I finally overcame my phobia, and now I approach flying with a sort of studied boredom - a learned habit, thanks to my learn-to-fly-calmly training - but like all former flying phobics, I retain a weird and feverish fascination with aviation news, especially bad news. Susan Orlean approachaviationbad share on social
You could go crazy thinking of how unprivate our lives really are - the omnipresent security cameras, the tracking data on our very smart phones, the porous state of our Internet selves, the trail of electronic crumbs we leave every day. Susan Orlean cameracrazycrumb share on social
There are cultures that believe having your photograph taken steals your soul. I don't think there is a stolen soul in a picture, but still - why is it so hard to throw them away? Susan Orlean culturehardphotograph Change image and share on social
When my son was born, and after a day of lying-in I was told that I could leave the hospital and take him home, I burst into tears. It wasn't the emotion of the moment: it was shock and horror. Susan Orlean bearburstday Change image and share on social
I heard a computer scientist the other day refer to playing with the Kinect as 'storytelling.' At first I thought that sounded a little high-minded, but after trying a few games I could see what she meant. Susan Orlean computerdaygame share on social
I am unusually Halloween-attentive, because, as it happens, I was born on Halloween, so for me it has always been an occasion of great moment. Susan Orlean attentivebeargreat Change image and share on social
On the very same day that I ordered an iPad 2, I went shopping to buy myself a letter opener. I like to cover all my bases. Susan Orlean basisbuycover Change image and share on social
We do a lot of bird-watching up in the country, but we almost never have a chance to people-watch. There simply aren't enough human beings up here: there is nowhere you can park yourself with a cup of coffee and observe the species on parade. Susan Orlean beingbirdchance share on social
Knowledge is a beautiful thing, but there are a few things I wish I didn't know. Susan Orlean beautifulknowledgething Change image and share on social
Borders had lousy management and made bad corporate decisions, so its fate is less like a terrible accident than a slow-motion slide into a ditch, but it's hard to be happy about a bookseller's demise. Susan Orlean accidentbadbookseller share on social
