This is my first entry, and I guess I should explain a little bit about what I hope will happen here. On one hand, it's a chance for readers to respond (good or bad) to the ideas and attitudes in my articles, Mannequin column, and fiction. But it's also a place where I can talk about things in 21st century culture that excite or terrify me, and maybe find out what others think about the subjects I bring up. Here goes...