What is Trying!?
Let’s find out!
Who writes this stuff?
This guy —>
Wait, there’s a book?
Yes.
I've been writing about travel, food, parenting, culture, and whatever else strikes my fancy for a few decades now. Once upon a time, I was the NYT's Frugal Traveler. I live in Brooklyn, obviously.
Travel
+1
/
Mar 18, 2026
How a former travel writer preps for a fashion apocalypse — and an emotional one.
Time
Mar 16, 2026
After I lost my job, I thought I'd have loads of free time to enjoy. The reality is a lot more complicated.
Cities
Mar 10, 2026
A new Pew study shows Americans more polarized — more filled with loathing — than ever. Is there any escape from misanthropy?
+2
Mar 3, 2026
In an imperfect world, the perfect dish.
Feb 27, 2026
Why is a concept so simple, joyful, and universal so difficult to communicate?
Parenthood
Feb 24, 2026
Having kids is tough enough. Now add zombies, nukes, climate change — and the prospect of mid-season cancellation.
Racism
Feb 6, 2026
Am I going to talk about the president? Yeah, I'm going to talk about the president.
Housekeeping
Jan 30, 2026
Let's take a look at a bunch of things that are in my head, okay?
Cinema
Jan 26, 2026
On Saturday, two men on opposite sides of the planet faced their fates — and we all watched.
Food
Jan 21, 2026
It's deceptively humble, but when you want to make it rain, culinarily speaking, there's no better choice.
Politics
Jan 20, 2026
The administration clearly wants to kill tens of millions of people. But why?
Resistance
Jan 16, 2026
Allow me to rearrange your deck chairs.
Pop Culture
Jan 13, 2026
It's okay — I'm not, either. Notes on the death of a once-essential cultural attribute.
Jan 9, 2026
A foodie's guide to 12 months of existential despair.
Jan 5, 2026
It's an indulgence you should never feel guilty about — as long as it doesn't cost too much.
Writing
Jan 1, 2026
Where's the line between outspoken critic and arrogant loudmouth?
Sci-Fi
Dec 31, 2025
Why all fiction is science fiction.
Dec 23, 2025
Am I? Is everyone now?
Dec 16, 2025
Are there too many people? Too few? Just use your imagination.
Dec 11, 2025
In which I more or less butcher the arguments for eating less (or more?) meat.
Language
Dec 9, 2025
In a world that coopts and capitalizes on quirks, it's ever harder to stand out as truly bizarre.
Trends
Dec 5, 2025
Are we beloved slackers or obsolete losers? Cultural saviors or whiny ironists? Whatever: I'm bringing data AND vibes to the never-ending argument.
Memory
Dec 3, 2025
For decades, I've been trying to observe absolutely everything. And the more I've witnessed, the more I've missed.
Nov 25, 2025
Why delivering pizza as a teenager was the best job in the world.
Nov 19, 2025
How irony can help us walk back our conspiratorial thinking.
