As I noted recently, tech monopolies are a growing concern in Europe, though not in the United States. (Blog 8/10/17). American consumers are content because: 1) a variety of merchandise is available with a mouse click; 2) purchases arrive at the speed of light; and 3) those purchases

I’m friends with a couple about to set off for Paris for their first visit. How I envy them.  My upcoming memoir looks back fondly to my first days in Paris.  If there is magic in the world, it exists there.   Though the man and wife who are about to fly there  are retired, I’

In the writers’ pecking order, the author with a publisher stands taller than the one who is self-published.  Having a publisher implies someone other than the writer believes in the work enough to commit hard cash to producing it. Nonetheless, after working with 4 publishers, I’

On several occasions, I’ve blogged about technological advances in robotics and how androids could disrupt our society. What I hadn’t considered was the way large tech companies could become a threat in themselves.  I’m talking about monopolies.  Not the traditional kind, like

I’ve never been comfortable with the designation, “Hispanic.”  I see myself as being of Latin origin, a descendent of those who spoke a romance language — in my case, Spanish rather than French or Italian.  I have no knowledge of any language known as “Hispanic.”  H

My visit with my former student from South Africa was memorable but all too brief.  We had a wonderful time exploring Portland and, as the saying goes, “by my student I was taught.” Kitty is a travel agent in Cape Town, used to finding her way in foreign places.  So, when I prop

During her recent visit from South Africa, my former student mentioned she had a retirement account but she hadn’t spoken to her broker in three years.  I almost fell out of my chair.  The woman is nearly 70.  Despite her age, having once been my student, I couldn’t remain sile

 If writers have one reason to rejoice in Donald Trump’s victory over Hillary Clinton in the 2016 US Presidential election, it’s that he’s revived the book publishing business.  That’s Alex Sheppard’s opinion. (“It Takes a Pillage,” by Alex Sheppard, New Republic, Aug/