Changing Times
Since 1999, the U.S. suicide rate has risen almost 28%, according to figures from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), a rate almost 50% higher than the global average rate. The increase in the...
View ArticleThe Misuse of Labels
Americans, and perhaps all societies, have a tendency to label whatever they believe in and support in positive terms and apply negatives to their opponents and opposing views. This shows up especially...
View ArticleDistrusting The Media
Trump has now declared that “Much of our news media is indeed the enemy of the people…” In short, any media story or outlet that criticizes him or the actions of his administration is an “enemy of the...
View ArticleEntertainment Bias
The other day I came across a magazine ad with the heading of “Attraction Is Only Natural,” a picture below, and the following language: “The [XXXX] instantly draws you in. And with the instant access...
View ArticleJust Google It…
How many times have you heard that phrase or something similar… or used your mouse, thumbs, or fingers – or Siri – to look up something you likely should have known… just to make sure… or because it...
View ArticleFree Press… or Fake News?
After CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins persisted in asking President Trump questions he didn’t want to answer, press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders and communications chief Bill Shine told Collins she...
View ArticleMore of the Same
From what I can see politically, the hard-core Republicans who largely control the Republican Party are more and more worried about the increasingly liberal Democratic Party, and, as a result, are...
View ArticleAwards, Panels, and Diversity
For those who are fortunate enough to have missed the latest kerfuffle involving the World Science Fiction Convention, this year, when a preliminary program was posted, there was an uproar. Why?...
View ArticleScience in S.F.
For some time, I’ve had a sneaking suspicion that some readers who proclaim their love of science fiction don’t really love science or SF that actually relies on science. What they love are the...
View Article“Enemy of the People”
Now that Trump has called at least some members of the media “the enemy of the people,” it’s apparently time for another refresher course in history, especially since far too many Americans have a...
View ArticleReaping What You Sow
A significant segment of U.S. media is upset, and rightfully so, that President Trump has called members of the media “the enemy of the people.” I’m anything but happy about this turn of events, but I...
View ArticleArticle 1
I’ve obviously gotten behind in noting what I’ve recently read, and part of that is because I’ve been trying to finish a novel [more on that in a few weeks] and also been required to proof the galleys...
View ArticlePositive or Negative?
As most of readers of my website know, I try very hard not to make negative comments about books that I’ve read. If I don’t like a book, or don’t find it good, or even if I don’t find it as good as the...
View ArticleFlight Talk
Over the years, I’ve embarked on more than a few airline flights, the vast majority of them for business of one sort or another, and it’s interesting to consider what’s changed… and how. The most...
View ArticleNew Tech and One-Size-Fits-All
In past blogs, I’ve talked about the problems created by the willy-nilly unaccepting push to adopt new technology and new software simply because it’s “new,” and new must be better. But there’s a...
View ArticleJohn S. McCain, III
I never knew John McCain personally, although we certainly could have met. We were both Naval aviators, but I got my wings only months before he was shot down over Hanoi, and I later worked as a...
View ArticleLead-Time and Instant Expectations
Quite a number of writers have a successful first book, possibly even a second… and then fade into obscurity. There are several reasons for this. The first is obvious. The fact is that later books...
View ArticleThe Poppy War
R. F. Kuang’s recently released novel – The Poppy War – has received a great deal of publicity and praise. It’s a remarkable book. It’s also an incredibly brutal book set in an analogue to the Song...
View ArticleMasculine, Macho, or Misogynist?
Late last month, Trump supporters were again chanting “Lock her up!” at a political rally, even though Hillary isn’t on the ballot anywhere. Republican campaign ads target House Minority Leader Nancy...
View ArticleA Lying Supreme Court Justice?
In the early 2000s, Judge Brett Kavanaugh was working to get then-President George W. Bush’s judicial nominations through Senate confirmation hearings. At that time Republican Senate aide Manuel...
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