Ever bought a new car? Imagine if you were buying a morning paper instead. First off, once spotted browsing the newspapers you’d be scooped up by the assistant asking if you are looking to buy a newspaper today. Perhaps, you say, but for the moment you’re just trying to get an idea of the cost. Any chance of a lower…
I met an English-speaking stranger in a bar in Casablanca. I saw a bloke in the local pub. Two very similar statements, but you might think the first is much more interesting than the second. “Go on,” you might say in response to the first; “Have you seen my keys” to the second. There really isn’t much difference in the language of the two…
The first piece of advice I ever received about babies was very indirect, received years before I became a parent, and came from an office manager. “I bet you pick up babies by their ears, too,” she said as I carefully carried a typewriter across the room by its platen knobs. After that there were a good few years during…
Gift. Simple word, isn’t it? Short and to the point. Something given without payment or reward, and top of mind this time of year. If only it were that simple. In America even the simplest gift, such as holding a door open for someone or handing them their coat, comes with unspoken but culturally mandated obligation. When someone walks through…
If you want to start a rumor, conduct a research study. It sounds more expensive than starting a rumor, but it’s not; research studies show that you only need a strong opinion and an internet connection. Research studies have shown that coffee is both good and bad for you, that it both is and isn’t worth getting a college education,…
People talk about writer’s block. The unforgiving blank page, screaming “Create, why don’t you?” while the writer sits there almost unable to move. But that’s not where the problem lies. It’s not a problem with getting started, with coming up with something, inventing or developing a story, of finding something to say. As soon as you start begins the struggle to eliminate everything you…
“I hate computers” is something you still hear a lot these days, which is surprising because computers are everywhere and you’d think we’d be more comfortable with them by now. “I hate doors” would make about as much sense. Yes, they sometimes don’t operate as we expect them to — we should have pulled not pushed, surprise surprise it slides,…
During dinner with his wife, Professor Schrödinger is very excited. He’s come up with a new way to poke fun at his colleagues. Annemarie can see he has something to say, and he’s dying to say it. “So what is it this time?” she asks him, keen to get this over with quickly. Schrödinger is delighted to be given the opportunity,…
Were old cars designed to look old, or what? There’s nothing so dated as an old car, is there? It’s clear when a car was designed and built just a few years back. The lines, the materials, the interior. Wheels. Lights. It just says “old”. But why? My other appliances look fine for years. My fridge is good. My washer….
Most of us would swat Jiminy Cricket the first time he opened his bony little mouth to patronize us. Shoulder insects that point out things we ought to know might be useful in some circumstances (welcome to the house, Senator — here’s your shoulder insect) but these days they’d be a tough sell for everyday use. Which makes Alexa, the spirit in Amazon’s…