Learn from this typesetter’s mistake

Wisdom to keep in mind as I plan for this semester’s “History and Future of the Book.”   FAIL Blog. Similar:Academic Writing BluesTwo days ago my problem was that I had n…AcademiaIdlewild's Story Book Forest Improves Its SignageIn the past, I have pointed out copy-edi…AestheticsNo Money, No Time We tend to assume that pressure makes…

Constitutional Kombat: Psychological Evidence Used to Restrict Video-game Violence

Violent video games have triggered substantial controversy due to highly publicized incidents of youth violence that have been allegedly inspired by the content of such games. Several jurisdictions have passed legislation penalizing the distribution of violent video games to minors and used psychological research to support the justification for such laws. However, courts have consistently…

on lesson plans and pedagogic tactics

I am far less interested in turning my students into good bloggers, or good podcasters, or good YouTubers, and far more interested in helping them develop the big-picture synthesizing and evaluative skills that will enable them to learn whatever comes along next, and to keep learning whatever comes next.  Of course, I also ask students…

Raising a stink over printer ink

The price of printer cartridges has long irritated consumers and their advocates, and they say the lack of information from manufacturers only aggravates the situation. One recent study even estimated that consumers could save billions of dollars a year if they were armed with full information about how much it would cost to operate various…

First-Person Tetris

An interesting spin on Tetris. Similar:Final grades are due tomorrow. My Fall 2020 is almost over. I survived.Final grades are due tomorrow. My only u…AcademiaTrainer and Sea Lion Tango: "He Had It Coming" (Cell Block Tango, from Chicago) AestheticsFacebook’s Instant Articles restore subscription options they previously strippedThe ability to serve content faster than…BusinessAnne Of Green…

What Type are You?

Why did Brian Wilson use Cooper Black on the cover of Pet Sounds? Why did Obama use Gotham for his election propaganda? It has long been apparent that typefaces reflect the character of the person using them, and that type choice, as well as the words that are typed, is a powerful conveyor of meaning. At…

I Hate Your Blog — MC Frontalot

Very catchy tune. I love the way the meter of the refrain sputters, not unlike the sporadic posts of a blog that won’t die. Similar:AP reporter’s mistake: Did the punishment fit the crime? Reporters have been sometimes fired …EthicsThomas Jefferson on "newspapers without government" vs "government without newspapers"Those darn founders with their darned re…CultureSelected Negative…

Nil by mouth

Afer extensive treatments for cancer, including the removal of part of his jaw, film critic Roger Ebert is still critiquing movies and writing, but he is unable to speak; he also can’t eat or drink. His recent column reflects on life without a mouth. One day in the hospital my brother-in-law Johnny Hammel and his…

The Turtlenecked Hairshirt

Ian Bogost has stirred up some discussion with his post on how digital humanities has challenged the humanities at large.  I’ve been very happy with the level of support I’ve received from my English colleagues, my humanities colleagues, and the dean, but all interdisciplinary, hybrid, and emerging fields rub against the sharp edges of the…

Colossal Cave Adventure Playthrough (with my 11-year-old son)

  Similar:Web Literacy for Student Fact-Checkers: Four MovesThe confirmation bias describes the very…AcademiaIn December 1999, I Was Blogging About Joseph Heller, E-Journalism, and Travel WritingIn December 1999, I was blogging about: …BusinessReplacing Disputed Flags with Related ArticlesInstead of flagging links to questionabl…BusinessWhat is a CRT and Why Don't We Use Them Anymore?I remember when I…

My 11yo Son and I Play Adam Cadre's 9:05 (Interactive Fiction Playthrough)

Similar:“Let It Go,” Idina Menzel’s Frozen ballad: It sends the wrong message.This author is probably overthinking thi…CultureThe joy of text – the fall and rise of interactive fictionAlthough the IF community first formed a…CybercultureLe règne des robotsÉcrite en 1920 et jouée pour la première…CybercultureParrots learn to make video calls to chat with other parrots, then…

A playable game of Tabletop Pong

If that’s not good enough for you, try Similar:The Most Lamentable and Excellent Text Adventure of Hamlet, Prince of DenmarkUpdate, July 2015 — the link to the ori…Amusing5 Fun Ways to Help Your Kids Learn Math OnlineMy son has finally found a math textbook…CybercultureThe Journey That Changed Geoffrey Chaucer’s LifeHis status as a deputy on…

What art thou, Pez?

What are thou, Pez, that must needs be dispensed? T’ be merely wrapped would leave thee so incensed? T’were better still to leave the fingers sticky, Than be vomited up by the likes of Mickey. — Mark Janello Curtis Allina, 87, Put Heads on Pez Dispensers Similar:Devil's Due (#StarTrek #TNG Rewatch, Season Four, Episode 13)…

crazy…creative…it's a fine line

What would be more awesome than a colorful display of iconic images from 100 beloved games? How about a colorful display of iconic images from 100 beloved games on cupcakes? Similar:Fox apologizes for "error" in news story that created the impression Eagles players knelt …Context matters. Good journalists should…CultureProfessoring. With an(other) apple pie cupcake.I touched…