The Statistician's Tea

Introducing the Infectious Droplet Detection and Identification (IDDI) System to contain the spread of respiratory transmissions.

As noted by Marks (2017), the “No Music, No Life” outlook of Tower Records, an international retail music chain, launched its brand into almost 200 locations and, at its peak in the late 1990s, yielded annual sales topping one billion dollars. In 2006, however, Tower Records filed for bankruptcy. The following discussion explores two of the external forces contributing to this demise, emphasizing the fact that deterioration sometimes occurs because of factors beyond the control of the organization. Concluding remarks focus on the relevance of the identified forces. Marks (2017) detailed the origin story of Tower Records and explained that it was the brainchild of Russell Solomon who opened the first location in Sacramento, California in 1960. While it started as a record retailer, it eventually grew to include posters, plants, books, DVDs, games, toys, and accessories. Stores popped up across the globe to respond to its increase in demand and, in addition to becoming a place to purch

Yaqub (2018) explained that most experimental research either fails altogether or results in something unexpected. The following discussion highlights three distinct kinds of unanticipated innovations: those that came about serendipitously, erroneously, and via exaptation. In addition to providing example discoveries, the perceived meaning of each category is also articulated. Finally, concluding remarks are provided to summarize the main takeaway points. Serendipitous Innovation: The Microwave             According to Nair (2014), part of the aftermath of World War II (WWII) was focused on the wide-spread production of magnetron. Originally developed by the British, magnetron technology was used by the Allies of WWII to support radar transmissions. It was during this time that Percy Spencer, a United States engineer employed at a magnetron production facility, stumbled upon something unpredicted. While working on an active radar set, Spencer noticed that the chocolate candy bar he

  Chermack (2004) defined scenario planning as a process for posing and ruminating upon a variety of future trajectories. Such an approach sets the stage for strategic conversations as it enables key decision makers to engage in a dialogue about organizational priorities, goals, and long-term plans. According to Verity (2003), scenario planning helps overcome some of the weaknesses associated with traditional forecasting and its strict reliance on the stability of past events. Companies that recognize, embrace, and confront the concept of uncertainty, instead of assuming a more simplistic continuation of trends, are equipped with a competitive edge, and well positioned for future success (Courtney, Kirkland, & Viguerie, 1997). Moreover, companies that resist widening their lens to incorporate paths of potential ambiguity risk staying afloat during times of societal change. The following discussion focuses on one such company, Eastman Kodak, and after highlighting its early achievem

Cherns (1976) described a sociotechnical approach as one that considers system design as an intertwining of perspectives and recognizes the importance of human-technology interactions. The following discussion first introduces the principles that support a sociotechnical plan for some necessary background information. Next, a specific case study is reviewed to highlight its sociotechnical approach to the education system. Finally, concluding remarks provide a critical evaluation of the proposed plan. Background According to Cherns (1976), there are nine key components of a sociotechnical system: (a) compatibility of the design process and the underlying objective; (b) critical specifications that are minimally defined; (c) the complete control over unanticipated events that might significantly affect the outcome; (d) the multifunctionality of system parts; (e) departmental boundaries that are defined by technological, time-based, or territorial considerations; (f) an information flow

  Hancock and Bezold (2017) clarified that instead of studying the nonexistent future, futurists are concerned with studying ideas  about  the future and operate under the assumption that the future is a moldable thing that can be shaped by the decisive actions of today. The following discussion highlights a prediction within the medical community that eventually came to fruition. The original idea is introduced and the history of its subsequent origin and evolution is reviewed. Concluding remarks summarize the main discussion points. According to Northfield (2019), Robert Boyle’s scientific research conducted during the 1660s earned him the recognition of being hailed as the father of modern chemistry. Although he is most known for Boyle’s Law and its explanation of the behaviors of gas, Keller (2012) also emphasized his forward-thinking visions of a potential future. His futurist thoughts were penned in a private journal and itemized as a wish list of possibilities which at the time