Novel looks at the Rust Belt, composed by an American doctor
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How Being a Nephrologist Jaded Me
Being a nephrologist, I reminded myself, was my choice. It’s just that, as I looked into her eyes, I couldn’t
The 2026 Great Lakes NFL Preview
Who would come to a random blog by a part-time doctor about the Rust Belt for an NFL preview? No
The Other Guy Who Hates Free Trade Agreements
Where others see an apocalypse, I prefer to look for logic. And that which drives Trump 2.0, as chaotic as
My Favorite Song From Rochester (NY)
Some nepo babies get a real estate empire or worldwide fame. Others get a blog post about a favorite song
Indian Man Found Wandering Along Lake America
In a shocking turn of events, on August 30, 2026, authorities in Rochester, New York, reported having seen what looked
When Dolly Parton Held My Hand
Dolly Parton, the legend, was there for everybody. That includes me, the wannabe coastal elite with the superiority complex. It
I’m a Hipster in Dad Shorts
Sometime around 2012, the hipster thing reared its ugly head. Two years earlier, I had moved with the family to
How New York’s Data Center Ban Kills Upstate (Again)
Yeah, yeah—I know it’s not really a data center ban. It’s a moratorium barring state approvals of hyperscale data centers
How New York State Is Digging Its Own Grave
The beauty of New York State, if one sticks around long enough, generally results in anger. In Upstate New York, it’s
Dear Tennessee: Who Are You Anyway?
Dear Tennessee: I know what it’s like to be misunderstood. I am from the Rust Belt, after all. But
Windsor Pizza: The Best in the World?
It’s time to put an end to big-city snobbery. New York. Chicago. Yeah, even you Detroit. Just because you’re overrun
A Musician in a Small Town
This is why he’s a musician. A packed house. Again. He loves this place. Great sound. Even better vibe. No
Top 10 Hints Your Kid’s Not Gonna Be a Rock Star
As you might have noted, this is not a parenting blog. But in keeping with what’s trendy, I’ve started to
Belgium: More Than Meets the Eye
Countries have a brand. (Switzerland = wealthy. Bangladesh = poor. Canada = benign. The Democratic Republic of the Congo =
Midterm Elections: 10 Numbers You Should Know
Political discourse in the 21st century has come to be guided by a brand of overly-emotional, scientifically-challenged, and tribal dimwits,
The 10 Best Tool Songs of All Time
Good news—you don’t have to hang out with the silver-haired crowd at the orchestra to hear good music. A few
10 Fun Facts About Australia (For Americans)
In a world of 7.8 billion, 26 million might seem trivial. That’s less than Canada. And California. Even Texas. Yet
What’s T20 Cricket? A Guide for Americans
Sports are perplexing. Take cricket for example—watching grown men hit a ball with a bat should not be interesting. But
An Indian in America
The man looks up from his meal, nervously glancing at the small group of students that has just stepped inside.
World Series Ratings: A Deep Dive
It’s time to get a little esoteric. We’ll call it a statistical deep dive. While much has been made about