Insights & Resources
Filtered by: Data & Insights
Don’t wait for the most painful proof
We’ve set our default to act when action becomes the hardestIs there something in your life that could and should be changed or fixed but you’re holding off because it’s just not bad enough yet?
Read More →By David
2/15/21
On our addiction to resiliency porn
All of human history is marked by the stories we tell of our own triumph and the tragedy of others.These stories provide comfort and caution. They also inspire us to be better.But what happens when individual stories of triumph and tragedy fuel opportunism from crisis?
Read More →By David
2/7/21
On interrupting the inevitable
The inevitability paradox strikes again. We have a mental health crisis coming — so we hear.The inevitability paradox posits that because of (x) happening, (y) will happen and we have to accept it. But, there are things we could do to deal with (y). The paradox is, if we just did (y) in the first place because it’s good for us anyway, (x) never would have happened.
Read More →By David
1/30/21
The community design argument for open drug use
Dr. Carl Hart’s new book, “Drug Use for Grown-Ups: Chasing Liberty in the Land of Fear,” continues to push the envelope on how we think about drugs, policies around drugs, and addiction.I'll read the book, just as I've read most of Dr. Carl Hart’s work, but ... yeah, there's a big but here. On the surface, Dr. Hart is dancing dangerously close with complete irresponsibility.
Read More →By David
1/19/21
Get everyone an oar
As the events of 6 January unfolded and in the days since, I have gravitated to the words and acts of both John F. and Robert F. Kennedy. It's clear from the insurgency on the Capitol that America is not working for everyone. Whether we fully understand the insurgents position or not, there's a dangerous imbalance.
Read More →By David
1/17/21
Addiction care needs a strategy for rigorous measurement and rapid progress
Measuring success through recovery capital indicators will boost care engagement, align with community priorities, and transform more lives Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash The addiction and overdose crisis in the United States is raging. COVID is exacerbating the underlying drivers of addiction. And despite the extraordinary efforts of great people and organizations, the problemContinue reading "Addiction care needs a strategy for rigorous measurement and rapid progress"
Read More →By David
12/28/20
What Gets in the Way of Change
We have a lot of change or desired change happening around us. But whether the change is personal, professional, cultural, political, or something else, we want change to be meaningful and sustained. Change in a cultural realm isn’t much different than change at the individual level. Both scenarios need acceptance. So what gets in the way of seeing change materialize?
Read More →By David
8/21/20
Look to First Principles To Solve the Voting Problem
Who can vote and who cannot has been an original fixture of American democracy. This reality is counter to the ideal of our representative democracy. And now, on the cusp of a presidential election in the middle of a pandemic and social strife, the very act of voting is plagued with uncertainty. This problem seems incredibly solvable.
Read More →By David
8/21/20
Celebrate Good Decisions
If our mind has reached a point of identifying an extraordinary behavior — good or bad — we should recognize something remarkable has happened.
Read More →By David
7/5/20