Editor's choice: Rational optimism

When I was a kid, every December, my whole family would attend the holiday banquet at my grandfather's Elks Lodge. 

We got dressed up. There was dancing and games. And Santa always showed up with presents. But even in my youngest years, the highlight of the event were the huge hotel pans piled high with mussels and clams. 

Shellfish were so exotic to me, and if I'…