The title, Whatever, is a reference to the millennial way of ending an argument. It used to mean 'anything' or 'everything' or 'no matter' and 'in any case, ' but has now become a catty, disdainful but peaceable, way of granting a hearing without necessarily agreeing with an opinion. It is now the trendy equivalent of saying, all right, have it your way, but this is my take on the subject. The essays in this book are offered in that spirit. --from the Preface