No Posts: Taking a Short Break

I'm taking a few days off and don't plan to post anything new during that time.

But you can find potentially interesting articles in the tabs for my daily "papers" above.

Garbl

Garbl's Writing Center: Free portal to writing resources 15 years old

My main website, Garbl's Writing Center, is 15 years old this year. Actually, one part of it is. In 1997, I launched a one-page website called Garbl's Online Writing Resources. My main goal in developing that site was to learn HTML and website development and management. And I figured back then: What better subject to feature than my love of writing! I still use HTML coding to maintain the site.

[Update: I deactivated Garbl's Online Writing Resources in April 2019 because I was no longer updating its web links. But the Garbl sites listed below are still active.]

Since 1997, I've added many more links and pages to the Writing Resources section, and I've added (and eliminated) other big sections to the website. What's New provides a history of my website. I don't work on the site as much as I used to do, though I try to check and update the Writing Resources links occasionally. I still use HTML coding to maintain the site.

And, as I've noted at the bottom of several section home pages (emphasis added): 

Whatever their acclaim and position, all writers need editors. I don't have one for Garbl's Writing Center, so if you spot a typo, unclear message or possible error, please let me know.

Here are other links to various free tools at Garbl's Writing Center:

• an editorial style manual
• a plain-English writing guide
• several guides to concise writing

And here's more About Me!

Dream Theater: "The Spirit Carries On" from Score (live).

To my dad ... your spirit carries on.

Love, Gary

Innovators Aren’t Cynics | Jeffrey Phillips, Innovation Excellence

Phillips writes:

People are cynical about innovation because innovation often hasn’t delivered what has been promised. But looking more closely at the reasons why uncovers some basic truths.

Those truths include:

One, many promises have been overstated, by people with a vested interest in promoting innovation. ...

Two, people are often cynical about innovation because they realize it is occasionally used as a scapegoat or “flavor of the month”. ...

After further discussion, Phillips concludes:

Until you recognize that you haven’t seen it all, that you can’t even imagine all the opportunities, that cynicism is a set of blinders meant to keep you in line, you are definitely correct: you can’t innovate. There is no more self-fulfilling prophecy than a cynic who boldly declares that he or she “can’t innovate”. They are exactly right, and self-reinforcing to boot. Get rid of your cynicism, approach innovation opportunities with a sense of wonder, enthusiasm, possibility. Yes, that means shedding your green eyeshades and corporate cynicism. ...

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This article is featured in Garbl's Creativity Connections for June 17, 2012. My daily paper is available at the Creativity link above -- and by free online subscription.