I realize it has been awhile since I blogged. I was exploring other outlets including twitter and Facebook. I was also doing some investigation into the whole problem of googling for employment information and how it impacts communication outlets including blogs. But I am back.

Creativity has always intrigued me, especially the psychology of creativity. One of the best sources of easy data on creativity is comics. Few comics have had the impact of Calvin and Hobbes. An interesting interview with the creator of Calvin and Hobbes appears in the Plain Dealer,  http://www.cleveland.com/living/index.ssf/2010/02/bill_watterson_creator_of_belo.html

Tim suggested this for the friday funny,

Believe it or not, there is a HR comic book. You can find it at apecmx and it is titled “Super Human Resources.”

Thanks to Bryan Baldwin’s fabulous blog for this tip.

You can check it out on Youtube also.

Not that I expect people to feel bad for consultants, seems highly unlikely possibility, but this video from Linda Brown of orgsuccess demonstrates what it feels like to be a consultant some days.

I am going to use this book as a textbook for one of my classes this year – Business the Orange County Chopper Way.

Who needs a:

• PhD
• MBA from Harvard
• Consultants
• Flying Fish

OK, I have not read the book yet, but I have caught the tv show. My guess, it probably does make a good read.

From the Wall Street Journal, a well-written and interesting article on the human side of cheating on personality tests. It does make you wonder whether the personality test is becoming either 1) a test of intelligence or 2) the motivation to cheat. Nevertheless, the scientific evidence does indicate such tests are still 1) useful 2) cost effective 3) valid, although probably not as valid as though and 4) seen in a positive light by most candidates. 

And another WSJ article on that tough interview question about “what is your greatest weakness?” Mine is that I am so good looking people don’t take me seriously.

For those with an interest in psychology, there is now a Psychological Channel. One of the interesting features is the videos. For example, right now the site is featuring a video on BF Skinner, pigeons, and free will.

If you have an interest in psychology, you may want to check it out.

For those interested in jobs in Industrial – Organizational Psychology, you may want to check out the IO careers site. This site seems to appeal to a youthful audience and also includes discussion of graduate student issues.

Happy Birthday Elvis. Below a video of Elvis, not BF Skinner.

Ideas come from diverse places. I was recently reading my high school Alumni newsletter, Saint Ignatius Magazine, when I came across an article “Daddy Does Diapers” by Brian Kantz. The article covers the phenomena of men who stay home to take care of the children, while their wives are at work. the “stay-at-home-Dad.”

Kantz estimates that the number of stay at home Dads is around 150,000. That seems low, but it may be difficult for the Census Bureau to collect accurate data.

My prediction — we will soon see bodies of research on this topic. Seems like it would make a great thesis, dissertation, or grant topic, although the low numbers mean it would be difficult to find participants.

With business hotels in some cities hitting the $300 dollar plus mark, I believe couch-surfing may be the solution to your business travel costs. Couch surfing involves having travelers stay on the couches, floors, or spare bed of strangers in cities the person is visiting. Think of the money you could save by implementing a couch-surfing policy for business travel; except of course travel by HR staff and their consultants.