When missing letters influence scholars

Willa Cather, the author of the pioneer classic O Pioneers!, did not want her personal letters released to the public. But her extended family, in complying with this request, actually contributed to a climate of misinterpretation in the scholarly world. That will...

History of Daylight Saving Time

If you ever wonder how America ended up with the artificial turning-ahead of clocks that we call Daylight Saving Time, my article, from Appalachia journal, will interest you. Daylight saving time currently prevails for the majority of the year. In March, the dark...
Communication blackout 3: the submerged cell phone

Communication blackout 3: the submerged cell phone

Photo from copyrightfreecontent.com Cell phones have become the major link to the outside world. In another generation, land lines will be unusual tools only used in remote areas or hospitals. Most cell phones are smooth-edged and very difficult to hold. The buttons...

Communication blackout 2

In 1960, 21 percent of Americans had no telephone. Today, the same proportion of Americans have no internet. Try calling the phone company or ordering something by telephone or buying stamps at the post office? You find that they funnel you to the Web! Even the U.S....

Communication blackout: first in a series

Technology actually keeps many smart people from reaching each other. I believe that, and I’m going to show you how. Trey Popp’s article on the downside of online job-hiring software proves the point. In late 2012, the federal government reported 3.6...