Author: David Ekrut Ph.D

Forever Learners

It was Gandhi who said, “Live as if you were to die tomorrow; learn as if you were to live forever,” which is the philosophy of living a meaningful life of continuous learning. Today, people proudly brandish this quote on…

When Hobbies Make The Green

Learning a new skill or trade can be daunting, but there’s a lot of money that goes into these pursuits. Despite 59.3% reporting difficulties being able to afford spending on their favorite hobby, data from a Self Financial survey shows…

The Grad Gap

Ignorance creates confidence. Knowledge breeds humility. This is the short version of the Dunning-Kruger Effect (see side bar). This is to say, experience has a way of beating humility into us. There is a growing disparity in the durable skills…

Redefining Scholarship

The word “scholar” originally came from Greek skholē, meaning “leisure, especially time spent on intellectual endeavors.” Scholarly pursuits are a cornerstone of Western civilization and a driving force for technological change and innovations in the global economy. However, our modern…

Higher Education Embraces Generative AI

Generative AI appeared like a slow-moving tsunami, just a ripple on the horizon that concerned citizens watched with great interest. GPT-1 (Generative Pre-trained Transformer 1) was released in 2018 and was largely limited in scope, accuracy, and comprehensibility. Those keeping…

Season: Tranquility and Traffic

Living near the coast has many benefits. According to a study of more than 1.3 million participants by the journal of Environmental Health Perspectives, residing close to a large body of water reports an overall reduction in mortality by 12…

Trading in a Digital Market

Global Demand for Digital CurrencyCryptocurrencies are growing in popularity as a decentralized global currency. The current global market cap is roughly $2.73 trillion, with an increasing number of merchants accepting cryptocurrencies as legal tender. Unlike physical monies, which can always…

The Business of Banking

Beyond having a great business model, products, goods, and services, all businesses require stable financial and asset management. With approximately 92 percent of global trade conducted electronically, there is a growing need for innovative solutions to banking needs. We briefly…

The Free Market

I have recently spoken with business owners and entrepreneurs concerned over the rising costs of imported raw materials—many of which, such as precious minerals, cannot be easily obtained domestically. This issue’s letter is a response to these worries—an opening volley…

Magazines in the Digital Age

Evolution is a necessary aspect of business. With a landscape of ever-changing technological advancements and innovative ways to conduct business, companies must adapt to survive to reach and retain clients and customers. Though this notion is far from new, forecasting…

Higher Than Education

Glen McDonald, president of Gulf Coast State College, has a keen mind for science, the heart of an educator and the acumen of an entrepreneur. But his greatest strength is his compassion for people.  McDonald received a bachelor’s degree in…