culture
Email Addiction. Side-effects: Stupidity.
Way back in aught 08 (September 2008), I wrote about the building evidence for Internet addiction. The March 2010 Entrepreneur brings us an article by Joe Robinson (“Email is Making You Stupid“) which explores several aspects of technological addictions – including the harmful side-effects.
This article suggests that the burgeoning amount of emails, instant messages, tweets, [...]
An eye for an eye equals justice?
By now, you’ve certainly heard about the criminal case of an American student studying abroad in Italy – the alleged “mastermind” behind the death of her roommate. Chances are also pretty good that you’ve heard the verdict: 26 years in prison.
This morning I read an article which quoted the victim’s family’s lawyer as having said,
“With [...]
Language, measuring out our lives.
The November 30, 2009 Newsweek ended not with a bang, but with a sobering back story, entitled “What’s the Last Word in Capital Punishment?” (I had hoped to provide only a link, rather than recap the story, but can’t seem to find this on Newsweek’s website). Against the backdrop of a syringe, this story displays [...]
No Logos in Starbucks’ Logo
The other day I visited Starbucks after a hike. I ordered a tall latte and, as I waited on the barista, wandered around the store. I perused the obligatory black-and-white art, the collection of coffee mugs, and a rambling mess of Starbucks paraphernalia. When I had made an almost complete circle back to the barista, [...]
Offender Laws Offend the (Moral) Senses
Lately I’ve noticed a string of periodicals publishing stories which claim our sex offender laws are too harsh. I read one story and was unconvinced. I read another and, though I started puzzling over the matter in earnest, remained unmoved. A quick succession of a third and fourth article on the subject really had me [...]
Ropin’ In a New Genre
It seems each year, some organization ropes in another one of our fifty-two weeks and lays claim to it. Scanning Epromos’ list of these occasions, you might not be surprised to notice weeks have been designated for “Administrative Professionals,” “National Head and Neck Cancer Awareness,” Be Kind to Animals,” “National Tourism,” et cetera.
And yet, there [...]
The Economy Can’t Open Our Eyes to Angels and Demons
At my father’s insistence, I’m reading Dan Brown’s Angels & Demons. While lounging with the book today, a passage caught my attention, especially in light of recent news from the Pew Research Center:
“Perhaps miracle is the wrong word. I was simply trying to speak your language.”
“My language?” Langdon was suddenly uncomfortable. “Not to disappoint you, [...]
The Sexting Phenomenon and Accountability
I’m probably crossing a line with this post. I’ve been sitting on this one for about a week now, discussing this with friends and reflecting on it. My opinion hasn’t changed.
By now, you probably have heard of the sexting phenomenon. If not, in brief, it is the act of sending nude or semi-nude pictures of [...]
Still Brewing on Branding
I haven’t had much time to write in the last couple of weeks, but I still wanted to capture this train of thought somewhere.
At the turn of the month, I made my rounds to Talking Philosophy, where Jean Kazez had just written (competently, I feel) about the perils of caring too much and the virtue [...]
Drinking Age Debate
To some, it’s simply ”to drink or not to drink.” To others, it really is “to [die] or not to [die].” For the first time in twenty-five years, it seems now is the time to rehash the question. But, before considering whether or not the current drinking age of 21 years should be adjusted, it is [...]
