I talk about the bullshit in what we read all the time. I’m so deep into it that I’m inured to the whole concept. But I had an experience yesterday that helped me recognize just how pervasive the problem of bullshit is. Here’s the scene. I’m running a plain writing workshop for a group of…
This is not a politics blog, but politics is part of my subject matter. So here’s what I hope is a very clear statement of my principles. I write about anything associated with writing quality, analytical thinking, truth, and influence. These are “meta-analyses.” I’m generally writing about how people think and communicate, not whether those…
I’ve been on vacation for two weeks. I’m writing this at 6 a.m. on my first day back. I’m eager to get started. The page proofs for a book I’m working on have come back. I’m eager to review them, so we can turn this manuscript into an actual book. This is where my knowledge…
Curious about what it’s like to live on a houseboat? Here’s a video of our Airbnb on Westerdok. While there are some tight spots, it was a blast . . . easily accessible to everything by bus and tram, and a truly unique accommodation.
I’ve travelled internationally with my family many times. We’re immeasurably richer because we stay in people’s houses. I’ll share what we did — and why I loved it. Here’s a list of places we’ve rented from Airbnb and similar outfits, in roughly chronological order. This list starts when my youngest kid was three and ends…
“Fuck Trump” is having a moment. Robert DeNiro said it on the Tonys. It’s a T-shirt. And it’s unworthy of any of us. Passion is fine. But if you seek change, work for change. And recognize that change will require persuading some people who are on the fence. They’re unlikely to respond to such a…
Everyone knows about the rush premium — you pay more if you want something faster. I believe in the rush discount. Faster projects go better. No, I’m not talking about the mad and sloppy rush jobs where you make errors and don’t have time to check them. I mean a job that goes at the…
So, a 17-year-old shot ten people in a school in Texas. Liberals for gun control are saying the same thing as before about banning assault weapons. Nothing is different, so nothing will change. Donald Trump is saying what he said last time about background checks, no guns until age 21, and arming teachers. Nothing is…
I’m on vacation in Vermont right now. And I’m working. I’ll explain how that works out for me. (Your mileage may vary.) It helps to know a few things: I am completely self-employed. Nobody works for me, and I like it that way; I’m accounts receivable, sales, and the main source of talent for my…