Amanda Smith is a freelance journalist and writer. She reports on culture, society, human interest and technology. Her stories hold a mirror to society, reflecting both its malaise and its beauty.

It’s the time of the year when our thoughts turn to the need to acquire greeting cards, chocolates, and flowers. But the engineer in us is still curious. What’s the deal with those cards with ...

Everyone likes getting cards. I’d prefer paper-cards to an e-card, but hey, I’m not choosy. Any card is still a sign that someone’s thinking well of me. Except, of course, when it’s not really from a ...