tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57657591839942751752024-02-06T22:06:04.986-05:00By Shanks's Mareadventures in reading, cooking, and bipedal locomotion (oh, and scholarship too)jdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10464852855879974360noreply@blogger.comBlogger97125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765759183994275175.post-36919825080848937102013-03-05T18:41:00.000-05:002013-03-17T22:18:45.395-04:00Schools and Experts
N. Postman talking Technopoly on BookTV in July 1992.
While chasing down supplementary material on Neil Postman, I happened upon his most excellent graduation speech. Although (to my knowledge) Postman never had an opportunity to recite these words at a commencement ceremony, the sentiment and message rank this as one of the better graduation speeches I've heard or read (DFW's speech&jdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10464852855879974360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765759183994275175.post-50239280866089190842013-02-27T20:14:00.001-05:002013-03-17T12:58:25.128-04:00Relationship Advice from Neil Postman
Cover image from neilpostman.org
Although he wasn't the most vocal participant during last weekend's roundtable discussion, Neil Postman still contributed plenty of insight regarding the culture and (digital) technology relationship. In many ways, Postman's work maintains a conversation that found popular expression in Marshall McLuhan's cultural critique of technology. Postman's jdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10464852855879974360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765759183994275175.post-13776674661258700952013-02-24T01:23:00.000-05:002013-02-27T20:27:23.557-05:00No Man is an Island...Well, Maybe Sometimes
Cover image courtesy of Turkle.
Purchase a copy @ Amazon, BN, Powell's, or your local bookshop.
The technology-connectivity paradox. Throughout the text, Sherry Turkle (professor of awesome stuff [otherwise known as the Initiative on Technology and Self] at MIT) reiterates the notion that we (individually and culturally) expect increasingly more from technology jdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10464852855879974360noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765759183994275175.post-17574173803692706712013-02-12T22:23:00.000-05:002013-05-14T16:27:25.197-04:00Understanding Mr. McLuhan
abstract and contemplative image courtesy of Gingko Press
"The medium is the message." Enough said. Right?
Well, not quite. Arguably his most famous aphorism, this is (unfortunately) the extent to which many people are familiar with the scholarly and cultural contributions of Marshall McLuhan. Undoubtedly catchy, McLuhan's memorable phrase finds its way into various conversations, jdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10464852855879974360noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765759183994275175.post-33779703193591304262013-02-08T00:26:00.000-05:002013-02-12T18:12:20.867-05:00McLuhan Primer
Get ready, next up is the incomparable Marshall McLuhan. A creative-thinker, problem-poser, and flexible non-follower who is sometimes difficult to understand, but encourages us to "Watch what happens...Where you don't know what's going to happen, but you follow the crumble."
jdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10464852855879974360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765759183994275175.post-41651115018412766162013-02-06T15:16:00.002-05:002013-02-06T15:16:48.859-05:00High Country
image courtesy of the Wolpertinger
A far-too-brief glimpse at the forthcoming film from the remarkable Joel Wolpert featuring the running exploits of Anton Krupicka and the breathtaking (sometime quite literally) landscapes of Colorado. A teaser indeed! This clip is one hundred thirty two seconds of pure motivation! Engaging and artistic running films are hard to find, so it jdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10464852855879974360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765759183994275175.post-13589034315097410242013-02-01T23:21:00.000-05:002013-02-08T17:50:14.764-05:00Mumford and Technics
As much about life (and how to live it) as it is about technology, Lewis Mumford's Technics and Civilization is a far-reaching exploration of many-sidedness of technological development. Through the analysis of social, economic, political, and other variables, Mumford presents a view of technology that differed dramatically from his contemporaries' depiction of sequential stages of jdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10464852855879974360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765759183994275175.post-81690255659831234242013-01-26T23:52:00.000-05:002013-03-01T16:10:02.221-05:00The Road Ahead
Now enrolled in my final course as a doctoral student, I am preparing the foundation for the ambitious intellectual structure referred to as the dissertation. During the next few months, I will devote the majority of my academic time to an exploration of the connections between pedagogy and technology in higher education. The expressed goal for this project is to map out the materials/jdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10464852855879974360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765759183994275175.post-69823822838468533142013-01-22T21:17:00.000-05:002013-02-05T21:31:43.496-05:00Not Just Another Sport
In a short film celebrating the launch of the new Rapha kit, a handful of Team Sky riders discuss the highs and the lows of racing, their ambitions for the season ahead, and why cycling is so much more than just an ordinary sport.
While there are many great themes and phrases throughout the eight minute film, I think Peter Kennaugh's sentiments about the ubiquitous influence and education of jdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10464852855879974360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765759183994275175.post-73943646503699084902012-11-15T17:57:00.000-05:002013-03-01T16:10:54.262-05:00An Adventurous and Cautionary Tale of (Non)Fiction: A Review of John Vaillant’s 'The Golden Spruce'
I recently finished reading John Valliant's The Golden Spruce for a graduate-level STS course at Virginia Tech. So immersed in the topic and jazzed about the writing style, I feel compelled to share my review with those beyond the classroom. Without further delay, what follows are my thoughts about an engaging book and important topic. Hopefully my words will foster some feedback and jdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10464852855879974360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765759183994275175.post-16979568861771684542012-11-14T23:53:00.000-05:002013-03-04T13:09:28.416-05:00Boston Bound!
After an über long and tiring day of work, it was a more-than-welcome surprise to find a postcard from the Boston Athletic Association waiting in the mailbox! Now it's official, in April I'm heading north to celebrate my first Patriots' Day in Boston!
jdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10464852855879974360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765759183994275175.post-4914248480576217602012-07-19T20:37:00.000-04:002012-09-19T15:24:52.427-04:00Yes, it really is this simple.
Although the research scenario is a bit more complex (but on the other hand, it really isn't; more nuanced perhaps, but the basics tenants are all present), here's a good summary of the call for finding time for exercise. No matter how you conceive of exercise (e.g. running, cycling, soccer, croquet, building a house, walking, mowing the lawn [not on a riding mower], using the stairs instead of jdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10464852855879974360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765759183994275175.post-16028152485692854222012-07-07T15:25:00.000-04:002012-09-19T15:26:01.731-04:00Assynt
"The roads around this part of north-west Scotland dip and tumble over the hills, the rough tarmac made to absorb surface water and sluice it away. A disorienting topography incised by sea lochs, uniform in its small-scale chaos: too many bends, too much water, too many hills, too many kinks in the coastline. The west coast often seemed to be to our east thanks to the contortions the landscape jdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10464852855879974360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765759183994275175.post-48273725758989043922012-06-07T14:49:00.000-04:002012-06-07T14:49:27.873-04:00Food and Running - Thoughts from Cookie Monster
A video featuring Scott Jurek and Cookie Monster! What's not to like? But wait, it gets better...they're talking about the relationship between food and running! Inspiring presenters discussing a fascinating topic. It's like Health and Wellness Sesame Street for adults (and kids too). Take seven and a half minutes out of your day to watch this video. Then head outside for a run, ride, jdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10464852855879974360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765759183994275175.post-34288641398516601792012-06-02T04:35:00.001-04:002012-06-06T13:32:07.880-04:00Race Day in Stockholm
I'm about to pin on bib number 851 and head ou the door to (hopefully) run a sub three hour marathon. Unfortunately the rain is still here (not sure about the wind, I've not dared to step outside yet - never mind, a huge gust just rattled the window!) and the temperature are holding steady at 41 degrees Fahrenheit. After being jolted awake by a ridiculously painful cramp in my left calf, thejdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10464852855879974360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765759183994275175.post-35267677529567678502012-06-01T17:56:00.001-04:002012-06-10T22:16:27.490-04:00Hej from Stockholm
After spending the bulk of the day trekking around Stockholm in a less-than-pleasant cold rain with frequent gusts of bone-chilling wind (people were actually throwing away their umbrellas in defeat - see above for photo documentation), I am now settling in and taking care of final preparations for tomorrow's race. Since the most recent news item on the marathon website warns:
The weather jdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10464852855879974360noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765759183994275175.post-50826162972070716092012-04-23T21:32:00.001-04:002012-04-23T21:32:39.489-04:00The Power of Sport
A quick glimpse at the disparities in the wide world of sport. However, beneath all complexities, a message of hope and inspiration. After watching the video, be sure to read the full article (the first in a three-part series) for a more nuanced look at Amantle Montsho's background and her quest to become the first Batswana to win an Olympic medal.
jdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10464852855879974360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765759183994275175.post-74403647327981035982012-04-18T17:38:00.000-04:002013-01-28T19:58:30.745-05:00The Linguistic Future of Politecnico di Milano
Newsflash courtesy of The Chronicle of Higher Education:
Italian University Plans to Teach All Courses in English
April 17, 2012, 2:27 pm
Milan’s Politecnico University has sent “shock waves” through Italy’s higher-education establishment by announcing that beginning in 2014 all its courses will be taught in English, reports The Independent. A growing number of courses and degree jdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10464852855879974360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765759183994275175.post-40740075967235503972012-03-09T05:30:00.000-05:002012-05-31T16:24:09.354-04:00Stockholm Marathon - A Somewhat Hasty DecisionWell, the decision has been made! Just moments ago, I signed up to run the 2012 Asics Stockholm Marathon! During a moment of caffeinated enthusiasm (mixed with a smidge of procrastination) at Sola Cafe, I committed to traversing 42.195 Swedish kilometers as swiftly and smoothly as possible on the first Saturday of June.Although I've been searching for a spring marathon for quite some time, I was jdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10464852855879974360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765759183994275175.post-80582693088983777252012-02-23T16:56:00.000-05:002012-02-29T15:45:26.410-05:00A Big Day for Basel
Well, at least for FC Basel supporters (which I imagine is the majority of the city, particularly after today). In addition to dealing with the chaos following recent winter weather, the whole of Europe is also deeply immersed in the final stages of the UEFA Champions League (click the preceding words to be directed to the UCL homepage or, if you are unfamiliar with UEFA, skim this Wikipediajdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10464852855879974360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765759183994275175.post-12653840475547071742012-02-17T18:13:00.000-05:002012-02-17T18:13:02.798-05:00Audiovisual Bliss
This is what pure pianistic brilliance looks like. Scroll down to listen to oneof the most amazing musical sessions in history (seriously, it is that amazing).
As a general rule of musical appreciation, I tend to enjoy most new videos from my favored musicians. However, after a handful of viewings, I tend to tire of the usually formulaic visual distractions from the audibly pleasant jdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10464852855879974360noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765759183994275175.post-76067326047178537162011-12-14T21:03:00.001-05:002011-12-14T21:03:23.826-05:00How Bikes Can Save Us, in pictures
Created by: Healthcare Management Degreejdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10464852855879974360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765759183994275175.post-87193546235168610262011-12-12T16:32:00.000-05:002013-01-27T20:32:09.215-05:00UC, a primer
A glimpse of UC's Villarrica Regional Campus. Located 750 km south of
Santiago, in “La Araucanía” Region, the Villarrica Regional Campus
focuses on the training of general Elementary Education
Margo and I are putting together a brief overview of Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile to share with our GPP Chile colleagues during our final pre-trip meeting. What follows is a quick summary jdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10464852855879974360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765759183994275175.post-36192839120803558272011-12-06T18:06:00.001-05:002011-12-06T19:01:28.286-05:00United States v. One Book Called Ulysses
photo of Edward McKnight Kauffer's
iconic dust jacket design courtesy of
Marianne Moore.
On this date in 1933, James Joyce's Ulysses was deemed not obscene in the U.S. District Court - Southern District of New York. The immediate result of U.S. District Judge John M. Woolsey's decision was straightforward, "'Ulysses" may, therefore, be admitted into the United States.' jdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10464852855879974360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765759183994275175.post-39966919197191718112011-11-30T13:19:00.001-05:002011-11-30T13:48:43.772-05:00Sense of Place
Well NPR, you've done it again.
Pure brilliance. That is perhaps the most accurate way to describe the new Sense of Place (intellectual confession -- I'm fascinated by notions of place -- how do we identify with where we're from/have been/are? what makes a place special? ideas of native/immigrant? what are local artifacts in no-longer-localized world? etc. -- maybe a research project is jdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10464852855879974360noreply@blogger.com0