From Bob McKinnon comes this modern retelling of the beloved classic, Little Engine that Could, that asks young readers, “How does your journey differ from others?” It also serves as a thank you letter to all the parents, teachers, role models, and even strangers, who help to clear the storm or pull the tree trunk from their track.
Available in your favorite bookstores.
Have you ever asked yourself this question? Or wondered why your life turned differently than you expected or from others you know. On this site, you’ll find tools, writing and podcast episodes that explores this question and others. Watch Bob’s TEDx talk to learn about his journey and the science behind how we see our lives and those of others.
Children’s Books
I think I can, I think I can, I think I… can’t? What’s an Engine to do when even believing in yourself won’t get you to the top of the mountain? In this modern retelling of the beloved The Little Engine That Could, The Little Blue Engine and her friends attempt to reach the town on the other side of the mountain, but they quickly realize that not every engine is on the same track, and they all face different obstacles in their journey. In Three Little Engines author Bob McKinnon asks young readers: How does your journey differ from others?
While paying homage to the beloved classic, author Bob McKinnon acknowledges that although positive thinking and confidence are important, they are not always enough to help you succeed. In many instances, success requires a helping hand. This book is a gentle introduction to the idea of socioeconomic mobility and inequality in America. Heavily inspired by his own experiences, McKinnon teaches the youngest of readers how to recognize opportunity and inequality in the American Dream, and, most importantly, how to extend a helping hand to those on different tracks of life. At its heart, Three Little Engines is a thank you letter to all the parents, teachers, role models, and even strangers, who help to clear the storm or pull the tree trunk from your track.
Three Little Engines is now a New York Times best seller! Order your copy today from your favorite online bookseller or your local bookstore:
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Newsletter
DMV
I’m sitting down to write this two hours later than I normally would. The delay is the result of a trip to the DMV.
Before jumping to conclusions and assuming the stereotypical DMV experience. Let me first say that the people were all wonderful. A young man greeted me at the door asking me what I needed and handing me the required paperwork. A young lady escorted me to the scanner to check in and offered me a pen to help fill out the form. I sat and waited only seven minutes before my number was called.
As I approached my designated counter #23, another young woman with the initial R on her name tag and long acrylic nails greeted me after first taking a few moments to unwrap a Starburst for herself. A task made almost comically more difficult by the afore-mentioned nails. She checked out my form noting my Christmas birthday – like most people do – adding that her ex-husband was also born on Christmas (albeit 20 years after me). Seeing my birth year, she looked up and said matter of factly, “You look good.” The “for your age” was implied but I’ll take it.
That’s where the fun ended. Her computer told her she could not process my request for a replacement license that I had misplaced last week. Apparently there was a hold in the system stemming from a violation in Pennsylvania. The specifics of which, I would have to call the DMV in PA to find out.
After multiple calls and holds and referrals to the correct person, I was informed that there was an unresolved violation stemming from an incident in 1995. My license in Pennsylvania, which I haven’t had or needed since I moved to New York decades ago – was somehow suspended. She admitted that this should have been resolved and was likely a clerical error. However, she was not authorized to do anything so she would have to refer it to the Resolution Department. I asked if there was anything she could do to help expedite this and she said she would send a note to her manager but was unsure if he could do anything. It would take six business days before I would hear back. Apparently there was no other way for me to monitor any progress in addressing this, as she was not able to put a note in my file and there was no number to reach this magical, Resolution Department.
R with the acrylic nails was kind and understanding. She said years ago, I wouldn’t have had a problem but now they integrated data from all fifty states and mistakes happen. As I left, she said, “That sucks but I guess maybe I’ll see you next week.”
Bureaucracy and the delays they cause are often unnecessary. Automation – designed to simplify things – often compounds matters. Individuals who see obvious errors or injustices are not empowered to resolve them on their own. Resulting in more delays and logjams in systems and in lives.
On my end, this is an inconvenience as I should not drive without a physical license. For others, the implications are more serious. Just last night, I heard a report that many people will likely be denied the ability to vote – because some voter rolls don’t recognize a naturalized citizen as an eligible voter. Earlier this week, I heard stories at work where people weren’t getting paid on time due to migration to a new payroll processing system. In other cases, bureaucratic delays result in people no longer being able to access much needed programs and support – ranging from health care to food assistance.
As we move increasingly into a world of big data systems and AI, inevitably there will be more delays, mistaken identities, records or documents that cause more headaches and harms than they should.
For those who design these systems, I hope they look for opportunities to account for unintended consequences, build in ways to empower workers to immediately resolve obvious mistakes and remember that behind every number is a person just trying to go about their days with as little friction as possible.
And for those on the front line in customer service, thank you for your grace and kindness. R with the acrylic nails and her “You look good” comment is the only thing keeping me from banging my head against the wall right now.
This Week’s Recommendation: Find a way to take a little bit of friction out of someone’s life. A little act to remove a bump or a roadblock out of their way can go a long way.
UPDATE: I received a call a few hours ago from Kimberly at the PA DMV. Her manager did in fact go over to the Resolution Department and they were able to take care of it right away. The roadblock cleared, my new license is now on its way. Faith is restored. May others follow the example of the NY and PA DMVs.
Please share this with someone who might be frustrated by the friction all around us.
Monday Morning Notes
Delivered to your mailbox each Monday morning, these short notes offer an opportunity each week to reflect on who and what contributes to where we end up in life. Readers tell us it’s a great way to start their week on a positive note. See the latest note below:
DMV
I’m sitting down to write this two hours later than I normally would. The delay is the result of a trip to the DMV. Before jumping to conclusions and assuming the stereotypical DMV experience. Let me first say that the people were all wonderful. A young man greeted me at the door asking me what …
Attribution with Bob McKinnon
Attribution is a podcast, where people from all walks of life, reflect on who and what has contributed to where they ended up. Our hope is after each episode, you feel a little more inspired, grateful, or supported, then when you first hit play. Check out the latest episode below:
Episode 35: Class Matters w/ Richard Kahlenberg
Richard D. Kahlenberg is an education and housing policy researcher, writer, consultant, and speaker. He is also Director of Housing Policy and Director of the American Identity Project at the Progressive Policy Institute. The author or editor of 19 books, his latest is Class Matters: The Fight to Get Beyond Race Preferences, Reduce Inequality, and Build Real Diversity at America’s Colleges. This was a deep and challenging conversation about class, race, higher education, affirmative action and social mobility.