Where do strange local pronunciations come from and how do they establish such an amazing foothold?
Case in point: When I first moved to Austin, Texas I discovered one of the main streets was named “Manchaca”. Now, growing up one of my friends was named David Menchaca (almost identical spelling) and he pronounced his name [...]
At no time am I more aware of the importance (and lack) of manners in society than when on vacation. Living in a tourist town like San Francisco you get to see the mindset of the vacationer: ‘This is my vacation. I’ve been waiting for this. I’m paying a lot of money for this. [...]
Who would have known that a brief rant on mass-production would get such an enthusiastic response, and not just on Concrete Academic? Yesterdays article turned out not at all what the editors here expected, and we’re currently in negotiation with Jeff Starr to drop his renaissance-man inclinations and oeuvre and write full time on furniture.
Why [...]
“A chicken in every pot! A car in every garage!” …and, you can add, junk made out of fiberboard in every living-room.
There’s no doubt that the Industrial Revolution was a two-edged sword. The benefits have been obvious: through efficient means of mechanization and engineering, products could be made at a much faster rate. Since the [...]
[An open critique of Michael's previous article.]
You are quite eloquent and make a valid point. However, there is another point of view. The speaker had several options. He could have prayed for himself, prayed according to a specific doctrine, prayed specifically for the event or prayed relative to his audience. Apparently his prayer was relative [...]
Matriarch to us all you are.
Amid the darkest night, the brightest star.
Mischievous humor and twinkling eyes,
A smile to rival brightest skies.
Nor can I forget that rapier wit,
Enough to chop you down to size, or make you stop—and ponder life a bit.
Will I one day be someone like you? Strong and wise, in control and caring, [...]
“That’s an interesting theory, but do you have any proof?” But what’s a theory, and what is proof? Does a lot of proof turn a theory into a fact? Do lots of facts prove a theory? Can you theorize facts into proofs? Before wading into some deeper waters tomorrow, I want to do some ground [...]
