Most of us tell and believe similar stories on the environment, something like the three below. Do they sound familiar? A while ago some scientists figured out that we’re destroying the planet. Everything I do is bad and I have to stop or they say I’m killing future generations. Every now and then they tell me it’s worse than they said before. There have been some big storms and droughts,[…] Keep reading →

We were born into a world with systems and practices that pollute. I don’t see how we can blame past generations for decisions they couldn’t have expected to result in our world. Who could have believed when coal first boiled water to steam and that steam created mechanical motion that we could choke the sky with fossil fuel smoke and heat the whole damned planet? Who could have imagined when[…] Keep reading →

Many institutions are changing their names, dropping connections to “benefactors” whose practices they no longer accept—slaveholders, opiate pushers, etc. Municipalities are taking down statues of slave traders and the like. NYU prides itself as promoting social justice, yet what of Tisch? NYU-Tisch is its school of the arts and one of its most prestigious schools. I love the place—the first NYU school I taught in, specifically the Interactive Telecommunications Program.[…] Keep reading →

This pandemic continues to reveal new aspects of relationships—or rather spending time with people does. I think we used to spend more time with people, not mediated by the internet or distracted by screens and other powered things. I shared a new analogy in my conversation with my mom that several people liked. I found that my stewardship contrasting with my mom and step-father’s wanting to live like they always[…] Keep reading →

This pandemic continues to reveal new aspects of relationships—or rather spending time with people does. I think we used to spend more time with people, not mediated by the internet or distracted by screens and other powered things. I shared a new analogy in my conversation with my mom that several people liked. I found that my stewardship contrasting with my mom and step-father’s wanting to live like they always[…] Keep reading →

I posted a podcast episode on Dr. Michael Greger’s video on pandemics, episode 318: Why pandemics will keep increasing and how we can reverse the trend. He was also a guest on the podcast. Today he posted the most valuable, comprehensive information on covid-19 I’ve seen, all referring to original research from medical and science literature. I rarely post other people’s material, but I found it worth copying. I’m contacting[…] Keep reading →

Laura and I go back a few years, from being on her podcast. We talk about her concept of emotional obesity: a parallel between physical health and emotional health. I find it a rich analogy on many levels. Characteristics of addiction to food that cause obesity resemble thoughts that cause emotional obesity. She describes her concept in more detail, but I find most helpful about it that it enables you[…] Keep reading →