Mike Pilewski writes about life, politics and culture in the United States
It’s been said that every American trend arrives in Germany about five years later. But there’s at least one that’s gone in the opposite direction: digital television. While Europeans are already used to its advantages and disadvantages, Americans are still coming to terms with them. Analog reception didn’t end until June 12, 2009. TV is not important, you say? Try … >>
Well, the iPad’s been on sale — depending on where you live — for a couple of weeks now. Much has been made of the things it can do (such as be operated by cats and two-year-olds) and the things it can’t (such as multitask and display countless websites that use Flash). But only now are we hearing the question … >>
Last week, this column mentioned the deep mistrust many Americans have of their government. This week, the government is doing its best to convince them that it’s working for the public good. It’s hired Olympic skier Ryan St. Onge, current Miss America Caressa Cameron, and former teen star Donny Osmond to do testimonials on television and on YouTube. It’s placed … >>
Michael Silveira was fed up. Twice a day last May, he answered his cell phone, only to hear a recording from a company trying to sell him an extended warranty on his car. Silveira didn’t own a car. Worse, in America, cell phone owners share the cost of incoming calls. So by answering the phone, Silveira was helping to pay … >>
This year represents a personal milestone: I have lived as long in Germany as in the United States (not counting my years as a baby). Inside, I’m now half American, half German, and I feel a strong attachment to, and appreciation of, both countries. I thought about this last weekend when two friends — one American, one German — sent … >>