Active volunteers are the lifeblood of any nonprofit organization. After the leadership of a nonprofit organization recruits a volunteer, then finds the right match for the volunteer to serve within the organization, retention of that volunteer is essential. And one of the most important ways... Continue
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Rarely does a thick tome on economics get noticed by the mainstream press, let alone become a best-selling book that fundamentally shifts political discourse. French economist Thomas Piketty, aided by an elegant English translation, has managed a accomplish that feat. The groundbreaking statistical research done... Continue
Tikal was a spectacular adventure into the jungles of northeast Guatemala. We woke to Howler Monkeys growling high in the trees above. After breakfast we met our driver and loaded the van. Within a few hours we would be in Belize. Belize is just south... Continue
Beginning with painting on rocks and writing code for binary computers, the records of what we know have variously been kept. Between these two extremes are found language, hieroglyphics, cuneiform markings in clay, pictograms, alphabets, printing technology, the telegraph, radio and television; each served as... Continue
Wifi isn’t all that it’s cut out to be. The past couple of weeks I have been adventuring through Guatemala and Belize with the promise of good wifi, the kind of wifi that gets columns back to the states. Unfortunately, wifi didn’t always find it’s... Continue
Why does poverty exist in the wealthiest countries in the world? This question has vexed economists for several hundred years, and the answer remains elusive. In tribal societies, now increasingly rare, economy is intrinsic to cultural habits and social relationships; reciprocity, sharing and customs of... Continue
The Fourth of July was bubbling with fun, except the booming firecrackers scared my dogs to death. Willie trembled as we hid in my bedroom, TV turned up, trying to muffle the sounds outside. I don’t want to be a party pooper, but what’s up... Continue
An unoccupied mind is a dangerous thing. Organic brain’s powerful processing capacity combined with limitless symbolic creativity of mind gives rise to the need for pursuing purpose and meaning. Lacking these, people veer into forms of madness; hyperactive states of violence against others, self-injury, paranoia,... Continue
Once in a great while, you leap to your feet in amazement on seeing a headline that strikes to the heart of your political concerns. That’s what hit me when I pulled my copy of the NCR (National Catholic Register) from the mail on my... Continue
The idea of labor as a commodity, the creation of a class of people subject to competitive rates who can be bought and sold on the open market is inherently dehumanizing, but we live in a capitalist world addicted to consumption, increased productivity and shareholder... Continue