Category Archives: Essays

How to Stay Sane in Brutalizing Times

Posted on November 5, 2023 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Marilyn W. By David Brooks We’re living in a brutalizing time: Scenes of mass savagery pervade the media. Americans have become vicious toward one another amid our disagreements. Everywhere I go, people are coping with an avalanche of negative … Continue reading →

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“The In-Between: Unforgettable Moments During Life’s Final Moments” by Hadley Valhos

Posted on October 23, 2023 by Jim deMaine

In the NYT’s Magazine (Thanks to Tim and Tony) A decade ago, Hadley Vlahos was lost. She was a young single mother, searching for meaning and struggling to make ends meet while she navigated nursing school. After earning her degree, … Continue reading →

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‘I Love You. I Am Sorry’: One Jew, One Muslim and a Friendship Tested by War

Posted on October 21, 2023 by Jim deMaine

A Los Angeles program that connects Muslims and Jews has been strained by the war in Israel. But the group’s leaders found that it has strengthened their bond. By Kurt Streeter in the NYT (Thanks to Marilyn W.) The two women … Continue reading →

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“Their Own Civil War”: Kim Schrier Talks about the Chaos in the House

Posted on October 9, 2023 by Jim deMaine

By Joel Connelly As colleagues savored soundbites on Sunday morning TV shows, a welcome opportunity came to hear out solid work-horse member of Congress who reaches across the aisle in the “other” Washington.  But U.S. Rep. Kim Schrier, D-Wash., did … Continue reading →

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What They Don’t Tell You About Getting Old

Posted on October 1, 2023 by Jim deMaine

By Roger Rosenblatt in the NYT – thanks to Tim and Tony for sending this along Mr. Rosenblatt is the author of several novels and memoirs, including “Cataract Blues: Running the Keyboard.” I recently turned 83, and while there are many … Continue reading →

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Duwamish: The River Seattle Forgot

Posted on September 11, 2023 by Jim deMaine

by David Brewster in the Post Alley Newsletter Seattle, unlike most American cities, is not a river-mouth city, located (like Portland and St. Louis) at the mouth of a major river that drains a resource hinterland. Seattle’s forgotten Duwamish River … Continue reading →

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We Know the Cure for Loneliness. So Why Do We Suffer?

Posted on September 10, 2023 by Jim deMaine

Ed note: Put B. sent me the article below and wrote the following. It raises important questions, particularly about the ease and convenience of dining together and meeting new friends over a shared meal. But is there even more we … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Caregiving, Essays, happiness, Health | 2 Comments

The Lethal Details Left out of “Oppenheimer”

Posted on August 28, 2023 by Jim deMaine

By Dan Chasan in the Post Alley Newsletter – (Independent Writing and Editing Professional. Harvard University. Vashon, Washington) The blockbuster release of the popular film Oppenheimer gives Americans a chance to re-visit the complicated history of this nation‘s development, testing, and use … Continue reading →

Posted in environment, Essays, Government, Law, Military, Morality, Movies, War | 2 Comments

To Be Happy, Marriage Matters More Than Career

Posted on August 18, 2023 by Jim deMaine

Ed note: It’s hard to disagree with Brooks, but he really doesn’t address our age group in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. It isn’t uncommon that unconscious ageism leaves us out of the equation considering what may make us happy. … Continue reading →

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Here’s Why AI May Be Extremely Dangerous—Whether It’s Conscious or Not

Posted on August 4, 2023 by Jim deMaine

Here’s Why AI May Be Extremely Dangerous—Whether It’s Conscious or Not By Tamlyn Hunt in the Scientific American (thanks to Ed M.) “The idea that this stuff could actually get smarter than people…. I thought it was way off…. Obviously, I no … Continue reading →

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Lindsey Graham and Elizabeth Warren: When It Comes to Big Tech, Enough Is Enough

Posted on July 29, 2023 by Jim deMaine

By Lindsey Graham and Elizabeth Warren Mr. Graham, a Republican, is the senior senator from South Carolina. Ms. Warren, a Democrat, is the senior senator from Massachusetts. The digital revolution promised amazing new opportunities — and it delivered. Digital platforms promoted social interaction, … Continue reading →

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Here’s How to Fix Downtown: Better Parking and Tax Breaks

Posted on July 24, 2023 by Jim deMaine

Ed note: How about this article with a contrarian view!! By Dick Lilly in the Post Alley Newsletter A few months back my friend Alec Fisken (now passed away) and I were picking our way through downtown on our way … Continue reading →

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If Loneliness Is an Epidemic, How Do We Treat It?

Posted on July 21, 2023 by Jim deMaine

Ed Note: This article raises the question about our dealing with loneliness at Skyline–either our own or of others. If you have thoughts about this, please reply. Better yet speak to a member of the Caring Committee. By Eleanor Cummins and Andrew Zaleski … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Caregiving, Essays, happiness, Kindness | 1 Comment

Marjorie Taylor Greene compares Biden to FDR, LBJ. Thanks for the free campaign ad!

Posted on July 18, 2023 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Jim S. Rex Huppke        USA TODAY       Far-right Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene might have accidentally realized Joe Biden is a good president. The predominantly ludicrous lawmaker from Georgia did Biden an unexpected – and surely unplanned – solid this weekend in … Continue reading →

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Beware of the Medical Industrial Industry’s Incentives

Posted on July 15, 2023 by Jim deMaine

Ed note: In the 1970’s I was interviewed by a medical group in Seattle and was told I could become their “thyroid guy!” I was confused because I was note trained in endocrinology, but that made no difference. They’d just … Continue reading →

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Canada Offers Lesson in the Economic Toll of Climate Change

Posted on July 5, 2023 by Jim deMaine

Wildfires are hurting many industries and could strain households across Canada, one of many countries reckoning with the impact of extreme weather Thanks to Mike C. By Lydia DePillis in the NYT Canada’s wildfires have burned 20 million acres, blanketed Canadian and U.S. … Continue reading →

Posted in Climate, Economics, environment, Essays, Health | 1 Comment

France Is on Fire

Posted on July 2, 2023 by Jim deMaine

By Harrison Stetler – opinion in the NYT Mr. Stetler is a journalist who writes about French politics and culture. Sign up for the Opinion Today newsletter  Get expert analysis of the news and a guide to the big ideas shaping the … Continue reading →

Posted in Essays, Government, Guns, Law, Race | 1 Comment

Juneteenth

Posted on June 18, 2023 by Jim deMaine

by Heather Cox Richardson Tomorrow is the federal holiday honoring Juneteenth, the celebration of the announcement in Texas on June 19th, 1865, that enslaved Americans were free.  On April 9, 1865, General Robert E. Lee surrendered his Army of Northern … Continue reading →

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Meditation and resilience – The Hidden Brain

Posted on June 16, 2023 by Jim deMaine

Hidden Brain Media is an independent production company that aims to help curious people understand the world, and themselves. Our host and Executive Editor Shankar Vedantam has been reporting on human behavior and social science research for more than 25 … Continue reading →

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Inside the Complicated Reality of Being America’s Oldest President

Posted on June 4, 2023 by Jim deMaine

Inside the Complicated Reality of Being America’s Oldest President By Peter Baker, Michael D. Shear, Katie Rogers and Zolan Kanno-Youngs in the NYT There was the time last winter when President Biden was awakened at 3 a.m. while on a trip to Asia and told … Continue reading →

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Posted on May 22, 2023 by Jim deMaine

By David Brewster in Post Alley/Seattle A disturbing, Seattle-relevant story in the New York Times traces the exodus of highly educated employees from “superstar cities.” Seattle and other expensive coastal cities are definitely on the list, and the story notes the loss of magnetism … Continue reading →

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Thoughts on Mother’s Day

Posted on May 14, 2023 by Jim deMaine

by Heather Cox Richardson – (Thanks to Pam P.)

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In Berkeley, a Library Protest Is a Fight for Anthropology in an A.I. Age

Posted on May 6, 2023 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Mike C. By Tim Arango May 2, 2023 in the NYT BERKELEY, Calif. — To kick off homecoming weekend last fall, the University of California, Berkeley, held a groundbreaking ceremony for its new data sciences building, known as the Gateway. At … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Education, Essays, History | 1 Comment

Thoughts from Emerson

Posted on April 27, 2023 by Jim deMaine

Ed note: I’ve just ordered the book, Three Roads Back by Robert D. Richardson. Have any of you read it? It’s about how Emerson, Thoreau and William James responded to the greatest losses of their lives. Please comment! “Write it … Continue reading →

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DOCTRINE OF DISCOVERY RENOUNCED

Posted on April 5, 2023 by Jim deMaine

From Ed Marcuse – April 4, 2023 Last week,3 under history’s first Latin American pontiff, the Vatican development and education offices renounced the Doctrine of Discovery1.  This papal doctrine was used to justify colonization in the name of Christianity and came to be part of … Continue reading →

Posted in Essays, History, Justice, Law, Religion, Social justice | 1 Comment