THINKING–AND THE TURK
HOW DO WE think? In these days of artificial intelligence, not to say unexpected political outcomes, this question is a non-trivial one. A new book on this, and more, is … Continue reading
A CELEBRATION OF SAKI
H.H. MUNRO, pen name Saki, wrote 100 years ago about Edwardian England. His stories and plays are akin to those of Oscar Wilde, P.G. Wodehouse and today’s Julian Fellowes–but with … Continue reading
“DO PUT DOWN THE REVOLVER”
THIS WONDERFUL TITLE appeared in the London Review of Books, August 14, 2016, in a book review written by Rosemary Hill, whose other work in LRB I’ve enjoyed. I’m sure … Continue reading
THE LRB ON BREXIT
THE BREXIT REFERENDUM asked voters in the United Kingdom whether to Remain in or Leave the European Union, and “Leave” gathered more votes. But, as described in essays in the London … Continue reading
THE ULBRICHT CAPER
FROM TIME to time, stories on the electronic currency Bitcoin appear in the media. On May 2, 2016, for example, BBC News reported that “Australian Craig Wright Claims to be Bitcoin … Continue reading
THE WEATHER, DAWN AND A BUTTERFLY’S FLUTTER
“EVERYBODY TALKS about the weather…” is sometimes attributed to Mark Twain, though just as nobody does anything about it, nor has this quote ever been verified as Twain’s. No matter, … Continue reading
ST. EXPEDITUS
A LETTER to the Editor in the London Review of Books, October 8, 2015, introduced me to St. Expeditus, the patron saint countering procrastination. Being able to procrastinate with the … Continue reading
A FOGGY DAY/IN LONDON TOWN…
IRA GERSHWIN wrote the lyrics, his brother George composed the melody, and Fred Astaire introduced the song in the 1937 movie A Damsel in Distress. Old-time movie buffs may recall … Continue reading
THE CYBERPHILOLOGIST WILL SEE YOU NOW…
IN THE old days, I mean really old, the word “scientist” didn’t exist. I learned this reading “Megafauna,” by Adrienne Mayor, in the London Review of Books, July 2, 2015 … Continue reading
HAPPY 800TH, MAGNA CARTA!
IT WAS JUNE 15, 1215, that King John of England granted concessions to 25 of his barons at Runnymede, about 20 miles west of what’s now central London. From then … Continue reading
Simanaitis Says 