The Greeks Had a Word For it

"When a baby cries," the pediatrician told the new parents, "you have two options, one at each end." And speaking of new babies, today is the anniversary of Julius Caesar's birth.

Fire When Ready

"When television is good, nothing -- not the theatre, not the magazines or newspapers -- nothing is better. But when television is bad, nothing is worse.... a vast wasteland." Newton H. Minow, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, May 9, 1961.

Look Again

If there's any observation of cultural significance to be made about the death of Michael Jackson and the ensuing extravaganza that was his send-off, it is the discomfiting reality that a high percentage of the tsunami of media reporting was, and still is, unverifiable or just plain false.

Say Good-bye, Gracie

Psychology is the science of trying to figure out what's in someone's head by getting underneath their skin.

Public Affairs

"The worst thing that can happen to a youngster starting school," a lawyer once said, "is to be caught cheating." "Not at all," countered a clergyman. "The worst thing for someone just starting out in life is to cheat and not get caught."

Curtains Up, Light the Lights

I have a nightmare vision of an infnite number of psychologists and social scientists sitting in front of an infinite number of computer screens for an infinite number of years to come churning out an infinite number of books dissecting Michael Jackson, the sordid tale of his life and death, his pathologies, and the cultural phenomenon he spawned. It will never end, folks.

The 6 O'Clock Snooze

Meanwhile, President Barak Obama has declared that instead of his State of the Union speech next year there will be a six hour extravaganza dedicated to the memory of the Prince of Pop, starring Miley Cyrus and Abba and hosted by Alex Baldwin.