The Odyssey, The Pitt, and a reminder that woke can be much worse than casting

Ancient warriors in armor fighting with spears and axes outside a fortress

On Sunday night, I did what I almost never do:  Shut off the TV midway through an episode of a show, declared it completely dead to me, and began cursing vociferously. Afterwards, I considered the battle still raging over The Odyssey.  On Sunday night, I did what I almost never do:  Shut off the TV midway… Continue reading The Odyssey, The Pitt, and a reminder that woke can be much worse than casting

Nolan’s The Odyssey and the fact that we have way, way too much time on our hands

Remove text; Greek myth battle onscreen; chaotic audience fighting

Whether you choose to see it or not see it, whether you love it or hate it, or feel something in between, The Odyssey remains a movie, a few hours of entertainment that has absolutely no real impact on your life even should it go on to make a trillion dollars. Long before the rise… Continue reading Nolan’s The Odyssey and the fact that we have way, way too much time on our hands

Springsteen isn’t a “critical patriot,” he’s a partisan hack, but I love him anyway

Statue of Liberty replica on pedestal with inscription honoring fallen heroes under dark cloudy sky

For a man who claims to be driven by principle, he has an odd habit, one dating back to the 1980s, of only entering the fray when a Republican is in office, either sleeping through Democrat Presidencies or somehow believing all our problems are solved when we elect a Democrat. “I believe in critical patriotism,”… Continue reading Springsteen isn’t a “critical patriot,” he’s a partisan hack, but I love him anyway

America at 250, the heat was both literal and figurative

Crowd of protesters with signs 'Civil unrest', 'Freedom', and 'Enough!' in a burning cityscape with US landmarks and flags

After losing power for the entire weekend, we joked that we were doing it as the Founders did – no lights, no running water, no air conditioning – but who are we kidding? The Friday before the Fourth of July my lovely wife and I did something we almost never do:  Went out for dinner… Continue reading America at 250, the heat was both literal and figurative

America at 250, why does progressive politics define the lives of so many of our fellow citizens, making them almost completely miserable?

Mountain landscape with sunrise on left and thunderstorm with lightning on right

As even Vox.com was honest enough to note, America in 1976 was in a far worse place than today, and yet Americans felt better about the country and the future. Before the results of the 2024 election were known on the evening of November 5, I encouraged everyone to remember their Billy Joel.  At the… Continue reading America at 250, why does progressive politics define the lives of so many of our fellow citizens, making them almost completely miserable?

America at 250, confessions of a late blooming patriot on the principles and personalities that founded the greatest country in the world

Group of people in colonial clothing walking in front of Independence Hall during sunset

It wasn’t until college when I was transformed by a James Madison quote, a timeless statement of truth, the equivalent of political poetry, illuminating something deep inside the heart of us all:  If men were angels, no government would be necessary. I’ll confess:  I wasn’t exactly a patriot early in life.  A born cynic, probably… Continue reading America at 250, confessions of a late blooming patriot on the principles and personalities that founded the greatest country in the world

The irony underlying widespread opposition to AI and its equally widespread usage

Crowd of people holding signs supporting and opposing technology and AI development.

How can 70% of people be against the infrastructure for what most use on a daily basis and are only likely to use more?  Has there ever been a useful, time saving technology we simply stopped using or have we tended to simply keep complaining while using it? If recent polls are any indication, Americans… Continue reading The irony underlying widespread opposition to AI and its equally widespread usage

How humans have gone from the equivalent of wolves to domesticated dogs in just a few generations

Golden retriever sleeping on a plaid blanket-covered couch inside a warm cabin with a fireplace; a gray wolf walks in a snowy forest under northern lights outside.

We might fault the wolf for fighting a losing battle, but there is something to admire in their tenacity compared to the dog, which is all too eager to beg for a meal rather than obtain one on its own. Though wolves and dogs share enough DNA that they can successfully mate, producing offspring that… Continue reading How humans have gone from the equivalent of wolves to domesticated dogs in just a few generations

Cooking at home versus eating out, life lessons from a middle class man whose most agonizing decision is what Porsche to get next

Great Food Debate

Whatever some may claim, it doesn’t take any particular genius, athletic ability, or stamina to boil a pot of water, roast a chicken, and toss a salad, and the difference between the cost of dining out or ordering in matters enough to purchase a luxury automobile over the years. Earlier this week, Shark Tank’s Kevin… Continue reading Cooking at home versus eating out, life lessons from a middle class man whose most agonizing decision is what Porsche to get next

Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, the great cultural battles of our time, and the real problems with the film

Circular stone maze lit with blue light on a rocky island at night

Perhaps, low expectations will leave me pleasantly surprised while high expectations will have the inverse effect for others, or perhaps we all simply have far too much time on our hands to bicker about a movie as though it were deeply important to our lives. Rarely, does a film generate controversy three months before its… Continue reading Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, the great cultural battles of our time, and the real problems with the film