Most people at this point are familiar with the phrase “jumping the shark.” Those of us old enough to remember its origins know that it developed from an episode of the 1970’s show “Happy Days,” that consisted of the persistently cool Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli jumping a shark on water skis. The stunt came late in…
Making AI Dumber
All of the fervor around artificial intelligence of late has been largely focused on how fast the technology is advancing. Indeed, as a personal consumer of significant AI services today, I can tell you that even in the last 12 months the advances have been incredible. However, an article came across my Cluttered Desk earlier…
Bob’s Top Ten Predictions for 2025
Well, the year 2025 has dawned upon us. I actually wanted a fancier way to say that, something more formal to ring in the new year. However, my feeble mind struggled with the task, so I asked one of my AI assistants to provide me with a cleverer way to phrase that opening line. It…
State of Denial and the Shots Heard Round the Insurance World
In a tragic incident this week, UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was gunned down while entering a hotel for an investor’s conference in New York City. While (as of this writing) the suspect has not yet been apprehended and the motive remains unknown, undoubtedly, many in this country, myself included, reached an immediate conclusion. Disgruntled policyholder. Or…
Why You Should Be Aware That It Is Kids’ Chance Awareness Week
In the bustling world of workers’ compensation, where policies and procedures often overshadow the human element, it’s easy to forget the real lives impacted by workplace injuries. Enter Kids’ Chance Awareness Week, a beacon of hope and a reminder that behind every claim number lies a family, and often, children whose futures hang in the…
Defeating the AI Powered Coffee Making BMW Auto-Bot
The AI revolution is speeding ahead at a breakneck speed, only surpassed by humans’ fear that we are putting ourselves on the brink of destruction by developing this technology. It may be a legitimate concern if mankind doesn’t employ safeguards. Fortunately, I have a foolproof plan to protect humanity from its shortsighted foibles. I’ll get…
Team Building When You or Your Co-Workers Suck
There is nothing like an excellent outdoor team-building experience to bolster morale and improve performance. Unless, of course, your team abandons one member of your crew on a mountain and leaves them to die. That could potentially negate the very positive effects intended by the exercise. Last August, co-workers left a Colorado man alone atop Mount…
Covid, Gen Z, and The Increasing Use of Sick Days
Poor Gen Z. Everybody seems to pick on them. It is, I suppose, a rite of passage of some sort. Every generation is generally critical of the ones that follow it. And as I wrote last week, Gen Z has four other opinionated and domineering generations before it in the workplace. And one of those generations,…
Generational Changes and Fat People in Their Floaty Chairs
It has been said that, at times, life imitates art. I don’t know if that is wholly true, but there are stark examples that indicate it can happen. In 2008, the movie Wall-E depicted a human population immersed in technology, where morbidly obese residents spent their day gliding around in floating chairs talking to people…
Over a Workers’ Comp Claim, Going For Broker
The story you are about to read is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent. And in some cases, the stupid. Really stupid. It’s a shame I can’t change my own name, as it would have protected me on numerous occasions of idiocy. But that is a different story, I suppose. I…
