Robots Are Sexier than Brad Pitt

If “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” wins Best Picture, I’m moving to Canada. Although I thoroughly enjoyed the film, I don’t understand how you could give Best Picture or (heavens!) Best Director to a movie that could be thematically improved by the discussion in my mother’s Corolla in the Chili’s parking lot. Seriously, the […]

Post-Inaugural

My students were less moved by today’s speech than by the election (as was I). It was a big moment, but nothing compared to that night. They remain deeply concerned about Obama’s safety, suggesting that he is in danger from “all the white people who don’t like blacks.” I ask them for evidence, and apparently […]

The Last Frontier

On a day like today, I think about Going To Alaska. I escaped work by trudging over to the gas station on the corner. Slowly. Slowly. Keeping the snow below the edge of my sneakers, and keeping my feet under me. I drive a stick. I live upstairs. I can’t be breaking my ankle. It was […]

Today’s Good News

We need good news at the beginning of January. Several items today in New York Times pleased me. First of all, I smiled at the article describing the ad campaign put up by atheists in Britain. I have a soft spot for atheists. It’s a very reasonable position, often taken up by smart, sensitive people who […]