On The Fly

There is something different about pre-dawn this morning. Sitting in my reading chair, an almost eerie, luminous glow crept through the window, demanding to be acknowledged. Stepping outside into the quiet chill, a nearly Full Moon was sinking into the West beneath a crystal-clear sky, the Big Dipper hanging faithfully in the dark above. But looking at that Moon meant looking at a ghost. Because light takes time to travel, the Moon we see in the sky is not the Moon as it exists in this exact microsecond. It is the Moon as it looked about a second and a quarter ago. When we look up, we are forever staring into the depths of the past. And right now, somewhere in that million-mile abyss between our present and that past light, four human beings are hurtling through the vacuum of space at unbelievable speeds. Today is Good Friday. For centuries, it has stood as a profound marker of the universal human experience—a day that asks us to sit with suffering, injustice, and the "dark night ...

In this episode, why "Cool" is the Enemy of Growth Last night, Lori and I joined our friends (team #1) in a professional kitchen at Sur La Table in Carlsbad, CA., for a "Date Night in Southern Italy." On the menu: Steak Tagliata, Sautéed Shrimp with Fried Capers, and handmade Garganelli. The experience was amazing, delectable food and an exceptional highlight: the Amalfi Lemon Gelato, complemented by the barrage of questions. When I’m with someone like Chef Gaetano, who’s incredibly patient, I tend to ask a lot of questions quickly. “Why use a fork to whisk the eggs and not a whisker?” “What exactly is the chemical transformation of a fried caper?” “If I roll this Garganelli a half-inch wider, does the sauce-to-pasta ratio collapse?” I could see the look on a few other students' faces: Is this guy for real? Just eat the shrimp, Patrick. But here’s the wisdom I’ve gathered after nearly six decades of being the annoying guy in the front row: The quality of your l...

In this episode, the Grid’s Future Might Lie with 'Outsiders.' In a previous episode of On the Fly, I posed a thought experiment: If the grid went down forever, what part of my work would still matter? That question sparked more conversation than I expected. One comment, in particular, made me stop and reread it twice: “Are you in touch with and talking with those in your own company about the question you are asking? It is your business, yes?” It’s a fair question. And the short answer is: Yes. These conversations happen—often, seriously, and with no shortage of charts and careful language. But the longer answer is this: The question itself was never meant to stay inside the building. When Expertise Becomes a Blind Spot. There’s a concept called functional fixedness . It’s what happens when experience—valuable, hard-earned experience—quietly limits what we imagine is possible.  When you work inside a system long enough, you get very good at improving it. You know which knobs...

In this episode, Beyond Happiness: How Beauty Unlocks True Joy . . . While pedaling through Southern California's beautiful, golden hills this past weekend, a question gently surfaced: "Why does this feel so good? And why settle for happiness when you can experience something far deeper?" Fifty-five years in the making, this ride was about to offer an answer. At 14, I first discovered the incredible freedom of riding a bicycle—the exhilarating thrill of the wind rushing past me, the soothing rhythm of my breathing, and the beautiful feeling of truly being in the world, not just passing through it. All these years later, I treasure my rides, waking up early on quiet weekends to embrace the morning on two wheels. But today's ride was different. The spring air was clean, calm, and textured with the scent of new blossoms. The mustard plants were in bloom — California’s golden fireworks — and the hills were lit with color, like a living Van Gogh. I could feel happiness bu...

In this episode - ChatCPT . . .   As children, we learn by asking questions and relying on our parents to answer them. As we mature in our conscience thinking, we begin to explore the existence of a higher being, and through prayer, meditation, or quiet contemplation, we ask much larger philosophical questions. Answers to those questions are synthesized based on experiences accumulated over a lifetime from our education, experiences, and creative thinking. However, today’s world has a cloud-based computer system that can consolidate knowledge and provide answers to just about anything you choose to ask. So, the question is, what do you ask? Like many, I’ve been exploring the power of ChatGPT and some of its practical uses. So, I asked, “What are the three most common questions people ask you?” Chat GPT: "What is the meaning of life?" or similar philosophical inquiries: People often ask deep existential questions, seeking insights into the purpose and meaning of life, the uni...

Podcast - News for Kids . . .  Kids do say the darnedest things. If my memory serves me correctly . . . who’s kidding who here, who relies on memory these days. According to Google, the Art Linkletter Show which aired from September 1952 -September 1969 may have been one of the first to feature the innocent humor and light-hearted questions and comments that children provide. Do you know of other programs? I’d love to hear from you. A new twist, on this time-honored entertainment you might enjoy, is the NBC News: Kids Edition hosted by news anchor, Lester Holt on YouTube. This is a cheerful yet serious examination of issues that parents may have trouble explaining from nightly news broadcasts. Or for that matter the barrage of dreadful news we receive daily over social media, online sessions, and friends and neighbors. Out of curiosity, what questions have you sidestepped today? Let’s face it kids do ask the best questions. Pure unadulterated optimist...

In this episode, Bonehead Questions . . . I t’s been said, “There are no stupid questions,” right . . . ? You be the judge. Here’s one, "If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons?” My recent retail experience at a Home Improvement Center I've heard more than my share of stupid questions. Admittedly, all those years of teaching, I gave people the benefit of the doubt. Repeatedly, I made it clear that there were no stupid questions . As an educator, you quickly realize the link between information and applied learning is closely tied to questions and one’s self-image. But in these times of “I want it now” and “I’m the victim” that doesn’t seem to apply. Especially when it comes to dealing with the public and really cretinous questions. During my four year retail transition, I was introduced to some really stubborn and ignorant Do-It-Yourself (DIY) folks trying to save a buck that asks really boneheaded questions. You see, implementing a skill requires ...