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:Coronavirus Tribute to Edward Hopper's "Nighthawks" (1942) I found this image on Facebook (wher…AestheticsThe Duolingo owl has been judging my German every day for the last year.Education#PPTPlaytime adaptation of The Merchant of Venice.Top — nonverbal…

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:Boston marathon bombing: All the mistakes journalists make during a crisis like the Boston… First, do not pass on speculatio…Current_EventsWeekly and seasonal patterns in visits to an MLA Style tips pageThe WordPress extension Jetpack provided…AcademiaTell Me a Smart Story: On Podcasts, Videos, and Websites as Writing AssignmentsIt does take longer…

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:The Air Force's Rules of Engagement for Blogging [Updated]GlobalNerdy, via.You’ve probably seen ma…CybercultureNancy Grace and Ashleigh Banfield Hold Split-Screen Interview in Same Parking Lot  Nancy Grace and Ashleigh Banfi…AmusingAmazing McDonald's "Maestro Burger" CommercialJaw-dropping. So creative and joyful. …AestheticsMcCain's 2008 Concession Speech: Republicans interrupt their candidate's concession speech…That moment during McCain’s concession s…CultureWhispers of the…

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

Similar:The Case Against High-School Sports”I’ve been in hundreds of classrooms,” s…CultureFacebook's Mike Hudack rants about the media: Why won't anybody do something about these s…When a Facebook executive whines about a…AmusingSweaters from Rover?From Awful Library Books. For more schad…BooksElon Musk has officially killed Twitter. The zombie platform lives on as X, a disfigured s… Whereas…

A playable game of Tabletop Pong

If that’s not good enough for you, try Similar:Coined by Shakespeare? Think againFor years, Shakespeare has been thought …AcademiaGeorge Stone Credits Scott Adams Adventure Games for Inspiring "Max Headroom"Scott Adams (creator of “Adventureland,”…CybercultureUNC student newspaper goes viral for coverage of campus shooting As Emmy Martin was locked down Monday …AcademiaSoldiers and Sailors Memorial and Museum…

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:CDC Website Publishes, Removes Updated Coronavirus Guidelines Friday the…