I couldn't find an image with the reverse scenario so you'll just have to use your imagination. I shared my August 2022 essay They Hate US ‘Cause They Ain’t US! with a number of colleagues with a request for their reaction to my favorite reader comment to date (see below). I wanted to know if … Continue reading From the Fire Into the Frying Pan US: “We are here because you are (were) there”
The Difference Between Street Art & Graffiti
Knowing that a picture is worth a thousand words, here are some pics I took in Hanoi that graphically illustrate the difference between street art and graffiti. The fact that I include one of the latter and four of the former give you an idea of which I prefer. Street art puts a smile on … Continue reading The Difference Between Street Art & Graffiti
Finland Named World’s Happiest Country for Fifth Consecutive Year
It makes me happy to see the results of this annual report on happiness. The description sums it up: "The Experts say social support, honesty and generosity key to wellbeing." How much social support, honesty, and generosity is there in your country? For the uninitiated, this survey uses a variety of criteria to generate a … Continue reading Finland Named World’s Happiest Country for Fifth Consecutive Year
Guest Post: “Waste Is Our Greatest Resource”
This is an issue to which I've given a great deal of thought in recent years. Most of what we throw out can be used in so many ways. Think of it as the global version of the idiom "One man's trash is another man's treasure." The vision of a circular economy can become a … Continue reading Guest Post: “Waste Is Our Greatest Resource”
“And where there is sadness, joy” by Kent Nerburn
The image is linked to the book on Amazon.com This is a story written by US writer Kent Nerburn that went viral as The Last Cab Ride. Originally entitled The Cab Ride I'll Never Forget, it appeared in his 1999 book, Make Me An Instrument of Your Peace. I reprint it here because I want … Continue reading “And where there is sadness, joy” by Kent Nerburn
Kitsch at the Seaside
Photo by MAA (I'd rather see this in a museum or a park than at the beach.) Kitsch is defined as "art, objects, or design considered to be in poor taste because of excessive garishness or sentimentality, but sometimes appreciated in an ironic or knowing way." How would you characterize the photo to the left? … Continue reading Kitsch at the Seaside
A Local Example of How Global Capitalism Works
During my early trips to Vietnam and Cambodia in the mid- to late-90s, I began to learn more about what has been called the North-South gap and the potential for obscene profits through exploitation. Lest we forget, "labor" refers to most people who have no choice but to sell their labor to an employer, fellow … Continue reading A Local Example of How Global Capitalism Works
Why Vietnam Should Not Go Nuclear
I decided to post this article here because I could only access it via TOR. Given that the Vietnamese government is not considering acquiring nuclear weapons, I'm not sure what the author's point. The fact that "some scholars have suggested that Vietnam pursue nuclear weapons in order to balance against China" is neither here nor … Continue reading Why Vietnam Should Not Go Nuclear
You can’t eat money: the cost of unlimited growth
A woman stands at her collapsed house damaged by landslide along the Mekong river in Can Tho, Vietnam, December 17, 2018. Photo by Reuters/Kham My latest essay for VNExpress International. The Vietnamese version will be up soon. Here are the first two paragraphs. In a 1972 book chapter entitled "Conversations with North American Indians," Alanis … Continue reading You can’t eat money: the cost of unlimited growth
Tourism in Vietnam: A Tale of Two Tastes?
Recently, I've thought a lot about tourism in Vietnam for a couple of reasons. First, I'm concerned about the lack of regard for the environment on which we all depend for survival, which often takes a back seat to (over)development and revenue generation. Secondly, I'm well aware how important it is to Vietnam's economic well-being … Continue reading Tourism in Vietnam: A Tale of Two Tastes?
An International Educator in Viet Nam 
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