Smoking rooms, 2008

There was once upon a time when men would sit in high-back chairs, drink whisky, smoke cigars rolled between the thighs of Cuban women, and talk about ideas, both lofty and low-brow.

The whisky, cigars and cheap humor have mostly remained, but the setting has changed.

Instead of books and assorted periodicals, we have YouTube. Allow me to explain. I find a funny YouTube video. I show you. You, in the spirit of ones-up-manship, you show me your favorite. We continue, exchange ideas (no matter how low or high brow) until we have both come away with a different perspective on the world.

It’s like education, without all of the stupid learning!