petermmitchell

Friday, October 15, 2010

Congratulations to Andrea!

Today, Andrea's promotion was announced to her team. She has been promoted to Sr. eLearning Designer. I just wanted to take a moment and say how proud I am of her. I am extraordinarily lucky to be married to someone who is not only intelligent, beautiful and talented, but very successful in her career as well.

Sunday, October 10, 2010

"The Science of Fear"

I have been listening to "The Science of Fear" by Daniel Gardner (on Craig's recommendation, thanks again!). It has been really good so far and has enlightened me on the various industries who have a vested interest in fear. We basically live in the safest, healthiest society so far, yet people are more fearful than ever. Why is this?

Fear is profit and with the most advanced marketing research available, you can bank on being scared (and so can they). For example, if crime rates are going down, then we don't need as big of a police budget for next year. If people diet and exercise regularly, then they wouldn't need to buy as many drugs from the pharmaceutical companies to protect them from evil diseases. I hope this also brings various political campaigns to mind as well. There are a lot of people who stand to profit from the public being afraid of whatever suits their interests. It is our responsibility to investigate and see if these risks are really as scary as the news and advertisers would have us believe.

Ironically, boring things like driving in a car, heart disease, or swimming in a pool are much more of a threat than most things portrayed on the news from a statistical standpoint (e.g., restless leg syndrome, shark attacks, or road rage). Imagine the following headline, "Crime is decreasing and people are living longer than ever. Sleep tight America....." Boring! If I had cable I would change the channel.

This got me thinking on a broader scale. It would seem to me that being happy and content with who you are and what you have in life would make you less likely to be manipulated by various types of salesmen. Life is pretty good, at least for me. If I am "OK" and not upset about anything in particular, I have no need to search for an appropriate resolution. However if I am afraid of some new illness, political issue, or just plain death, I will be more likely to talk to my doctor about the pills on TV, support some politician's cause, or go to church. Concern should ideally be proportional to the actual statistical risk associated with a claim, not the perceived risk.

You are the only person who can benefit from the following motto, "Don't worry, be happy." Well, you and Bobby Mcferrin :)

Thursday, September 23, 2010

New job

Big news for me....I have recently accepted a job with Wyndham Worldwide in Parsippany NJ. It has been a bit crazy the last two weeks, but also very exciting. My last day at KPMG is 10/1, which is my birthday btw. I am excited about my new role as an instructional designer and working with the new team. Also, this job is only 5 miles away (substantially closer than KPMG which is 42). So there is a decent amount of time I will get back in the day. However, I have to mention that I will sincerely miss my friends at KPMG. They are some of the best people I have ever known and I hope that we still keep in touch. Brief shout out: I love you everyone!

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Being Wrong

I just finished this book and wanted to say that it was quite good. It is not a lame self help book, but rather a systematic look at everyone's troubled relationship to wrongness. I would highly recommend it.

For an exercise in wrongness, please try the following the next time you are mistaken about something. Don't worry it should be soon :) Admit to yourself and others that you were wrong, period. Do not say you were wrong but or explain how you were almost right. Just, I was wrong. It is surprisingly empowering.