How’s this idea for a new kind of resort? Everything there is straight from the 1950s, when life was simpler, slower, and, OK, maybe phonier and definitely more biased. But permit the better side of the illusion: ’50s music, ’50s TV, dramas on the radio, board games, ’50s books and magazines, ’50s dance classes, ’50s Read More …
Forget math, verbal and writing skills. Before a college accepts anybody, that person should have to pass a behavioral S.A.T. A couple of recent stories, including a Penn State player accused of rape, and a Rider student who died of a heroid overdose, remind of all the dopey deeds that can mess up college students’ lives. So Read More …
Given the childhood obesity problem, perhaps schools should also have a social mandate to promote activity and healthful eating, and schools with lousy food and no phys ed would lose federal aid. Let every child stand in class, if they like, I say! Burn more calories that way. And it’s probably better for posture, and Read More …
School’s a waste of time, many students think. Yeah, teachers can drum their sales pitches into thick skulls, but how can that succeed when so much teaching seems unessential to their lives — now or in the future. So why not do the grand experiment and find out, once and for all, how long does anybody really Read More …
Ever notice that once in a while along comes a fad or phenomenon that’s seems inexplicable because it defames something wildly popular? Example, a book from years ago: 101 Uses for a Dead Cat, which is still alive on Amazon. Now some might see the appeal as simple satire, but I think it’s more than that: Some trends get Read More …
Actually, the more I think about it, maybe this is better. After all, it’s dishonest to pretend rogues and scoundrels and pseudo-angels don’t muck up our lives. Still, that doesn’t take you and me off the hook.
Mobile provocation: “Blame Yourself” on a bumper sticker. No offense intended, though. Not saying hate yourself or beat yourself up. Just let’s stop being two-faced. Can’t take credit for successes and blame others for our failures. Besides, what good does blaming others do? If you figure out how to fix other people (or me), please let me know. So Read More …
Textbooks can be dry and tedious. But suppose they were written in a livelier fashion by using suspense. Intrigue with foreshadowing titles (“The decision that decided the war”) and keep hooking ’em with mysteries, puzzles and precarious predicaments. Add in all sorts of amusing and interesting asides (quizzes, quotes, cartoons, even jokes) and kids might enjoy learning more.
Who says Jack can’t play and learn at the same time? Suppose balls and bats and hockey sticks were covered with vocabulary words. With definitions, of course. Casually, those words would work their ways into minds and conversations. Heck, maybe cover a whole playground with words, names and ideas worth learning. Those in some jokes for Read More …
Think about it. On TV, if you see two people who are happy, they’re probably eating, drinking or having sex. Maybe this is part of the obesity epidemic. Who shares the message: Feel lousy? Be patient. Sigh, suffer and cry, if you need to. The rottenness will pass and you’ll feel better. Trust me. It’ll happen. Or, Read More …
Imagine if students put as many hours into inventing as they do into sports. Make it a team effort, and glories would spring forth. Or do the same with collaborative writing teams.
One worry I have is that many of the ideas here are tricky to turn into a business. But here’s a way to make money right away, have income to write off expenses, get feedback, find possible collaborators, and collect information that could become a book: Teach an evening class at a local high school. Want to write a Read More …
Inspired by an idea at ShouldExist.org, calling for a free or very cheap online college. Now some colleges do offer online degrees, but how about getting one from Wikipedia? It’d work like this: People add comprehension tests at the end of Wikipedia items. Each time you pass one, you’re get a score that’s stored in a database. Attain a designated Read More …
There’s the Useful Edition: 5 more ways to tie a tie. How to tell better jokes. How to listen. What to get for Mother’s Day. 5 foods that lower cholesterol. 5 foods that raise it. Painting without spattering. And so. Then there’s the Trivia Edition: Your basically useless but interesting facts. Could also have the Brain Food Edition, which, Read More …
It’s a book. Or a website. Or both. Too chicken to propose? Or ask for a raise? Or ride a roller coaster? This collection has a speech for you. Thinking of getting a divorce? Quitting a job? Jumping off a bridge? There are talks to talk you out of things, too. In other cases, you face Read More …