Dear Life, Please Improve

Artificial Intelligence

Should AI Make Hiring Decisions?

Richard Dancsi on May 3, 2024

Artificial intelligence already plays a role in deciding who’s getting hired. The way to improve AI is very similar to how we fight human biases.

Artificial intelligence already plays a role in deciding who’s getting hired. The way to improve AI is very similar to how we fight human biases.

Cross-Cultural Psychology

Travelpreneurs and Embracing Uncertainty

Richard Dancsi on April 5, 2024

Traveling as a digital nomad offers ways to acquire useful skills for life. Resourcefulness, or quickly adjusting to a new environment, is great for building a strong business, too.

Traveling as a digital nomad offers ways to acquire useful skills for life. Resourcefulness, or quickly adjusting to a new environment, is great for building a strong business, too.

Career

The End of Climbing: Careers in a Flat-Hierarchy World

Richard Dancsi on March 5, 2024

Doing away with bureaucracy at a flat organization sure sounds great—but does it lead to fewer career opportunities to break into management?

Doing away with bureaucracy at a flat organization sure sounds great—but does it lead to fewer career opportunities to break into management?

Consumer Behavior

Luxury in the Digital World

Richard Dancsi on February 2, 2024

In the material world, "exclusivity" can be accomplished by producing a limited amount of something. But how exclusive is a digital item, when it could be copied at no cost?

In the material world, "exclusivity" can be accomplished by producing a limited amount of something. But how exclusive is a digital item, when it could be copied at no cost?

Decision-Making

Risk Is Influenced by Conscious and Subconscious Decisions

Richard Dancsi on January 3, 2024

I’m willing to bet that you’re never late for a truly important meeting, especially not when the meeting is a matter of life and death.

I’m willing to bet that you’re never late for a truly important meeting, especially not when the meeting is a matter of life and death.

Career

Stuck? Ask a Rubber Duck

Richard Dancsi on December 1, 2023

Many problems can be solved by simply explaining them to someone – even if that someone is just a rubber duck.

Many problems can be solved by simply explaining them to someone – even if that someone is just a rubber duck.

Deception

This Street, That Street, and The Other Street

Richard Dancsi on November 3, 2023

This Street, That Street, and The Other Street are three real street names in a small town in Canada. How do people find anything there? Contextual clues help.

This Street, That Street, and The Other Street are three real street names in a small town in Canada. How do people find anything there? Contextual clues help.

Persuasion

Learn to Use the Hidden Power of Words

Richard Dancsi on October 6, 2023

Even if we don’t pay attention to what someone is telling us, their vocabulary and their use of language alone can provide valuable insights.

Even if we don’t pay attention to what someone is telling us, their vocabulary and their use of language alone can provide valuable insights.

Intuition

Solving Riddles Using Intuition and Emotions

Richard Dancsi on September 6, 2023

Two secret agents need to meet without communicating in any way. The deadline is one year from today. If you were one of the agents, when and where would you wait?

Two secret agents need to meet without communicating in any way. The deadline is one year from today. If you were one of the agents, when and where would you wait?

Behavioral Economics

Unlocking the Power of Karma

Richard Dancsi on August 2, 2023

By exploring karma through game theory, we can understand how reputation, forgiveness, and past actions can impact strategic decision-making.

By exploring karma through game theory, we can understand how reputation, forgiveness, and past actions can impact strategic decision-making.

Career

The Fake-It-Till-You-Make-It Life Hack

Richard Dancsi on July 7, 2023

The popular life hack, “Dress for the job you want, not for the job you have,” seems to work every so often. But why? And what does it say about our culture?

The popular life hack, “Dress for the job you want, not for the job you have,” seems to work every so often. But why? And what does it say about our culture?

Career

Thinking Inside the Box

Richard Dancsi on June 2, 2023

Which work environment would you prefer? An open-plan office with serendipitous meetings or a cubicle to get focused work done?

Which work environment would you prefer? An open-plan office with serendipitous meetings or a cubicle to get focused work done?

Fear

Why Aren’t Taxes Fairer?

Richard Dancsi on May 2, 2023

Tax avoidance in some countries is not seen as a serious offense, but as perhaps more of a national sport. What does it all have to do with fairness?

Tax avoidance in some countries is not seen as a serious offense, but as perhaps more of a national sport. What does it all have to do with fairness?

Education

Learning to Learn Through Digital Play

Richard Dancsi on April 3, 2023

Applying our existing knowledge and skills in new situations is not a spontaneous process. There’s work involved in making in-app knowledge become real-world knowledge.

Applying our existing knowledge and skills in new situations is not a spontaneous process. There’s work involved in making in-app knowledge become real-world knowledge.

Friends

Helping Friends During Layoffs

Richard Dancsi on March 1, 2023

What’s a good answer for “What do you do?” when someone has just lost their job?

What’s a good answer for “What do you do?” when someone has just lost their job?

Motivation

The CEO Ambition: Running a Business to Make a Difference

Richard Dancsi on February 1, 2023

People who start making an impact anywhere are usually seen as leaders. Once someone is seen as a leader, they immediately graduate to becoming one.

People who start making an impact anywhere are usually seen as leaders. Once someone is seen as a leader, they immediately graduate to becoming one.

Creativity

The Innovator’s Secret

Richard Dancsi on January 16, 2023

The success of intellectual property law banks on its ability to influence human behavior. Yet some industries survive and even thrive in the absence of strong IP protections.

The success of intellectual property law banks on its ability to influence human behavior. Yet some industries survive and even thrive in the absence of strong IP protections.

Career

Finding Flow in a Distracting World

Richard Dancsi on December 27, 2022

How long can someone stay "in the zone"? Becoming more resilient to disruptions and being able to quickly pick up a project where one left off are great skills to build.

How long can someone stay "in the zone"? Becoming more resilient to disruptions and being able to quickly pick up a project where one left off are great skills to build.

Shyness

How Shy People Can Be Strong Negotiators

Richard Dancsi on October 11, 2022

With verbal communication being the Achilles’ heel of shy people, it can be a good idea to find shortcuts.

With verbal communication being the Achilles’ heel of shy people, it can be a good idea to find shortcuts.

Gender

Where Are All the Women Programmers?

Richard Dancsi on September 19, 2022

Under 5 percent of professional programmers are female. Are women actually uninterested in programming, or do they feel unwelcome? Is there a way to change this?

Under 5 percent of professional programmers are female. Are women actually uninterested in programming, or do they feel unwelcome? Is there a way to change this?