Andrei Codrescu

As Google invests in a startup called Improbable, a digital simulation of real cities, economies and biological systems, commentator Andrei Codrescu thinks of Communism and that dream of a new world.

Commentator Andrei Codrescu remembers the first word processor he had — the Kaypro II in the 1980s. Its inventor, Andrew Kay, died Aug. 28, at the age of 95.

Commentator Andrei Codrescu reflects on the text message written by poet Seamus Heaney just before he died. In Latin he wrote to his wife "do not be afraid." The 74-year-old Heaney died in a Dublin hospital last week. Codrescu says no great meaning should be implied — it was just a personal message to his wife.

Commentator Andrei Codrescu notes the complicity of the Romanian Orthodox Church in both World War II and Communist-era wrongs. Now the church is giving big new construction projects to politically connected contractors.

Commentator Andrei Codrescu reflects on facial hair. When he was young, he had a mustache. Now, everything has changed and he advocates shaving.

Commentator Andrei Codrescu feels we've lost the ability to modulate our voices to suit frustrating circumstances. The reason: We deal with mechanical voices on the phone all day. He says the only real people we talk to anymore are family members

During this holiday season, debts have been on the mind of commentator Andrei Codrescu. He's been thinking about all kinds of debts, good debt, bad debt, public and private — debt is all around us.

Commentator Andrei Codrescu wonders why there wasn't more outrage by American consumers when gas prices soared to their highest levels this summer. He says "Big Oil" is not a friend of the people, and that the public has been numbed to the oil companies' abuse.

Commentator Andrei Codrescu is in New York City and walks in on a meeting of young radicals toasting Old Communists. He notes the fact that old commies never say "die." They just die. He listens to them, believing some of the conversations may have started in the 19th century.

Commentator Andrei Codrescu tells about his friend's dream of buying a coffee plantation in Costa Rica and making money selling beans on the Web. His friend also wants to use a certain duck that eats raw coffee beans and poops out a better bean. Of course, the friend has no money.

Commentator Andrei Codrescu ponders the disappearing American mustache. He says only bad guys have them. He was born with a mustache but recently shaved it off. Now he wonders if he really is one of the bad guys.

Commentator Andrei Codrescu brings us this glimpse of the kind of day that feeds a commentator's mind.