Continuing my series of alternative responses to the New York Times column, The Ethicists, looking at the consequences of one’s actions instead of imposing values on others, here is my take on today’s post, ”Can I Hire Someone to Write My Résumé and Cover Letter?” I’m looking for a new job in the nonprofit sector and am considering using a résumé service to write my résumé and cover letter. Part[…] Keep reading →

Most people who love The Godfather 1 and 2 dislike the third because of the director’s daughter in a lead role, saying they don’t like her acting. I find the closing scene completes the story beautifully. What do I find so beautiful about this scene? It wordlessly communicates most of the themes of the series—family, women, men, intimacy, solitude, winning, America, and Sicily—with subtlety and complexity. I can’t put into[…] Keep reading →

A reader asked Have you ever worked with someone who found something they loved but weren’t good at? What did they do? Is it better to try to get better at something you love, or better to start loving something you’re good at? Passions tend to be for challenging things. I don’t think of people having passions for eating ice cream and cookies. I think you have to put in[…] Keep reading →

Years ago I enjoyed television dramas but now I can’t bear to watch them. Sopranos, Oz, Orange Is The New Black, House of Cards, Mad Men, etc. It hit me when some friends had me watch a few episodes of Breaking Bad. I enjoyed the acting. Each episode was compelling. Other dramas also have stunning sets and effects and beautiful people. I want to watch each next episode. But something[…] Keep reading →

Why do I talk about my daily habits so much? I was talking to a friend yesterday about them. She told me she didn’t get to exercise as much as she’d like, especially in busy times, and asked how I found time to exercise and write every day. I asked how she got anything done without a daily routine. A daily routine gives you and your day structure. Losing that[…] Keep reading →

What can you not define in terms of other things? I can define most things in terms of more fundamental things. Music is a bunch of sounds. Trees are kinds of plants. Books are assemblies of paper with writing on them. Some things feel harder to define in terms of more fundamental things. How do you define the color blue in terms of something more fundamental? You can describe photons[…] Keep reading →

I’m looking forward to spring fruit as much as anyone. I can’t wait for strawberries. I bought some last week, but they weren’t ready. I don’t think they were early for this season but shipped in from somewhere else. They didn’t taste like strawberries. I still remember the first strawberry I tasted in Paris the first Spring I was there. Best strawberry I’ve tasted, probably bred for flavor instead of[…] Keep reading →

Continuing my series of alternative responses to the New York Times column, The Ethicists, looking at the consequences of one’s actions instead of imposing values on others, here is my take on today’s post, ”Can I Profit From Accidentally Obtained Information?” At a previous job, I was responsible for complex negotiations that frequently involved email exchanges of draft transaction documents. One party would do a “redline” of the draft submitted[…] Keep reading →

I’ve been writing my The Ethicist column for over six months and wanted to co-opt another advice column. I can’t find any men’s relationship advice columns. Most advice columns for men seem to be about things advertised in men’s magazines—grooming, clothes, fashion, alcohol, and cars. “The gentleman’s guide to the perfect martini” or “Your grandfather wouldn’t wear white after Labor Day and neither should you.” Almost none are serious, instead[…] Keep reading →