I don't understand why minimalism is always criticised for being the reserve of the privileged. Of course it is true, but can't the same argument be applied to consumerism? And consumerism is responsible for a lot of problems, including serious degradation of the environment, the demand for ever cheaper goods made in…

What about people who don't watch TV and therefore don't own one because they don't want another thing to dust? Look, we all have our priorities, and you can easily put me into this reverse snob category by pointing out that I live in a 16x20 foot log cabin with neither TV nor running water (yup, for reals), but I…

"Simplifying" and frugality were huge in the '90s. But these trends tend to be choices that are done by people who can afford choices, as you've pretty much pointed out.

Per my Indian friends, spelling bees are a huge deal in Indian community groups all over the US and they start training and competing on the circuit at a very young age. They're pros by the time the get to the Scripps. To they're standouts because it's important to them and they spend a lot of time on it.

Because they give a shit. Seriously. That's all it is. If you give a shit about something, and practice at it, you'll probably get good at it, especially if very few other people really give a shit. It doesn't even necessarily mean they're any smarter than anyone else- spelling has pretty clear rules depending on what…

My sister actually asked her Indian pediatrician why it seems as though Asian children always seem to excel in class so much more than everyone else. Her answer was simply "Kumon". She immediately put both her kids in the program, and one went from struggling to A's and the other went from A's to the gifted program.…

Not really. "Homosexuals" plural and "conspired" make it pretty straightforward.

You're the one who said "get an education". I was demonstrating the fact that I have, and quite an extensive and well-rounded one at that. I don't know what kind of person you consider to be n "asshole", but keep in mind that I have neither disparaged another's belief system nor resorted to name-calling in this…

As a Christian man, I'd like to point out that these are fall under old testament law. They are not rehashed in the New testament at all.

That said, even if they were, sin is sin. There is no ranking system. No hierarchy that determines whether one sin is worse than the other. Anyone who tells you otherwise is…

Hi Mardyn,

Here's the difference between Hatred and disagreement. I disagree with Christianity. You disagree with Homosexuality.

An education? I have a Master's in French Lit. I studied in Paris. Anyway, that is beside the point.

"I could not leave that house fast enough."

YES!

"...PBS and co-producers at WNED Buffalo 'believed that the show was no longer the best way to teach kids reading skills.'"

That's what kills me — people have thrown SO MUCH money away on silly ill-conceived Kickstarters that startup weirdos dreamed up as get-rich-quick schemes.