à la carte spirit by ilona fried
communication
On the Perils of Unsolicited Advice
In our talk-centric culture, opinions are exchanged as unconsciously as oxygen molecules. Many people apparently enjoy conversations that more closely resemble ping-pong matches than genuine inquiry. For some, offering advice is a compulsive habit. Regardless of whether anyone is interested, they are like fountains that gurgle their viewpoints on humans within hearing distance or on social media. But many folks, even non-gurglers, often … Continue reading
I Love “You”, I Hate “U”
When I first heard about texting, I shuddered. I didn’t understand the appeal of shooting short messages via cell phone when one could use that same device to speak to a human. Why send an electronic burp when one could compose a more thoughtful and thorough e-mail? But consideration takes time, and in a culture … Continue reading
Primary Care, Second Rate Treatment
I’m beginning to think that finding a doctor is like dating, an adventure punctuated with high hopes and dashed expectations. Sometimes, one gets lucky and feels simpatico right away. Other times, one might — out of convenience, inertia, fear of the unknown — stay in a relationship that is OK but not great or avoid … Continue reading
Recent comments