Why the ACLU made a mistake by putting words in Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s mouth

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Abortion rights are under threat. There is no middle ground on this issue, and in the wake of a restrictive Texas law, both sides are gearing up their rhetoric. Does this justify distorting what a historical figure said? No. Never. The ACLU decided to make Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s words more modern and inclusive Here’s a … Continued

Crush Facebook

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Facebook is toxic. And its leaders no longer give a crap about even appearing to be otherwise. The reporting about Facebook this month has been brutal and disturbing. Here’s how the Wall Street Journal describes its “Facebook Files,” series, based on internal Facebook documents: Facebook Inc. knows, in acute detail, that its platforms are riddled with flaws … Continued

I was a huge nerd

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My high school and college years were crammed with full frontal nerdity . . . in contrast to the suave, successful authorial persona I now exude. Here’s a sampling. As you’ll see, my late, dearly loved friend Josh Friedman was a frequent partner in this unabashed nerdity, and my brother (now a math professor) was … Continued

The one quality that sets tradespeople above the rest

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In preparation for buying a house in Maine, selling one in Massachusetts, and moving, I’ve dealt with a bunch of people who offer home services. One thing matters more than any other. Communication. This is so obvious. And yet people still don’t get it. At the top of my list of standout communicators is Olympia … Continued

Stories are bacon

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Like bacon, stories will make everything you write more compelling. They are the most important element of your nonfiction book. (If eating bacon is offensive to you, this metaphor won’t work for you, so don’t read on.) Here is why stories are like bacon: A little goes a long way No one wants a meal … Continued

Why it’s hard to love these Red Sox

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In yesterday’s Boston Globe, Boston’s most visible sportswriter, Dan Shaughnessy, wrote a column about the Red Sox asking, “Are they a team you can embrace?” In case you’re not a Red Sox fanatic like many of us here in New England, here’s the backstory. The Red Sox seemed like a team unlikely to go far … Continued

Why Facebook is filled with hate, anger, and conflict

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The Wall Street Journal says Facebook’s algorithm change in 2018 rewarded outrage. It’s no surprise what happened next. But if you think about it, you’ll see that its evolution towards rage is completely predictable. The article, by Keach Hagey and Jeff Horwitz, is titled “Facebook Tried to Make Its Platform a Healthier Place. It Got … Continued

When it comes to moderation, Facebook’s fairness and PR goals are in conflict

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Facebook claims to have a consistent set of standards for what appears on its platform. But based on the reporting in a recent Wall Street Journal article, it fails. It attempts and fails to apply fair standards to ordinary people. It attempts and fails to treat prominent people who post offensive material more personally and … Continued