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:The Decline and Fall of the English MajorThis essay is yet another reminder of ho…AcademiaWar via TikTok: Russia's new tool for propaganda machine “This is the way they go to war; it’s …Current_EventsPopcorn MakerI’ll have…

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:Manti Te'o's Dead Girlfriend, The Most Heartbreaking And Inspirational Story Of The Colleg…Great example of investigative journalis…Current_EventsConfronting the Myth of the 'Digital Native'It’s one thing to be able use a service …AcademiaHere is an example of how I teach with Inform 7.Here is an example of how I teach with…

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…

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:A week of nonstop breaking political news stumps AI chatbotsChatbots are designed to give conversati…CybercultureGawker Media Files for Chapter 11 BankruptcyThis is fallout from losing an invasion …BusinessA crushing backlash to Apple’s new iPad adHave you seen Apple’s “Crush” ad? It fea…AestheticsIn February 2000, I was blogging about "The Heist" (Sorrels); the "Instant Muse…

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

Similar:Why ‘Cats’ the Movie Fails So FlamboyantlyI can’t seem to get into superhero movie…AestheticsReally enjoyed watching Your Name with the family. Visuals hooked me, but the story kept m…AestheticsIf you win the very first time you play a game, that means you are skilled and brilliant, …AwesomeShare a Coke with "Pepsi"AestheticsShould the AP Really Have…

A playable game of Tabletop Pong

If that’s not good enough for you, try Similar:xkcd: Types of Editorsxkcd: Types of Editors.AmusingThink Like A Journalist | Kelsey Samuels | TEDxPlano  CultureWhat Do People Do on Mobile Devices? (Infographic)A handful of vignettes communicating the…BusinessWhat Is Life Like For an Amazon Worker?You dont actually get hired by Amazon. A…BooksHe Googles for some random memes…

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:Pennsylvania is one of three states recognized by the…