You’re No Dr. Spock

The Quora Chronicles – Part 9 Perhaps the beauty of the internet is that it provides people from all over the world to share ideas and to seek advice from one another. Sometimes, however, I have to shake my head in disbelief at the type of questions asked. There seem to be an alarming number … Continue reading →

What’s the Point of Conversation?

The Quora Chronicles – Part 8 Many times, when questions like this one appear in my “Asked to Answer” notifications on Quora I find myself wondering about the person who asked the question and why they asked it. Is this person simply shy, anti-social, or a Millennial or Gen Z who communicates mostly through social … Continue reading →

The Land of the Free?

The Quora Chronicles – Part 7 “Are there any scholarships for learning English?” Because my Quora profile identifies me as an English as a Second Language (ESL) instructor and I am active in many ESL discussions, I am often “Asked to Answer” this type of question.  Actually, this is one of the more tactful and … Continue reading →

“Stop Eyeballing Me, Boy!”

The Quora Chronicles – Part 6 Actor Louis Gossett, Jr. made history as the first Black American to win the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role as Marine Corp Gunnery Sergeant Emil Foley in the 1982 film, “An Officer and a Gentleman.” One of Foley’s most memorable lines comes when Richard Gere’s character first … Continue reading →

“To Vax or Not To Vax” – The Quora Chronicals Part 4

Onesimus – West African slave of clergyman Cotton Mather, who introduced the concept of innoculation to Boston after an outbreak of smallpox in the city in 1721. Online dicussion forums, much like life itself, can sometimes involve many contradictions. Participating in these virtual public debates is often both informative and frustrating, eye opening and maddening, … Continue reading →

There’s Always One in Every Crowd

The Quora Chronicles – Part 4 Often when people think of online discussion forums, political debates surrounding controversial topics such as abortion, same-sex marriage, or racial inequality are among the first talking points to come to mind. There are also, however, a surprisingly large number of positive discussions which often serve to, at least temporarily, … Continue reading →

Thank You, Mr. Obvious

The Quora Chronicles – Part 3 Some years ago, when my life as a “Dilbertesque” cubicle dweller still included a long daily commute to the office, on thing that made the morning drive bearable was listening to The Bob and Tom Show on the car radio. Their irreverant, some might even argue, tasteless, brand of … Continue reading →

A Different Kind of “Christmas Cheer

I love my job!  Since 2011, when I left the corporate world to become a teacher of English as a Second Language, I have probably learned as much or perhaps more from my students as they have learned from me.  In addition to learning the language, many immigrants to the United States are also anxious … Continue reading →

Accentuating the Negative? The Quora Chronicles Part 2

“You got to ac-cent-tchu-ate the positiveE-lim-i-nate the negativeAnd latch on to the affirmativeDon’t mess with Mr. In-betweenYou got to spread joy up to the maximumBring gloom down to the minimumAnd have faith, or pandemoniumLiable to walk upon the scene.” (Arlen & Mercer, 1944) With its relentlessly upbeat lyrics, it is fairly ironic that Arlen and … Continue reading →