How to Not Die in Silicon Valley

Lauren Goode: Zoë, you had vegan pizza the other night. You said it was pretty good. Zoë Schiffer: I did. I did, and I read a really, really scary article written by Annie Lowrey in The Atlantic about dairy farming, and it radicalized me for at least 24 hours. I was on oat milk. Thank […]

The dangers of altitude sickness and how to avoid it

For many adventurers, the attraction to breathtaking views on top of towering mountains is irresistible, but doctors are urging climbers to be aware of the dangers associated with altitude. In the high reaches of the world where oxygen is scarce, the body struggles to adapt if more accustomed to living closer to sea level. This […]

How to choose the executor of your estate

Pipat Wongsawang/Getty Images An executor needs to have legal and financial knowledge and enough time for the task. The Master of the High Court must approve the executor you nominated after your death. Executors may charge a fee of up to 3.5% (excluding VAT) to finalise an estate. For more financial stories, go to the News24 Business […]

How to be mortal: A back and forth with Dr. Bridgette Portman | Back and Forth

Editor’s note: Bridgette Portman’s interview with The Daily Californian has been lightly edited for clarity and brevity. Dr. Bridgette Portman is many things: a playwright, a novelist, an instructor and an academic in death, to name a few. As part of UC Berkeley College Writing Programs, Dr. Portman regularly teaches reading and comprehension courses taken […]

How to protect your money when you get married after 50

Tying the knot later in life is becoming more common. The most recent data from the Office for National Statistics shows that a fifth of marriages are now between those aged 50 and over.  Along with a new lease of joy and happiness, marriage – or civil partnership – can bring a side helping of […]

To Philosophize is to Learn How to Die

I spent four years writing a PhD on philosophical definitions of time in the 16th century. Most of my research revolved around the subject of death. Every day I read discussions about the nature of the afterlife, suicide, pain, mortality, and of course — fear of death. With all this philosophical study under my belt, […]

How to date a widower

When is it acceptable to consider dating a widower? How do you know if they are still grieving and not ready to move on? According to statistics, men die earlier than women, so I was surprised this year to meet several whose wives had died before them. Divorced since the early 1990s, I had no […]