Category Archives: Paying Attention

Today’s Modern World

Posted on November 1, 2014 by hessd

The course is called “Scientific Secrets for Raising Kids Who Thrive.” I saw it first, today, in the brand new “holiday wish book catalog offered by The Teaching Company.[1]  I’m not going to order it. I want to move, shortly, … Continue reading →

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What I’m Good At

Posted on October 14, 2014 by hessd

“There are two things I know to be true. There’s no difference between good flan and bad flan, and there is no war,” says CIA agent Charles Young (William H. Macy), in Barry Levinson’s mercilessly funny movie, Wag the Dog.  … Continue reading →

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Consenting to sex

Posted on September 27, 2014 by hessd

Here is the way the State of California is going at the question: Section 67386 is added to the Education Code, to read:  (a) In order to receive state funds for student financial assistance, the governing board of each community college … Continue reading →

Posted in Getting Old, Paying Attention, Politics, Society, Words | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

A Whole New You

Posted on August 31, 2014 by hessd

There is always the chance that you are not going to believe what I am going to say today.  Or, if you are younger (nearly everyone is) than I am and more tech savvy (nearly everyone is), you might just … Continue reading →

Posted in Getting Old, Living My Life, Love and Marriage, Paying Attention | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

“Fear is the little-death”

Posted on August 21, 2014 by hessd

I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Living My Life, Paying Attention, ways of knowing | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

He’s really let himself go since his wife died

Posted on August 16, 2014 by hessd

“He has really let himself go since his wife died.” It’s a perfectly ordinary sentiment.  Everyone knows immediately what it means.  He has stopped taking the care necessary to appear properly and behave properly to his companions.  He used to … Continue reading →

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Truly Sorry

Posted on August 11, 2014 by hessd

We are all familiar, by now, with the “non-apology apology.”  I certainly want to apologize if anyone misunderstood what I was trying to say.  The guy stands up at the microphone and says all the words.  We try, of course, … Continue reading →

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Do Women Talk more than Men?

Posted on July 24, 2014 by hessd

It is my goal in this essay is to argue that that is a silly question and to say why. If you are the one who is asking a question, it is tough, sometimes, when the response comes in the form … Continue reading →

Posted in Living My Life, Paying Attention, Political Psychology, Society, ways of knowing | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Should Germans read “Mein Kampf”?

Posted on July 11, 2014 by hessd

I learned from this article in the New York Times that Germany has been officially suppressing Mein Kampf since German government was reconstituted after World War II.  I’m sure that doesn’t mean that the full text isn’t available online.  But … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Paying Attention, Politics | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Gideon in the Land of Oz

Posted on July 5, 2014 by hessd

I know of a distressingly bad senior center called Lakeview. It is losing money; it has already cut costs; the owner is a bully; the doctor is a wimp; the residents live pathetically limited lives.  What they really need is … Continue reading →

Posted in Getting Old, Movies, Paying Attention | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments