RIDER Magazine published my first motorcycle article in a long time. If would be fun if you let me know what you think of the story – especially if you ride motorcycles. This topic has bounced around in my head for years. Artist Hector Cademartori’s illustrations make the story. There… Continue reading
INTRODUCTION Cousin Ron Herem conceived this trip, wishing to follow up on his 2018 expedition with his wife, Gwen. He wanted to dig deeper into family archives, meet more family members, and consult with local historians in Sauda who might shed more light on the people and places of our… Continue reading
It was inevitable. I was going to do something stupid and lose my new DJI Avata drone. And I did, but there is some redemption in this story. Let me explain and give you a link to my first ever drone video: The wonders of piloting a drone first hit… Continue reading
The Dunning-Kruger Effect states the less we know about a particular topic, the more we think we know. It’s what won David Dunning and Justin Kruger the Nobel Prize and what I wrote about here. The effect was discussed in the above-referenced newsletter on motorcycle riding, so I’ll not elaborate,… Continue reading
Competing in debate, our Fairmont High School team accumulated an impressive series of wins, ultimately landing us in completion for the state championship in Minnesota. Debate wins come by accumulating points. Not only the “quality and reasonableness” of an argument, but the sources used to back it up. We learned… Continue reading
Writing about politics is not something I do, but I do write about science. It appears to me our government and courts would benefit if they’d base their decisions and policies on scientific proof, versus information found on the Internet, chat rooms, and blog posts. Legal decisions and government policy… Continue reading
The Dunning-Kruger effect popped into my consciousness recently. A friend had responded in a decidedly authoritarian tone explaining why my assessment of a particular vehicle’s performance was wrong, backing up their assertion with a personal anecdote. This is classic Dunning-Kruger — the less we know about a particular topic, the… Continue reading
Few things humble me more than my association with Joanne Cacciatore and the MISS Foundation. She was recently honored by the town in which she lives, Sedona, with an award on International Women’s Day. She talks about receiving this Philanthropy Leadership award here. Following is what Joanne said at the… Continue reading
Before collaborating with Oltman on many articles for Motorcycle Consumer News (MCN) magazine, I knew him as the slightly curmudgeonly Honda Goldwing expert who dispensed advice to riders in the GWRRA (Goldwing Road Riders Association) at their monthly meetings at Chompie’s Deli on Shea Blvd. in Scottsdale, AZ. Stu’s level… Continue reading
My friend Barney Watson passed away in the morning hours of Feb 18, 2023. He’d just turned 80 years old. His brother Rex, and Rex’s wife Tana were with him, along with Barney’s best friend, Roger Meinershagen. Barney is survived by his wife, Claudia. My path to meeting Barney was… Continue reading