Truck and Barter

This from Fastlane struck me as something that a serious policy researcher would never, ever admit to, no matter how accurately it portrays how many "academic" researchers approach their subject matter.

Today, we’re operating on a much more emotional, creative level and our designers have been empowered to express themselves. Our winning products will not be determined by careful analysis; they will captivate and enthrall through imaginative design and flawless execution....

I like to think creatively about how I design and execute my research, but my winning products start with a refusal to bring my emotions into the mix, which is a small but critical part of careful analysis. The latter is, of course, what I am paid to do...

Back to Lutz:

What we are re-learning as a company is that we are not simply in the [public policy] business; we’re in the art and entertainment business. So, what we’ve got... now, is a general comprehension that you can’t run this business by the left intellectual, analytical side of your brain alone, you have to have a lot of right side creative input.
[Text modified for amusement purposes only.]

It's a good thing I don't design GM's cars, or you'd have a very small, ugly, and reliable econobox with airbags, A/C and CD Stereo that gets 45 mpg...