They were originally broadcast on a California radio station in the two-minute window between the daily segments of Terry Gross's very popular National Public Radio show called Fresh Air.

There is a table of contents of the entire volume on this page. You may move directly to each piece in the volume by clicking the appropriate link. 

Please be aware that some of the pieces will take a long time to load because of the size of the graphics involved. In such cases, you may read the text, which will load right away, and not wait for the graphics to load. Or you may wait for the graphics to load. If you have the time, I recommend the latter, because in most cases the graphics are stunning.

You see, scuba divers can be taught; surfers can only be entertained. And I am a teacher, not someone whose mission in life is to amuse others, although I'm told I can be very funny at times. 

But please know that this site will do more for you in the long run than will most “cool” (in quotation marks because I haven't the foggiest notion what that word means except in the context of temperature) sites. 

In this regard, my philosophy is much like President Reagan's when he made the observation that if you feed someone by giving him or her a fish to eat, you'll have to give that someone a fish every day. But if you teach that someone how to fish, then he or she will be able to feed him or herself from then on without help from anyone. 

I can teach you how to (1) correctly analyze and digest information, (2) think clearly and innovatively using that information, and (3) effectively communicate the results of that thinking to others. If you learn these skills — and you can, believe me, if you want to — not only will you be able to feed yourself every day, but you'll be able to put on a banquet at the same time and feed others as well until they, too, learn how to “fish.” 

You have my word. 

Now to continue.

On classification systems
Who’s on first. No, he’s on second.

On multiculturalism
Several discrete forms of penicillin?

On presidential apologies
There’s nothing less powerful than an idea whose time should never come.

On gender-neutral language
Anyone should use their language as it pleases them. (How’s that again?)

On the new math
Don’t confuse me with the rules of math. My mind is made up.

On imaginary worlds
Now you see it. Now you don’t.

On skin color
Skin color + ? = racial harmony or inharmony.

On the White Man’s Burden
Better keep your mouth closed. Your arrogance is showing.

On words, words, words
Would you buy a used car from this man?

On Proposition 209
It’s my ball. If I can’t be the pitcher, I’m going home. And I’m taking my ball with me.

On the “less fortunate”
It’s in the stars, Brutus, baby, that we are the less fortunate. Ain’t it?

On the Congress
Do as we say, ‘cause we won’t let you do what we do.

On psychology and psychiatry
Pseudo-shrink, pseudo-shrank, pseudo-shrunk.

On racism
Clothes make the man. Unless they’re kept in the closet.

On life
And yet another sure-fire recipe for a miserable, unhappy life.

On racism
It’s all in the way you look at it.

On success
“Go for it!” Or: “Just do it!”

On human rights
Nothing but talk, talk, talk.

On fathers
Real heroes. Not the media-manufactured kind.

On role models
Imitation can be the insincerest form of flattery.

On the future
It’s your call.

On life
And still another sure-fire recipe for a miserable, unhappy life.

On justice
Maybe justice is what just is.

On the fallacy of special pleading
We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal . . . .

On speech codes 
And a little child shall lead them. But only after we prep him first.

On abstractions
An appearance of solidity to something that is nothing more than pure wind.

On freedom
Protecting yourself from being BSed by ye olde verbal shell game.

On historical “facts”
It’s all a matter of priorities.

On the Internet
Facts are as plentiful as the leaves on the trees. Dead trees.

On the Federal Government
Tooth fairies, leprechauns, and the Federal Government.

On peace of mind
We report. You decide.

On life
What’s it all about, Alfie?