The Loudest Voice Isn’t Always the Wisest-Group Think in Business (Stewed Ideas Company)

(Illustrative Only)

Stewed Ideas Company has a 
motto that says "Free Thinkers
Get Canned". New ideas
are discouraged despite the company
losing money with their
wrotten tomato line
the boss brought forward.
The other executives thought
the idea was 
"brilliant", "a sure thing", 
"a sign of genius", and
will "put the company on top". 

They each got a raise and 
the company continues to lose
money. What might be
the cause? Alternative
solutions?

Groupthink happens when social or professional pressure pushes people to agree too quickly, shutting down real discussion. It often leads to poor decisions because risks, alternatives, and diverse perspectives never get fully explored. Many major strategic mistakes in history and business can be tied to this herd-mentality effect.

Imagine a company planning its next move with limited resources. A dominant personality takes over the discussion (...most organizations have a couple 😬), and other viewpoints are quietly pushed aside. Team members may hesitate to speak up because they fear rejection, conflict, or hurting their chances for advancement. When that happens, the organization ends up with a narrowed strategy shaped by the loudest voice—not the best ideas.

Strong leaders know that the most aggressive person in the room isn’t always the most correct, knowledgeable, or even keel in decision making. Progress in science, business, and history often came from people who questioned the prevailing view. Strong decision-making requires encouraging reasonable dissent, hearing different opinions, exploring options and using that feedback to improve the strategy and reduce risks.

Groupthink can appear anywhere—companies, nonprofits, the military, friend groups, investors—any place where people work together. Formal processes can help fight it, such as assigning someone to play devil’s advocate or giving each person structured time to discuss pros and cons.

But the most important factor is the culture you create. If you want talented people to offer their best ideas, they need to feel safe doing so. You hire them for their knowledge. If all you want is agreement, you can find people who will just nod along for far less. But that won’t make your organization stronger. Creating an environment where people can speak honestly will.

Plutarch: "Know how to listen and you will profit even from those who talk badly".

A couple of interesting articles you can read that highlight what group think is,

Group Think and Collective Delusion

• The paper examines how collective denial and willful blindness arise in organizations and markets, causing groups to ignore or reinterpret bad news.

• Individuals distort beliefs to preserve hopeful expectations, and these distortions can become socially contagious depending on how people's actions affect one another.

• This dynamic can create multiple shared versions of reality and allows belief patterns to trickle down hierarchies, where leaders strongly influence followers.

• The model separates helpful group morale from harmful groupthink and explains why societies and organizations need protections for dissent, such as free speech and whistle-blower systems.

• In financial markets, similar mechanisms can trigger investment booms and crashes, as contagious optimism leads investors to overlook warning signals until a collapse occurs.

Groupthink as a System of the Decision Making Process

• Groupthink happens when a group values agreement more than good decision-making.

• It leads groups to ignore better options or avoid challenging each other.

• It occurs more in groups with strong cohesion or pressure to fit in.

• Lack of anonymity and wanting to match group identity make people conform.

• Encouraging dissent and different viewpoints helps prevent groupthink.

Escanaba Restaurant Week Feb. 22-28 2026: Get Your Chow Down.....Downtown! (Randy Goes on a Date!)

 

(Illustrative Only)

Randy thinks this date
is going great. They 
ordered food, she got a lattee,
and they are window shopping. 

He figures if he can keep 
her happy and smiling
he might have a chance! 😶

He even put on cologne😮🙃

We all love food, right? And downtown has restaurants that will knock your socks off—seriously, bring extra socks its still winter. The flavors are so good they’ll have you salivating like one of Pavlov’s dogs who just heard a dinner bell. 

We’ve got bistros. We’ve got Swedish food. We’ve got Mexican food. We got Chinese. We even have a bakery and coffee! We’ve got good old steaks. We’ve got bars. Basically, if it’s edible, someone downtown is cooking it.

A lot of people come to Escanaba as tourists, but plenty still many locals haven’t tried half the places downtown. Well, this is your week. Click the link, see who’s participating, and figure out what your stomach is ordering you to do. Got a craving tonight? Great. Click, point, read, and then eat. Go downtown and eat like it’s your civic duty.

Pick up a to-go box or take your special someone on a dinner in date.

The more people visit downtown—walk it, shop it, hang out in it—the busier it gets, and the more it grows. That’s how great downtowns are built: people show up.

And honestly, after saying all this… now I’m hungry. I’m not cooking. I’m going out.

Escanaba Restaurant Week Feb 22-28

The Consistency of Habit in Long-Term Health and Fitess Over Quick Fixes

(Illustrative)

Fitness is food and movement.

People often think that extreme workouts and drastic calorie cuts will make them lose weight — and they’re right. But they also lose muscle, miss essential nutrients, and usually can’t keep it up. Long-term fitness and health matter more than quick results.

For those who served in the military, sports players, and others it doesn't take long after you don't have a required routine to start gaining weight and getting out of shape. Just because your home or not on a sports team doesn't mean you don't have responsibilities and a need to keep your body fit. 

Good habits start with knowing your current patterns and making small changes. If you don’t exercise now, begin with three days a week for half an hour. Build up slowly to an hour, or more if you’re already active. Jumping into an intense routine without discipline or knowledge usually leads to quitting.

Food habits work the same way. Highly processed foods are easy and tempting, so it takes time to learn healthier eating. Fiber, vegetables, and clean protein help your body recover and stay strong while you work out. Fitness and nutrition are two parts of the same process.

This is why I don’t push weight-loss drugs or fad diets unless someone is truly at risk based on a physician's recommendation. They can cause fast weight loss, but most people gain it back because their habits never changed. Often weaker and less able then before. 

The study below highlights the importance of thinking long-term. Instead of focusing on extreme workouts or pushing yourself to the point of injury, focus on building steady habits, eating well, and living healthier day by day. Consistency is what makes the real difference.

I'm a certified fitness trainer so if you want a little help setting up a plan, coaching and training virtually send me a message to the right in the contact form and we can chat about what you need. 

Below is a summary of Maintenance of lost weight and long-term management of obesity

• long-term weight loss is much harder to keep off than initial loss, and most people regain weight over time

• biological, behavioral, and environmental factors all contribute to weight regain

• modern food and lifestyle environments promote increased eating and less activity

• the body responds to weight loss by increasing appetite and lowering energy expenditure, resisting further loss

• many diets produce similar long-term results, with individual variation

• maintaining weight requires persistent effort, often more than initial weight loss effort

• frequent self-monitoring, consistent habits, and behavioral strategies help with maintenance

• long-term professional support improves outcomes compared with short programs

• realistic goals and intrinsic motivation improve long-term success

• advanced treatment options (e.g., pharmacotherapy, surgery) may be needed for some people

Freedom, Corruption, and the Moral Compass of Justice (The Story of the Clan)

(Illustrative Only)

Symbolic of the need for

greater insight into the 

the mental slavery of

distorted ideology, corruption

and hate. We free

them by enlightening them.

Justice, freedom of speech, 

freedom of religion, civil

rights and human rights 

were concepts of the Enlightenment.

Enlightenment and Human Rights

"We can easily forgive a child

who is afraid of the dark;

 the real tragedy of life

is when men are afraid of the light"

Plato

Let’s continue our philosophical thought experiment on hate, corruption, and the moral disorientation that can lead to failures in justice (Initially anway). This exercise, called The Story of the Clan, is open for discussion—you can change elements, draw your own conclusions, or even disagree with its premises. Take with a grain of salt as it is for learning and exploration purposes.

In this example, a group of people used their positions and connections to enrich themselves by targeting others—those who were often different in race, religion, politics, or social background. But it wasn’t just about differences. They also put youth, vulnerable individuals, whistleblowers, and good citizens at risk, eroding trust in the institution. Misbehavior brought clear financial and social rewards for this rogue group.

The vast majority of officers, however, are dedicated, honorable, and serve their communities with integrity. They deserve support, and people should be encouraged to train and become officers themselves. This discussion is not about good people doing good work, or those who make honest mistakes—it’s about intentional wrongdoing and the “bad apples” that the system struggles to address, often due to misperceptions both inside and outside the institution.

In our society, freedom of speech and religion are foundational. Race, religion, and political perspective should not lead to first and second class citizenship. Our cultural, social, and economic systems rely on shared values and boundaries that define who we are. Yet some exploit their roles to push harmful ideologies for personal gain. Such behavior is misaligned with our values and is morally and legally wrong—whether it stems from personal flaws, foreign ideologies (i.e. not based in our social contracts, implicit cultural values, or artifacts), or other influences.

Correcting this begins with people committed to the true purpose of society—patriots in the broad sense. Those who value history, ethics, science, compassion, and core societal principles can act as a corrective force. In this example, they learn, adapt, and better serve their communities. They become more effective at stopping wrongdoing, but the first step is always cultivating a moral conscience and consistently doing what is right.

Discussions about the independence of courts and preventing corruption also apply here. Courts should not be misused to advance ideology or hate. When electing officials, judges, or other leaders, consider the most capable and principled—not just the most connected or partisan. Honorable officials serve their communities; dishonorable ones serve themselves. If they want the job a little too much just stop and think of why. To serve is a responsibility and should not be taken lightly.

The following is a summary of the article Courts, Corruption and Judicial Independence

• Courts are meant to fight corruption, but many people believe courts themselves are corrupt.

• Corruption includes bribes, political pressure, and pressure from senior judges.

• When people think judges can be influenced, they lose trust in the justice system.

• Governments sometimes misuse anti-corruption rules to remove or intimidate judges they dislike.

• Solutions include better pay for court staff, clearer ethical rules, more transparency in how cases are handled, and independent systems for reporting and disciplining corruption.

• A major challenge is reducing corruption without weakening judicial independence.

 

The Outrageous World of The Producers (March 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14): A Theater Deserving of a Standing Ovation!

(Illustrative Only)

We’re down to the final two weeks before the show! This week is rehearsals, next week is tech week, and then—boom—showtime. Everyone involved has been working like absolute theater superheroes. They’ve been there almost every night: building sets, painting, rehearsing, and memorizing enough lines to make a Shakespeare actor sweat.

And the cast? A wonderful mix of younger folks, older folks, and everyone in between—teaching each other, swapping stories, and keeping theater alive in our community. This show even has a bit of historical flair… plus it’s really funny. A little raunchy, too—so you should be the appropriate age (and ideally the appropriate maturity level, but we can’t help you there).

Support your local theater! These people have poured their hearts, time, and probably most of their sanity into this production.

As for me, I’m one of the local actors—but not in this show. I’m backstage this time, helping move giant set pieces around. Yes, moving pieces around has a type of group choreography. Yes, I’ve already put some scratces on me and the set. No, I regret nothing. The set won!

There’s another show coming in the fall that I will be auditioning for. Auditions should be in late May. I got a sneak peek at the script and—trust me—it’s going to be interesting in all the best ways.

So stay tuned to the Players’ website and Facebook page. Make a night of it: grab dinner, see the show, then enjoy a nightcap at one of our great local spots. If your touring in Escanaba, as a budding tourist destination, consider getting a ticke. 

The Tickets and Summary of the Show

Tickets are selling quickly, and Players is ready to close the season with a hit. Mel Brooks transformed his 1968 cult-classic comedy into the award-winning musical The Producers, and the cast has been hard at work bringing it to life.

The story follows a desperate Broadway producer and his anxious accountant as they scheme to profit from the worst show ever made. Their plan? Stage a widely inappropriate show, swindle their sweet elderly investors, and hope it all collapses. Naturally, chaos, mishaps, and plenty of laughs ensue.

Show Dates:
March 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14 at 7:30 p.m.
Matinee: March 8 at 1:30 p.m.
Doors open 30 minutes early.

Tickets:
Available online or at the Bonifas Arts Center front desk (Tue–Sat).
All performances held at the Bay College Besse Theater.

Support Players De Noc with 50/50 tickets before the show and $1 souvenir buttons during intermission—cash encouraged.

Recommended for ages 13+ due to some mature content. Bring the "checkie" if you want to donate to the Players de Noc Theater.

More info & tickets: https://playersdenocinc.ludus.com/index.php

VA Research Findings on Agent Orange, Parkinson’s Disease and Opioid Use

 

(Illustrative Only)

Research plays a crucial role in improving lives, and new discoveries can benefit people well beyond the Veteran community. For Veterans, ongoing research helps support healthier, happier lives, especially for those who return from service with physical or psychological injuries that can lead to additional challenges. Continued support and funding for research strengthens the scientific community and helps multiple populations. Below are some of the recent findings from the VA Office of Research and Development, which you can explore further in the article.

Summary below of the article VA Research Wrap Up: New findings on Agent Orange, Parkinson’s disease and opioid use

• a VA Boston study found a possible link between exposure to Agent Orange and a rare form of skin cancer called acral melanoma, showing that Veterans with documented exposure had about 30 % higher odds of developing this type of melanoma compared with both healthy controls and Veterans with more common melanoma forms, marking the first time this association has been reported.

• Researchers led by a team at a New Mexico VA site investigated the gut bacterium Desulfovibrio vulgaris, finding it much more common in people with Parkinson’s disease and showing that the bacteria can cause a build-up of alpha-synuclein protein and suppress an enzyme important for dopamine function, suggesting a possible role for gut microbes in the development of Parkinson’s disease.

• Iowa City VA investigators used a mouse model to study opioid withdrawal and found that prolonged withdrawal triggers changes in brain synapses related to an enzyme called carbonic anhydrase 4, and that giving the heart disease drug acetazolamide blocked that enzyme’s expression, prevented those synaptic changes, and reduced opioid-seeking behavior, indicating potential for repurposing this drug to treat substance use disorder.

*This article is for a project for veterans. 

Campfire Goulash: Chaos in a Pot and Much More than Slop!

 

This goulash chili is shockingly easy to make—so easy that even a raccoon could probably do it if it had opposable thumbs. Grab a can of beans, a potato, a little onion, some beef, tomatoes, maybe toss in some extra vegetables if you’re feeling fancy, a bouillon cube, and a handful of pasta shells.

Throw everything into a pot, bring it to a boil, and give it a stir so it looks like it actually belongs together. Then turn it down to a simmer. I simmered mine for about an hour, tossing in garlic, some chili powder, and whatever else tickled my fancy. Honestly, you don’t really need a recipe here—if you want exact instructions, just Google “chili.”

The best part? If you’re camp cooking, you basically only need a pot, a knife, and a few canned things you probably already have lying around. Didn’t bring meat? No worries, you’re either a vegetarian… or a very forgetful camper. Just swap in extra beans and veggies—it works. I once did something like that with some monks in the California mountains. No meat, just good vibes and hearty beans.

Camping chili: easy, forgiving, and slightly magical. Also, it makes you feel like a wilderness wizard.