We know we need bosses and deadlines to help us get work done. But sometimes we can also use an external push to make us have a good time. In both cases, our future self will appreciate the help. Virginia Postrel bosscasedeadline Change image and share on social
Some of the higher price of L.A. real estate does reflect the intrinsic pleasure of living there, as I'm reminded every time I walk out my door into the perfect weather. Virginia Postrel doorestatehigh Change image and share on social
The elements that create glamour are not specific styles - bias-cut gowns or lacquered furniture - but more general qualities: grace, mystery, transcendence. To the right audience, Halle Berry is more glamorous commanding the elements as Storm in the X-Men movies than she is walking the red carpet in a designer gown. Virginia Postrel audienceberrybias share on social
The evergreen story of people in debt becomes even sexier in an economic downturn, when debts inevitably get harder to pay. Virginia Postrel debtdownturneconomic Change image and share on social
Medicare is immune from the competitive pressures that force private insurers to pay attention to what patients and doctors want. Virginia Postrel attentioncompetitivedoctor Change image and share on social
Fit experts envision a future in which you'd carry your body scan in your cell phone or on a thumb drive, using the data to order clothes online or find them in stores. But who's going to pay for all those scanners, which cost about $35,000 each, and the staff to run them? Virginia Postrel 000bodycarry share on social
Rising living standards - whether in a village, a region, a nation, or the world - depend first on specialization: on letting people concentrate on what they do best and trade with others who specialize in other things. Virginia Postrel concentratedependlet share on social
'The Matrix' is a movie that is all about glamour. I could do a whole talk on 'The Matrix' and glamour. It was criticized for glamorizing violence, because, look - sunglasses and those long coats, and, of course, they could walk up walls and do all these kinds of things that are impossible in the real world. Virginia Postrel coatcriticizeglamorize share on social
Scientists appear most often in horror movies. Through childlike curiosity or God-defying hubris, they unleash destructive forces they can't control - 'Forbidden Planet's Monsters of the Id. Virginia Postrel childlikecontrolcuriosity Change image and share on social
For designers, the rigidity of an alphabet presents a never-ending artistic challenge: How do you do something new and still preserve the letters' essential forms? Virginia Postrel alphabetartisticchallenge Change image and share on social