"Boy Wonder," our April article about Chris Hughes, drew largely appreciative comments at FastCompany.com. "A pure sign of the changing social-media environment," wrote one. "Acknowledge it, embrace it, or move aside." With GM and Chrysler on the ropes, there was more controversy about our piece on how to save the auto industry.
I was at a loss for words when I read "10 Ways to Jump-start the Auto Business" (April). Nationalize health care! Four-dollar gas! Put a cap on carbon! Fake bankruptcy! These ideas are ludicrous! The solution to our economic problems is to allow the free market to work.
Tim McClure
Lisbon Falls, Maine
GM used to be a niche car-maker. You bought a Chevy for entry level, stepped up to a Pontiac, then an Oldsmobile, a Buick, and finally, a Cadillac. The big problems started when GM tried to have a similar price-point model for each brand line. Once brand differentiation was lost, sales tanked.
Allen Laudenslager
Prescott, Arizona
There are several things that have gotten the domestic automotive industry into the ditch it's in. One is that fuel-economy standards are based on a wrong assumption: that we should not "tax" the end users for their fuel usage. Most other countries do so, and one reason they have smaller cars is that it costs more to drive a bigger car. Then there's the grossly underestimated cost of providing health care and pensions to workers. Offshore manufacturers do not have to worry about social-benefit costs. Getting these things in line with the rest of the world would provide the U.S. automotive and manufacturing base with a much more stable foundation.
Mark J. Cady Jr.
Munster, Indiana
I anticipated an interesting read given the title. What I found was a mishmash of social engineering, overinflated egos, and downright silliness (a $12,500 iPod-powered golf cart? Puh-leez!). The most cogent contributions came from Mike Rowe and Mike Hughes. What the car business needs is car guys (designers and engineers), not bean counters, not marketing types, and certainly not a bunch of Beltway meddlers who have never had to meet a payroll.
Bruce H. Anderson
Temple, Texas
In Danielle Sacks's April article ("Om My!"), the writer reported on the amazing success of Lululemon, and the contribution of Landmark Education and others to that success. We appreciate the great acknowledgment. However, we must correct the inaccurate statement that Landmark's seminars were "developed by an ex-Scientologist." None of the people involved in the current or prior design of our programs have ever been Scientologists. We are proud that Lululemon's CEO, Chip Wilson, considers Landmark a part of his company's formula for success.
Harry Rosenberg
CEO, Landmark Education
San Francisco, California
Why not sell products that promote a healthier and potentially wealthier lifestyle? Seems like a win-win for all. Is this a cult product? Only if it dies from unpopularity or fails from greed.
Marlene E. Hirzel
Sacramento, California
The thing I thought was great about Jeff Chu's article on President Paul Kagame's development plan for Rwanda was that it told a good story while highlighting the nuanced complication Kagame presents for the West ("Rwanda Rising," April). Kagame has an extraordinary amount of power -- far more than our notion of "democratization" normally allows for -- and he doesn't show a lot of signs of ceding that. At the same time, he has done an incredible job facilitating the renaissance of the country and is widely admired.
Nathaniel Whittemore
Evanston, Illinois
What really hits home is Kagame's comment, "No country can depend on development aid forever. Such dependency dehumanizes us and robs us of our dignity." Don't just send your money -- which eventually runs out -- send your mind and create a future!
Randall Gordon
Lebanon, Oregon
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Recent Comments | 10 Total
June 16, 2009 at 3:14pm by Eugene Cantera
I loved the 100 Most Creative People in Business (June 2009) issue but lament that my profession (education and specifically music education) didn't make the cut. You could have gone 500 or even 1,000 deep and we (educators) may not have made the list still. It's a shame that more 'business' people don't take an interest in education or should I say, it's a shame that more educators don't take an interest in business! My colleagues and I at MusickEd.com hope to break that mold and make the 100 someday. Keep up the good work!
July 22, 2009 at 3:26am by Smith William
It's a shame that more 'business' people don't take an interest in education or should I say, it's a shame that more educators don't take an interest in business! My colleagues and I at MusickEd.com hope to break that mold and make the 100 someday. Keep up the good work!
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July 22, 2009 at 3:27am by Smith William
I loved the 100 Most Creative People in Business (June 2009) issue but lament that my profession (education and specifically music education) didn't make the cut.
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