Read a really good essay on smart people who defend really dumb ideas. It is a really good piece. [edit] How many times can I say really?[/edit] Here is just one quote:

Put simply, the fact that you’re not dead yet doesn’t mean that the things you’ve done up until now shouldn’t have, by all that is fair in the universe, already killed you. You might just need a few more data points for the law of averages to catch up, and put a permanent end to your short term thinking.

You can read it yourself here:
http://www.scottberkun.com/essays/essay40.htm

[edit]Scott writes other very good essays... I went back and read several. He has an interesting perspective on work, creativity, management, and personal interaction.[/edit]