December 2008 – Page 3 – coldhearted scientist وداد

Reading for Pleasure Wednesday: Neil Postman. A Book of Anti-Pleasure: The Velveteen Rabbit

11/12/2008

In this post we will discuss Neil Postman, whom I did read for pleasure, but first we will mention my least favorite book of all time: The Velveteen Rabbit. I avoid public radio at this time of year because it is given to reading this book. THE VELVETEEN RABBIT I dislike The Velveteen Rabbit intensely … More Reading for Pleasure Wednesday: Neil Postman. A Book of Anti-Pleasure: The Velveteen Rabbit

In Which I May Be Postmodern

11/12/2008

Indeed, I do not like grand narratives when they request that you subject yourself to them. There is a Christian grand narrative. “Let God work through you” = do our bidding. There is a Marxist one. “Let the forces of history work through you” = you will get pie in the sky when you die. … More In Which I May Be Postmodern

Three More Parts

10/12/2008

THE SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION OF RACE Clio Bluestocking reminds us that “race” is a socially constructed category. I remember seeing an exhibit of photographs of renowned Brazilian writer Machado de Assis in Rio de Janeiro. He was mulato. Through his very successful writing he rose in fame and prestige throughout his life. The exhibit included photographs … More Three More Parts

Three Parts

09/12/2008

I I detect in one teaching statement the key words INTEGRITY, DIGNITY, CONVICTION, and COMMITMENT. This is in response to the all too many compromises one makes, in the interest of bringing together different disciplines, “learning styles,” sub-disciplines, points of view, and so on – compromises which can lead to the creation not of an … More Three Parts

Ó Pai, Ó: Bahia

09/12/2008

I Vou ver se hoje compro passagem. Depois explico o filme. II I bought a ticket. With tax it was $785 round trip. This is on American Airlines. It is not at all expensive, but it requires a 9 hour wait in Dallas. The film is Ó Pai, Ó, and this is its ficha. It … More Ó Pai, Ó: Bahia

Mais, yeah: révélations du jour

07/12/2008

Now much has been discovered. RIEDUCAZIONE It was abusive but the thing about it was that, like all abuse, its ultimate goal was to teach self abuse. I already knew how to do that, having learned about it very early on in life. Education militated against it, which is why I liked education. Reeducation reactivated … More Mais, yeah: révélations du jour

“Jungle Bound”: Angkor Watt in the 1930s

07/12/2008

This video is marvelous and wild, and I would love to hear your comments on its discourse and ways of constructing its object. Axé.

Balance. A Manifesto in Fragments

06/12/2008

ACADEMIA I have criticized Robert Boice’s writings on writing not for their actual content but because, I have said, they speak to people who do not know how to set up a writing program and need to know, or people who do not like to write and need to discover a way to write nevertheless. … More Balance. A Manifesto in Fragments

Dark Side

04/12/2008

About my old Professor Zero blog: I clicked on “update” and this destroyed its fine old design in a single stroke. The code by this time was not entirely kosher, so I clicked on “new template.” This destroyed the old links. I decided, well, it is too bad not to have a record of it … More Dark Side

Random Notes on Reeducation

03/12/2008

Every morning I face the debris of the life I allowed Reeducation to destroy. Some days it is more difficult than others and today is a difficult day. I have some points to make for this reason. 1. This is not a fully new insight but it is freshly said. Reeducation’s values involved “accepting” unacceptable … More Random Notes on Reeducation

coldhearted scientist وداد

Writing in Memory of Paulo Freire

Month: December 2008