After finishing that book about ancient Alexandria, it occurred to me, for the second time, that a story about Hypatia would be both timely and interesting. The facts would need to be tweaked — most importantly, Hypatia herself would need… Continue Reading
The Economist reports on recently-published polimetric research to the effect that Americans who self-identify as “conservative” also self-identify as “happy” more often than do those who self-identify as “liberal.” He attributes this to the fact that these people are more… Continue Reading
Ian Ayres writes on the Freakonomic blog that classic racial discrimination is alive and well, at least with regard to tips to service providers like waiters and cabbies. Blacks both got lower tips, and gave lower tips, than their white… Continue Reading
Islam appears to me to be badly in need of a vigorous reform movement. Christianity has had several reform movements, from Martin Luther nailing a list of grievances to a church door to the Second Vatican Council. In a way,… Continue Reading
On November 1, 1755, a powerful earthquake rocked Lisbon, Portugal. Tens of thousands died in building collapses, fires, and general rioting. This inspired Voltaire to write Candide, one of the snarkiest and most powerful novels ever written. In the first… Continue Reading
A partner in the firm, who knows I’m interested in football, circulated this article about former NFL players becoming disabled. It contains a moving description of Brian DeMarco, an offensive lineman who was, among other things, on the inaugural team… Continue Reading
Margaret George wrote a novel based on the legends of the Trojan War, from the first-person perspective of Helen, last year. I just finished it. It was an interesting and ambitious take on a subject that was probably quite challenging… Continue Reading
It’s interesting to see that a Democrat who opposed the war and has been critical of the government’s conduct in the war all along has come to agree with the Administration that the best available option is to stick it… Continue Reading
One of my favorite writers is back on the Net. Has been for a little while; it just took me a while to find him again. I’m very pleased.
An interesting issue raised in a rape trial in Nebraska: does using the word “rape” to describe an event have an unfair emotional impact? Basic facts: man and women hook up at a bar, have some drinks, go home, and… Continue Reading