Public Relations or Chicanery?

The Economist’s  commentator on management in companies notes in a recent article (July 3^rd 2021) the tendency to swap colourful glad handing and puffery with but the faintest resemblance to everyday reality which, he notes, likely has “zero impact” on the company’s profile for a more down to earth but less glitzy presentation all under the guise of PR or perhaps more plainly hubris. This at considerable cost to shareholders, staff and customers.

In fact at the meeting concerned the Chief Executive summed matters up, upon the PR man’s exit, with “Thank goodness he’s gone. Now I can tell you what’s really happening.” This condition is observable in the style of numerous popular governments at present. Just which entity is the infectious spreader of this particular variant of the virus?

Deep Down We Know This.....

 

A critical point at present: 

A widespread issue with behaviours around energy, is that individuals and institutions are more interested in looking green or feeling green, than being green. In other words, we get a warm feeling when we think we did something green or we can make others think we did something green, regardless of whether it truly is green in the full lifecycle of its existence. 

Lyn Alden Schwartzer June 2021

 Climate change in the Taieri

Serious Depth

 Another measure of depth now apparent in NZ cricket: World Test Champions go head-to-head | RNZ News

More than helpful concept

 "Be less curious about people and more curious about ideas."

— Marie Curie 

Disputable Fact, Fantasy and Pure Fiction

Currently, in the world of academia or is it literature, a hefty debate involves the "fleshing out" of the often skeletal or even documented but subject to interpretation tales of yore - history. The Economist of June 12, 2021 explains the debate well and covers arguments from "both sides".

Its priceless description of the traditionalists reaction to current trends seen in "reconstruction" is worthy:

Academic historians tend to be sniffy about all this. But though their work may be unsullied by ingratiating ornament, it is also , often, untouched by readers.

This is true, and understandable but, at present in particular, a great pity.

Depth Across Multiple Formats

 Useful discussion here of changes and maturity in NZ cricket in a very different world from "not so long ago". Eng vs NZ 2021 - New Zealand's wholesale changes show immense strength in depth (espncricinfo.com)