I have a terrific work commute. Most people can’t say that, especially in the New York metro area, where a lot of my colleagues battle with suburban train delays and subway reroutings. But I get to take a ferry, which gives me nice views of the harbor, as well as companions who’ve all got interesting jobs and like to share.

One of them works for a big ad agency. He’s been at it for years, and this has given him a nicely corrosive attitude about what he does. “Scare them, and offer a solution,” is the basic formula for every ad you see on TV, according to him.