Improving Opera
Harry Padington of Newgate writes: I run an opera company, and attendance has been flat. A rival company in our city’s been packing them in, though. How can I increase our audience share?
In the spirit of Gripesgiving…
I get mail… in this case from a reader who spotted a news story that reminded her of my recent proposal to eliminate Thanksgiving in favor of a holiday where people get to complain to…
Tummy Video of the Ancients
An article, with a picture of an old Viking pendant in the shape of a dinosaur, has got me thinking. Could there be more surprises like this lurking in museums and attics? What else might…
Walking Backwards
Emily H. of Chilliwack, BC, Canada writes: Dear Tyler, I would like to be able to walk backwards, but I keep tripping over things or bumping into people. Can you help? Emily, Emily. Why must…
Gripesgiving
Harley asks, “Why do we have a special day for giving thanks, but not a special day for complaining?” This is actually not a bad idea…
Fate of the Apostrophe
“Somewhere in Kansas” asks: What’s the deal with apostrophe’s? The apostrophe has become a point of contention between those who believe that punctuation marks should have some meaning and dammit I’m going to make you…
Humanist Solstice Songs
Dear Tyler (writes Kendra Monkton of Vinings, GA), I’ve been asked to perform music for a Humanist Solstice celebration. Do you know of any suitable songs? Anything that just talks about the weather any sleigh-bells…
Why are some things not visible…
Ralphie, of Topeka KS, asks, Why are some objects not visible to your naked eyes? There are many possible reasons. The object is too small – for instance, a virus, or Snooki’s brain. The object…
Star of Vengeance – listen free
In a previous life, under another name, I scripted a series of radio programs. Star of Vengeance, ten episodes of about ten minutes each….
A shot against bad joke telling
Deb Pepe asks: Is there a shot for bad joke telling? Deb, I assume you mean a shot to prevent this scourge. Chloral hydrate will shut them up (or, if you take it, will prevent…