Is planning overrated?

“In all the briefing papers prepared for the famous Clinton Little Rock [economic] summit in late 1992, the word Internet never appeared.”
– Daniel Gross, Newsweek

So, beyond our current recession, what disruptive force are we missing today?
(thanks to Daniel Pink for pointing out the quote)

For your summer reading enjoyment!

Happy Reading! The Nora 2009 Summer List.

For Parents sending kids off to college... The Myth of Maturity, by Terri Apter

By clicking on the links below you can order directly through the Nora Bookstore at Amazon.com.

Good for Everyone... Mindset, by Carol Dweck How intelligence is developed, and The Blessing of a Skinned Knee, by Wendy Mogel, on developing resilience.

Summer Reading Book Groups, please choose ONE.

Dave’s Group: The Last Town on Earth, by Thomas Mullen

Lorraine’s Group: Three Cups of Tea, by Greg Mortenson

Hedy’s Group: Life Beyond Measure, by Sidney Pottier

Scott’s Group: The Way Home, by George Pelecanos

Chris’s Group: Gateway, by Frederik Pohl

Mara’s Group: Pictures at an Exhibition, by Sarah Houghteling

Patrick's Group: The Five People You Meet In Heaven, by Mitch Albom

Nic’s Group: Hot, Flat, and Crowded, by Thomas Friedman

Janette's Group: Into the Blue, by Rebecca Gault

Anthony's Group: Red Sky at Morning, by Richard Bradford

Robert's Group: Invisible Man, by Ralph Ellison

Jay's Group: How Soccer Explains the World, by Franklin Foer

Enjoy!

Film in 5 years

Here's a time lapse video of Jill Enfield making a large format photograph using the wet collodian process, a process used for a period during the 19th century. I wonder if my videos on the Nora website on developing film will someday have historical value, or at least be fodder for the curious. If you're a fan of black and white photography, Jill's website is well worth checking out.

Sad News from Thornton Friends

Our friends at Thornton Friends School have decided that, due to low enrollment, they will be unable to continue in operation and are closing the school. This is a sad day for Nora, as the folks at Thornton have been long-time rivals as well as helpful colleagues over the past 30 years. Thornton and Nora (then WEHS), along with Parkmont, are about the only secondary schools left from the founding of the Washington Small Schools Association in 1988. Founded in 1973, Thornton is nine years younger than Nora, but during my early years had the more experienced leadership, a better building, more students, and set the standard that pushed us to always improve. They went out in style, defeating Nora 20-1 in what would be their final athletic contest on the softball field. It feels like a death in the family. We'll miss them.

Lest there be any concern about Nora, we are fully enrolled and staffed for next year, own our building, and have a strong (and conservatively invested) endowment. Now in our 45th year, we fully expect to be around for the next 45.