Shadow Flutter

In a previous life I did proofreading for the American Institute of Physics.  They published at the time prestigious peer-reviewed physics journals.  This was also when I had grand delusions of becoming a writer or editor.  After securing the position I discovered why most writers and editors have day jobs.  They aren’t paid much.  So I opted out after a year, and chose another career path, one in which I actually made money for what I did.   And no, I didn’t verify the math.  I simply made sure it was copied from manuscript to galley correctly.  If it was wrong in the manuscript and wrong in the galleys, I was fine.    But I digress. I got pretty good at proofreading, looking at words forwards then backwards (which works for some reason), and comparing manuscripts to galleys to make sure there were no misspellings, extra words, or words missing.   But there was also the math.  Some journals were math heavy, whi...

These are all examples of incivility, something we have no shortage of here in the U.S. —  My favorite is riding as a passenger listening to the driver talk about needing more excise, then watching him or her circle the parking lot and hold up traffic waiting to park in a space as close as possible to the building they intend to enter. Walking is exercise. Try it. If you are in fair shape and without medical problems, why not park farther away and leave the closer spots to those who need them?  —  I tire watching drivers of large SUVs back their buses into spaces too tight. Now that’s holding up traffic. Attempt 1, Attempt 2, Attempt 3 . . . Reminds me of someone trying on pants two sizes too small. I’ve had my car dented twice by such drivers. —  Don’t park in a handicapped space unless you or one of your passengers is handicapped. Despite what you think, the world doesn't revolve around you.  Don't be so self-absorbed. —  Don’t...