Do you know your trustworthiness score? Did you know Facebook has given you one? To avoid accusations they are purveyors of fake news, the company now uses an algorithm to determine a member’s credibility. Twitter, reportedly, is moving in the same direction. (“Facebooks
Recently, U. S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced he plans to create a Religious Liberty Task Force intended to insert faith-based protections into the political agenda. In doing so, he misuses his public office. His is a bald-faced attempt to extend the reach of conservati
Here’s a great idea for reducing crime in the city. Build more open spaces, more coffee shops and above all, more libraries. Why? Because, as Eric Klinenberg writes in his book, Palaces for People, with so many eyes on the scene, these areas become safer places. (“Come Togethe
Earlier this month, I appeared on a community cable program. The host, known as Dr. Don, interviews local people whom he imagines others will think interesting. He’s in his 90’s and has been doing the series for 15 years. An hour of talk about myself is a challenge, even for
Below are three accounts of rescue that should give us pause. Story 1 A parrot has been sitting on the roof of its owner’s home for 3 days, refusing to come down. Eventually, the north London Fire Department arrives to rescue the bird, but none of their ploys succeed. Finally, a f
Once, I confessed to a dear friend that I longed for someone in my life like Gustav Mahler’s wife. Her eyes swept to the top of her head, as I recall, and this she followed with a pause as she considered whether I was confessing to a lifestyle. I wasn’t. I was referring to
Is globalization good or bad? Will it create a kinder, gentler and more equitable world? Or, will nation-states be forced to live under the tyranny of a universal cabal? According to Randall Schweller, professor of political science at Ohio State University, Donald Trump and his
I’ve been longing for an excuse to write this blog and now I have one. To start, I recently received a blackmail letter in my email. The blackmailer said he or she had obtained pictures of me in pornographic poses. If I didn’t pay $500 in bitcoin within the next 24 hours, th
I recently upgraded my computer. The new hard drive resides in a box the size of a deck of playing cards. When my installer finished his work, he stood back, with his arms folded. “You’re going to love this,” he assured me. “It’s so much faster.” Sadly, “faster”
Last month the “rent” at my retirement center went up 4%. That’s greater than the living increase from my social security and pension income. Being retired and living off fixed benefits, I’m wondering how I should anticipate further increases, particularly if I proved to b