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Making sense of economic turmoil is no small challenge. Many of us gave up on understanding the economy a long time ago. Besides, economics has always seemed to live up to its reputation as the most dismal of sciences. In the past, why would we want to study it in depth--unless we were hoping to significantly profit from economic and financial pursuits? As Woody Tasch laments in Inquiries into the Nature of Slow Money, "I have had it up to--here!--with the opaque, impersonal,… Continue

When Tom Friedman speaks, people listen.



We've been listening, too.



A few weeks ago, the popular New York Times columnist came to Boulder for a public appearance at the massive Mackey Auditorium. The event was sold out weeks in advance, which was okay with me because I had no interest in attending.



However, I noticed that a number of people had been recommending that I read Friedman's new book, Hot, Flat, and Crowded. My usual response, based… Continue

Those of us familiar with what constitutes good urban design know that the front porch plays a central role in establishing a sense of friendliness and community on a residential street. So I am putting out a call to all municipalities, builders and developers, and homebuyers to accept nothing less than a house pulled close to the street and fashioned with a nice, big front porch that can hold a porch swing, a few Adirondack chairs, a mailbox, and nice big welcoming front door. With Halloween… Continue