Cromey Online

The writings of author, therapist, and priest Robert Warren Cromey.

Thursday, September 28, 2017

HUGH HEFFNER


Hugh Heffner, the co-founder of Playboy Magazine, died recently. His magazine ministered to my voyeuristic needs.  He said, “I changed people’s attitudes toward sex. Nice people can live together now…. I decontaminated the notion of pre-marital sex.” Heffner was a strong advocate of First Amendment, civil rights, reproductive rights. An article in the SF Chronicle added that he published works by Ray Bradbury, John Updike, Doris Lessing and Vladimir Nabokov. The magazine published long candid interviews with Fidel Castro, Frank Sinatra, Marlon Brando, and Jimmie Carter. He was not a feminist and was an exploiter of women. He was not an unambiguous important person.

Wednesday, September 13, 2017

QUESTIONS


I get to know people by asking them questions about themselves. I learn about their spouses, children, work, vacations and interests. I note that some of my friends and acquaintances know little or nothing about me, my wife, children, vacations, values or interests. Are people embarrassed to ask questions or are they shy? Perhaps they don’t really care. What do you think? Does anyone else notice this?