By Ray Cavanaugh Few phrases evoke the rapid hi-tech acceleration of our era like “artificial intelligence” (also known by the somewhat less-threatening acronym of “AI”). Until very recently, this world, for better or worse, was ours. But, having ascended to the apex of the Animal Kingdom on the basis of our intelligence, we now find ourselves increasingly eclipsed by … [Read more...] about John McCarty: The Father of Artificial Intelligence
Window on The Past
Smiling Mickey Welch: Hall-of-Fame Pitcher • Occasional Poet • Lifelong Fan of the Game
By Ray Cavanaugh It was surprising that Mickey Welch had such a successful pitching career: He didn't have much size (the Society for American Baseball Research describes him as “generously listed” at 5-feet-8 and 160 pounds); his fastball was nothing special; and he also had control issues (at times leading the National League in walks surrendered). However, he … [Read more...] about Smiling Mickey Welch: Hall-of-Fame Pitcher • Occasional Poet • Lifelong Fan of the Game
Through Their Eyes: Larry Holmes vs. Gerry Cooney
By Thomas Hauser On June 11, 1982, Larry Holmes and Gerry Cooney entered the ring at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas for one of the most highly anticipated fights of all time. In some respects, Holmes-Cooney marked the long-overdue end of an era. It was the last major championship bout to be marketed – and not subtly – as black versus white. Cooney was “the great white hope.” He … [Read more...] about Through Their Eyes: Larry Holmes vs. Gerry Cooney
Hall of Fame: Sean McGarvey: Promoting Diversity in the Building Trades
Sean McGarvey began his career as a glazier, so it’s fitting that he has an office with a view. And what a view! McGarvey, president of North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU), has an unobstructed view of the White House from his office in the union’s headquarters on 16th Street in Washington, D.C. Not bad for a guy who was fresh out of high school when he began his … [Read more...] about Hall of Fame: Sean McGarvey: Promoting Diversity in the Building Trades
My Wild Irish Mother
℘℘℘ In commemorating the wonderful life of Mary Higgins Clark, who passed away on January 31, 2020, we honor her life with a piece from our archives written by herself about her mother Nora. In 1967 when she was eighty, I tossed a birthday party for Mother. There were over seventy people present: my generation and hers; friends and cousins; our children; cronies from … [Read more...] about My Wild Irish Mother