Philosophy Weekend: Recharging

I was facing a loudmouth standup comedian and superb poker player who had an annoying device: when he bet, he flicked his wrist in a certain way that made the chips jump. It was a slick move calculated to aggravate, and after two hours at a table with this obnoxious player that's exactly the effect it had on me ...

Introducing "Philosophy Weekend", a new blog series on Litkicks,

Why do the super-rich flatter themselves that we envy them? I don't think we do.

Every once in a while I find myself wondering why I run a blog series called Philosophy Weekend that doesn't necessarily resemble anybody else's idea of what philosophy is, and maybe also doesn't necessarily resemble anyone's idea of what a weekend is.

In which Melanie Safka's "The Nickel Song" is a soothing song for a tough day.

Why this is the last blog post in the "Philosophy Weekend" series.

A podcast, a splintered season, a wonderful live album by Phosphorescent, a shadow that lies.

A major new project from the folks that bring you Literary Kicks will launch next week, the first week of October 2015.

Please donate for the launch of an ambitious new organization: Pacifism21.org, which will connect peace-builders and concerned citizens all over the world, and spread the message that pacifism is not only relevant but necessary in the 21st Century.

After using a pen name for 21 years, I suddenly realize I don't want to carry it around anymore.

A panel discussion about meditation, religion and activism at the Left Forum in New York City will feature Marc Eliot Stein, Sander Hicks, Robert "Rafiq" Lewis and Gregg Hill.

Inspired by The Danish Girl, author April Rose Schneider shares the story of her own life as a Trans person.

Thinking big thoughts while strolling the beach at Coney Island ...

The original 1952 New York Times Magazine Article that introduced the phrase "Beat Generation" to the world.

Levi Asher reviews "Big Sur", Jack Kerouac's shattering chronicle of his early 1960s crack-up.