Extrapolation can be remarkably effective in influencing public behavior. By estimating a dramatic future result on the basis of known facts, politicians, economists, environmentalists, insurance salespeople among others attempt to bolster their arguments for changing attitudes or actions. Extrapolation can…
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As important as I believe good lyrics are to a song, I confess to either not knowing or understanding the words of some of my favorite songs. For example, I had no idea what Lou Reed’s “Sword of Damocles” was…
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It’s taken less than a generation for the proliferation of social media to affect the core of our interpersonal communication and socialization. Mostly, the impact is considered in practical terms. The good: convenience, access, efficiency, immediacy. The bad: distracted driving…
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It’s everywhere you turn -- signs of unintelligent life. Here are two random examples of in-your-face abuse of the English language: Fan sign at a ballgame: “WE (LOVE) ARE NY (YANKEES)” Artwork on the sidewalk in front of a sign…
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Since the turn of the century, we’ve botched the date. Fortunately we’ve got yet another annual opportunity to correct this awkward situation. Let’s make this year’s New Year’s resolution precedent setting, even historic. And simple, too: Let’s all agree to…
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Unfortunately, Walmart’s Veterans Day initiative -- “GreenLight A Vet” -- appeared to be better than it was. The TV commercial in heavy rotation this November encouraged viewers, “Let’s shine a light on our veterans by changing one light to green,…
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Warning: A communicable disease is infecting the English language and obscuring our thinking. Described alternately as initialisms or acronyms or simply abbreviations, the rampant overuse of this mumble jumble -- letters masquerading as words -- has reached critical mass. Barely…
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Disillusion was the takeaway after attended yet another conference on aging. I expected a different outcome but got more of the same, again. Yipes, isn’t that the definition of insanity. For my own sanity, I thought I’d share my cynical…
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Here’s another example why record stores are struggling to survive. I walk a couple of miles down Land Park Drive to Broadway, to Dimple Records, the local independent music store, excited to pick up the new Ryan Adams, Deerhunter and…
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It began innocently enough – all fun and games. While earning college credits as a staff photographer for the Sacramento State Hornet student newspaper in the late seventies, I wrote a letter to the media relations director of the Oakland…
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