Category Archives: Modern Life

Idiocracy

Yesterday, August 27, 2025, really must be counted as one of the worst days of my life. Because the Mets swept the Phillies? Honestly, I really couldn’t care less. Baseball, like. getting to the ocean, used to be one of the things that made Summer what it was. That hasn’t been true for some timeContinue reading “Idiocracy”

Syriana + Quark= Our Neighborhood (*)

Last night, I watched Syriana for the nth time. Maybe after n+1 times I will finally be sure I have figured out what the Hell was going on. And having Bashir from Deep Space Nine as an Emir really doesn’t help. I keep looking for Quark. Oh, well. Looking for Quark. The Ferengi as metaphorContinue reading “Syriana + Quark= Our Neighborhood (*)”

The Cathedral Isn’t Telling

I live in San Antonio, Texas. It’s ok. Everyone has got to live somewhere. So why not here? But occasionally I wonder just what the Hell I am doing here. Today was one of those days. I always admired the opening line of Mario Vargas Llosa’s brilliant novel, Conversation in the Cathedral (1969). “At whatContinue reading “The Cathedral Isn’t Telling”

Economics is Everywhere

Economics is Everywhere. No. I didn’t invent the phrase. Daniel Hamermesh, a labor economist who I wish I had had as a colleague instead of the one I suffered with, is responsible for the useful observation (and accompanying textbook, which I assume, in a fifth edition, is doing very well). Actually, for years now, thisContinue reading “Economics is Everywhere”

From 84 Charing Cross to Mickey D’s: It’s Worse than Spengler Thought

This is London. I am seated in the cafetería at Marks and Spencer. My life is not at risk. I expect no sympathy. I expect even fewer readers. Vox clamans in deserto or no, it is Christmas season in a world capital. And not just any world capital. As Ed Murrow would say, “This isContinue reading “From 84 Charing Cross to Mickey D’s: It’s Worse than Spengler Thought”

Morta Sotto Il Carro

Maybe she slipped and fell. Or maybe, in the early evening, just around sunset, she just didn’t see it coming. You know, little kids are always running around, playing, especially in groups. A group of children playing in a city street. Nothing unusual about that. Maybe tag. Maybe something else. It’s not as if itContinue reading “Morta Sotto Il Carro”

Convergence, Big Time (with apologies to Lant Pritchett)

I have been trying to write this damn thing for a long time. I’ve started. Discarded. Started. Discarded. Started again. Ah, I say. What’s the use? This is above my pay grade. There is no sense publicly demonstrating you don’t know what you’re talking about. But then, like the Hound of Heaven, maybe the HoundContinue reading “Convergence, Big Time (with apologies to Lant Pritchett)”

Happy Valentine’s Day, Andrés Manuel

Pa todos mis amigos de Mexico, sin rencor y sin politica, pero sí con mucho amor. Let me make it clear from the outset. I do not regard this as any more than a glorified opinion piece. It is not an academic study. No one has reviewed it. And I, as much as anyone, amContinue reading “Happy Valentine’s Day, Andrés Manuel”

Yeah. It still hurts. Losing your illusions always does

Here’s the thing. Jack Kennedy got it the way he wanted it. All at once. That’s the way to go. My grandfather, Joe Villari was really never sick a day in his life, and then dropped dead. It damn near killed the family, but it was a blessing for him. He deserved no less. Well,Continue reading “Yeah. It still hurts. Losing your illusions always does”