John Guy: Indiana’s tourism promotion lacks originality
May we also conclude that the various state advertising well may increase tourism in general, but not specifically affect states individually?
John Guy
Articles
GUY & MARCUS: Where you stand determines if you sit
Not providing seats denies jobs to how many thousands? What portion of those on disability payments are out of the workforce because employers fail to provide opportunities to sit on the job? We do not know.
GUY: When scholarships are like ear muffs
In the context of annual higher education expenses of $15,000 to $60,000, these grants represent little more than lunch money and minor relief for parents.
GUY: Why teacher evaluations don’t work
Using student test scores to measure teachers, and, by extension, their schools, is impossible, irrelevant, misleading, unfriendly and manifestly unfair.
GUY: Sell all your stock because of the election?
Nothing distorts like an election result. Nothing. Not cataracts. Not broken lenses. Not even a bad photograph.
McCarthy, Trump, the Tribune and Fox
Why do people blindly accept hyperbole? Why do so many accept the unsupported generalizations of conservative talk show hosts?
GUY: The only thing we fear is …
Cognitive bias has an outsized effect. It causes humans to take action when no action is indicated. It prompts a healthy person to seek major medical review when a neighbor has a heart attack, and sheriffs to create barely relevant strategies of personal defense.
GUY: The benefits of speaking up
Ten percent of any group contains persons who are unattractive, useless or disruptive, perhaps criminal. Yet dolts, often described as dissenters, have potential value.
GUY: Life without opinion
For me, a closed mouth is best. A closed mouth leaves me contented.
GUY: The myth of ‘my favorite teacher’
Being popular in the classroom does not necessarily translate into being effective.
GUY: Data is everywhere (and not worth it)
Data is so addictive to managers that, when information is not naturally available, vice presidents of this and that move to create it.
GUY: Hot stock market tempts investors with euphoria
Both euphoria and panic are easily treated by a disciplined regimen of patience and perspective.
GUY: Don’t run education like a business
Disagreements about education reform result from conflicting models: the business model and the social model. Governors such as Daniels and Pence, reflecting their backgrounds and support structures, tend toward the business model. Superintendent Ritz, with almost 35 years as a teacher/communications coordinator in elementary schools, is more aligned with the social model.
GUY: Don’t purge good volunteers
Not-for-profit staffs and boards occasionally stub their toes by “firing” or replacing longtime volunteers.
GUY: How to revive dying service clubs
Despite evidence that change is necessary, some businesses, not-for-profits and associations cannot do it. An example is service clubs. The Indianapolis Jaycees, having had more than 400 members in 1976, appears to have canceled its telephone number. Zionsville Kiwanis ceased business in September.
GUY: Let’s stop bashing government
In the following words, a friend implies that I love government: “I feel you believe in much more reliance on government, and I prefer free markets.” My reaction: Not really!
GUY: Irrationality, fear are on the march
Increasing fear comes from nowhere. The American crime rate has not risen for decades, and the homicide rate has fallen.
GUY: I’m pretty good, sure, but outstanding?
In Indianapolis, 65 of us are “outstanding,” meaning measurably better than all the rest. Hard to imagine.
GUY: Who can blame harassed teachers for losing heart?
An Indianapolis Public Schools teacher was overheard saying, “Why should I improve myself through advanced professional training when the state and its providers will fire me next year?”