How to Think Like Shakespeare

Saving this for the next time I teach Shakespeare. All well and good, you say, but my parents are worried about what I’m going to do after I graduate. There, too, Shakespeare can be a model. When he was born, there wasn’t yet a professional theater in London. In other words, his education had prepared him…

Rip Van Winkle

Certain it is, that he was a great favorite among all the good wives of the village, who, as usual with the amiable sex, took his part in all family squabbles, and never failed, whenever they talked those matters over in their evening gossipings, to lay all the blame on Dame Van Winkle. The children…

Facebook Removes Human Curators From Trending Module

Today, Facebook announced that human curators will no longer write short descriptions that accompany trending topics on the site. Instead, the company will rely on an algorithmic process to “pull excerpts directly from stories.” The company also said it will stop using human curators to sort through the news…. It’s important to note that Facebook originally…

Hypertext as a Teaching Tool — Brown University Poetry Classroom 1974

Similar:Thank you, 1993 Dennis, for documenting this low-resolution (the background image was 640x…Thank you, 1993 Dennis, for documenting …AestheticsNo, Dr. Seuss is not being "banned" or "censored" — but Dr. Seuss Enterprises is voluntar…It’s nothing new that Theodore “Dr. Seus…BooksWilliam Zinsser: What Is Good Writing? (Clarity, Simplicity, Brevity, and Humanity.)Most of the students in my…

Hypertext as a Teaching Tool — Brown University Poetry Classroom 1974

This short film documents an early attempt to use hypertext to help students study poetry. A fascinating early collaboration between computer science and the humanities. Similar:Part II of the Mon Valley Medium was a powerful experience. Funny and painful. @thepublicp…CultureDon't use that "18 school shootings since Jan 1" claim. It's Inaccurate.Don’t use that “18 school…

The girl sank her brother’s last ship with the homophonous cry “I-1.”

Similar:George Joseph Jerz (1933-2023)George Joseph Jerz, born on September 3r…EmpathyHappy Easter 2016PersonalProfessional or college Shakespeare productions in the Pittsburgh area this fall?Does anybody know of any local (within a…AcademiaCreating textures for background buildings in a medieval theater simulation project. I can…Creating textures for background buildin…Aesthetics10 top writing tips and the psychology behind themThere are plenty…

NASA Just Found a Lost Spacecraft

If movies about space have taught us anything, it’s that no one can hear you scream. If you get lost in space, nobody’s going to find you. Unless you’re a spacecraft with a direct link to NASA. Then, there is hope for you yet. STEREO-B, from the Solar and Terrestrial Relations Observatory mission, went missing on…

Connecting with the Boy

Today my son asked me to take him shopping for his favorite foods. He’s tired of fast-food take-out. I told him I was busy today running the spotlight for and videotaping yet another one of Carolyn’s performances (this time her voice teacher’s summer revue).
The poor boy has been left at home a lot while the rest of us did so much theater over the summer. He competed in a chess tournament last week. I fell asleep in the next room. He came in second place. (I have no pictures. I’m a bad father.)

Annie Sullivan on teaching: 

Helen Keller, rendered blind and deaf after an infection as a toddler, learned the gift of language from her patient and determined teacher, Annie Sullivan. Their story is told in the play The Miracle Worker (and my daughter plays Helen in three more shows this weekend at Latrobe’s Cabaret Theatre). As a young woman Helen Keller…

Star Trek Beyond was an enjoyable nerdy family outing.

Similar:Epic Game of Thrones pun battle. Carolyn Jerz Vs. Greg KerestanHere is the transcript the girl provided…AmusingProgress.PersonalGeometry and color maps for wooden desk tray. #Blender3D #practiceThe blue image is a “normal map,” which …AestheticsHappy Easter!PersonalThe truth hits Thorvald. Loved PPT PlayTime’s online presentation of Ibsen’s A Doll’s Hous…PersonalFall 2022 Grades: SUBMITTED Academia

How Different Cultures Understand Time

Business Insider calls this article an “anecdote… provided by linguist and cross-culture studies expert Richard Lewis.” The article provides several direct links to other works by Lewis, including an Amazon link for his book and an advertisement for the services he offers to businesses. The article makes many unsourced claims, and assumes that all Americans…

NOT a scene from The Miracle Worker.

Similar:My son teaching chess to a young pupilCultureThe geekling is 14 today.PersonalToasting Shakespeare at the Bard's Birthday BashOrganized by Pittsburgh Shakespeare in t…CultureEnjoyed watching the restored version of the hugely influential 1927 sci-fi movie #Metropo…Enjoyed watching the restored version of…AestheticsBird flight simulator. The boy goes for altitude and distance, the girl does stunts.In the bird-flight…

Late night set construction for The Miracle Worker.

Similar:Text Games in a New Era of StoriesClever NYT writer cleverly notices a gen…CultureMany things in the world are awful right now but my latest section of a #neovictorian them…Aestheticsdungeon.jpg (JPEG Image, 2535×1616 pixels)Great Zork map.AestheticsMy #AugustWilson #Steampunk NightmareToday is my last official day teaching a…AcademiaThe chief engineer of a fantasy #steampunk flagship needs a…

The Miracle Worker opens tomorrow.

Similar:The storage shelves of my fantasy steampunk CGI starship will need props with appropriate …  AestheticsOutsiders. Four sold out matinees this coming week. — Prime StageFour sold out matinees this coming week….BooksLook at the adorable little tape casette. Adventure International / Scott Adams Inc. spoke…GamesIn the Hands of the Prophets (#StarTrek #DS9 Rewatch, Season 1,…

Opens Wednesday.

Similar:The third Google hit for " #steampunk control panel" is a #blender3d image I cre…PersonalMaking sidewalks to go with the buildings. Tedious but will save time later. #blender3d #m…PersonalMy parents doing their daily crossword. I’m spending a few days visiting my …PersonalBeam me up, Chewie!AwesomeI am at that stage of life where I am excited…

Truth Trumps Bias

Trump offers plenty of opportunities for his detractors to criticize him. In the case of BabyGate, it does appear that the media were quick to spread an unflattering story without confirming some key facts. From a reporter seated one row behind the crying baby: “Mom and baby, very much not kicked out, came back to their seat a bit later. The baby was sucking a pacifier, silent.” There’s a little more to the story than the transcript and video suggest.

Kinetic Theatre’s “Hound of the Baskervilles” was hilarious.

Kinetic Theatre‘s production was full of great twists that honor the source material while also smashing the fourth wall. (Carolyn has worked with all three cast members in PICT’s Great Expectations and/or Oliver Twist.) Similar:Why Can't Millennials Find Jobs?Half of hiring managers say wearing atti…BusinessA Career-Aligned Major Isn’t EnoughI’ve taken over teaching the English dep…AcademiaHemingway: The First…