When Open Palm, Tree Stump and Carpet Spoke
by Arjumand Faisel at Gallery 6: After displaying 90 paintings on diverse subjects for the show, I meticulously toured the expansive display area, ensuring each exhibit received its final touches
Marshall Plans
At September’s UN General Assembly in New York, Brazil’s President Lula described the international financial system as a “Marshall Plan in reverse” … Continue readingMarshall Plans
Random Thought: ‘I Don’t Mind’ By Irshad Salim
I shook hand with a mascot at a the Centaurus Mall in Islamabad one day. He asked me how was I doing. I said I’m okay but I’ve something to
Continue readingRandom Thought: ‘I Don’t Mind’ By Irshad Salim
Poem: ‘Birthday’ by Patricia Smith
On this bed of chilled steel, I am the morning’s work,your project after coffee and, oh yes, some woman’s son.Whistling to break the ice in the room, you holdmost of
How to Make Lying Unpopular in Politics
Lying matters. It poisons our discourse, breeds cynicism about government, and makes it difficult to have serious conversations… … Continue readingHow to Make Lying Unpopular in Politics
Indian and Israeli Ethno-Nationalism
Balmurli Natrajan: “Hinduism has many aspects to it that have really nothing to do with Hindutva.” … Continue readingIndian and Israeli Ethno-Nationalism
Kishore Mahbubani on the U.S.-China Rivalry and More
Project Syndicate: Last year, you suggested that a prevailing “culture of pragmatism,” exemplified by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), explains the lack of major wars in Asia in recent decades.
Continue readingKishore Mahbubani on the U.S.-China Rivalry and More
God And Insurance: Ten Comparisons Between Egypt And Germany
by Eric Schenck at 3 Quarks Daily: The longer you’re in a new country the more it becomes a relationship. It starts out wonderful… … Continue readingGod And Insurance: Ten Comparisons Between Egypt And Germany
How the Mind Assigns Meaning to Words
Jonathan Shaw in Harvard Magazine: How does the brain process language—using sounds to form words, and assigning words their meaning? Recording the activity of single neurons in the language region of patients
Poem: Passenger Deck
Now we are on the ferry we flew to drive to,It’s enormous engines vibrating Every molecule, spreading out,A family of ducks getting out of the way. My wife claims there
The Week’s Best Cartoons, Chapter By Chapter
From The Week Newsletter: Selected editorial cartoons –this week by Joel Pett; Monte Wolverton; Bob Englehart; and David Horsey.
Blast From the Past: Andy Rooney (of 60 Minutes Fame) Quotes
“I’ve learned that being kind is more important than being right. I’ve learned that when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.” … Continue readingBlast From the Past: Andy Rooney (of 60 Minutes Fame) Quotes