Brilliant. The combination of a looks-too-good-to-be-true video, the patina of respectability that comes when a TV talking head introduces the clip, and the internet as a means for spreading links illustrates just how easy it is to fool lots of people — including professionals who should know better. I did show the original video to…
Humanities professors from the University of Virginia describe their frustrating attempts to give away their innovative textual study tool via Apple’s App Store. The reason the App Review Team gave (again and again) was that our app was “simply” or “just a book” (their words), and that it therefore had to be formatted in Apple’s…
Thanks for the suggestion, Nicole. The 4th Estate Project’s study of 2012 election-year coverage found that major U.S. newspapers and TV news programs featured up to seven times as many quotes from men as women. Men’s voices were dominant even in stories on abortion, birth control, Planned Parenthood, and women’s rights. The 2013 Status of…
“Daddy, I’m sick of your tears.” –my 11yo, after I misted up reading from Church’s 1897 “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus” editorial. Update, Sep 10: In the past few years, as my kids have become active in the arts, I have developed a habit of tearing up during their performances. I will silently…
My geekling is enthusiastically hurling herself around the living room as the Enterprise bridge rocks back and forth… #TOS #StarTrek Similar:Jury Duty UpdateI’m a happy, responsible, and no-longer-…GovernmentWhat kids do when Dad won't hand over the iPod So I’m not being selfish… this is …EducationRT @JordanFor: One of the counters from the Civil…RT @JordanFor: One…
As a fan of Colossal Cave Adventure, I’m curious to know whether there’s an active volcano in this cave. Or at least a gold nugget room. Jonathan Sims catches up with me. Between us and the sunlit passage ahead stands a stalagmite that in profile resembles the paw of a dog. “The Hand of God…
In the corner of the Seton Hill University Bookstore sit a few short aisles stacked with textbooks. Most of the Sullivan Hall store is devoted to apparel, school supplies and gifts. A few shelves are stocked with personal care items, while a multi-tiered Boots cosmetics display and a collection of Crabtree & Evelyn lotions earn…
My wife & daughter are in the kitchen, yelling & crying in fake Italian accents. (Practicing their toy shop tantrum scene from Pinocchio.) Similar:My Minecraft-obsessed tween made this blocky foam pig at art camp. Next up: Stage Right summer musical th…AestheticsOverheard at Quora: "Why after all these years is Moodle still so ugly?"Moodle is a…
@penguins season tickets! @stagerightgbg is raffling off $25 chances on 2 season tickets worth $4000. #pittsburgh #hockey Who’s interested? Similar:She doesn't have keys or a phone or an ID. Why does my tween need a purse?To stash her Lemonheads and Smarties. ht…AmusingRT @JordanFor: One of the counters from the Civil…RT @JordanFor: One of the counters…
Yes, the Spartans’ one-word response to Philip’s threats was both laconic and bold. Yes, I chortled while making a *hilarious* graphic of the word “If,” set in Laconic, bold type. No, a joke that depends on knowledge of Ancient Greece and Macedonia and modern typography really isn’t all that funny. In 346 B.C, Philip sent…
As a high school student, I wrote a fan letter to AC Crispin, in which I critiqued her capitalization. (She gave me the address of her editor, Ann O’Malley, who agreed to critique a few sample chapters of my in-progress novel.) Crispin wrote several early Star Trek novels, as well as the novelization of the…
Snickering over Monday’s quiz question about the Rosenthal rule. (Paraphrased: Reporters who BLEEP elephants can’t cover the circus.) Similar:Proto iPads and Paper Coexist in Classic Star TrekRewatching the classic Trek episode “The…CybercultureParallel structure in writing: Use it!These comic panels cover the issue well….HumanitiesIt's been nice knowing you, iPad3 It’s been nice knowing you, iPad3, but…TweetsRT…
“Daddy, THAT gum costs. $1.59. If you buy THIS gum for me, you’ll save 30c!” “I know how we can save $1.59!” “You’re mean.” “No, I’m cheap.” Similar:Overheard at Quora: "Why after all these years is Moodle still so ugly?"Moodle is a free course-management tool …AcademiaAnd the girl has succeeded in getting me to wear…
22 Words | Middle-class Problems Similar:The AI revolution is powered by these contractors making $15 an hourStudents who cheat with ChatGPT can look…BusinessHoarding disorders have increased during the pandemic. Here’s how to help a loved one who …Hoarding disorder — a mental health cond…CulturePop Culture Showdown with My Retro DaughterThe girl tried to weird me…
RT @SamekAshley: On a side note I’m going to feel really weird tweeting during mass #el227 #openliturgy Similar:Classroom collaboration marketplaceWhile I am uncomfortable with the whole …BusinessYes, I do feel rather awesome right now.Lost brand-new earbuds. Reached in pocke…PersonalJury Duty UpdateI’m a happy, responsible, and no-longer-…GovernmentJuror's CreedWhile researching my obligations for #ju…CultureAnd the girl has…
When the theater major called his journalism minor a “safety,” the journalism majors (including former music & theater majors) laughed. Similar:What kids do when Dad won't hand over the iPod So I’m not being selfish… this is …EducationJudge: Apple conspired to fix eBook prices.Judge: Apple conspired to fix eBook pric…BooksHabits for happiness: tips for looking…
I earned a +8 or +9 spousal bonus when I told my wife this little essay, by Rosemarie Urquico, made me think of her. It’s easy to date a girl who reads. Give her books for her birthday, for Christmas and for anniversaries. Give her the gift of words, in poetry, in song. Give her…
“Mr. Frisbie,” I called to him, and he stopped and turned around, taking off his bowler hat and smiling as he shook my hand. I got right to the point. “I’m trying to come up with a column for the dog days of summer,” I told him. “Something quick and fun but smart. But I’m…
Similar:Vintage Freebies for DesignersI wish I had time for cool stuff like th…AestheticsWhat's wrong with the way I talk?Wife & daughter competing w each oth…AestheticsThere are many Star Wars references in Dani Girl, so I made this tribute to Tom Jung's 197…CultureThe bots are coming. And they have poems. Yet in a circle pallid…
SHU’s Phil Komarny: Every get, starts with a give: We have all heard the phrase, you get what you give, and in the world of social media that phrase takes on a much more weighty meaning. Go ahead, prove me right, create a twitter account and follow 100 or so people. Just read, don’t interact.…