1. I would like to endorse this post by Xicano Power and, although I am too tired to write anything very original about the issue, to add my voice to those supporting Kathy Sierra, the blogger who received the death threats, and criticizing the Daily Kos for being dismissive of her situation.
I am glad Mr. Daily Kos feels so safe in Berkeley, but not everyone is in such a safe place or has reason to feel as safe as he does. Sierra is of course not the only recipient of scary death threats, and she has at least received some support. That, however, does not justify the attitude of the Daily Kos.
2. On Reeducation – whose ugly head always rears itself when I am tired – I dislike it because is sophistry. It involves convincing oneself of the truth of things which are manifestly false, and of the right to authority of beings who have no such right – or authority, or expertise.
I already spend a great deal of time and energy animating myself for activities I find dull, unpleasant, even downright distasteful. There is no good reason to go any further in the direction of convincing oneself of falsehoods than is absolutely necessary. It is a direct route to alienation.
3. Forsooth, I have been disanimated to an extreme degree for some eight days. It has had to do with degrees of drudgery undertaken, and, as noted above, my efforts to tell myself and everyone else, but this is, or should be exciting! If not exciting, then funny! I am not discouraged! I am not bored! These efforts, of course, tend to backfire.
I am now slightly reanimated because: (a) I have realized that for at least one of my classes tomorrow, preparation involves actually reading something, not merely designing engaging activities. I get to do something grown up. (b) One of the books I need for my manuscript in progress has at last arrived. I get to touch one of the necessary tools of my trade. Both of these events are all too unusual. When they do take place, life seems much easier to reach and understand.
Axé.
coldhearted scientist وداد 