Welcome! In the time since we launched this, the first Dragonfly Effect site, we've engaged in a continuous process of site evolution and improvement. Sadly, in the process, we have outgrown TypePad. Please join us at our new site dragonflyeffect.com and help us help you drive positive change. Continue reading

I'm loving how fun it is to try something new, find some success, then just start doing more of it.I'm having this experience now. And it's all thanks to our family Christmas letter. Every year one of our kids takes authorship of the letter and each year we try to find some new and interesting way to use the lens of our children to make fun of ourselves. Around the time I should have been "helping" Cooper with the letter writing, I started dabbling in flowchart software, mainly because I was trying to design a set of web applications and... Continue reading

In the past year, a dizzying number of books have been written on the mechanics of using Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, yet none addresses how to leverage the incredible power of the social web to make a difference. The Dragonfly Effect reveals how to use it to do something that really matters. (No offense to any dancing cats or Mentos scientists reading this.) The Dragonfly Effect is what happens when you coordinate four small activities to produce big results. It's named after the only creature that is able to move in any direction-with tremendous speed and force-when its four wings... Continue reading

In the past year, a dizzying number of books have been written on the mechanics of using Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, yet none addresses how to leverage the incredible power of the social web to make a difference. The Dragonfly Effect reveals how to use it to do something that really matters. (No offense to any dancing cats or Mentos scientists reading this.) The Dragonfly Effect is what happens when you coordinate four small activities to produce big results. It's named after the only creature that is able to move in any direction-with tremendous speed and force-when its four wings... Continue reading

Here’s the sum-up: - Last Christmas, Téa Sloane broke her leg sledding. This fall, she broke her leg again (same leg) at home just being her. That was fun. - Repeated fractures haven’t slowed her down though. During retail therapy, for instance, Téa Sloane has been known to look in the mirror, put her hands on her hips and say, “You look great, baby!” - We’ve replaced "I don't like" with “I presently struggle with." Like "I presently struggle with broccoli.” I find vegetables generally struggly. - We started working out in the garage with mom and dad (P90X). We do yoga tree poses and lift weights. At least one girl is attracted to me for my “big daddy-guns.” So I’ve got that going for me. Continue reading

Or The Old Man's Expressions Or Conflict Resolution for The Home Port Or Thomas J. Smith, His Words Collected by T.D. SMITH and T.J. SMITH JR. Continue reading

During the Italian RENAISSANCE, thoughtful and wealthy Italian patriarchs conveyed a lifetime of wisdom to their young heirs in a special writing saved for reading until the offspring came Of Age. In this spirit, now that you are OF Age, and on behalf of your seafaring, Irish Renaissance father, we hereby present to you our collection of the Old Sea-Dog's favorite expressions and period vernacular. Several decades ago, these words were employed to reasonable effect as family management tools at the Home Port. As you will find, time has not dulled their brass. Andrew Brent Smith, use this collection wisely... Continue reading