Cordell J. Overgaard has released a new book that examines how American institutions have evolved over decades of technological, political, and economic transformation. Watching Things Change draws from Overgaard's firsthand experience working within systems that have defined modern America, including law, media, broadcasting, and governance.
The book distinguishes itself by offering perspective from lived experience rather than theoretical analysis. Overgaard, a Harvard Law School graduate who practiced law for decades while working in media and public affairs, provides observations from inside institutions now facing significant scrutiny. His narrative connects personal experience with broader historical shifts, showing how incremental changes often produce lasting and unexpected consequences.
Rather than presenting predictions or ideological arguments, the book functions as a long-form reflection on what Overgaard has witnessed across multiple sectors. The text covers radio, cable television, newspapers, healthcare, governance, and the rise of artificial intelligence, demonstrating how decisions made decades ago continue to shape contemporary realities.
This perspective matters because it provides context for current debates about institutional trust and transformation. At a time when public discourse often focuses on immediate outcomes and short-term cycles, Watching Things Change takes a longer view that helps explain why institutions function as they do today. The book's measured, observation-based approach makes it particularly relevant for professionals, educators, policymakers, and readers seeking to understand how institutional change actually unfolds rather than how it is theorized.
The book's examination of technology's impact on established systems offers insights for those navigating current digital transformations. Overgaard's experience observing the evolution of media from radio to artificial intelligence provides historical context for understanding how new technologies disrupt and reshape existing structures.
Watching Things Change is now available through major online retailers including Amazon. The book represents a valuable resource for anyone seeking to understand the trajectory of American institutions and how past decisions continue to influence present challenges and opportunities.
