Matthew Arnold Stern's Blog, page 39
October 6, 2017
YouTube channels on writing
Whatever you want to learn, there’s a YouTube video to show you how. Want to make chocolate fudge, drive a Model T Ford, or escape from duct tape (which I might have found useful), there’s a video for that. When it comes to writing, there are a number of YouTube channels that show you what …
September 30, 2017
Can we discuss politics civilly anymore?
The other day, I got a form email from a real estate agent declaring his position on a current issue. The issue and his position aren’t important — or wouldn’t have been in another time. Back then, I could have decided that his position wouldn’t affect whether or not I’d use his services. Back then, …
September 26, 2017
The challenge of 280
When Twitter announced that they are expanding tweets to 280 characters, we all thought about this guy. With the trouble he’s caused with 140 characters, imagine what he’d do with 280! For the rest of us who don’t have nuclear launch codes, what does the ability to create longer tweets mean? What do we gain …
September 16, 2017
About that word
PewDiePie is the latest celebrity caught uttering the n-word. Unlike celebrity n-word eruptions in the past, this situation cannot be treated the same way. In the aftermath of Charlottesville, racists are emboldened. More racist material has been appearing, along with more racial violence. The n-word can no longer be dismissed as a casually tossed around …
September 14, 2017
When technology fails us
In two and a half years, the Apple Watch went from something I didn’t feel I needed, to something I bought, to something I discovered that I couldn’t live without. I didn’t realize how much I depended on it until it needed to be repaired. But our dependence on technology isn’t just about fancy gadgets. …
September 5, 2017
You weren’t welcomed either
When looking at immigration in general and DACA in particular, there are two things to remember: You are a descendant of immigrants. You weren’t welcomed either. We can say “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free” and “Immigrants: We get the job done.” But history tells us that Americans …
August 31, 2017
“The solution that increases the problem”
I found myself stumped on the new novel I started. I had ideas about where I wanted the story to go, but I couldn’t put the pieces together. That was when I thought of six words that helped me put the plot together and make the story move forward: The solution that increases the problem. …
August 30, 2017
Retiring the Links page
Program note: I had to retire a long-time feature of my website, the Links page. I started this website back in 1996. (You can see a copy of my site from 1999.) Before Google and search engine optimization, we promoted websites by exchanging links. Today, I get most of my visits from searches and social …
August 26, 2017
Darkest before dawn
The Flying Nun seems to confirm all the stereotypes we have about the 1960s. What else besides massive drug use can explain its basic plot of a nun with aerodynamic headwear who can fly around Puerto Rico when the wind is right. (Sure, the show was based on the book The Fifteenth Pelican by Tere Ríos, …
August 24, 2017
Lessons from a town hall meeting
I attended my first town hall meeting last night. It was a teleconferenced town hall, which was a pity because I had a funny protest sign in mind. This town hall would also disappoint those who like shouting and screaming. I could only stay for the first hour, so I might have missed some good …
