Commentary

The Cognitive Bias Codex

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary, Research , , ,

I continue to follow Dr. Poornima Luthra's work on LinkedIn with great interest. This is from a recent post about how biases can take many forms. In her words: Most biases can be divided into two broad categories: 1️⃣ identity-related biases2️⃣ situation-related/information processing biasesLast week, we looked at identity-related biases so let’s turn our attention … Continue reading The Cognitive Bias Codex

The Pale Blue Dot of Earth

Mark A. Ashwill Books, Commentary , , , , ,

There is perhaps no better demonstration of the folly of human conceits than this distant image of our tiny world. To me, it underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another and to preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we've ever known. -Carl Sagan In case you need a … Continue reading The Pale Blue Dot of Earth

Obesity: A Curse Passed Down from Parent to Child

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary , ,

As seen recently at a restaurant in Ha Long in northern Vietnam. Full disclosure (and trigger alert?): In Vietnam, people use the word "fat" (béo) to describe those who are overweight or obese. There's no sugarcoating this reality, no euphemisms, just a brutally honest adjective. It made me sad to see this little girl sitting … Continue reading Obesity: A Curse Passed Down from Parent to Child

Another Visit to Ha Long Bay: And the Beat Goes On

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary , , ,

My first visit to Ha Long Bay was in 1996. Vietnam was still poor, which meant the consumer economy had yet to kick into high gear. As a result, the environment was cleaner. The lack of money meant little to no development and a much more beautiful cityscape, such as it was, and a cleaner … Continue reading Another Visit to Ha Long Bay: And the Beat Goes On

A Hanoi Restaurant That Lives in the Past

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary , ,

The Only Constant in Life Is Change. -Heraclitus The Vietnamese beer in the old Asahi glass says it all. 😢 We decided to go to a Japanese restaurant that we patronize regularly back in the day. (I will omit its name to protect the guilty.) The place was always hopping, full of customers, including many … Continue reading A Hanoi Restaurant That Lives in the Past

Frank Quan-Pham (’24) Achieves Perfect 36 ACT

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary , , , , ,

During a recent visit to the Capstone office in Hanoi. This is the headline of an April 26, 2023 Wisconsin Lutheran High School (Milwaukee, WI) press release. (Here's a report from the local CBS affiliate: International student at Wisconsin Lutheran High School earns perfect score on ACT.) Quản Phạm Gia An (Frank) is a stellar … Continue reading Frank Quan-Pham (’24) Achieves Perfect 36 ACT

Poster Session at NAFSA 2023: “Vietnamese Student Recruitment in the New Normal Era”

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary , , , ,

The calm before the storm. 😀 The NAFSA: Association of International Educators annual conference is one of the premier venues to conduct international education-related business. There are general sessions, poster sessions, an expo hall, receptions, and other social events, and days filled with meetings. This poster session was held at the annual conference in Washington, … Continue reading Poster Session at NAFSA 2023: “Vietnamese Student Recruitment in the New Normal Era”

The (Mis)Adventures of Flying on VietJet 😂 😡 🇻🇳

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary , ,

Waiting with bated breath for sweet liberation after our arrival in Hanoi. Photo by MAA Want to know the worst thing about flying on VietJet, whose slogan is "Enjoy flying" (Bay là thích ngay!)? No, it wasn't the spoiled little princess in back of me kicking my seat, putting her tray table up and down … Continue reading The (Mis)Adventures of Flying on VietJet 😂 😡 🇻🇳