Uncategorized 893
The Anti-multitasker, RIP
The Stanford professor who debunked the myth of effective multitasking, Clifford Nass, died unexpectedly of a heart attack on November 2. But he leaves behind his interesting work on the…
Uncle John is Dead, But I Look Fabulous!
When I think we can't hit new lows, I run across something like this: http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2013/10/selfies-at-funerals/280972/ I am hardly familiar with this "selfie" phenomenon, but I can't see it as a…
A spook speaks–just in time for Halloween
For those readers at all interested in Angela Merkel's dismay, or the reach of our homeland spy agencies, here are a few pertinent quotes from Paul Pillar, speaking on NPR's…
To Quantify the Complexity of a Book
There's a computer program called Lexile that purports to measure the complexity of books and thereby determine the grade level for which they are best suited. Here's the description: Lexiles…
Gardnering at Night, Again
Anyone blessed enough to be within shouting distance of Batavia, New York, this Saturday, October 26, at 8 pm is invited to drop by the Pok-a-Dot, venerable and funky diner,…
Too Big To Fix
Hillsdale, Mich. Misery loves company, they say, but maybe not if the company is Comcast. Yes, I have returned to a subject of previous kvetching, though this time I am…
You Did Build That and You’re Receiving a Builder’s Discount
Hillsdale, Michigan. Thanks to Comcast (who says I never thank them), I noticed a headline from the Daily Beast today about the 20 most affordable colleges. The hook was trying…
New “Safety” Laws Threaten Farmers
Scale matters and a one-size-fits-all solution is a function of a state that exceeds a proper scale (and ignores a common sense approach to problems). According to one article: The…
Piercing Hawkeye
"I love Old October so/I can't bear to see her go," sang the Hoosier Poet of this most resplendent and melancholy month. Among the gifts this October brings is the…
Beauty is the Answer
In ISI's on-going series titled "Conservatism: What's Wrong with it and How Can we Make it Right?" Gerald Russello argues that conservatives have pursued power but neglected beauty. He writes:…
Paranoia Will Destroy Ya
From The American Conservative, my review of Jesse Walker's terrific new book The United States of Paranoia.
Moyers Interviews Berry
At the Berry Center's celebration of the 35th anniversary of The Unsettling of America, held last April, Bill Moyers interviewed Wendell Berry before the assembled conference participants. That interview will be…
Chipotle ads Promote Humane Animal Husbandry
A couple years ago Chipotle came out with an ad promoting their commitment to using only humanely raised meat products. The Willie Nelson cover of the Cold Play tune The…
FPR Conference. Plus Bookstore
It's still not too late to register for the upcoming FPR conference this Friday and Saturday in Claremont, CA. To whet your appetite, here is a link to books written…
It’s Up to You Not to Heed the Call Up
During the First World War, the Kansas Socialist Kate Richards O'Hare was thrown into prison for violating Woodrow Wilson's Espionage Act. Her crime? Telling a North Dakota audience that their…
What Do Americans Want?
Quite a bit, actually. From the venerable news source The Onion: In a new report released Wednesday by the Pew Research center, Americans indicated that when it comes to what…
Crunchy Judge: Stegall Confirmed
Congratulations to Caleb Stegall who was confirmed last week to a seat on the Kansas Court of Appeals. Excerpt from an article from a Kansas Newspaper: Legislators discussed his views…
Saving Fish in Montana
Here's an article about a farmer in Montana who has worked tirelessly for years to effect changes to a dam that allows fish to swim up stream to spawn. Here's…
Syria and the MIC
In my judgment, military action against Syria would be both a moral and political failing - which means, of course, it is likely to happen. I'll be surprised if we…
Caleb Stegall Nominated to Appeals Court
Caleb Stegall has been nominated for a seat on the Kansas Court of Appeals. The Kansas City Star calls Stegall "conservative and crunchy." Excerpts: Conservation, a commitment to local communities…
Swerving Off
My review of Stephen Greenblatt's The Swerve: How the World Became Modern, is now available at Humanitas. In case you're interested.
FPR Conference Program. Register Now.
Here is the program for our upcoming conference titled "City People, Country People: Being a Localist in the Megalopolis." It will be held at Pomona College in Claremont, California. We'll start…
Look At Me!!!
Now a company called Mindflash has a new technology to make sure you pay attention to your computer screen. It is marketed to companies who have on-line training programs. The…
Big Philanthropy
When St. Thomas reflected on charity, and in particular alms-giving, he stressed the immediacy and locality of it: charity requires intimate knowledge of its recipient, the proper selection of means,…