Harvard Study Shows that Smoke Inhalation May Have a Mental Health Impact

This is an interesting study. I'm working on another little project to collect firefighter research and put them on a site (will share at some point). The study below will be put on the site but not saved as one of the studies because I'm saving the research page for firefighting methods. However, if I come across a good study firefighters might be interested, I will share. Keep in mind that forest and grass fires are common. We get a lot of grass fires so this may apply in the area. Watch your fires so we don't have to come out please. :)

Harvard Study Shows that Smoke Inhalation May Have a Mental Health Impact

Wildfires are a growing concern for government officials and firefighters alike. The vast majority of firefighters are volunteers and in turn put themselves at risk for others. Full and volunteer firefighters can be harmed by the smoke that leads to mental health impacts beyond the initial inhalation harm. Many firefighters get a big "whiff" of smoke and brush it off. Few would recognize the long-term mental impact that could result.

One lesson I might take from this is that whenever there is smoke that could reach firefighters, they should put on their air packs. Even if they are not using them at that moment they may need to mask up if the wind /situation changes. It is heavy equipment and one would be tempted to forego if they do not feel they will be in immediate harm but one might consider using air packs more often.

Exposure to wildfire smoke linked with worsening mental health conditions

10 microgram-per-cubic-meter increase in wildfire particle pollution was associated with8% increase in ER visits for mental health

• 15% increase in depression
• 29% increase in mood disorders
• 6% increase in anxiety

Brownstein, M. (April 4th, 2025). Exposure to wildfire smoke linked with worsening mental health conditions. Harvard. https://hsph.harvard.edu/news/exposure-to-wildfire-smoke-linked-with-worsening-mental-health-conditions

The Value of Emotional Intelligence in Leadership and Academics

Emotional intelligence (EQ) is seen as or more important than generalized intelligence (IQ) in the overall success of life. One of the reasons is that it is associated with grit and the ability to manage the challenges as they come. People who can understand where their emotions come from and how to process them can create grit to focus on their goals every day of their life. 

It is not easy to plug away at goals every day and certainly one's background and personal make-up influence the outcomes. With self-reflection and awareness one can develop a knowledge of themselves and in turn the world. They find better ways to navigate setbacks.

The Importance of Emotional Intelligence in Leadership

Emotional Intelligence as a Predictor of Academic and/or Professional Success

You can take a free Emotional Intelligence Quiz HERE

This is how I came out which may have been lower when compared to 15 years ago because I did not have the right perspective on place and self. Meaning that I was much younger and while I had substantial knowledge I did not understand that people don't always live by ideals. Unlike IQ which is relatively stable, EQ can be improved.

"Congratulations! You have high emotional intelligence. This is good news! EQ counts for twice as much as IQ and technical skills combined in determining who will be a star performer. Your level of EQ likely has been and will be a driver of your high performance under pressure for years to come"

Motives for Corruption Among Public Officials and Business Employees (Hypothetical Thought Experiment on Hate and Corruption)

There are two philosophical quandaries I have been playing around with my head. Over the years looking at economics and values I find they are integrally tied together. Economic health and social health are based in shared commitment to a sense of purpose as a people and as a nation (i.e. artifacts, oaths, spirit of law, etc.). I provide two examples of which one is a long running thought experiment for learning purposes. One positive and the other not so much. One shows a system strength and one shows its weakness in the conception and functioning of the whole.

Example 1: Business corruption in Detroit was relatively high until the city went bankrupt and those who believed in justice investigated and began to clear that corruption. The city's economic prospects improved. Some businesses were exploited but some were willing participants. Each made a choice. The business community helped overcome through coordinated effort. Politics, business, organized crime and corruption were related. Eventual justice was restored through the hands of many. It stands today as a testimony that the justice system will step up and ensure the needs of the people are met for a greater good. This was a positive example.

Example 2 (Hypothetical Example): A group of "clan" members that included a 'good old boy' network coordinated to harm whistleblowers, violate basic rights, openly knew of aggression/violence, spread hate based rumors to encourage harm, blocked employment through reputation damaging. The judge in this example was aware of misbehaviors and in turn rewarded the people in their social network who caused the problem. Protecting knowledge of other misbehaviors seemed easiest by dumping problems on the victims. Conflicts of interest and nepotism were rampant. Hate and corruption were comingled. New victims came forward. There are no backstops, nothing else in the system to stand for what is a higher value, and this became an example of total default. 

The economics of both areas improved through the challenge of open corruption.

According to this study business and public corruption are a result of...

1. Lower moral values
2. Approval of social network to engage in corruption
3. The difficulties in complying with corruption rules.

Motives for Corruption Among Public Officials and Business Employees

In both examples people knew such corruption existed and retaliated against those who stood for our national beliefs/oaths. In Example 1 a level of justice was restored while in Example 2 justice was undermined and victims had no recourse without being subject to further mistreatment. They were warned to keep their mouth shut and then targeted. Good officials muted because poor officials made decisions they were not entitled to make. A lop sided system emerged where poor behaviors were more important than liberty or life.

What one may find interesting about both examples was that moral values of participants in corruption seemed low, social networks encouraged poor behaviors, and there would be financial or social disadvantages to following the laws within such circles. One had a back-stop due to the amount of people impacted (...respect for the purpose of law and shared societal values) while the other had little follow-up based on factors that are indicative that corruption may be ongoing problem (A lack of respect for the institution and the purpose of the laws.).

I must apologize for my writing heavily on the topic but I'm getting close to finishing a draft for a scholarly journal article on some economic research and on the last chapter of a book related to economic clusters and thinking beyond. After that, I may start writing another book on leadership that will include a component on resistance to the allure of corruption. In some ways a responsbility to challenge corruption and continue to fight for the long term health of society. Some aspects of that will delve into recognizing the greater roles business leaders have to their nation and supporting the underpinnings of economic growth through minimizing corruption and encouraging entrepreneurship and respect for transactional trust. The next book will be much faster but less details. It is focused on examples for learning purposes.

*Keep in mind this is a theoretical discussion for philosophical purposes and learning so take with a grain of salt.

Gorsira, M., Denkers, A. & Huisman, W. Both Sides of the Coin: Motives for Corruption Among Public Officials and Business Employees. J Bus Ethics 151, 179–194 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-016-3219-2

State of Professional Continuing Education 2025

Continuing education and the general updating of knowledge is necessary in dynamic environments that changes quickly. If you notice industry, AI, and our everyday lives are impacted by rapid change. Innovation and new technologies bring with it needs to update human capital in as real time as possible. Providing higher levels of professional education can go a long way in better ensuring a prepared workforce is ready to take open positions. 

This is an interesting report on continuing education. The ability to provide higher levels of knowledge generation among the working population helps to keep them 

Data and Insights from the State of Continuing Education 2025 Report

Judicial Corruption and Setting the Standard (Hypothetical Thought Experiment on Hate and Corruption)

Corruption has a negative impact on society economically, socially and institutionally. However, sometimes corruption exists within the social networks in which judges belong and at times the misperceptions that they hold. In our theoretically hypothetical thought experiment for learning purposes, it appears that corruption was ongoing for a long time and once it was discovered the judicial system turned a blind eye and shielded efforts to uncover and improve the local system. Victims had few rights of recourse and were intentionally dehumanized.

The thought experiment example goes someone like this, 

Someone utilized their employment and friendships to target others for financial gain. Aggression, manipulation, dishonesty, and other poor behaviors came forward. People were well aware of what was going on and good officials silenced. In this example, a judge knew these behaviors existed and rewarded the perpetrators financially by ruling against and retaliating against whistleblowers (later found to be correct). Justifications of harm against some members of society to reward others normalized. The smallest variance in life justified horrendous misbehaviors. Some of that is based in social connections, others of that in personal bias and political beliefs. People have complained of conflicts of interest, perferences and "above the law" standards for some social network members.

It is important to understand some of the reasons why such systems default and how they could have gone on so long without anyone standing for the central values as codified in our social contracts and artifacts. Deep seated hate and social-financial based corruption appear to exist in the same sphere. Racial, religious and political perspectives in our example may have influenced outcomes (not specific to any race, religion, or political position.). Since the decisions were made initially in bias the outcomes were also biased through false anchoring of perceptions, decisions and choices (garbage in and out).

What this piece below helps indicate is that judicial corruption occurs in developing countries (Many of the principles will apply to other places as well). Such corruption occurs because it has been allowed to occur and more victims came forward and they were similarly dismissed in a closed system. What we can learn is that it is possible to analyze corruption on a case outcome and procedural level to determine if there are preferences in justice. Keeping the system healthy helps the whole and raises trust and growth prospects. Intentionally injustices and lack of recourse or remorse for victims does the opposite and undermines the full functioning of the system.

The Causes of Judicial Corruption in Developing Countries

If we are going to set the standard, we should do it around the values we promote in society. Supporting institutions and good officials means having some checks and balances when misbehaviors are clear, repeated, and the effects ongoing. If we are to profess loyalty to certain oaths and beliefs, we should make the effort to live by them and ensure those who went went awry are brought back into the fold. These shared values and social and economic implications in the long run even if we don't make the connection (science has actually made that connection.)

*This is a hypothetical, philosophical, theoretical thought learning example so take with a grain of salt and feel free to disagree. We can write the ending so it will be related to system adaptation and resilience around shared social values. It is also in honor of the victims of hate and corruption anywhere it may occur.

The Personality of Coffee and Nature: Coffee Cups of Ocean Beach Pier and Blooms

People who enjoy nature, hike, bike and do other outdoor things seem to be a little more grounded with life. They appreciate the natural world around our beginnings. As a person who enjoys art and dabbles in it from time to time, I put together two mugs you may enjoy that show nature. One is of flowers and the other of Ocean Beach Pier (btw the pier I believe is to be torn down.). Below you also find a study on the personality of nature lovers and one on coffee drinkers. 

According to this study people who like nature are more likely to feel connected to humanity. It makes sense because if you spend enough time in nature you learn how dependent we all are to it and it to each other. Connectedness to Nature and to Humanity: their association and personality correlates

The smell of freshly ground coffee, sitting in Ocean Beach on on the boardwalk, watching the surfers get swallowed by the waves. The mornings are the best while the is still low. It is a time to contemplate and enjoy the ocean air.

Interestingly according to this study there doesn't appear to be a personality association with coffee drinking. However, impulsive extroverts may enjoy caffeine benefits of cognitive performance, reduced sadness, and higher mood. Chapter 30 - Personality Traits and Coffee Intake

If your a nature lover you might be interested in the Ocean Beach Estuary Enhancement Project. While I have nothing to do with this project I have been to that area many times. So if people are actively trying to improve the waterway then I support them. Sadly, people still keep throwing stuff in the water and lots of run off. 

Ocean Beach Coffee Mug @$18.10 (date of posting)

Euro Escape Mug  @$18.10 (date of posting)

The Causes and Effects of Corruption (Hypothetical Thought Experiment)

Corruption has a corrosive effect on nearly anything it touches because it is based on dishonesty and misuse of trust for self/group gain. From the economic and business side corruption slows down transactions and in turn warps normal business patterns so resources are misused and misallocated for an in-group. Trust can be impacted if normal human exchange patterns are disrupted. Having a strong ethical/moral code along with appropriate checks and balances can help protect the whole system from poor actors (One should distinguish between the majority who do what is right and the minority who warp the system for their in-group. We make the assumption that corruption and hate are not desirable.). 

I have been using a hypothetical thought experiment to philosophically explore hate and corruption at its worst where it warped the functioning of an institution. Falsely spread hate rumors, close connection of corrupted officials, coaching perpetrators how to exploit, and decision-making preferences led to a default. No checks and balances, whistleblowers retaliated against, perpetrators financially encouraged, cleansing type behaviors, and laws were tools without their purpose (i.e. not anchored in their root social artifacts and accepted value systems).

In our ethical learning example extortion, aggression, civil/human rights, resource misuse, in-group membership, etc. came into play in one form or another. It helps highlight that while the majority of people are good and honest there are a percentage of people within any society that will do anything to get what they want. Give them a group of uncritical followers and you have a problem. Our systems are built for those who have not internalized acceptable values. It struggles in closed systems where decisions makers give preference to their friend/in-group networks in a way that put others in harm’s way. and undermines trust.

The story is used to explore, and we will eventually write in a narrative of resilience and system adaptation where the people/community become again more important than the small but powerful in-group. Around the same time, the community (...and officials serving the public) challenged corruption, their economic prospects increased, and they created a 'sense of community' that brought a higher sense of collective purpose (Something the corrupted embedded network didn't understand nor did they expect.). Justice was intentionally suppressed as patterned behavior but The People strove for the next rung and reached it.

In our learning example the specific race, religion, social network, politic etc. doesn't matter as the presence of corruption should be enough to prompt actions to improve. In a highly diverse world clear misuse of authority to further one's ideologies and beliefs about others (i.e. the dehumanization process) should not be encouraged or tolerated by those who seek to uphold our root values, beliefs and oaths. It is these examples that help cut the wheat from the chaff on who should and who should not have authority. (This is a learning story to understand and encourage what strengthes the economic and social underpinnings of society so as to improve the whole.)

Causes and Effects of Corruption: What has Past Decade's Empirical Research Taught us? A Survey

-Inefficiency can cause corruption. (Misuse of resources)

-Freedom of press minimizes corruption. (Using intimidation to silence legitimate well thought out opinions)

-Corruption slows economic growth. (Low growth over a few decades that reversed when corruption was challenged)

-In-group preference that encourages corruption. (Open complaints and conversations on corruption and preference within the system)

-Level of democratic principles reduce corruption in governance size. (Lack of respect for oaths, values, pledges and social contracts related to a strong democracy.)

-Decentralization reduces corruption. (Closed network with coordinated unhelpful behaviors)

-Legal systems with common law reduce corruption. (Subjective application of law. Coaching on how to harm and immunization of poor behaviors)

-Diverse political engagement reduced corruption (Indications of extremism and violence present)

-Lower levels of property rights increase corruption. (Open financial exploitation of others. Putting youth and elderly at risks to financially reward oneself.)

-Better pay for officials will reduce corruption. (The vast majority are good officials who deserve higher pay. Notice in our example I have been saying this for a while. It is part of the process of developing high functioning systems. Encourage good officials to stay and corrupted ones to leave.)

-Corruption more common in less urban areas. (Close social connections 'good old boy' allowed corruption to go on for years due to close proximity.)

Dimant, Eugen & Tosato, Guglielmo. (2017). Causes and Effects of Corruption: What has Past Decade's Empirical Research Taught us? A Survey. Journal of Economic Surveys. 32. 10.1111/joes.12198. 

*This is a hypothetical philosophical thought experiment for learning purposes so take with a grain of salt. Since it is a discussion feel free to leave a comment. Stay tuned as it is a series and we have learned how such systems work, what checks are needed, and about the impact of hate and corruption on society.