A more perfect union

Those reading over their copy of the Constitution this July 4th might think it needs some serious updating for the 21st century. After all, it was last changed 32 years ago -- in 1992 -- when the 27th Amendment (Google it) was approved by 3/4ths... Continue

Another failure to communicate

On June 5 the Sonoma City Council responded to a long festering demand by local citizens – including a significant number of students from Sonoma Valley High School – by drafting and introducing a ceasefire resolution about the war in Gaza. The resolution was reasonable,... Continue

Homo whaticallus

The Homo line of bipedal humans sequenced through a variety of iterations before settling down, albeit uncomfortably, into the one we are today. Among others, there’s been Homo habilis, Homo erectus, Homo heidelbergensis, and the now popular Homo neanderthalensis. All these primate species share characteristics... Continue

Don’t take the bait

Tom was 82 years old, enjoying his retirement and looking forward to spending more time with his children and grandchildren. Through smart investments in the stock market (including Apple stock at $18/share in 1998) he had amassed a sizable portfolio of over $900,000. This nest... Continue

Reverting to orality

People have been speaking and using words for a very long time, but writing and reading is something relatively new. The bicameral mind, psychologist Julian Jaynes' idea that for most of humanity’s history internal thoughts were regarded as the voice of gods or spirits, is... Continue

Reality and perception, are they distinct and different concepts?

As I was growing up my father constantly downplayed our dreams saying they were not reality. I now realize that his “reality” was, indeed, only his perception of reality. As I grew older, I found out I could make lots more money than he did... Continue

Match.com

"I enjoy candlelit dinners, a walk on a moonlit beach, and spending time in the woods enjoying the beautiful nature around us." Oh please. Who writes this dreck? I've perused dating sites and laughed at the liars on there. Give me someone who has honed... Continue

A stroll around Lake Suttonfield

On a recent morning, I strolled l around Lake Suttonfield at the former Sonoma Developmental Center. It is in the heart of the wildlife corridor where I’ve walked for decades. I was dazzled by the wildflowers and birds that I might have missed had I... Continue

The choices we make

Being born is choiceless, but fairly soon thereafter we begin to choose. The choices we make follow the branching structure of time, each moment of choosing akin to a bud on a twig that either begins to grow or withers away. As living beings, we... Continue

Life and death on Hwy. 101

People are afraid of being killed by all sorts of things: branches falling from big trees, being attacked by vicious dogs, dying in a plane crash, drowning at sea. These are possible ways to go, of course, but for my money getting killed while driving... Continue

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