Lessons from our first social media president

From the beginning of his candidacy for president in 2007, Barack Obama and his political team have demonstrated a digital savvy that gave them a big edge at targeting voters with custom messages...

Remaking America and how we talk to one another

One reason the 2016 presidential campaign is so charged is the result of tensions from a changing America. It’s not without precedent, of course. Waves of immigration in every century...

From “We Try Harder” to “Nothing Runs Like a Deere”

I went to the grocery store to pick up one or two healthy ingredients for the vegetarian chili Barb was preparing for supper. I also came home with a chocolate bar that had been beckoning from the...

Here’s what can happen when you offend the right people

A piece in the Israeli newspaper Haaretz shows the power of social media to help and to harm. Headlined “NYT Editor Criticizes Trump, Spends Next 8 Hours Retweeting anti-Semitic...

We are where we live, work and play

Much of what we believe has little to do with what we read, watch and discuss or even upon which set of facts we stake our opinions. Our world views are shaped by other things, including whether or...

Social media makes you a public figure…so be careful

I have a friend with a history of using her social media accounts as an online diary. When she shares her physical ailments, displeasure with her employer or anger over the actions of an...