When did we stop believing people who know a lot? It’s everywhere. People are not dissuaded in the least to learn that 97 percent of scientists believe climate change is a major crisis. Person at the grocery store (or on Facebook): “They don’t know what they’re talking about.” Me: “How much do you know about …
Tag: change
Consequences of a Crazy World
What if it is discovered, oh, in a decade or so, that the smartest people are the ones in prison because they aren’t allowed to use Twitter? What if the language changes, veering in the direction of mindless simplicity by means of the use of “u” instead of “you,” “2” instead of “to” or “too” …
A Relic Am I
I’m not getting any smarter, but at least I continue to be educated. As tempting as it is to do nothing but make snappy posts on Facebook and Twitter, somehow I’ve managed not to succumb to the developing cultural profile of knowing a little about a lot and a lot about nothing. This is the …
The Power of the Dunk
Previous generations of African-American athletes were politically active. By and large, they aren’t anymore, and when they are, as in the case of Dennis Rodman, it tends to be maniacally weird. Today’s athletes stay clear of politics, seemingly unmindful and unappreciative of the benefits they enjoy due to the controversial efforts of Jackie Robinson, Muhammad …
Say, Ain’t It Funny How Time Slips Away?
I was just thinking – well, on and off, actually, for several days – about things people used to do and say. And don’t anymore. When’s the last time you heard the term “Red China”? That used to be short for the People’s Republic, back before it started supplying Walmart. “Nationalist China” sounded important, but …
Global Weirding
It’s up to 28 degrees. When my iPhone informs me it is above freezing – the forecast is 11 a.m. – I’ll stop the faucet dripping. I’ll be grateful for the water bill because it got as low as 9, I think, and the pipes held out.That’s the good news. The bad news is having …
Going to Hell or Maybe Not
It’s so hard to find some balance. The world is changing with such swiftness that it’s hard to discern whether or not the balance is positive. For instance, does the playing of violent video games lead kids to grow up more violent? In a way, it’s nothing new. When I was a kid, we played …
Nightrider's Lament 