Assumir

It may just be my perception but it seems to me that the verb assumir is or embodies a Brazilian cultural value. People are always talking about the importance of taking responsibility, taking charge, assessing, declaring and facing the reality of a situation. It seems to me that much academic advice goes in the opposite … More Assumir

Lee Miller

There is a letter of Man Ray to Lee Miller in which he expresses concern that around Zizi she will become one of those directionless women made for adornment, who are agreeable to everything and available for any intrigue because they have no focus of their own. Axé.

What I did today, 8AM-8PM, on one cup of orange juice and one of coffee

– Conferences with students. About 25 of them. – Started unraveling a bureaucratic mystery. – Received e-mail announcing the existence of a book which supports one of my theses. This was my research gesture for the day. – Continued to be very far behind on grading and syllabus revision post hurricane. No good deed goes … More What I did today, 8AM-8PM, on one cup of orange juice and one of coffee

On just doing it

Every time someone tells me to “just do it” they are acting in their own interests and not in mine. I think it is some insidious American plot to reencode reflection as laziness or “procrastination.” Do not just do it, you will become a cog, someone else’s tool, or a workaholic. Step back and reflect. … More On just doing it

On why it is difficult for us to feel relatively whole and to get things done in a normal fashion

My colleague says it is a uniquely authoritarian institution in a highly authoritarian culture and region. She compares it to Mexico in the 1820s but after reading an article about Argentine culture under J.M. Rosas as cruel and terrifying I am starting to wonder whether we are really 1840s Argentina. “Just get a book, dear.” … More On why it is difficult for us to feel relatively whole and to get things done in a normal fashion