It has long been acknowledged that a lot of inventions were first inspired by fiction.  Futuristic television shows – most notably Star Trek – have inspired scientists to emulate the fantasy prototypes they saw on the screen.  When Spock talked to Captain Kirk on a video screen we were amazed.  Today telepresence is commonplace.  When [...]

No other head is ever told it cannot wear red – or purple, or pink, or orange.  The colour police only come after the redheads.  The other 98 percent of the population gets to wear whatever it chooses.  As a redhead of fiery proportions this has always struck me as grossly unfair.  It doesn’t even [...]

I have spent a lifetime reading both of Canada’s official languages on milk cartons, cereal boxes and instruction manuals.  In high school I took – and passed – the mandatory Grade 8 French class.  When my children were small I absorbed hours of Sesame Street French lessons.  Thanks to a very annoying and indecisive parrot [...]

  So much in this life depends on which side you’re on. I find this to be especially true when you’re inside an airplane. I was on an airplane bound for Montreal recently and I couldn’t help but notice that only a hands breadth of metal separated me from the great outdoors.  A mere five or [...]