The zeitgeist has passed me by
Actually, I’m not sure I ever was fully with the program, even when I was young. But in the last couple of years, as I watch the world from my perch here at a computer in New England, I’ve become … Continue reading →
Category Archives: Friendship
The day of the leftovers
Since there have been fewer large get-togethers for Thanksgiving this year, I assume people have fewer leftovers because they haven’t cooked huge turkeys. Then again, there are probably more people who do have leftovers, because more people have done their … Continue reading →
Talking about politics
Commenter “Rufus T. Firefly” writes: I also find Politics a fairly boring topic most of the time, especially in polite company. When getting together with family why wouldn’t want have sincere conversations about how each other are doing, what is … Continue reading →
Reading Orwell as a child
I was about eleven or twelve or perhaps thirteen years old when I first read Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four. It made an indelible impression on me, probably greater than it would have if I’d waited till at least college age. I’m … Continue reading →
Dershowitz: on being ostracized because of politics
[Hat tip: commenter “Barry Meislin.”] This new piece by Alan Dershowitz is interesting to me for many reasons, not the least because he demonstrates his usual sense and yet continues to find it difficult to surrender his allegiance to the … Continue reading →
Wonderful hoped-for news on Sharon W’s husband
In case you missed it, I thought you’d like to see the update commenter “Sharon W” posted yesterday: I am waiting for the oxygen delivery as my husband will be discharged as soon as I receive the home instructions and … Continue reading →
Conversations with friends: “Trump did nothing”
Now that we’re all housebound, I find myself talking on the phone to friends more often. Sometimes they’re people I’m not often in touch with, and – since I don’t ordinarily bring up politics in conversation anyway – most of … Continue reading →
Schiff: in the eye of the beholder?
Commenter “Ray” asks: “Maybe it’s just me, but does Schiff look like a pathological liar?” The answers: no, it’s not just you. And yes, he does. When I look at Schiff, I see the same thing. He looks – shifty. … Continue reading →
Are you exceptionally likeable?
I already know that I’m not. Some people like me exceptionally well. But I think most people find me a trifle odd. Maybe not just a trifle. And now I know why. I don’t fit this profile at all, and … Continue reading →
What happens when you step outside the circle: “real friends”
I’ve often written about the social aspects of personal political change from left (or liberal) to right (or conservative). It often has negative repercussions socially and will cause some people to shun the changer, a little or a lot or … Continue reading →
Friendship: who needs it?
Reading this Althouse thread about friendship, I was struck by a few things, particularly in the comments. There seem to be some rather sharp divides between groups of people on the nature and value of friendship. There are the loners, … Continue reading →
The rise in unhappiness among the young
It’s almost a cliche now that unhappiness has been rising among young people. Surveys indicate that it’s a real phenomenon, and the suicide rate has increased sharply. Social media is often blamed, but as this article describes, the research on … Continue reading →