Writing and Editing

To illustrate the limitations of text-based chat among more than two people, I offer a transcript from a bar in Second Life, where about a dozen denizens had congregated: [08:03] Brandon Laurent: Hi Emmie [08:03] Emmie Fairymeadow: hey Ro [08:03] …

Major triumph for “flatte” this week. Three major triumphs, in fact. Victory #1: Flatte made its first major media splash this week on the podcast How To Do Everything. Hosts Mike Danforth and Ian Chillag (who are also the producers …

This week’s images come courtesy of my longtime friend and colleague Maeve Haldane. (And yes, this is the Maeve for whom the Scrabble term “The Maeve” is named.) Maeve suggested that rather than “latte blots” I call these images “blottes.” …

I made this small tribute to Jack Layton, an inspiring Canadian politician who recently lost his battle with cancer. (Here is the Guardian’s obituary.) Jack inspired many people who were otherwise cynical about politics. At Toronto’s Nathan Phillips Square where …

Dear Friends, Everybody talks about the liberating power of online anonymity. It seems so intoxicating to know that you can pretend to be anybody you want, and nobody you interact with will be the wiser. That’s the fantasy, but the …

Starbucks has taught me two important life lessons: Sometimes it’s okay to pay $5 for a cup of coffee. If you’re going to pay $5 for a cup of coffee, don’t do it at Starbucks. That said, I still frequently …