Cooking as Craft

Good morning. “Manual competence” is the ideal Matthew Crawford speaks up for in his excellent 2010 book, “Shop Class as Soulcraft: An Inquiry Iinto the Value of Work.” Crawford’s a mechanic and a philosopher. He has no truck with craftsmanship or artistry. He speaks instead for the importance of trade work — “work that is…

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The Benefits of Talking to Strangers

I’m a lifelong extrovert who readily establishes and relishes casual contacts with people I encounter during daily life: while walking my dog, shopping for groceries, working out at the Y, even sweeping my sidewalk. These ephemeral connections add variety to my life, are a source of useful information and often provide needed emotional and physical…

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Is Telemedicine Here to Stay?

Telemedicine is having its moment. Over the last few months, millions of people have relied on video or telephone calls to talk to their doctors. But as the pandemic moves across the United States, and eventually recedes in some places, how long will the moment last? While patients used virtual visits to avoid overcrowded and…

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Men’s Wearhouse Owner Files for Bankruptcy

The owner of Men’s Wearhouse and JoS. A. Bank, which once dominated the market for affordable men’s suits, filed for bankruptcy protection late Sunday, as demand plummeted for its corporate clothing with the coronavirus pandemic keeping America’s office workers at home. The company, Tailored Brands, had approximately 1,400 stores and 18,000 employees. It had already…

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