About a month ago, I had a long distance conversation with an acquaintance who was curious to know–among many other things–the ‘one thing’ that Old Money has that New Money doesn’t. I had to think for a long moment. So long, in fact, that the person I was speaking to thought the phone call had … More Old Money vs. New Money: The Perspective
I wanted to address an issue that’s come up a couple of times in the past few months among a couple of colleagues of mine. It’s an Old Money concept called The Sabbatical. The best off-the-cuff definition I can give is that it’s a voluntary break from the normal routine, usually involving a retreat from … More The Sabbatical
I received an email the other day from a new reader. She was a little confused and asked me for an explanation: why was a blog about Old Money talking more about politics and Paris? It’s a fair question, especially for someone coming to the blog fresh, without the benefit of being on board since … More Old Money, New Ideas
3.0…or was it? Saturday marked the commencement of the third lockdown Paris has experienced in the last year. The first one started, if you can believe it, on March 17, 2020 and lasted until Mid May. If my confinement-impaired memory serves me (somewhat) correctly, October saw our 2nd lockdown. And now, 12 months later, we … More Paris Lockdown 3.0, Covid Vaccines, and Aging Parents
Comments I’d like to say a big Thank You to everyone who commented on ‘The Moderates’ blog post. The thoughtful, detailed, and articulate insights are greatly appreciated. It helps me learn more and exposes all of our readers to different points of view. With all due modesty, I must say that we are so superior … More Comments, Cancel Culture, and The Pull of Values
I hope this weekend finds all of you safe, well, and relaxing in some fashion. In local news…Paris has 140 days of 6pm to 6am curfew under its belt…with no real impact on the virus. The mayor has floated a trial balloon of a 3 week lockdown. The idea is to ditch the half-measures, face … More Something Actually Worthwhile From Tatler…And A Question About Investments
During this challenging and disruptive time, I think it’s important for all of us to revisit and perhaps reestablish what I call our ‘frame of reference’. This frame of reference is a constellation of ‘points of reference’ that consists of the people, institutions, and barometers that we turn to in order to weigh, measure, define, … More Frame of Reference
One of the things enshrined in our Constitution and interwoven in the success of our democracy in the United States is a free, vibrant, and challenging press. Reporting on crime and corruption, politics and current events, social trends and silly fads–it’s all part and parcel of what we now call ‘the media’. Newspapers, magazines, television … More How To Manage The Media
Thank you all for your comments and interest in discussing current affairs and public policy on the blog. I think it’s a good idea at this point to review some ground rules for discussion on the blog. We’ve enjoyed a lively but overwhelmingly respectful discussion about a variety of topics here. That will continue. What … More Some Rules for Discussion
I hope all of you are enjoying a safe and productive new year. Life here in Paris is still very regulated, with an 8pm to 6am curfew in effect. Infection rates hover at a high but manageable level. Masks and social distancing are the norm. Cafes, restaurants, and museums are still closed and will certainly … More Important Notice About The Old Money Book Blog