I recently developed a really great relationship.  My new friend has read so many of the same books, seen the same movies, enjoyed the same sf, thought the same thoughts that it often feels like talking to myself.  And, she has a great sense of humor. It looked like a dream come true.  We sometimes disagreed, but we both took the disagreements as opportunities for exploration and growth.  About time, damn it! Until she suddenly made a declaration to the effect that everyth...

In response to today's "Scholars' Circle" on KPFK - Sunday, 09/04/2016 12 noon: I wrote: Thanks for an XLNT program. I believe we met years ago at Chapman University at the Yu Torture Memo presentations. Regarding bird communication capability: I have informally studied crows and ravens for about three decades, and for several years I had a red-front Amazon parrot.  After several years during which my parrot had virtually no contact with any other parrots, I t...