What if you could predict all future events? A 19th century French mathematician, Laplace, thought you could. If you can predict the position of billiard balls bouncing on a table applying rules of physics, so you can also predict the position of atoms in the universe. Of course you have to know the exact position of every atom in the universe. …
Of all the news that crossed my desk this week, this one was especially interesting and a bit scary at the same time. No it's not the new contact lens from Google that will automatically read your blood sugar levels from your tears and alert you...it's Amazon's new patented system called "anticipatory shipping." Yes...they will ship your stuff be …
On the morning after our December 3rd Holiday Party (where we named the recipient of our hallowed "Red Bandana" Award, named two new Networkers of the Year and our Foundation handed out four $5000 grants to worthy and appreciative recipients) it came to me that, more than anything else, the characteristic which distinguishes Gotham from other group …
I don't know whether he told them to do it or whether he knew. The answer to the popular question of the last few days -- "Do you think he knew?” -- largely depends on what you thought of him in the first place. What's ironic is that, by most accounts, he's been doing a pretty good job. And don't hold the fact that he has political ambitions ag …
A story today indicated that the NSA has surveillance over 100,000 computers world wide including some that aren't even connected to the internet. This comes on the heels of the Edward Snowden situation where Snowden (whistleblower or traitor?) revealed NSA secrets wreaking havoc on our geopolitical and diplomatic relationships. Other whislteb …
No, I am not suggesting a new Gotham group or outing. But, in New York this week, hundreds of people took the “No Pants Subway Ride”. Here is how it worked, I am told. Get on the subway with a group of people. When the moment is called, drop your pants, act as if nothing is happening – and then watch your fellow subway riders react. This phen …
I have recently “discovered” On Demand television. Through On Demand, my husband, stepson, and I have become huge fans of Homeland, having binge watched the entire first season during the recent blizzard weekend. We are about to begin season two. I have also discovered the television show, Episodes, and have found myself laughing out loud while wat …
Having nothing of any importance planned last night I offered babysitting services to my daughter and son in law in Brooklyn. They were happy to have an adult night to themselves. I was even happier to have a night with the little one year old. I had a lot of time with her this week. Last weekend was her one year birthday party. Tuesday n …
It's the new year and time for Magical Mitch's predictions for 2014. Since 2007 your trusty soothsayer has been making predictions with a pretty good track record. I'm 13 for 22. That's like batting .590...In the MLB I'd be earning at least 50 million a year. But first, let's review... In 2007 I was 1 for 7. (my rookie year:) For 2008 I was a per …
Inasmuch Wednesday would have been Elvis's 79th birthday. Following is a poem that I wrote in his memory. THE KING! I saw the Great Elvis today encapsulated on film written off and explained away and I tried to cry, cry for him or cry for me or was there something else? Or what is gone, or never happened, or will never be again and is lost …
It has become an all-too-frequent scene. I notice across the restaurant a couple enjoying a nice quiet dinner. Then I see the smart phones, either on the table or in the hands of one (or both) of the diners. “What could possibly be so important?” I wonder. And then the lyrics of Stephen Stills flow melodically through my mind. “...and if you ca …
Recently a tech company came out and acknowledged that they were behind a series of crops circles that had been left in various farms throughout an area. It had been an ongoing controversy/point of interest in several communities and had been investigated by authorities. They hired a professional company to create unusual designs that were not im …
Well, maybe just for me. As we were driving to dinner on New Year’s Eve, I turned to my family and reminded them that I was once again expecting everyone to share a resolution as the evening progressed. I have long been a fan of resolutions and in general, setting goals. I believe that saying it out loud has much to do with making it happen. Al …
My family and I spent Christmas week at an all inclusive resort in Rivera Maya, Mexico, a beautiful location. Part of the fun at an all inclusive resort is that all alcohol is included in the price of the hotel. The first day at the beach my family and I had a blast trying all of the frozen concoctions. From the Blue Hawaiian to the Iceberg, we tas …
The lead article in the Times this morning is about loosening restrictions in New York for the sale of marijuana for medicinal purposes. That is a long time coming. About twenty states allow its limited sale. Some states, such as New Jersey, have very restrictive laws. You can only be prescribed pot if you show that you have exhausted all conv …
