by Jeff Maisey | Jun 14, 2026 | News, News & Views, Robotham
By Tom Robotham Recently I began reading The Anxious Generation, by social psychologist Jonathan Haidt—a book that explores the dramatic rise in mental illness among teens, beginning around 2010. He makes a compelling case that the chief cause is the proliferation of...
by Jeff Maisey | May 22, 2026 | News, News & Views, Robotham
By Tom Robotham Now that another academic year has come and gone, I find myself reflecting on the future of American higher education. The challenges facing colleges and universities, after all, are formidable, and there’s every indication that they will grow more...
by Jeff Maisey | Apr 19, 2026 | News, News & Views, Robotham
By Tom Robotham We must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake… by an infinite expectation of the dawn. – Henry David Thoreau As I approach the age of 70, I’m growing more acutely aware of my diminished capacities. The physical limitations are especially...
by Jeff Maisey | Mar 15, 2026 | News & Views, Robotham
By Tom Robotham On March 25, the Yankees and the Giants will kick off the 2026 baseball season. The next day, the other 28 major league teams will join the action. Normally, I’d be excited about this. As I’ve noted in this space before, baseball is my favorite sport,...
by Jeff Maisey | Feb 15, 2026 | News, News & Views, Robotham
By Tom Robotham When I was a child, I longed for an animal companion: a horse, a dog, or at least a cat. A horse was unrealistic because our suburban yard was too small, and—let’s face it—they’re expensive to care for. Plenty of our neighbors had dogs, on the other...
by Jeff Maisey | Jan 19, 2026 | News, News & Views, Robotham
Essayist Tom Robotham connects with Paris in an antique bookstore. By Tom Robotham This year, I’ll turn 70. What the fuck?! It doesn’t seem that long ago that I was sitting in my pajamas on the floor of my family’s living room in Staten Island, watching The Donna...
