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 Lost Art of Proofreading Plenty more where those came from. T…AmusingMy copy of Plotkin's Hadean Lands arrived today. Current_EventsThe Muse #StarTrek #DS9 Rewatch (Season 4, Episode 21) Jake meets his muse; pregnant runaw…Rewatching ST:DS9 From…

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:Helvetica Bold Oblique Sweeps FontysHelvetica Bold Oblique was the big winne…AestheticsToday's 10 sq cm of retro #steampunk control panel. #blender3d #blender3dartAestheticsA #steampunk control panel in context. #blender3d #design #aesthetics #blender3dartAestheticsMTV VMAs: Will Smith Family's Reaction Was to Gaga, Not Miley (Video)I didn’t watch the show, but I did see t…BusinessMy…

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:Why You Should Blog to Get Your Next Job It’s your resume, only better: E…BusinessTwitter is testing a tool for reporting fake & offensive contentIt’s risky to get your news from a socia…Current_EventsPracticing Intellectual, Evidence-based DisagreementThis is what a busy literature seminar o…AcademiaDeadline seems to have briefly published, then taken down, story that says…

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

Similar:Challenger Disaster: 30 YearsI was a high school senior, watching on …CybercultureReunion (#StarTrek #TNG Rewatch, Season Four, Episode 7) Picard Arbitrates Klingon Leaders…Rewatching ST:TNG after a 20-year break….MediaFormer Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh sentenced to 3 years for ‘Healthy Holly’ children’s …Former Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh, w…BooksUsing a Typewriter Simulator to Teach Media HistoryWorking on the…

A playable game of Tabletop Pong

If that’s not good enough for you, try Similar:Things That Will Freak out Every OCD PersonA good collection. I’m only linking to i…AestheticsIt was Mrs. White with the revolver in the ballroom. #winning GamesThe 19th Annual Interactive Fiction Competition Welcome to IFComp 2013, the competit…Current_EventsPulitzer Alert: Local TV Reporter Throws Cookies to Dramatize Destructive Walmart…

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:How Facebook is killing comedy (and other indie content…