I apologize for yesterday’s blog post about Dave McClure

I apologize for my previous post, in which I praised Dave McClure’s apology for being a creep. At the time, McClure apologized, saying, “I made advances towards multiple women in work-related situations, where it was clearly inappropriate.” Since then, Cheryl (Yeoh) Sew Hoy, an entrepreneur working with Malaysian startups, has accused McClure of sexual assault….

The game theory and political logic of repealing Obamacare

The game theory and political logic of repealing Obamacare

Donald Trump tweeted “If Republican Senators are unable to pass what they are working on now, they should immediately REPEAL, and then REPLACE at a later date!” Is it good politics to repeal Obamacare now and replace it later? Let’s analyze using game theory. Here are the facts: Bills in the Senate are subject to…

Uber just ensured that their toxic culture will persist

Uber just ensured that their toxic culture will persist

Uber’s culture is aggressive with questionable ethics. Yesterday they announced the reforms they will make, and also said CEO Travis Kalanick would take a leave. Kalanick’s leave will ensure that none of the proposed cultural changes will happen. Everything Uber did wrong OK, that heading is inaccurate. I haven’t got space to list everything Uber did wrong in…

How my unknown wellness nonprofit scored a $100,000 grant
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How my unknown wellness nonprofit scored a $100,000 grant

Tomorrow night, I’m going to be smiling ear-to-ear along with my nonprofit partners and the principals of a major foundation. We’ll be celebrating getting a $100,000 grant from The Cummings Foundation of Greater Boston. I’d like to explain how we got here, because if you’re seeking grants, our story might help you . . . and…

Why I write about politics on a blog about writing
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Why I write about politics on a blog about writing

Yesterday, a commenter on this blog wrote, “I am not interested in your personal views about the President of the United States.” Why the political analysis in a blog about writing? Because my focus on clear writing and clear thinking demands that I take on whatever writing is in the public eye — and that includes…

Who’s afraid of a vigorous argument: Edward Albee estate vs. producer Michael Streeter

Who’s afraid of a vigorous argument: Edward Albee estate vs. producer Michael Streeter

Portland theatrical producer Michael Streeter had planned to cast a black actor in his production of the late Edward Albee’s play Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf. The estate of the playwright objected. And despite a furious argument about what happened, nobody threw rocks or called each other names. The result actually made us all a bit smarter. Let’s…

How this guy actually got a job by writing without bullshit

How this guy actually got a job by writing without bullshit

Authors don’t hear from readers that much. It’s usually “there’s a typo on page 116.” But every once in a while, we get something that reveals that our work actually matters. Here’s what Alex from Amsterdam sent me in an email: Mr. Bernoff, I want to send a letter and give my sincere thanks for the insights…

See “Writing Without Bullshit” live in New Hampshire, Cleveland, Salt Lake City, and Boston

See “Writing Without Bullshit” live in New Hampshire, Cleveland, Salt Lake City, and Boston

My speaking schedule is filling up. You can hear me talk about the absurdity of the way we communicate — and what to do about it — at the following events. Yankee Chapter of the PR Society of America (PRSA) Newington (NH) May 2 at 3:30pm Great Lakes Oracle Conference Cleveland, May 18, keynote speech at 9:45am, then…