SuperOptimist of the Week: Bill de Blasio!
The lame duck mayor of New York? “Why him?” you may ask. He’s a politician who is disliked by his own city, his own state, his own party, and probably…
Tag: nat whitten
Dissatisfied with the candidates for president? Here’s 780 more to choose from.
Had it with the current occupant of the Oval Office? Not feeling an affinity for the alternatives you’ve seen crowding the stage on CNN? Fear not, dear voter! For here’s…
Take yourself on a space walk.
Landing on the moon was the height of accomplishment for Apollo 11 astros Armstrong, Aldrin and Collins, and we continue to celebrate their feat to this day. But government-sanctioned space…
Praise the people who ignore your instructions.
O glorious day! For July 3rd is the anniversary of Franz Kafka’s birth. And yet, we prefer to roll out the sheet cake for his friend Max Brod. If not for…
On adding amazement to your day.
Another day, another set of absolute miracles taking place. And in every direction! Wait, you didn’t see them? Perhaps you have become inured to such marvels. You are not alone….
The only competition worth winning.
It’s clear that humans like creating contests — and picking winners. There’s a huge number of competitions ranging from small local prizes to large international Grands Prix, judging what makes…
Inertia vs. risk: which side are you on?
Conformity is so normalized, we are barely aware of it when we bow to safe, established standards. It’s like a river that wants to stay on its regular course, since…
At least they tried!
In 1927, Charles Lindbergh received acclaim for piloting The Spirit of St. Louis across the ocean — the first non-stop transatlantic flight between New York and Paris. Yet two weeks…
Suburban lawns and Kim Kardashian: a comparison.
First, the lawn. According to noted biologist Edward O. Wilson, “Lawns are a monoculture of alien species, a rapacious consumer of water, and require toxic chemicals to maintain which eventually…
Wear-a-Mask Wednesday: Henry Bergh
Henry Bergh? Who is that, you ask? Here’s a hint: This man with the drooping mustache was a dog’s best friend. And a cat, horse, gerbil, parakeet… Any animal you…