Book Title Generation

I clipped an Austrian version of this cartoon by the amazing illustrator Tom Gauld out of the Die Presse a while back (in the Austro-edition Cher has been changed to D.J. Ötzi). My original reason for saving the cartoon was to use it in a blog about popular science bestsellers, a genre that I refer …

The Virtue of Temperance

I am not a huge fan of the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna. While I appreciate the artistry of the 16th and 17th century European oils which are the bulk of the collection, I find the works’ motifs and the overabundance of portraits tedious. When I travel to my nation’s capital for some cultural edification, I …

Strong to the finish

Almost two years ago I blogged about my favorite pair of blue jeans. My pants are still around, but they have become so patchy that they are now home use only. They are still my favorite pair of jeans, however, and I wear them often. Unfortunately, another article of cherished apparel has been retired. I …

Taxation without representation

In my last post I raised questions about the prudency of my son including designer sneakers in his investment portfolio. While I may have reservations about what my son invests in, at least he understands the importance of financial planning and the basics of investing. This raises him above others in his age group. A …

Sneakerheads

My middle son recently told me that he invests in limited edition sneakers. When I raised a questioning eyebrow, he explained how consignment resale functions over sites like Stadium Goods and showed me how quickly some of his shoe investments have appreciated. With a little additional online research, I learned that a pair of white …

Rules of Engagement

I am currently reading Daniel Dennett’s Intuition Pumps and Other Tools for Thinking before turning out the light at night. This is not because the book is tedious, and I need a non-pharmaceutical sedative. On the contrary, it is an interesting and engaging collection of thought-provoking ideas and anecdotes. It is ideal nighty night literature …

The wanton threat to democracy

University started yesterday on a perfect sunny autumn day. For the time being classes are live, and it was nice to see students back on campus after a three-semester hiatus. Teaching is so much more enjoyable in the classroom than online. As a student, I am focused on finishing my master’s thesis this semester, but …

Spilt Milk

I recently read that there are approximately 527,000 dairy cows in Austria producing around three billion liters of milk each year. My initial reaction to this factoid was, “Wow, seems like a high milk to cow ratio (roughly 5,690 liters per cow). So, I did a little fact checking and learned that a high-yield American …

Farming Simulation League

Lax zoning laws in Austria continue to allow 100 square meters of arable land to be lost every minute to construction projects. The last vegetable farmers in Vienna, a family farm that has been growing vegetables in the Donaufeld alluvial plan for 150 years, are being forced off their land to make way for a …

Communism reloaded, expropriation in Berlin?

While members of the national and international press are warning of the end of the world as we know it and rebranding Graz as Stalingraz following Sunday’s city council election here, a far more revolutionary election result occurred in Germany over the weekend. I am not referring to whether Armin Laschet or Olaf Scholz will …