I know predicting the future is difficult (even today, our smart phones can do so much more than the fabled Stark Trek Communicators), especially when things are progressing so rapidly (when I was growing up we still had a telephone party line and got two TV channels in black and white). But if you think
If you could save five lives for the cost of one person’s life, would you? What about saving five lives by murdering one person? These are thought-provoking moral dilemmas explored in the podcast “Driverless Dilemma” on the National Public Radio show Radiolab, which was originally broadcast on September 26, 2017. Most people say “yes” to
When I was in high school in the 1960s, I often wondered how that era would be remembered — would it be the Atomic Age or the Space Age? Now it appears the best label would be the Transistor Age. I was reminded of that when I read that October 18, 1954, was the first
Harvey Kurtzman , the creator of Mad magazine, was born in Brooklyn on October 3, 1924. As a youngster Kurtzman began drawing comics. He even sent some “very bad” drawings to Walt Disney. It wasn’t until he saw college humor magazines that he realized that was the style that best suited his talents. Kurtzman started
Somehow, I’ve ended up with a whole drawer of plastic cutlery. I’m not sure how, they’ve just accumulated over the years. What a waste of plastic! Fortunately for the environment, I’m not the only one who feels that way. Bakey’s, a company in India, is mass-producing edible, biodegradable spoons. In a country that reportedly discards
Since about 2000, smoking has been banned on virtually all airline flights. Yet if you’ve flown recently, you’ll notice there are still illuminated “No Smoking” signs, there is a sign on the bathroom door, and below that sign is an ashtray. Why? Have you every heard the saying “There’s always someone who doesn’t get the
If I were smart, I wouldn’t touch this topic. I’ve never even been married myself, but I can’t resist. So, as a public service, I’m going to share some recent information on having a happy marriage. Here goes — The title is “Underrated Qualities To Look For In A Spouse, According To Experts” by Kelsey
According to The Writer’s Almanac, September 27, 1825 was the beginning of the first steam-powered passenger railway service in England — “It brought together the work of George Stephenson, builder of coal mine steam engines, and Edward Pease, who wanted to build a delivery system to bring coal to the market towns of Darlington and
We’re living longer and longer. This is true of the entire Western world, where taking care of the elderly is becoming a major concern. When I was in Japan a few years ago, I noticed all the elevators had places to sit. This care is compounded by the decline in mental function among many. According
Today is the official start of Fall (or Autumn), because it’s the Equinox. Google says the Autumn Equinox comes at exactly 4:02 pm EDT on September 22nd. Equinox, since it’s derived from the word “equal”, means daylight and nighttime are exactly the same. But like everything in this world, it’s complicated. According to EarthSky, there