Oh, How Times Have Changed

When my grandfather was born, they still used horses and buggies. One third of Americans were farmers. Irving Berlin was a household name. Newspapers were the only form of mass communication available except for maybe shouting. Entertainment was different, too. People entertained each other. Books were luxury items.

Taylor Swift Knocks on Wood and Misses the Point

Taylor Swift’s new single “Wood” is what happens when superstition, sexuality, and self-help memes all get tossed into a blender, set to a drum machine, and poured over a pile of sparkles. It’s catchy, sure. But somewhere between the “knock on wood” line and the anatomical metaphors, it’s clear she’s playing with ideas she doesn’t fully grasp—like a toddler with a theology textbook.

Don’t Ever Grow Up

Dear Kid,

Don’t grow up. Don’t turn into an adult. That’s my advice. Resist adulthood. Be a kid forever.

Right now, a lot of adults are angry in America. To be fair, we have a lot to be angry about. But adults can behave badly when they are angry. So please forgive us.

Challenge Accepted

Natalie Grabow, of Mountain Lakes, New Jersey, has just become the oldest woman to finish the Ironman World Championship Triathlon. Amazingly, Natalie only learned how to swim around age 60. Today, Natalie is 80 years old.