If you gave a guy a piece of paper and told him to design a holiday from scratch, it would look a lot like Super Bowl Sunday. ...more

February 1, 2009

Linda Cardamone, the owner of the Three Legged Poodle in Sun City Center, said pets love to be pampered for the holidays, but Christmas is not the best time to adopt a new pet. ...more

December 3, 2008

I was thinking about the effect of bias in thinking and decision making. It came up in the context of some people indicating they could not vote for Obama for president because he was black, no matter what; a predictable and unfortunate attitude with some in the American South. But it started me thinking about bias in general, where and how much weight it is given in all kinds of thinking, in the process of decision making. Firstly, I was concerned with whether it becomes a factor in evaluation, whether it is included, inappropriately, in a list of concerns which lead to a decision. That would be bad enough but what if it serves as a filter, to block the receipt of otherwise relevant information never let into the process of weighing facts and making choices on a rational basis? I was watching a TV show, book reviewing, and I decided I didn't like the necktie worn by the lecturer. It was a skimpy, pale, stripy bow tie, an utterly silly looking thing and as I looked at it, the words of the lecturer seemed to fade. Was this merely an absurd fashion bias on my part or perhaps my questioning why anyone would wear such a tie and whether the choice of wearing such a tie reflected on the quality of the judgment-making ability of the wearer, and shouldn't I take that into consideration in weighing, or even accepting the quality of his opinion, downgrade his believability or even reject everything he has to say out of hand because of his flawed judgment in necktie selection? ...more

August 11, 2008

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. It's 1962. Kennedy is in the White House. Chubby Checker is still doing the twist. Doris Day is starring in "That Touch of Mink." Cigarettes are romantic. White males rule the workplace. Women are bound by tight girdles and second-class status. Gays are deep in the closet. And everything is about to change. ...more

July 26, 2008

There are no electric guitars, neon lights or television screens at Grace Baptist Church of New Tampa. On Sunday mornings, members don't arrive expecting to see a good show. They come to listen and to learn. ...more

July 23, 2008

Workplace attire, loosened by casual Friday in the 1990s, is now gradually being stripped of two mainstays: neckties and pantyhose. ...more

June 14, 2008

That ugly new tie you got for Christmas may be the only safe one in your wardrobe. ...more

January 3, 2008