I have enjoyed photography for quite a few years now, ever since I picked up a Canon EOS Rebel film camera nearly a decade ago. In recent years, I have switched to digital and have become a bit more serious with my photography.
Disclosures
I make every effort to disclose potential specific conflicts of interest in the context of each individual conversation and commentary. However, the following describes some general conditions that may bias my personal opinions or questions I may ask.
I invite interesting people for intelligent conversations regardless of whether I agree with them. I do everything I can to be clear about what is my opinion and to enable my guests to share their own points of view, which often differ from my own. I do not subscribe to the notion of creating conflict for entertainment purposes, but would prefer to have an honest discussion with each individual guest.
I do not accept payment or gifts in exchange for appearances and openly disclose any sponsors. You can expect that if I have received money, gift, or benefit from anyone who appears on my show that I will mention it. If someone is an advertiser or a sponsor it will be made obvious to visitors to this site so everyone can make their own judgment about whether it may have any potential impact on editorial selection or content.
I occasionally advise companies about how to communicate effectively online. Less than 10% of my annual income comes from consulting work. Over the years, I have advised numerous companies and organizations about how to communicate effectively online. If my work is ongoing or was substantial in the recent past, I will attempt to disclose it specifically. However, it would be impractical to identify every conversation I may have had about a particular organization or issue because much of my consulting over the years has been with other consultants, not directly with the corporations or organizations involved.
CustomScoop has many clients that may have an interest in topics I discuss. Since I co-founded CustomScoop in 2000, it has had clients of all political stripes and most possible issue interests. In fact, it is not uncommon for political or issue opponents to both be using the service at the same time. That's because CustomScoop is a media intelligence service. We don't discriminate based on the political views of our prospects, and we don't advocate on their behalf. For these reasons -- and because frankly I don't know who all of the CustomScoop clients are anymore -- I see no inherent conflict in who these companies and organizations may be.
I consider myself a conservative and am a registered Republican. I have worked professionally for Republican officeholders, conservative non-profits, and GOP campaigns and consultants. This certainly impacts my view of the world and likely influences the kinds of questions I ask. I do make every effort to keep the online conversations focused on what my guest thinks rather than my own opinions, however.
I will answer any reasonable question about a potential conflict as openly and honestly as I can. If you are concerned I might have a conflict I have not disclosed, feel free to email me and I'll respond forthrightly. In some cases, I may have to make a disclosure in general terms (for instance by identifying the client's industry rather than the entity's specific name) due to contract confidentiality requirements, but I will provide as much information as I possibly can.
I invite interesting people for intelligent conversations regardless of whether I agree with them. I do everything I can to be clear about what is my opinion and to enable my guests to share their own points of view, which often differ from my own. I do not subscribe to the notion of creating conflict for entertainment purposes, but would prefer to have an honest discussion with each individual guest.
I do not accept payment or gifts in exchange for appearances and openly disclose any sponsors. You can expect that if I have received money, gift, or benefit from anyone who appears on my show that I will mention it. If someone is an advertiser or a sponsor it will be made obvious to visitors to this site so everyone can make their own judgment about whether it may have any potential impact on editorial selection or content.
I occasionally advise companies about how to communicate effectively online. Less than 10% of my annual income comes from consulting work. Over the years, I have advised numerous companies and organizations about how to communicate effectively online. If my work is ongoing or was substantial in the recent past, I will attempt to disclose it specifically. However, it would be impractical to identify every conversation I may have had about a particular organization or issue because much of my consulting over the years has been with other consultants, not directly with the corporations or organizations involved.
CustomScoop has many clients that may have an interest in topics I discuss. Since I co-founded CustomScoop in 2000, it has had clients of all political stripes and most possible issue interests. In fact, it is not uncommon for political or issue opponents to both be using the service at the same time. That's because CustomScoop is a media intelligence service. We don't discriminate based on the political views of our prospects, and we don't advocate on their behalf. For these reasons -- and because frankly I don't know who all of the CustomScoop clients are anymore -- I see no inherent conflict in who these companies and organizations may be.
I consider myself a conservative and am a registered Republican. I have worked professionally for Republican officeholders, conservative non-profits, and GOP campaigns and consultants. This certainly impacts my view of the world and likely influences the kinds of questions I ask. I do make every effort to keep the online conversations focused on what my guest thinks rather than my own opinions, however.
I will answer any reasonable question about a potential conflict as openly and honestly as I can. If you are concerned I might have a conflict I have not disclosed, feel free to email me and I'll respond forthrightly. In some cases, I may have to make a disclosure in general terms (for instance by identifying the client's industry rather than the entity's specific name) due to contract confidentiality requirements, but I will provide as much information as I possibly can.
Recent Guests
William LeoGrande, Dean of the School of Public Affairs at American University, discusses Cuba 
Mike Petrilli, Thomas B. Fordham Institute, discusses education policy, including the impact of No Child Left Behind on high-achieving students
Stephen Joel Trachtenberg, President Emeritus of George Washington University, discusses higher education and his recent book "Big Man on Campus"
Recent Chip Shots
What if we're all wrong? Humans seem programmed to believe that commonly held beliefs are actually facts, especially when it comes to science and religion.
June 23, 2008 - One hundred forty years ago today, an invention was patented that few of us could live without, even if we might want to. Despite significant advances in technology over the past century and a half, most of us experience the work of Christopher Latham Sholes every workday.