Babbage: November 23rd 2011

Previous comment commendably ignoring the content of the podcast. I feel the same way. Come on The Economist you can do better than waffling about rumour and hearsay.

The Photo of Jeff Bezos summarizes the state of the Treatment of Male Pattern Baldness. Even if you are a billionaire and afforded the best medicines and physicians, there is NO cure for baldness.

Some people do not look good with a bald pate--the underlying bones structure are just not complimentary. Eyebrows on a cue ball.

But baldness in your CEO is still better than having end stage pancreas cancer, a liver transplant, and a wasted stick figure hobbling around the stage at risk of falling.

...It is all relative. But you better aspire to more than outperforming a dying man.

I admire the openness of Bezos and his pragmatic approach to his own personal problem. He deals in reality. And that may reflect his management style.

As in technology, sometimes the solution to a difficult problem is simple but we may have to swallow a few lumps: Wigs work. Makes you look younger and more vigorous. And it keeps the brain warm in winter.

On stage you are marketing a brand and image that will outlast any gadget. Voters prefer handsome and non-balding presidential candidates. Image consultants would agree.