Crowdsourced Donuts

Friends,

Would you crowdsource an important hiring decision? It may sound odd, but some of the most critical and powerful jobs in the world come down to a popularity contest. I’m speaking, of course, about elections. Ecuador held their midterms last Sunday, and, closer to home, with 1.63 years to go, it seems everybody is running for president of the United States. One wonders how, despite its many shortcomings, nearly 60% of the world’s nations use some form of democracy —as with most things, it is a continuum. I was struck, when looking at the democracy index, that the U.S. falls not into the “full democracy” category (which I would have fully expected) but, rather, it is a “flawed democracy” (which somehow feels fitting). So, as you brace for another election season filled with vitriolic political campaigns, have a donut and consider this is the best we’ve got. For now. Maybe someday soon technology will help us find better leaders. Maybe we can come-up with an unbiased screening algorithm that ensures only qualified, inspiring, honest leaders can run for office. Or, maybe I should just “stay in my lane” and have another donut.

Happy Friday!

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