Mike Pilewski writes about life, politics and culture in the United States
On several recent occasions, I’ve noticed how my American students have redefined the word “kid”. It’s now a neutral way of referring to a man of college age, as in, “that kid in the yellow shirt” or “the kid who’s studying biology”. It’s long been common for older people to refer to their own offspring as kids for years after … >>
Being the only tourist in a far-off place always leads to some interesting invitations — as when the mayor of Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire, suggested I attend the celebration of his son’s baptism. The elders from the mayor’s village welcomed me into their midst and gave me a front-row seat for the start of the afternoon’s entertainment. Musicians played a soft … >>
Good teachers and professors can convey their wisdom between the lines. But our education is more than our formal schooling. I firmly believe it’s possible to learn from anyone and any experience. My role as an advisor to German and American exchange students puts me in a position to offer my own wisdom when asked for it. I say things … >>
Last summer, the University of Düsseldorf invited me to give a talk about careers to students at its English department. One of them wanted to know how I had found my career. In Yakov Smirnoff style, I explained that my career had found me. Specific circumstances had led to me being hired as a writer and editor, I said, in … >>
This time last year, I received word from a college friend that one of my professors had passed away. Hugh Young had a great sense of humor and a remarkable way of relating to young people. Young told us he’d do anything to help us students stay awake during his physics lectures. “I’d stand on my head for you guys … >>
Marion Stokes died in December 2012, but the full story of her life took almost a year to come out. According to her obituary in The Philadelphia Inquirer, Stokes was a librarian during the 1950s and a political protester in the ’60s. From 1967 to 1969, she co-produced a local TV talk show. In the 1980s, she invested in Apple … >>
What do you think of when you are drinking a cup of coffee? Let me guess. Chances are you are just thinking of waking up. All right; maybe you’re thinking about how hot the beverage is, like the woman who famously sued McDonald’s in the 1990s. Or possibly you spare a thought for its strength, aroma and flavor. But more … >>
As I mentioned last week, I learned a lot from the teachers I had at school. At home, in a neighborhood without many other kids, I had some other good teachers in the form of books. One of my favorite authors back then was Isaac Asimov (1920–1992). He’s mainly thought of as a science-fiction writer because of the lighthearted yet … >>
How much do you remember of your time in school? Twelve years (more in some places) is a long time to be anywhere, even with the summers off. We should remember quite a bit. What I remember best, however, isn’t what was on the curriculum, but what rubbed off from a few special teachers. Science + … As a sixth-grade … >>
A few weeks ago, Edward Snowden, a former contractor for America’s National Security Agency (NSA), revealed through The Guardian and Der Spiegel that the US government has been keeping secret records on ordinary Americans and spying on its allies. Since then, I’ve been asked two questions over and over: 1. What’s your opinion of what Edward Snowden did? and 2. … >>