Why gold?

In these uncertain economic times, investing in gold is making a comeback. And the folks who believe that we should go back to the gold standard start coming out of the woodwork.

Gold is relatively scarce, of course, and you can make pretty things out of it, but it doesn't have magical powers. Why not base monetary policy on platinum? Or iron? Or lead?

Some people fixate on gold as the ultimate answer. Some people think the Bible is the only book anybody needs.

Irrational obsessions.

My friend in heaven

A dear friend of mine died earlier this year, and it has only slowly dawned on me what a close friend he was and how much I'll miss him.

His brilliant mind had much more to give, but his body gave out. A tragedy.

He was the most scientific of men, a dyed-in-the-wool skeptic. He had an encyclopedic memory, and an opinion on any and all matters that came to his attention.

He and his wife were devoted to each other, although she is something of a spiritual seeker. At his funeral, there was an Eastern Orthodox priest, as well as several Buddhist monks, enough firepower to get anyone into heaven.

And now I imagine my friend in heaven. He is there, perhaps, against his will. He looks around, gets the lay of the land, and declares, "I'm not impressed." He says, "It's OK, but if I were in charge, I'd do things differently."

That was my friend.