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, “What Should an Ethicist Tell His Readers?” I’ve just been asked to take on a column that deals with ethical quandaries. Is there anything I should let readers know? KWAME ANTHONY APPIAH My response: The person[…] Keep reading →

I heard yet another person saying “I don’t have time for negative people. I’m a positive person. I can’t let them bring me down.” Oh, how perfect they sound! High and mighty! He blithely and ironically didn’t notice the negative start to what he said, “I don’t have time for…” Sometimes they’ll outright say so-and-so is a negative person. People who talk about others being negative are judging others by[…] Keep reading →

After writing about bad boys, success, and discipline yesterday, you might ask, “What about Tiger Woods? Why was he pilloried? He is full of discipline. Why didn’t society accept of him something many successful athletes do?” I’m no expert on public relations, but I see two main issues. First, the lesser issue. He doesn’t have a bad boy reputation. His is clean cut and respectful, or looks that way to[…] Keep reading →

Many adults wonder how to make new friends. If the following sounds familiar, read my response below it. I feel like I only have like one guy friend maybe 2. The one we don’t have a ton in common but our wives are friends so we hang out. The other is a guy friend from work we eat lunch together quite a bit and chat at work but never anything[…] Keep reading →

“Nice throw!” I was throwing a frisbee with a teammate this summer. We were warming up on a big grassy field some Monday or Wednesday evening this summer before our summer league game. If you don’t know the sport of ultimate frisbee and you think of frisbees as something you casually throw at the beach or to a trained dog, then we have a misunderstanding. Ultimate is challenging and intense,[…] 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 Lie to My Father About Being Gay So He Will Pay for My College Education?” I am a young gay man in college. My father generously pays for my tuition and rent. The problem[…] Keep reading →

Next time someone you hear “It’s not what you know, it’s whom you know,” tell them who said it they still don’t get it. More important than whom you know is your skill and ability to meet people. If you can meet people and make meaningful connections, then you can create for yourself the “whom you know.” It’s not what you know or whom you know. It’s how well you[…] Keep reading →