And just like that, above the din of a sonic boom heard the free world over, the self-built media icon with the bizarre first name is gone. Oprah, released to the graveyard of cancelled and closed-up television programs, a desolate place where George Costanza knocks elbows with Hawkeye Pierce, aired her final show this week. In strong contrast to the vast celebrity love-ins that characterized the last couple...
A scientist approaches God and says, “Listen, we’ve decided we no longer need you. Nowadays, we can clone people, transplant hearts and do all kinds of things that were once considered miraculous.” God hears the guy out before replying. “All right,” he says. “To see whether or not you still need me, why don’t we have a man-making contest?” “I’m in,” says the scientist. “Now, we’re going to do this just...
Regret is such an unpleasant emotion. It nibbles at the edges of choice, eroding certainty and filling the mind with uncomfortable contemplations. In full force, it suffocates the spirit, insisting upon a recognition of past decisions whose subsequent second-guessing can leave a soul reeling with remorse. Best to avoid the stuff altogether. A recent study out of the States—Regrets of the Typical American: Findings...
The world right now seems shrouded in such incredible murk it’s a wonder any of us can put a foot in front of the other. Every new day, every new Anderson Cooper utterance, every new splash of 72-point newsprint ink brings fresh reason for despair. The aftershocks of a devastating earthquake on a pristine strip of humanity in the South Pacific. The ravings of a despot in northern Africa intent on taking a country...
There is an ancient Cree maxim that sums up blessedly the irrefutable connection that exists between the notion of sustainability and the notion of spirituality. “Only after the last tree has been cut down,” the adage opens, gravely, “only after the last fish has been caught, only after the last river has been poisoned, only then will you realize that money cannot be eaten.” It’s a sobering message, particularly...