For more than 200 episodes since 2001, special agent Jack Bauer captivated the world as the series “24” unfolded in “real-time.” Each 24-episode season covered only a single day of Bauer (actor Kiefer Sutherland) daring greatly to save the world. While these mythical days were unrealistic, they drew us in as we contemplated the impact … Read more
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Watching the news or reading the paper, it takes only a few minutes to identify major problems in our world. From the abhorrent behavior of certain NFL players to new terrorist threats in the Middle East, we are surrounded by challenges in every direction. While most of us empathize with these issues, few leap into … Read more
Millions of Americans regularly binge-watch the Food Network’s hit TV show, “Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives.” Hosted by celebrity chef Guy Fieri, the show has a cult-like following and is spectacularly popular. Fieri profiles restaurants that have incredible food in a non-glamorous setting. The grounded, down-to-earth, focus-on-what-matters restaurants featured on the show generally have two things … Read more
We all learned by second grade that caterpillars naturally progress to a more advanced condition. You can think of this as the ultimate personal reinvention and a good approach as you work to take your career to the next level. Charles Best, a history teacher at a Bronx high school, evolved into his own style … Read more
When MTV launched back in 1981, the first music video aired was aptly named “Video Killed the Radio Star” by the Buggles. The song, and the concept, made history as a new format of musical entertainment that rose to prominence. The underlying message is one of transformation. Technology advances, global market expansion, ubiquitous access to … Read more
The East L.A. neighborhood of Boyle Heights is a rough place. Plagued by violent crime and poverty, this rundown area has a history of gangs and prison sentences. In fact, more than 65% of ex-cons in California are back in jail within three years. This recidivist behavior represents an enormous cost to society, both in … Read more
Several original works by Picasso, van Gogh, Jackson Pollock and Renoir are worth more than $100 million each and continue to appreciate at a rapid pace. “The Card Players,” painted by Paul Cezanne, sold for $259 million in 2011, making it the highest amount paid for a painting in history. Collectors appreciate the artistry and … Read more
Think back to childhood. Of all the fears and frustrations, learning to ride a bike had to be high on the list of scary endeavors. You desperately wanted the end state — independence, transportation and the thrill of having your own wheels. This, of course, was offset by the fear of falling flat on your … Read more
Before the turn of the century, drivers relied on old-fashioned paper maps (remember those?) to find their way to a desired destination. Before reliable map technology existed, our ancestors simply headed in a direction and hoped for the best (think Lewis and Clark). These days, we can be far more accurate. Many cars are fitted … Read more
As kids, we enjoyed hide-and-seek, scavenger hunts and searching for hidden treasures left behind on sandy beaches. That same sense of curiosity and exploration can lead to our biggest breakthroughs as adults. Opportunity rarely comes by and knocks you in the face. Instead, it requires us to peek around corners and seek it out, often … Read more