In Modern Magick I write about the two histories of the Kabalah. One, the most well-known version, is mythical and metaphoric. The second is factual and historic. This second history indicates that there are predecessors to Kabalistic thought and magick. One of these predecessors was local (i.e., Semitic) folk magick and beliefs. Sometimes, the folk traditions continued as a separate strain of spirituality. For example, you've probably heard of the cultural icons who are wearing a read string around their wrists for good luck. But according to Rabbi Ahron Lopiansky, "there is absolutely no genuine kabbalistic source for wearing a red thread around one's wrist to ward off the 'evil

Over 15 years ago, Microsoft spent half a decade trying to trademark the term "Windows." They sued a company named "Lindows" and eventually just paid them $20 million to change their name. Today, there is a long list of rules available as to how you can use the word "Windows." You could be sued if you use "Windows" in the wrong way. Apple got a trademark for their iconic "iPod." That's understandable. But they extended it to anything with "pod" in the name and legally threatened companies that used that term. Various well-funded companies buy up small companies with patents on small bits of computer codes. If another company, on its own, comes up with something vaguely similar, the

I attended Daniel Webster Junior High School (now Middle School) for 7th–9th grades. The school had a student newspaper. While I was working on that paper I learned a lot about journalism, from the "6 Ws" that need to be covered (Who, What, When, Where, Why, hoW) and the technique of writing (cover the most important concepts first and give details later), to how to paste the final copy on boards (now obsolete thanks to computers). I furthered my training in journalism while working for the UCLA "Daily Bruin" newspaper as a reviewer and columnist. Although I didn't take any college courses in journalism, I learned it from working with experienced and ethical journalists, editors and

For those of you interested in the current health situation of Isaac, here is the word from his wife, Phaedra, as of June 11, 2010: "He is not well. He was in the hospital for about 10 days & came home Monday. They gave him an ostomy to relieve stress on his anal tumors, but for the tumors themselves, there really isn't much more they can do. "He's too weak to go back on chemo. If he fattens up and strengthens, they'll consider one more round with some new meds. But it would be very hard on him. "This morning we had a visit from the local hospice. Much to my relief, they will do a tremendous amount for us, including managing pain meds, ostomy supplies, visits from a nurse and a