I watched clips of the recent Trump/Vance/Zelensky meeting to “negotiate the terms to end the Russian/Ukraine war” and, like many Americans, was once again embarrassed for my country with the abhorrent lack of professionalism, class and basic courtesy displayed by Trump and his team. Putting aside any geopolitical positions and implications of the war, this…
Freedom Of Speech Smokescreen
When politicians and pundits cry for “freedom of speech”, hold onto your wallet because they’re almost always trying to put something over on you. What most people mean when they protest about freedom of speech is: “I want to say whatever I want and not suffer any consequences…but I don’t want you to have the right…
Creep
Since 2021, my weight has slowly creeped up a few pounds each year. Winters are especially noticeable because I tend to eat more mindlessly when it’s dark and cold outside. Generally what happens is I’ll pay attention and try to eat less for a few weeks until I get back to an acceptable weight. That…
Fighting The Last War
Generals always prepare to fight the last war – especially if they won it. George Clemenceau I have been reading the book “Generations” by Jean Twenge. It it she presents compares and contrasts 6 American generations: Silent – Boomers – GenX – Millenials – Gen Z – Gen Alpha. Twenge says, “They have had vastly…
Daily Thoughts Of Death
If you had told me when I was younger that I’d spend nearly every day thinking about death, I would have said you were crazy. And yet, now, I think of death all the time. I don’t fear it. Nor am I suicidal. Death became an integral part of my life when my stepdaughter died…
Where Is The Violence?
Given the chaotic, capricious and callous way that Musk is laying off thousands of federal government employees I am surprised that nobody has “gone postal“ yet. During my career as a manager, I fired a much smaller number of employees and still had a couple where I wanted security involved to head off any violent…
Stair Master
A podcaster quoted a study that said 95% of people take the escalator vs. the stairs when they had the choice. Then the podcaster said, “I created a rule for myself which is – always take the stairs unless there are exceptional circumstances”. I have the same rule, although I apply it more often to…
The Manifesting Grift
There are countless authors, influencers, podcasters, success coaches, motivational experts and internet personalities who pitch manifesting as the method for “creating the life you want”. In addition to these pitch men, there are innumerable multimillionaire athletes, actors, musicians, executives and entrepreneurs who credit their success to “really wanting it and working hard”. No wonder so…
The Crisis Of Masculinity Is Overhyped
From traditional media to “Bro” podcasts to quasi-intellectuals like Prof G and Jordan Peterson, it seems like everyone is talking about the “crisis of masculinity” that’s sweeping through American boys and men like an epidemic. Please. Spare me. Experts (and non-experts with opinions) opine about problems that plague young men including issues with identity, relationships,…
We Are All Irrelevant
Chrissy Teagan, a former model who married John Legend, was featured on a podcast I heard yesterday. I have never been a fan of hers. Like many once famous celebrities, she seems to be clinging to whatever fame she can maintain. The problem is, she’s no longer a hot supermodel. She and Legend are no…