The datacenter delusion

Illustration connecting POLICY, INFRASTRUCTURE, TECHNOLOGY, DATA, and INNOVATION through balanced scales

They used to say country over party.  Perhaps, we should put the future over politics, and rather than behaving like craven fools politicians should lead. If you’ve been looking for an issue that finally unites Republicans and Democrats, liberals and conservatives alike, opposition to so-called AI datacenters might be it.  As the Associated Press characterized… Continue reading The datacenter delusion

Rush’s “The Trees” and the life and death battle happening in your backyard

Large tree with exposed tangled roots in a dense green forest

While many have claimed the classic song is anti-union and anti-socialist and some of have argued the opposite, to my knowledge, no one has attempted to interpret it literally, as in this is what trees and other plants actually do and have done for hundreds of millions of years.  On the surface, Rush’s classic “The… Continue reading Rush’s “The Trees” and the life and death battle happening in your backyard

Rosie the three-legged dragon and the munchkin invasion, part two

When we last left Rosie and Carlitos, they were stuck in the lair by mommy’s decree, barred from joining a party in the enchanted forest, where adult humans and munchkins frolicked. Rosie might not have been interested in that, but the food commanded her attention, causing her to come up with a plan. This is… Continue reading Rosie the three-legged dragon and the munchkin invasion, part two

The quality of life canard and the irresistible appeal of nostalgia

Retro 1980s gadgets, cassette tapes, games, and memorabilia on a table

Though some might claim otherwise, I was there and few would really want to go back to a time when our lives were shorter, far less convenient, far less mobile, and far more of a pain in the ass in almost every measurable way. Over the past several weeks, more than one person has mentioned… Continue reading The quality of life canard and the irresistible appeal of nostalgia

Iran: Do we need or want a deal at this point?

Balance scale with coins and stones overlooking a desert oasis at sunset

After both of our previous attempts failed largely because Iran has proven completely unable to stop firing missiles for no seemingly sane reason, it appears to be a good time to reconsider our options. Before we begin, I should come clean:  Throughout the conflict with Iran I have consistently advocated to make an even less… Continue reading Iran: Do we need or want a deal at this point?

Academia, the publishing industry, Jason Arday, bullshit artists, and the 80s cult classic About Last Night

Satirical curriculum vitae for Dr. Barnaby “Pub or Perish” Higginbotham listing publications, degrees, grants, accolades, and teaching; a stressed scholar sits at a desk surrounded by books.

Some of us know the type. Like Bernie Litgo in the movie adapted from David Mamet’s play, they spin wild tales for our amusement, but in academia and publishing, fact is supposed to be far more important than fiction, and processes are said to be in place to ensure only facts get published. In the… Continue reading Academia, the publishing industry, Jason Arday, bullshit artists, and the 80s cult classic About Last Night

Rosie the three-legged dragon and the munchkin invasion, part one

Rosie and the Peanut

If Rosie thought her human servants were strange, they were nothing compared to the smaller, far more energetic and unruly versions that invaded her lair from time to time.  These little ones, she could make no sense of at all.  If Rosie the Three-legged Dragon thought her human servants were strange, they were nothing compared… Continue reading Rosie the three-legged dragon and the munchkin invasion, part one

The problem of plenty, the genius of Henry James, and the sad truth that we’re all Isabel Archer now

Silhouette of a person using a smartphone reflected in an ornate antique mirror with books and desk behind

If young people today face a problem totally unique to their generation, it’s one of plenty itself.  Simply put, they have too many choices about everything and anything in life, but not enough money or time to possibly have or do it all.  The 19th century novelist Henry James once claimed his works were centered… Continue reading The problem of plenty, the genius of Henry James, and the sad truth that we’re all Isabel Archer now

Springsteen’s “Cynthia” and those dreams that never come true

Person walking on a cobblestone street in front of lit bookstore and cafe at dusk

Most of us have encountered someone on a regular basis – in class, at work, on the train, on the bus, working at a store, wherever – that brightened our day somehow, prompting us to imagine what they might be like should we ever actually meet, but the pleasure is mostly in the imagining.  “Cynthia”… Continue reading Springsteen’s “Cynthia” and those dreams that never come true

The $20 burrito, the woke right, the meaning of value, and the reality that personal choice produces better outcomes than government fiats

Burrito with ground beef, rice, black beans, cheese, and salsa with steam rising

Whatever some may claim and why ever they may claim it, the road to prosperity isn’t paved by a single product.  It’s paved by people making choices based on what they value most and what they can afford, but really, this shouldn’t be that difficult to explain. Last week, social media erupted once again over… Continue reading The $20 burrito, the woke right, the meaning of value, and the reality that personal choice produces better outcomes than government fiats