics and proof for nonprofit activities and investments. Mario Morino points out the heavy emphasis on long-term scientific study in these discussions, and argues for the importance of an integrated, day-to-day performance management approach. His thoughts are in line with the approach we teach in "Building Evaluation Capacity." A note from other writing by Venture Philanthropy Partners: they believe a proper performance management system can take three years to develop and … [Read more...]
Disrupting Philanthropy 2.0
An overview of how technology is being used in philanthropy. The foundation activities are pretty well known. However, there are good examples of where experimentation is happening, and interesting activities happening outside established institutions. The effect of technology on philanthropy comes across as marginal today, but the tech trends & experiments point to what we can expect in 3-5 years, when the experiments become mainstream and the underlying tech is mature and "dull." Disrupting Philanthropy 2.0. … [Read more...]
The Cost of Information Sharing in Philanthropy | Tactical Philanthropy
The argument here is that there isn't -- and shouldn't be -- any conflict in the not-for-profit sector between the social benefit and the personal gain from information and intellectual property. Why? Because the not-for-profit professional's goal *is* social benefit, and therefore the professional wants to and must give away all information so society can do the most with it. Those who do otherwise are engaging in "a form of corruption," as stated in one of the comments. I think the argument made in this piece is incomplete (email me if … [Read more...]
Career Navigation for Working Learners
This position paper sketches out a system to support career development in our contemporary economy, where careers no longer consist of "climbing the corporate ladder" in a company. The focus is on supporting low wage workers and on government solutions, but in many ways the challenges are the same for working professionals. How clear and intentional are each of us about our goals, our current skills, how we will fill the gaps, and our strategies for reaching our goals? Career Navigation for Working Learners . … [Read more...]