Entries by Jeffrey Ian Ross

Would my eighth-grade typing teacher be proud of me now?

Well, that assumes she’s still alive, cares about the quirks of her former students, and, frankly, remembers me at all. Let me take you back a few decades. Grade eight typing class was one of my numerous academic struggles. My thirteen-year-old hands just wouldn’t cooperate with the commands my brain sent them. I can still […]

“Hang up and Police?”

Over the past few years police officers, largely transit, in many metro and subway stations are frequently seen seemingly engrossed in checking their smartphones and not intervening while patrons freely evade paying fares by jumping turnstiles. Although we could examine why users don’t pay their way on to public transportation systems, I think it’s more […]

Consider getting out of your lane

In most Western Advanced Industrialized countries, the prevailing advice for securing a comfortable income and satisfying career is pretty straightforward: not only should you specialize in a well-paying high demand profession, but excel in your job. Although there are multiple paths to achieve this state of affairs, it typically means graduating from a respected school, […]

Should aspiring Criminologists join the prominent learned societies in their field of study?

Whether it’s the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts, the Sunday church choir, or a pickup basketball game, many individuals enjoy participating in both formal and informal groups and organizations. Being part of an entity can offer numerous direct and indirect benefits, including, but not limited to, a sense of affiliation, camaraderie, and personal meaning. Organizations […]

The constant tension between amateurs and experts

In our complex world, a subtle but persistent conflict often exists between amateurs and experts, each vying for recognition and authority. Understanding the Distinction Amateurs (sometimes called novices or dilettantes) and experts (occasionally mistakenly referred to as professionals) create things or offer and engage in services (e.g., advice, consulting, etc.). But they differ on several […]