The Akbar Gambit
The guy at the next table has a strong survival instinct. Woman: Do you think Jennifer Lawrence is pretty? Man: (long pause) Who? Woman: Jennifer Lawrence. Do you thinks she’s pretty? Man: I don’t know who that is. Woman: You don’t know Jennifer Lawrence? …She’s an Oscar-winning actress. Man: Don’t know her. They take a few bites of food. Woman: What about Kate Blanchett? Do you find her...
A Chance Encounter
A Chance Encounter – by Ken Bolding As I was walking to my car just now, a guy asked where he could find the counselors and the enrollment office. I told him that they’re already closed, but they’ll be open again on Monday. He was disappointed, and asked which campus gates were still open; so he could get to the subway station. I told him the one at the staff lot where I was going would definitely be open. As we...
Why, Hulu? Why?
Why, Hulu? Why? – by Ken Bolding I was watching a show on Hulu while eating lunch. When it was done, Hulu served me an episode of “Keeping Up with the Kardashians.” I clicked it off in less than a second, but now I’m afraid it will appear in my “Shows you watch” feed. I don’t think I could live with the...
The Algorithm Knows What You Need*
The Algorithm Knows What You Need* -by Ken Bolding My electronic devices continue to do weird things. This time I was buying a movie ticket online, and the app put me in a seat between two strangers in a nearly empty movie theatre.I wonder if the people on either side know one another. Probably not. *”The Algorithm knows what you need” was a comment, made by David Ellis Dickerson, to the original Facebook Status...
Third Person (in first person)
Third Person (in first person) – by Ken Bolding I just saw the movie “Third Person.” As the crowd exited, an old woman asked her husband a question about it that he couldn’t answer. I volunteered an answer, which led to another question, and then another couple. And another question and another couple. I ended up in the lobby, surrounded by senior citizens, as I fielded their questions and explained the plot to...
Donald Sterling, Bigotry, and Consequences
Donald Sterling, Bigotry, and Consequences – by Ken Bolding I once dated a woman whose parents didn’t think it was appropriate for her to be dating me because I wasn’t deaf (she was). They said it to her at the their home in Vermont. I was in a relationship with a woman whose mother didn’t approve of me because I am black. She told her so in a phone conversation. When I was headed off to college, an aunt said...
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