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January 1, 2019February 2, 2019 DAW Culture, Parenting

The Benefits of Being a Bad Parent

As a parent, my greatest fear is that my kids will end up just like me.  I’m happy they look somewhat similar, if only they can avoid behaving so.  I’m a mess of fear and insecurity and weakness, pride and condescension and callousness, laziness and carelessness and shallowness.  I don’t want my daughter to see … Continue reading The Benefits of Being a Bad Parent

December 25, 2018February 2, 2019 DAW Parenting

Children of Christmas Morning

Christmas morning!  The kids run into the room screaming.  Presents! Cousins are coming! Lulie’s house!  It may or may not still be dark outside. They jump up onto the bed, which isn’t easy when you’re carrying your weight in cozy blankets and pillows.  I want to pull the sheet over and pretend I can’t see … Continue reading Children of Christmas Morning

December 18, 2018February 2, 2019 DAW Parenting

Christmas Clutter

Nothing bothers me more than seeing my kids get excited over a new toy only to toss it aside a day later and never pick it up again.  This is how I know I’m getting old. I no longer look forward to Christmas. At least not for the presents. I am able to fall asleep … Continue reading Christmas Clutter

December 11, 2018February 2, 2019 DAW Culture, Technology

Rules for a New Public Discourse

Public spaces are expanding.  The group of people within our reach is approaching universality, and the way we reached them has changed.  You’d never respond to a stranger you overheard in a coffee shop. Nor would you stand up and give your opinion in the middle of grocery store.  Now we regularly do both, online, … Continue reading Rules for a New Public Discourse

December 4, 2018February 2, 2019 DAW Culture

Christian Music and the Art of Propaganda

We can all agree that Christian pop music is awful, right?  I can’t listen to it. If ever the radio stops on the Christian station and I think I’ll just relive my childhood for a minute, I wonder how I ever did it.  It sometimes manages to sound vaguely like secular music that was popular … Continue reading Christian Music and the Art of Propaganda

November 27, 2018February 2, 2019 DAW Culture, Parenting

Gender Freedom

My two year old son will do absolutely anything he sees his big sister doing.  When she kicks the soccer ball, he’ll kick it back. Whatever tricks she does on the scooter, he’ll try too.  If she starts practising her cartwheels and flips on the bar, he’s right there with her. He’s perfectly happy to … Continue reading Gender Freedom

November 20, 2018February 2, 2019 DAW Culture, Parenting

Gaming and Gambling

The usher pulls back the rope, and I step into a world alive with the flashing of lights and the clamor of excitement.   An electric band is playing in the back. People of all kinds crisscross the floor, eating and drinking, exchanging money, playing games.  At every station and stall someone stares, transfixed. The squeals … Continue reading Gaming and Gambling

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Welcome to The Testing Grounds Blog, a laboratory for thinking, a place to experiment on new and old ideas. And of course, the ideas most in need of testing are the ideas which are most dangerous. So criticize, compound, contribute and correct. Put them to the test. No thoughts here are final. I'll be coming back to them later, and I might just have changed my mind. Be open to changing yours.

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