| May 27, 2020 | Economy / Business|Rights / DemocracyTimes of great adversity not only bring out the best and worst in society, but they also flush out some of the stinkiest and slimiest creatures. Think of war profiteers, hucksters who prey on poor hurricane victims, or Betsy DeVos. Even in the Trump Kakistocracy,...
| Dec 17, 2019 | Economy / Business|HP Subfeatured|Rights / DemocracyWhen I grew up in the 1970s, my father often sat in an alcoholic or drug-induced stupor. When he was left in charge, the TV served as the “adult” in the room for us. As a toddler, I thought of Oscar the Grouch, Cookie Monster, Bert and Ernie, and the other residents...
| Dec 11, 2019 | Rights / DemocracyA lawsuit is taking on the University of California system’s use of the SAT and ACT standardized tests in admissions. The suit claims the tests are “deeply biased and provide no meaningful information about a student’s ability to succeed.” As a...
| Oct 2, 2019 | Economy / Business|Environment / Health|HP SubfeaturedTeenage climate activist Greta Thunberg has a message for policy makers: “Listen to the scientists.” As an engineer, I was glad to hear that. But I also believe it’s also vital for scientists to be vigilant about whom they listen to. For years, corporations funded...
| Aug 21, 2019 | Rights / DemocracyAs another school year starts, I look forward to heading back to the classroom. I love class when I’m teaching it. I hate it when I’m there as a student. I’m getting a PhD at the moment, so it’s not that I don’t love learning. It’s...