NY Times interview with Scott E. Page – The Difference: How the Power of Diversity Creates Better Groups, Firms, Schools and Societies

From the article:  “In the long-running debate on affirmative action, Scott E. Page, a professor of complex systems, political science and economics at the University of Michigan, is a fresh voice. Scott Page says varied backgrounds give an organization strength. His recently published book, “The Difference: How the Power of Diversity Creates Better Groups, Firms, Schools and Societies” (Princeton University Press), uses mathematical modeling and case studies to show how variety in staffing produces organizational strength.”

I guess I’ll probably have to read the book to understand what’s fresh about his approach. The argument that diversity of thought within a group leads to higher quality outcomes is not new, at least in the organizational psychology field.  Perhaps the freshness refers to the explicit application of mathematically driven models to the socio-political discussion that is unusual.

Racially/Ethnically insensitive and offensive Disney characters (and other spokescharacters)

This one is a little old, but I wanted to capture it.  It’s a little tongue in cheek, but Racialicious linked to a list on Cracked.com of the 9 most racist disney characters.  It led me to wonder if “racist” is synonymous with “ethnically insensitive and offensive.”

I am reminded of a slideshow essay on Slate.com this past Spring regarding various racist which discussed various racist spokescharacters that have been used to sell products.

Golf Channel anchor apologizes for “lynch” remark

Hmmmm.  You’d think that some tingling sense of awareness would have warned her in the moment that making on-air references to lynching a Black man would most likely be offensive.   Here’s the news item on the web sites for ESPN and FoxSports.

Follow up: After initially declining to take any disciplinary measures, the Golf Channel changed its mind after the story took on momentum.  CNN reports that although Tiger Woods accepted the apology, Al Sharpton is not about to let it drop. 

Online dating service uses inclusion as differentiator

This story in the NY Times describes an upcoming advertising campaign by online dating service Chemistry.com which seeks to differentiate itself from its competitor eHarmony.com by “as out of touch with mainstream American values.”  Here’s hoping they are right and inclusion is indeed a mainstream American value.