Many of us are attentive to the food we consume. We try to eat fresh, watch the carbs, moderate the fast food, avoid soft drinks, and not overdo it with the portion sizes. However, we might be less attentive to what we allow into our brain. The digital landscape being what it is, we are … More The Brain Diet
As we go through life, we learn things. Sometimes we learn in school, sometimes by experience. We accumulate facts, process feelings, and make judgments. We behave and make choices, for the most part, consistent with the worldview we’ve constructed from these various elements. Our opinions are formed. We may affix labels to ourselves in order … More The Value of New Information
I had an enjoyable conversation with a dear friend recently. She is quite a character: formerly a hard-nosed entrepreneur and sparkling Monaco socialite, she began life as the youngest daughter in a prominent French family. After a rigorous and no nonsense education at a Swiss boarding school, circumstances abruptly dropped the centuries-old family estate in … More The Dangers of Comfort
After reading the recent news about protests against Elon Musk and his role in the Trump Administration, I felt troubled. Of course, people have a right to voice their opposition to the South African’s unelected role in American government, considering his companies’ numerous federal contracts. Conflicts of interest are inherent and obvious in this case. … More A War We Don’t Need
It has been a long, wet winter here in the French countryside. Recently, however, we have finally been blessed with a few days of sunshine, and each new dawn seems to promises warmer temperatures and a slow introduction to spring. The ducks are paddling in the pond, and a few brave frogs have begun croaking. … More What I’m Reading Now
Conservative columnist David Brooks gave a remarkable 15 minute speech recently. While I don’t often agree with his political views, I found it a clarion call for our nation and our world. Enjoy it. Share it. BGT
We can all look back on our lives and identify good traits and bad, smart choices and blunders, luck and misfortune. We can see how we’ve changed, improved or declined, harnessed our habits or become victims of them. The most difficult challenge I face is accepting the fact that other people are not me. Not … More The Most Difficult Thing For Me
I recently found myself giving advice to an aspiring writer. It’s an opportunity that I look forward to, most of the time. I’ve had the privilege of learning most of my craft on my own, by trial and error, with little assistance from mentors, professors, or colleagues. I say ‘privilege’ because the road has been … More Without Discipline…?
As you all know, I am a writer, not an economist. That said, I have seen a few things in my time here on the planet, and I do understand how the economy works–or doesn’t–in general terms. I have also learned to ignore hyperbole: nothing is ever as good as it seems or as bad … More Not Business As Usual
I received an email recently concerning personal finance. A reader of the blog had received a modest inheritance, all cash, from a deceased relative. Their present financial situation is the following: they have a steady job with a fairly good income with some savings. Their expenses are modest, having read and followed much of my … More The Debt to Cash Dilemma