Chip Conley

Expiring vs. Permanent Skills.

I loved stumbling upon this article that distinguishes between expiring skills and permanent skills. Here’s an excerpt:

Expiring vs. Permanent Skills.

Is Your Brain a Flashlight or a Lantern?

Neuroscience teaches us that a young adult's brain is fast and focused, with a similar value to having a flashlight on a night hiking trip. It can move quickly and offers precision control so that you can quickly see the path ahead of you. There's a certain intensity to a flashlight and a young brain.

Is Your Brain a Flashlight or a Lantern?

"Cancer, What Do You Have to Teach Me?"

How does one respond to a cancer diagnosis? For some, it's an all-out war: "I'm gonna beat you, Cancer." For others, it's an acquiescence: "I'm surrendering to you, Cancer… you're bigger than me."

"Cancer, What Do You Have to Teach Me?"

Some Scary Graphs That Show The Midlife Crisis is Real.

Last year, I wrote a post profiling a white paper called “The Midlife Crisis” that came from the National Bureau of Economic Research. This paper hasn't gotten nearly enough attention in the mainstream press partly because—wow—is it ever a dense and challenging read. Fortunately, a picture tells a thousand stories, and the graphics below tell 500,000 stories of mid-lifers' challenges.

Some Scary Graphs That Show The Midlife Crisis is Real.

It’s About Time.

Happy Independence Day in the U.S.! Time is the ultimate luxury as we age. As Kevin Kelly says, “The rich have money. The wealthy have time. It’s easier to become wealthy than rich.”

It’s About Time.

The Mentor as Confidante.

As I mentioned in a past post, I believe there are two kinds of mentors: the librarian and the confidante. Given how many MEA alums have recently asked me about how to be a better coach to a young mentee, I thought I would elaborate on the idea of the mentor as a confidante.

The Mentor as Confidante.

"Make New Friends But Keep The Old…"

…”One is silver and the other, gold.” That’s as far as I knew the lyrics went, but it keeps going:

"Make New Friends But Keep The Old…"

What Age Are You? Depends Upon Which Age You’re Talking About.

Asking someone over 40 their age has long been a slightly taboo topic. But, it’s also become a complicated question given how many ages might define us.

What Age Are You? Depends Upon Which Age You’re Talking About.

Sci-Fi Films That Age Well.

Sci-Fi is my least favorite film genre. But, there are some futuristic films that get better with age. I would argue that “2001: A Space Odyssey” or “The Fly” are more relevant today than when they came out in 1968 and 1986.

Sci-Fi Films That Age Well.

American Hero: Arnold vs. Michael J?

As you all know, I’ve had lots of extra time these past two weeks to become a binge watcher (not a weight watcher, though, as this surgery naturally adds 10-20 pounds within a few days). I think it’s ironic that two American film celebrities came out with documentaries telling their stories at almost exactly the same time: “Arnold” Schwartznegger on Netflix and MIchael J Fox in “Still” on AppleTV.

American Hero: Arnold vs. Michael J?