Junior Wells

It is the weekend, so we must sing. The best songs are Chicago blues. “Snatch it back and hold it,” sings Junior Wells, and I have seen him sing it in person. I have an idea of what the phrase means but I would like a precise explanation. A more muted, later night song is … More Junior Wells

Dat Whiteman

He informeth me that if I were yet more silent and proper than I already am, the bully of our subunit would not be moved to bully us all. He realizeth not that it was due to my silence and proper behavior that this bully was able to take over our subunit the way he … More Dat Whiteman

Academic Mondays: Things To Do While Waiting For Your Tenure Decision: Open Thread

What not to do: – Think about it – Talk to vicarious drama kings and queens who would like to help you think about it – Take up nervous habits – Open thread! Alternatives, if you are nervous and must do something: – Think, in a positive way, about alternative careers – Think, in a … More Academic Mondays: Things To Do While Waiting For Your Tenure Decision: Open Thread

Edward Said

It is the weekend, and we are definitely singing. Ridwan has a picture of Edward Said on his blog with the quotation “I have been unable to live an uncommitted or suspended life.” I think that was what Reeducation wanted — something very bland and Protestant somehow. I also tried to do this, but I … More Edward Said

Prolegomena to a Memo (Tentatively Entitled “Dear University Student, Memo #101”)

You cannot win an argument with, and you should not waste time trying to bring to reason or cure irrationality, I have often been told. It took me a long time to actually learn this although I finally did recently. In the intervening decades I listened politely to and tried to translate to reason the … More Prolegomena to a Memo (Tentatively Entitled “Dear University Student, Memo #101”)

Anniversaire

February 18 was the fourth anniversary of this blog and I forgot about it, having been through Saints Fever and Mardi Gras already. My first post on February 18, 2006, was entitled “Greetings” and said: My name is Professor Zero, and I am, loosely speaking, a follower of Paulo Freire. Formerly a Subcommandante, I became … More Anniversaire