On Boston

Over the past several decades, Boston has experienced a dramatic loss of regional institutions and traditions, which once gave it a very distinct social character. Boston has begun to resemble other parts of the continuous string of Northeast seaboard cities dubbed the BosWash megalopolis.

Precisely. A certain measure of modesty would fit it well.

Increase Mather

He was a man (but of course, a president of Harvard).

Like the most learned men of his time he was superstitious and a firm believer in presageful impressions. Not unlike some modern learned men, in their own ways. Still, his role in the Salem witch trials seems to have been eventually positive.

Update. Typos out, thanks to all.

On bikes, pigs and apples

"I'm riding the bike through an apple orchard," [...] "and stop by one of the apple trees. Apples are everywhere, on the trees and ground. A man is holding a pig in his arms, letting the pig eat apples off the tree. I say to him, 'You'll save a lot of time if you put the pig on the ground and let him eat those apples.' He turns and looks at me and says, 'Mister, time don't mean nothing to a pig!' "

It's from the Bicycling magazine.