Biography

How valuable is Elon Musk’s ‘charismatic’ leadership? That’s the 56 billion dollar question

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 6, 2024
Attention, Enron, ExxonMobil, General Electric, Research, History, Single person, Kathaleen McCormick, Walmart, MCI Inc., Politics, Climate change, Amazon, Biography, Harvard University, Bankruptcy, Social media, Name, General Motors, Meta, Telecommunications, Silicon, J. P. Morgan, Algorithm, Novo Nordisk, Ethics, Grandiosity, Management

Maybe the Tesla directors who agreed to pay Elon Musk US$56 billion were just feeling generous.

Key Points: 
  • Maybe the Tesla directors who agreed to pay Elon Musk US$56 billion were just feeling generous.
  • Or maybe, as the judge who cancelled this “unfathomable” deal suggested, they really were “starry eyed” and swayed by Musk’s “superstar appeal”.
  • Certainly Musk – and his style of leadership – seems to be constantly in the spotlight.
  • My research suggests that charismatic leadership seems to be enjoying a renaissance, having fallen out of fashion over the past two decades.

The return of charisma?

  • The CEOs of the most famous global companies ten years ago, such as ExxonMobil and Walmart, were not household names.
  • But today, the bosses of corporations such as Meta, Amazon and Tesla are world famous.
  • The search for Khurana’s “saviour” figures seems to offer a simple escape route from worries over climate change, war and economic turbulence.


Furthermore, in a world increasingly reliant on algorithms, business has become somewhat dehumanised. People may be yearning for leadership with a (super)human face.

A more crowded stage

  • If the charismatic leader is making a comeback, it is a comeback on a more crowded stage.
  • They may be popular in certain circles, but so too is the leader as a champion of diversity, or ethics, or human relationships.
  • So, perhaps the big question is how we can best moderate the enormous concentration of power accumulated by some charismatic leaders.


Sverre Spoelstra does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Press release - Holocaust Remembrance Day: “Hitler did not win!”

Retrieved on: 
Sunday, February 4, 2024
Nazism, Holocaust denial, Racism, Hatred, Survival, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, International Holocaust Remembrance Day, The Holocaust, Safety, Rape, Biography, Kaddish, Faculty, Friends, Jews, Speech, Violence, Rest, European Parliament, Aryan, Parliament, Al-Quds

On Thursday, Irene Shashar, a survivor of the Warsaw ghetto, addressed MEPs in a plenary session in Brussels to commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Key Points: 
  • On Thursday, Irene Shashar, a survivor of the Warsaw ghetto, addressed MEPs in a plenary session in Brussels to commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
  • “We pay tribute today to the victims of the Holocaust and reaffirm our unwavering commitment against antisemitism, racism and other forms of hate.
  • Living in Israel today, she said, “I was blessed with the opportunity to have children and grandchildren.
  • After 7 October “the resurgence of antisemitism means that the hate of the past is still with us”, Ms Shashar warned.

Rémi Marcoux named “Founder Emeritus” of TC Transcontinental

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
State, Transcontinental, United Way of Canada, Greater, Canada Dry, TSX, Biography, Transcontinental (company), HEC, Montreal Heart Institute, Chairperson, Growth, Management

MONTRÉAL, Jan. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Transcontinental Inc. (TSX: TCL.A TCL.B) announced today that Rémi Marcoux, founder of TC Transcontinental and member of the Board, has not sought re-election as a director.

Key Points: 
  • MONTRÉAL, Jan. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Transcontinental Inc. (TSX: TCL.A TCL.B) announced today that Rémi Marcoux, founder of TC Transcontinental and member of the Board, has not sought re-election as a director.
  • Mr. Marcoux's term will end on March 13, at the annual shareholders’ meeting.
  • In recognition of his entrepreneurial career and his significant contribution to the vision, growth and development of the Company in keeping with its values, the Board has named Mr. Marcoux “Founder Emeritus”.
  • Rémi Marcoux, founder of TC Transcontinental, said: “I built this great company, which I founded in 1976, with a long-term vision and a desire for continuity, and my wishes have come true.

THINKING NATION ANNOUNCES FOUR NEW BOARD APPOINTMENTS

Retrieved on: 
Monday, January 29, 2024
Biography, American studies, Faculty, History, University, Economics, Psychology, Pepperdine University, Morgan State University, Public affairs, Harvard-Westlake School, Literacy, Culture, State, Arizona Territorial Legislature, Accounting, Book, Thought, Furman University, Communication, Arizona State University, Goucher College, Amherst College, Clark Atlanta University, Woman, Coppin State University, Cornell University Press, National Association, Associate, News Media Alliance, Teaching, Conference, Management, Catholic Church, Financial management

NORTHRIDGE, Calif., Jan. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Thinking Nation, a national 501c3 committed to cultivating thoughtful citizens through the promotion of historical thinking in social studies, today announced recent appointments to its Board of Directors. Dr. Marco Clark, Paolo DeMaria, Don Fraser, Jr., and Catherine O'Donnell, Ph.D. have joined as the newest members of Thinking Nation's Board of Directors, bringing total membership to eight educational leaders.

Key Points: 
  • NORTHRIDGE, Calif., Jan. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Thinking Nation , a national 501c3 committed to cultivating thoughtful citizens through the promotion of historical thinking in social studies, today announced recent appointments to its Board of Directors.
  • Dr. Marco Clark, Paolo DeMaria, Don Fraser, Jr., and Catherine O'Donnell, Ph.D. have joined as the newest members of Thinking Nation's Board of Directors, bringing total membership to eight educational leaders.
  • "The Thinking Nation team is delighted to welcome four new education changemakers to the Board of Directors," said Board President Dinah Ruch.
  • Thinking Nation's newest board members include:
    As the Founder & CEO of Richard Wright Schools in Washington, D.C., Dr. Clark has been a transformative leader in the global educational space for more than 30 years.

Press release - Holocaust Remembrance Day: Holocaust survivor Irene Shashar to address MEPs

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 24, 2024
Speech, European Parliament, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Kaddish, Faculty, Bandoneon, Biography, International Holocaust Remembrance Day, The Holocaust, Al-Quds, Clockmaker

Holocaust Remembrance Day: Holocaust survivor Irene Shashar to address MEPs

Key Points: 
  • Holocaust Remembrance Day: Holocaust survivor Irene Shashar to address MEPs
    On Thursday, Irene Shashar, a survivor of the Warsaw ghetto, will address MEPs during a plenary session in Brussels, to commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
  • After Ms Shashar’s speech, MEPs will observe a minute’s silence.
  • The ceremony will close with a musical performance by Sheva Tehoval, soprano, and Mr Marcelo Nisinman of "Kaddish" by Maurice Ravel.
  • Irene Shashar
    Born on 12 December 1937 as Ruth Lewkowicz, Irene Shashar survived the Warsaw ghetto.

Lenard Vare, Ex-Prison Warden, Breaks the Silence in 'Elephant Keepers,' Providing Readers an Unbiased Glimpse into the Often Concealed World

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 16, 2024
Face, Attention, Prison, Prison warden, Biography, Empathy

Summary: Lenard Vare offers an honest exploration of the criminal justice system, leadership, and the need for compassionate reform in his best-selling memoir, "Elephant Keepers."

Key Points: 
  • He reveals the system's complexities in great detail, giving readers an unbiased look at a world that is frequently hidden.
  • The tremendous popularity of "Elephant Keepers" signifies an abrupt shift in the conversation about prisons and highlights Vare's significant influence on the story of reform and justice.
  • Vare's narrative becomes more complex when he describes his time supervising a gang-involved youthful offender facility south of Las Vegas.
  • Readers are particularly struck by Vare's honest and fearless narrative, which breaks down boundaries between writer and listener.

CAE's CEO Marc Parent to be inducted as a Living Legend of Aviation

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, January 11, 2024
Aircraft, Living Legend, Bombardier Aviation, ATPL, Challenger, Duke, Bombardier, CAE, Canada Dry, United States Navy, CRJ, Mechanical, TSX, De Havilland, Aviation Hall of Fame, Biography, Bombardier CRJ, Transport Canada, Mechanical engineering, Learjet, Airline

MONTREAL, Jan. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - (NYSE: CAE) (TSX: CAE) – CAE President and Chief Executive Officer Marc Parent will be inducted as a Living Legend of Aviation during the organization's annual gala on January 19, 2024.

Key Points: 
  • MONTREAL, Jan. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - (NYSE: CAE) (TSX: CAE) – CAE President and Chief Executive Officer Marc Parent will be inducted as a Living Legend of Aviation during the organization's annual gala on January 19, 2024.
  • The Living Legends of Aviation are individuals who are recognized for their exceptional contribution to the field.
  • "For as long as I can remember, I have been passionate about aviation and driven by the desire to make the world safer.
  • In 2022, Marc was inducted into Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame, named an Industry Leader of the Year by the Living Legends of Aviation, and won Aviation Week's Philip J. Klass Award for Lifetime Achievement.

OrCam Unveils Groundbreaking 'OrCam Hear' - Enhances Hearing in Noisy Environments by Isolating Selected Speakers

Retrieved on: 
Monday, January 8, 2024
Facial recognition, Quality of life, Mirage, Comprehension, IPhone, Learning, Student, School, Paratriathlon, Biography, Kool-Aid, Dyslexia, Time (magazine), AI, Invention, Human, ELL, Internet, Speech, Letter, Noise, Earbuds, Huber loss, ADHD, CES, Pleasure, Algorithm

Thus, OrCam Hear enables people to overcome the difficulty to understand speech in noisy situations, known as the "cocktail party problem", a well-recognized challenge for traditional hearing aids.

Key Points: 
  • Thus, OrCam Hear enables people to overcome the difficulty to understand speech in noisy situations, known as the "cocktail party problem", a well-recognized challenge for traditional hearing aids.
  • The OrCam Hear helps people who are hard of hearing to discern and focus on specific voices in various social situations.
  • The OrCam Hear's EarBuds and a Mobile phone dongle are controlled by a dedicated app available for iPhone.
  • By leveraging AI technology, OrCam Learn delivers personalized support, enhances reading accessibility, and improves fluency, accuracy, and comprehension.

Australia is still reckoning with a shameful legacy: the resettlement of suspected war criminals after WWII

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, January 4, 2024
Crime, Family, War, City of Wollongong, Alliance, Nazism, Collection, Government, Research, Post-war, Person, Man, Buchenwald concentration camp, Biography, Secrecy, Cold War, United, Violence, History, Atrocity, World war, Name, The Holocaust, SBS, Television, Time, Plaque, United Nations, Special Investigations Unit, Hungarians

It turned out Hunka had fought against the Allies as a voluntary member of the Nazi German Waffen-SS Galizien division.

Key Points: 
  • It turned out Hunka had fought against the Allies as a voluntary member of the Nazi German Waffen-SS Galizien division.
  • As I discuss in my new book, Fascists in Exile, Canada isn’t the only country where former Nazis fled after the second world war.
  • Last year, however, his secret history was revealed: he was found to be a member of Nazi intelligence in occupied Lithuania during the second world war.
  • He was almost certainly involved in the persecution and murders of Jews.

Denial, then investigations

  • This group included soldiers who had fought in German military units, as well as civilian collaborators.
  • But their resettlement in any country that would take them was a matter of political expediency in the fraught post-war and early Cold War period.
  • The then immigration minister, Arthur Calwell, dismissed their claims as a “farrago of nonsense”.
  • The migrants were used as labourers under a two-year indentured labour scheme and transformed into what the government called “New Australians”.
  • Australia received at least eight extradition requests between 1950 and the mid-1960s for individuals suspected of WWII-era crimes from Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union.
  • As a result, there would be no further official discussions about any alleged perpetrators residing in Australia.

Family histories unearthed

  • Many alleged perpetrators of crimes never appeared on any official, or unofficial, list, either before or after the Australian investigation.
  • My own research, for example, has resulted in the compiling of hundreds of such names by painstakingly piecing together various archival fragments.
  • For example, a colleague and I were alerted to some suspicious phrasing when the family of Hungarian migrant Ferenc Molnar, now deceased, placed a commemorative biography on the website Immigration Place Australia.
  • The SBS television show Every Family Has a Secret has been approached by at least four people who have suspected a deceased family member was a Holocaust perpetrator or collaborator.


Dr Jayne Persian receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

Storm clouds ahead: scandals that have rocked Australian politics

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 3, 2024
Recreation, Senate, Private, RAAF, MP, Pregnancy, Lobbying, NSW, Sale, Government, Depression, VIP, Parliament House, Hope, Labour, Administration, Biography, State government, Glass, Great Depression, Liberal, Sport, Corruption, Autobiography, Police, Independent, Face, Defiant, Marriage, Rape, Time, Politics, Royal commission, History

Australians could be forgiven for feeling weary of political scandals.

Key Points: 
  • Australians could be forgiven for feeling weary of political scandals.
  • For reporters and pundits, scandals generate excitement and drama, something more novel than the tedium of day-to-day political processes.

Flying high

  • Consequently, the public and press have been quick to anger when politicians are caught misusing or abusing their taxpayer-funded travel entitlements.
  • But his new Senate leader, John Gorton, took a different approach, tabling all the hidden documents in the Senate.
  • Prime Minister Tony Abbott, who had originally appointed his “political mother” Bishop to the role, found his position weakened too.

Mining for misdemeanours

  • In the colonial era, wealthy landholders and squatters sought to influence parliamentarians with monetary bribes.
  • In 1869, a Victorian parliamentary select committee found that pastoralists and investors, led by the highly influential squatter and speculator Hugh Glass, had engaged in “corrupt practices”.
  • Glass and his peers had kept a fund of money for bribing MPs during debates about land reform.
  • In 1930, federal treasurer and former Queensland premier Ted Theodore was forced to resign, pending an inquiry into his financial affairs.

Pork-barrelling

  • Is pork-barrelling – the art of directing public funds and grants to marginal electorates – a form of corruption?
  • Much of it goes unpunished, but occasionally an egregious case arouses the public ire.
  • Read more:
    View from The Hill: Bridget McKenzie falls – but for the lesser of her political sins

Grey areas

  • But sometimes, sex scandals are newsworthy for their own sake, public administration aside.
  • In 1975, Deputy Prime Minister Jim Cairns and one of his staff, Junie Morosi, found themselves at the centre of a media scandal.
  • As his recent biographer Sean Scalmer put it, the inquiry was “a hammer blow” to this “would-be gentleman”.
  • Read more:
    Welcome to the new (old) moralism: how the media's coverage of the Joyce affair harks back to the 1950s

Why scandals matter

  • Scandals matter because they illuminate the tensions that shape our political processes.
  • A core pillar of responsible government is that ministers are accountable to parliament.
  • There have been many innovations in Australian politics in the hope of minimising corruption and avoiding scandal.


Joshua Black is affiliated with the Australian Historical Association, and the Whitlam Institute at WSU.