From a faithful reader: “What is it about academic life that makes it so hard to be upfront and honest with others? Why all the mind-reading and second guessing?” I really do not know, and I would really like to. Can you explain? Hypothesize, at least? Axé.
We also have in Louisiana several privatized prisons. At one of them, in the parish where my ancestor had some of his cotton land, there was a strike recently and I would like to know what happened. The Changeseeker offers some context. Axé.
I am not convinced it matters any more that politicians have our support, so my correspondence with Presidents is now utterly postmodern. Dear Mr. President, Due to your plans for Afghanistan and renewal of the Patriot Act, I have removed all remnants of November 2008 materials from all of my premises. I have disassociated myself … More My Letter to Barack
It is the weekend, so we will sing! I am singing that it was the last day of classes and that this has been one of the most interesting and by far the least terrible of all semesters I have been at my present institution. I am singing that next Friday I will be packing, … More Ponto de Iansã
What is poetry, and who is the poet, in this text? Que el verso sea como una llave Que abra mil puertas. Una hoja cae; algo pasa volando; Cuanto miren los ojos creado sea, Y el alma del oyente quede temblando. Inventa mundos nuevos y cuida tu palabra; El adjetivo, cuando no da … More Arte poética
Education is also pleasurable. “The Pilgrims (who did not even call themselves pilgrims) did not come here seeking religious freedom; they already had that in Holland. They came here as part of a commercial venture. They introduced sexism, racism, anti-lesbian and gay bigotry, jails, and the class system to these shores. One of the very … More Reading for Pleasure Wednesday: United Native Americans of New England
There is an abusive situation to which I never pay attention for reasons of rank: how could this person touch me? Yet they can. I have not realized until now what the complete dynamic was. I have been trying to negotiate and placate. Thus I play into this person’s hands. Never placate. Learn to notice … More Never Placate
We have not sung in some time, but now we are singing Revolution Rock. After twelve years of oppression I told the M.A.’s I had had it, I would no longer test from a commercial testing bank, I would make my own examinations and peg them to national standards. I said I was sure I … More Revolution Rock
Do you think all the kind articles about how adjuncts and other non tenure track faculty should be well treated is part of the abolition of tenure generally? An old colleague of mine thought adjuncts, instructors, and non tenure track faculty should have non ideal working conditions precisely so that they would either go on … More Academic Issues From A Very Contrarian Point of View Monday: On Rights for Non Tenure Track Faculty
I have so many things to do that it is hard to know where to start. It is hard to know where to start because realistically, there is not enough time to accomplish it all — if there were, I could start anywhere. I would prefer to just start anywhere but I must first discern … More Straitjackets of Normalcy
coldhearted scientist وداد 