Years ago, I listened to a call-in talk show that discussed the day’s topics and whatever else was on people’s minds. It was a serious show for the most part, but occasionally, the well-respected host threw it wide open with some subjects on the lighter side. Some of those lighter shows included who you wouldContinue reading “Did Titanic’s Mother Cat Warn of Disaster and Leave with her Brood?”
Author Archives: John Berkovich
The Solo Pint And Unpacking the Gendered Landscape of Public Relaxation
This is the last entry in the bar series. That observation about men frequently enjoying a couple of beers alone in public while seeing women do the same with wine (or any beverage) far less often intrigues me. It’s a seemingly minor detail of everyday life. Yet, it speaks volumes about ingrained social scripts, perceptionsContinue reading “The Solo Pint And Unpacking the Gendered Landscape of Public Relaxation”
Let There Be Light (But Not in This Restaurant, Apparently)
It’s been five straight days of cloud cover. Five days of that washed-out gray light that makes everything — and everyone — look tired. So when I woke up today and saw blue sky and bright sun pouring through the windows like a long-lost friend, I figured people would be flocking to patios and parks.Continue reading “Let There Be Light (But Not in This Restaurant, Apparently)”
The Blue-and-White Echo Chamber And How Toronto Sports Media Helps Keep The Leafs Stuck
A modified version was originally posted on Substack It’s not just the players and the coaches. And it’s not the curse of Harold Ballard, Gary Bettman’s fault, the referee’s fault, a league-wide conspiracy against the Leafs, the three games in four nights to finish a season, any season, that wore the team down. No, it’sContinue reading “The Blue-and-White Echo Chamber And How Toronto Sports Media Helps Keep The Leafs Stuck”
Why People Believe in Myths, Urban Legends, and Conspiracy Theories in the Digital Age
In an era defined by a glut of information, it may seem counterintuitive that myths, urban legends, and conspiracy theories persist and often thrive. Yet, the very characteristics of our interconnected digital world, coupled with human psychology, create fertile ground for these narratives to take root and spread like wildfire, or to use the auContinue reading “Why People Believe in Myths, Urban Legends, and Conspiracy Theories in the Digital Age”
The Patio Crowd Is a Different Breed
The is the penultimate entry in the bar series and based on my observations from last summer and already this year. I’m not saying the entire patio crowd fits the narrative or the true stories below, but many do. It’s that time of year when the snow is long gone, the temperatures climb, and suddenlyContinue reading “The Patio Crowd Is a Different Breed”
Treating Women with Dignity and Respect Always
A particular kind of discomfort creeps in when I witness someone being disrespected in public, especially a woman in a service role. Whether it’s a waitress just trying to do her job or a retail associate managing a long line of customers, the lack of basic respect shown by some people, usually men, is deeplyContinue reading “Treating Women with Dignity and Respect Always”
Am I Getting Crotchety or Just Tired of Inconsiderate People?
Lately, I’ve been asking myself a question that might sound familiar to anyone over 40 (or anyone under 40 with low patience and high self-awareness): Am I getting crotchety … or are people just getting worse? After all, I have a blog series coming up where I rant about various things that get under myContinue reading “Am I Getting Crotchety or Just Tired of Inconsiderate People?”
Watching the Slow Fade in a Barstool Life And Then Some
I wrote this entry in one creative burst, something I rarely do in a piece this long, with barely an edit except for the odd typo. The roughly 1,600 words that follow are raw and visceral at times, and I likely could have written more … maybe in a part two if I’m so inclined.Continue reading “Watching the Slow Fade in a Barstool Life And Then Some”
Why the Bar Regulars Get Away With Almost Everything (and Shouldn’t Always)
If you’ve spent any time at a local bar or restaurant, you’ve probably noticed something curious: there’s a small group of customers who seem to play by a different set of rules. They order off-menu, say things that would get anyone else kicked out, and somehow still get a warm hello, their drink poured beforeContinue reading “Why the Bar Regulars Get Away With Almost Everything (and Shouldn’t Always) “
John Berkovich Talks 