“New Age weirdos” come of age

The New York Times reported recently that paying attention to one’s thoughts can calm the savage beast–OK, it can calm the restless mind. The Buddhists call this simple act ”sitting,” and Americans in general refer to it as meditating. Why is this news? What is the “news hook” that makes it a story worthy of this [...]

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Should I buy a hybrid?

To me, the answer to this question is obvious from the standpoint of wanting to personally be more gentle to our environment. That’s a slam dunk.
It’s not so obvious, however, from a financial perspective. This is especially true since hybrids, according to the Los Angeles Times, often sell for more than the sticker price. The [...]

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Our guilt about gas

“Skyrocketing oil prices stump the experts” reads a headline in today’s Washington Post. The oil company executives attempted to explain to Congress why gas costs $4 a gallon.  They explained: It’s China, of course, and other forces beyond the control of Big Oil.
But that’s really the wrong question anyway. Gas costs that much because it can. We’re [...]

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Air pollution confuses bees

The Washington Post reported recently that air pollution limits the distance a flower’s scent can travel. Bees navigate to flowers by following their scent. The more air pollution increases, the harder it is for bees to find their target. If they don’t reach the plants, the plants are less likely to reproduce. Bees also pollinate [...]

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Make some popcorn and watch King Corn

Corn is the 800 pound gorilla of U.S. agriculture. It essentially runs amok. If you have read Michael Pollan’s book, The Omnivore’s Dilemma, you know something about this. King Corn is the video counterpart to Mr. Pollan’s corn story.
The government subsidizes corn production for the extraordinary benefit of the snack food, fast food, and beverage [...]

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Five stars for Charlie Wilson’s War

Charlie Wilson’s War is outstanding on so many levels that I’m not sure where to start. I guess my top two favorites are Philip Seymour Hoffman’s gorgeous rendering of the Columbo-like CIA agent Gust Avrakotos, and Aaron Sorkin’s fabulously crisp and entertaining script.
Mr. Hoffman is truly one of the greatest actors of our time. He [...]

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Learning about sex—how times have changed

When I entered puberty, back in the Dark Ages of the 1950s, my dad handed me what may have been the most popular sex manual of the day: Ideal Marriage, Its Physiology and Technique, by Theodoor H.  van de Velde. I saw it recently listed on Amazon for 76 cents a copy, and most modern [...]

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World peace and other big jobs

Call me crazy, but I’ve come to believe that world peace is both necessary and possible. It’s necessary because of the magnitude of the complex problems that put the livability of Earth in serious jeopardy. I’m currently reading a book called Bridge at the End of the World, by Jame Gustave Speth. He spends about half [...]

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Women bare themselves, and bear the consequences

Ojai, California and Tucson have at least one thing in common. Both towns have a young woman who is willing to challenge the prevailing standards of public decency as part of a one-person crusade. The Los Angeles Times reports on Jennifer Moss, known in Ojai as the “Pastie Lady.” She is 32 years old and likes to [...]

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