For most of the past 5,000 years, the period of human history when monetary systems arose and spread across the globe, wealth has been measured by the accumulation of assets. Land, precious metal, slaves, tulip bulbs or any combinations thereof - all of which at... Continue

We live in complex, trying times. We know more about what's happening in the world than any people who have ever lived before; much of it is disturbing, and about which we can often do little or mostly nothing. Closer to home, the emotions being... Continue

I love to read books; pencil in hand I underline points and passages that strike me as important, add margin notes, and often return to read significant portions over again. I do some reading online, but for me it's no substitute for resting a book... Continue

Those who dissent or speak out are often dismissed derisively as members of "a vocal minority." This happened during the 2013 Measure B election to limit the size of new hotels in Sonoma, even though that measure lost by less than one-percent. Now I'm hearing... Continue

I've been looking for a kids' book that's about eating animals. There are plenty of books about eating vegetables and fruits, and books about why they are good for us, but I cannot find even one book for toddlers that explains the whys and wherefores,... Continue

It was recently announced that a mega-wealthy, former bank CEO and his wife have donated $185 million to UCSF for the creation of a new institute of neuroscience, not surprisingly to be named after them. Their gift represents a new high for UCSF "philanthropy", and follows... Continue

Population pressure plus expanding tourism is quickly pushing Sonoma Valley beyond its carrying capacity. This happened in the Napa Valley years ago, as anyone who has navigated Hwy. 29 in June or July has discovered. For those who commute to work in San Francisco or... Continue

My wife and I recently traveled to Seattle to visit her ninety-six-year-old Godmother, and along the way found ourselves hungry at the airport. The options for eating at airports have improved immensely, but our particular American penchant for fast food still dominates. Airports, naturally, include... Continue

In the garden Amid the whispering bamboo and Wind chimes He sits and enters the samadhi Called "nothing happens" [caption id="attachment_65846" align="alignnone" width="420"] Kurt von Meier, PhD - Circa 1966[/caption] I've become an object of study in an anthropological research program. Seriously, two earnest doctoral professors... Continue