Category: Culture
-
The News Stand and the Farm Stand
I used to say that my life was really big and really small. It was really big because 100 days per year I lived out of a suitcase, flying around the world meeting people, promoting my business, and towards the end of that period living out my Savior Complex in a foolish attempt to reform…
-
While you’re at work
Between 6:00 – 9:00 AM your middle class neighborhood clears out. Or so you think. The vast majority of residents wake up, make a cup of coffee, put on morning radio, and drive to work. But what happens while you’re away? Have you ever wondered? Probably not. We live in an out of sight out…
-
Race in America
“We need to talk about race in America.” I’ve heard that phrase often. Whether it’s a political candidate stumbling over whether or not to disavow an association with the Klu Klux Klan or a pastor of an almost-all-white-church stumbling through an awkward conversation… it’s something you say that makes it seem like you’re really interested…
-
I Believe Change is Possible
I’m locked into my way of thinking. You are locked into yours. We’re enjoying the banter back and forth. I’m convinced I’m going to change you and visa versa. Of course, neither one of us changes our minds. The banter ends and we move on. This seems to be the course most online conversations take…
-
America is Safer Today Than When You Grew Up
I hear it all the time. “Things just aren’t what they used to be.” And I correct it all the time. “Actually, did you know that every measure of crime in America is down since you grew up? Did you know that things are so much better?” Comparing 1975 to 1995 to 2014 Crime Stats…
-
40 Stereotypical Things to Write in a Yearbook
Megan is in her last week of 8th grade. Yesterday, I asked her what she did at school to which she replied, “Pretty much we signed yearbooks all day in class. Then we had a yearbook signing party at the end of the day.” And that got me thinking… “What does one write in a…
-
Eyelashes, Dinner Tables, and Other Stuff that Promotes Long-term Health
Have you ever wondered why we have eyelashes? This morning, while making coffee, I poured boiling water into our french press and it splashed a little in an unexpected way. A fraction of a second later my eyelid batted away a drop of boiling water that’d somehow missed my glasses. Think about that. When you blink,…
-
The Value of Attention
If you want to know what’s important to a person… 1990s answer — Look in their checkbook… and follow the money. Where a person spends money shows what they really value. 2000s answer — Look at their calendar… and see where they spend their time. Where a person spends their time shows what they really…
-
Playing Tag, Riding Bikes, and other Nefarious Activities of Children
“We don’t allow tag” Kristen and I looked at one another yesterday and giggled. It was more of a silenced snort. I looked down to hide my grin of disbelief. My 10-year old son had gotten into trouble for playing tag in the school yard at lunch. Even his teacher knew how silly it sounded.…
-
Everyone is a minority somehow
In a pluralistic society everyone is a minority somehow. By minority, I mean that in an academic way. Meaning not a people group universally identified as a minority group but a group. We most often think of that in terms or race. I mean our society is now acknowledging groups of self-identified people who have…