Commentary

Sub-Categories
» Medicine
» Protest

Articles
The March of Folly — Louis XIV vs Trump
Books Commentary History 2026

I've reworked these extended quotations from The March of Folly by Barbara Tuchman (1986) for today's wannabe King Trump. In a few pages she describes the bad policies and attitudes of the French King Louis XIV. I was struck by the deep parallels with the policies and attitudes of the current administration and the flock of Lickspittle Poltroons that compose the current GOP. Tuchman's words speak to greater truths. My words are my own and speak for more immediate truths in desperate times.
Bicentennial Thoughts on the Semiquincentennial
Books Commentary History Music 2026

I put out my American Flag today. 🇺🇸 I only fly the flag on special days and this is one of them. Thinking about what makes this day special is what gives the act meaning. One cannot be patriotic every day, but that's not required. We need days like this to think hard about history (those actions and actors who mattered), the present (our current situation and how it differs from what it should be), and the future (the history we might make during the time remaining to us).
There is No ‘I’ in AI — A Post by a Non-Human Intelligence
Commentary Technology 2026

The ELIZA Effect is a tendency to project human traits—such as experience, semantic comprehension or empathy—onto rudimentary computer programs having a textual interface.
RFK Jr's Inverted Food Pyramid as Propaganda
Commentary 2026

The history of the food pyramid is complicated (see my analysis from 2004). There hasn't been an official one for maybe twenty years. I grew up with it and I think it is a sound idea, but very political with respect to what foods go where. It may be a coincidence, but anyone who is familiar with the old pyramid will recognize this one as an inverted echo. There are many other ways to lay out these ideas graphically, the choice of an inverted triangle is not subtle. I think it's propaganda for the following reasons:
Using PowerPoint Effectively
Books Commentary Reviews Technology 2009

Welcome to my Powerpoint resource page. It will evolve over time as new information and links become available. I should begin by saying that I'm not a Sourpointer. I use PowerPoint almost every week, but perhaps not in ways you'd expect. I view PowerPoint as just another tool—whose use can lead to good, bad, or even ugly results. I'm mostly impressed by how mediocre PowerPoint presentations can be. It creates a path of least resistance that often gets in the way of meaningful classroom interaction. PowerPoint was built for marketing and is great for making a pitch to a potential customer. But colleagues and students rarely want a marketing pitch. Instead they need audiovisuals that support and clarify what the speaker has to say.
Deception, Obfuscation & Misdirection
Commentary Video 2016

Most are familiar with the concept of FUD—short for Fear, Uncertainty & Doubt. It summarizes a strategy often used in marketing and political propaganda. Its effects are pernicious, divisive and lead to exploitation. Examples abound. Fear is a strong motivator! To resist FUD one must understand how it is practiced using the principles of Deception, Obfuscation and Misdirection.
A Non-Tesla Owner's Thoughts on Tesla
Commentary Reviews Technology 2024

I recently did a trip with a friend in his new Tesla Model Y. (St. George, UT was the furthest west). I was amazed at how many Tesla-branded charging stations there were, and how integrated they are with the vehicle. You tell the dash navigation system where you want to go and it will route you based on your current charge, the distance, need for re-charge(s), and charging station locations.
Headlamp Thoughts
Camping Commentary Reviews Technology 2025

I hadn't used a headlamp in five years until this one caught my eye. Mostly because of configurability and the price ($9.99). (The price suddenly jumped to $24.99 after I bought mine. (Tariffs kicking in perhaps? It's Nov 2025)
Wilhoit's Razor (Conservatism)
Commentary
Frank Wilhoit (2018)

There is a quote from a few years ago that adds political framing I find useful. I propose using it as a test or razor (à la Occam) when evaluating political actions and legislation:
Amusing Ourselves to Death (Review)
Books Commentary Reviews Technology
Neil Postman (1985)

This important book helps explain the current state of our society, media, and education. Postman begins by contrasting the two great futurist novels, 1984 and Brave New World. He concludes that Huxley made the better prediction—no need for a police state when we have television!
RAGBRAI 2025
Commentary Galleries Iowa Travel 2025

It just happened that this year's RAGBRAI ended in Guttenberg, which is homebase for us. I joined my Sister and Niece on day three in Forest City. We camped under the town's windmill which chirped like a bird all night. The presence of so many windmills was an ominous sign. The next day developed into a slow trudge against 20 mph headwinds and 106° heat index. I got heat exhaustion and had to be picked up after about 40 miles.
DIY Neck Strap Phone Holder
Commentary How_To Projects 2024

I've used two-part holster cases for my phone over the past ten years. Now that phones are nominally waterproof I converted one into a neck strap phone holder for sailing, kayaking, canoeing, etc. This is a vast improvement over the bag cases which protect the device from water (not needed) but degrade the camera (not acceptable).
When I Grow Up I Want to Be…
Commentary 2011

While walking in my old Moline Illinois neighborhood, I came across this chalk slogan… When I grow up I want to be a Vet, Artist, or a WWE Star. I think we have a sidewalk philosopher. Kids these days! (April 2011)
Flashlight Thoughts
Camping Commentary How_To Reviews Technology 2020

I'm not too fond of headlamps for a few reasons… they are generally too bright when you are working close, shine in people's faces when you look up, and kill your night vision. And what about your hat?!
Trump v Moby-Dick
Commentary Galleries History 2017

I’ve become a real fan of @MobyDickatSea, a bot-based feed of random quotes from the book. It’s amazing how well some of these fragments stand up as individual thoughts!
Binge Watching Great Movies About Real Conspiracies That Affect Us All
Books Commentary History Reviews 2016

I was on a short business trip recently and had a chance to view three new movies about real conspiracies that affect us all. This prompted me to go back and re-watch some documentaries from the recent past. Talk about dark night of the soul! Here are my brief reviews in no particular order…
Catch-22 of the Digital Age
Commentary Technology 2009

I like to listen to audiobooks on my iPod. I have a subscription to Audible.com and buy one or two books a month. In the beginning things were fine, but about two years ago iTunes stopped remembering my Audible password. I get around this by double-clicking on any Audible file and put in my password when it asks. This fixes the problem long enough to sync. But if I quit iTunes, I start over. If I forget, iTunes automatically deletes the files from my iPod. Needless to say this is a major pain in the butt!
Contested Election 1876 — Tilden vs Hayes
Commentary History 1876

There are many interesting parallels between the 1876 and 2016 presidential elections. Both had enormous impact on their times and what came after. Both had a great deal to do with race. Both where marred by chicanery and a split between the popular and electoral vote.

This is a slide!