The New York accent seems to be on its way out. Not only is it less common than it used to be, but scads of New Yorkers are hiring speech therapists to rid themselves of theirs, which are seen as … Continue reading →
The brilliant Richard Fernandez on the new blasphemy against PC thought: But there are indications that blasphemy, far from being dead letter, is alive and well. Wikipedia, in discussing the subject, warns the reader to also consult the entries for … Continue reading →
The NY Times has an article about how the latest crop of doctors has forgotten—or really, never learned—how to perform a physical exam. Oh, they can take measurements, and they can order tests. But they have come to rely on … Continue reading →
I voted by absentee ballot yesterday. I’m not one to do that, ordinarily. I like going to the polls on voting day. I like the atmosphere of civic duty. I like the people standing around (even in the rain) with … Continue reading →
This NY Times article discusses some research on good study habits that indicates that several of the time-honored recommendations don’t hold water. Apparently it’s better to switch venues rather than stick to one tried-and-true setting, and to vary subject matter … Continue reading →
Many of you have followed the story of my mother’s stroke and rehabilitation, and her move back to assisted living in New York, where she’s been doing pretty well for the last four years. “Doing pretty well” at the age … Continue reading →
Yesterday on this comments thread there was a smattering of schadenfreude towards young people who voted for Obama and are now out of work. A number of readers felt that the high rates of unemployment among the young is a … Continue reading →
It’s the first day of September. Although not the official beginning of fall—that doesn’t happen for about three weeks—it’s the real beginning of autumn in my book. And this despite the fact that it’s well into the nineties today where … Continue reading →
A survey reveals a shortfall of skilled workers such as carpenters, welders, and electricians in many of the countries of the West: The shortage of skilled workers is the No. 1 or No. 2 hiring challenge in six of the … Continue reading →
Colleges are increasingly feeling the need to gently nudge parents of incoming freshman to take their leave of the campus, lest the older generation take up residence more permanently there, the better to breathe down the necks of their offspring. … Continue reading →
Progressives and liberals are despondent lately. They’re having trouble mustering up the energy to vote in 2010, or even to defend Barack Obama, once their shining star: Why, asks a Democrat leading a training session for fellow activists, doesn’t “Yes … Continue reading →
To take up a topic suggested by a number of comments to my earlier post today (and to avoid talking about Obama just a little bit longer): why do older women, or even middle-aged women, so seldom wear their hair … Continue reading →