“Ben laughed. “You think all religions are scams, don’t you?” “Yes, I suppose I do,” Epstein said. “But the religions are mostly scamming themselves. That they scam others is usually a side-effect.” ― James L. Halperin, The First Immortal
When I was in my teens, my older brother Bill got me into a variety of sales. We sold cookware, encyclopedias, Bibles, guitar lessons, and at one point Bill even sold rugs. I sold magazine subscriptions both door-to-door and by telephone. I set up appointments by telephone for home improvement and siding salesmen. The 1987 … More Laying the Block
“In the first place God made idiots. This was for practice. Then he made school boards.” –Mark Twain
You learn something new every day. Today I learned never to order quinoa salad for lunch. My wife claims she was born with this knowledge. She ordered a turkey sandwich. And I’m still hungry. Quinoa is one of those superfoods that are supposed to have wondrous properties like anti-inflammatory phytonutrients and antioxidants that promote health … More It’s a Racket
“The Biblical literalists have moved from the center of Flat Earth belief to its fringe, and their place has been taken by believers in conspiracy theories and alternate science. 21st century Flat Earthers are less likely to recite Bible verses and more likely to oppose vaccination, to charge that 9/11 was an inside job, and … More Quote of the Day
I had a heart attack in 2008, so naturally I have a cardiologist I see for annual checkups. On one of my first visits to my cardiologist, he assured me, to my great relief, that moderate drinking is permissible for me. For a man, moderate drinking is defined as two drinks at any one drinking … More The Watchful Eye of the Cardiologist
“But the disposition to disagree, to reject and to dissent – however irritating it may be when taken to extremes – is the very lifeblood of an open society. We need people who make a virtue of opposing mainstream opinion. A democracy of permanent consensus will not long remain a democracy.” ― Tony Judt, Ill … More Quote of the Day
Years ago we were invited to our friend Sally’s house for a Christmas get-together of hot mulled wine and snacks. She met us at the door with a piece of blood-stained paper towel wrapped around one hand and holding sauce pan in the other. “Hi, Come in.” “Have you injured your hand?” “Oh, it’s just … More My Brief Brush With Entrepreneurship
“Ce qu’on ne peut pas dire, il ne faut surtout pas le taire, mais l’écrire.”–Jacques Derrida
I seem to be consistently wrong about almost everything. I have been wrong about Donald Trump at every stage of his ascent. When Trump first started to make real headway in his quest for the Republican nomination, I compared his appeal to the Republican base to the delight some people take in smelling their own … More On Being Wrong
No Harm Spilt 