Write instructions for busy grouches.

Updating the graphic for a writing handout on how to write instructions, which I created in 2000. Similar:So I’m starting a thing. Wish me luck. #blender3d #medieval #york #mysteryplay #corpuschr…So I’m starting a thing. Wish me luck. #…AcademiaDear 11yo DaughterYou are growing up smart, talented, dete…PersonalJournalism In The Service of Democracy: A Summit Of Deans,…

In a literature class, the author’s words matter more than the author’s life and times, or our own feelings and values.

Updating the graphic for a resource I created in 2012. Similar:A new study shows that students learn way more effectively from print textbooks than scree…Saving this for next term’s “History and…BooksAmericans grapple with recognizing facts in news stories: Pew surveyThe more you identify with a particular …CultureThe Best Halloween Costume Is a Robot Halloween Costume…

Trump, Obama seem equally disinterested in portrait unveiling — but journalism takes hits from both sides

On social media recently I saw people mocking Trump for “refusing” to unveil the traditional presidential portrait of Obama, and I saw people attacking “the fake news media” for pushing a narrative designed to make Trump look bad. The original NBC story that broke this item accurately states that neither Trump nor Obama is interested…

Déjà Q (#StarTrek #TNG Rewatch, Season Three, Episode 13) Amusing, insightful study of human nature

(Rewatching ST:TNG after a 20-year break) The meddlesome entity Q, stripped of his powers, throws himself at the mercy of Captain Picard: “in all the universe you’re the closest thing I have to a friend, Jean-Luc.” Lots of well-done banter and self-absorbed patter from actor John De Lancie. While Worf and Crusher have memorable reactions to…

I just found an abandoned blog draft, dated 2011, on economics in early computer games. Published!

I just found a post on economics in early computer games, tucked away as a “Draft” in my WordPress database, dated Jan 2011. I’m not sure why I never published it. The web page I was responding to has disappeared from the Internet, so I’ve linked to the Wayback Archive instead. Similar:The overlooked masterpieces of…

Slow flyby of a scout shop. Starfield backdrop; particle-based engine exhaust; hull uses a Boolean modifier to cut out portholes; cockpit frame and text labels use shrinkwrap. #Blender3D

More progress as I continue to level up my #blender3d skills. Similar:Another 10sq cm section of a #neovictorian control panel for a personal #blender3D #steamp…AestheticsHero Worship (#StarTrek #TNG Rewatch, Season 5, Episode 11) Orphaned Boy Idolizes DataRewatching ST:TNG The Enterprise-…AmusingWhy do journalists use "allegedly" when they report on obvious crimes captured on video?Look at this…

Synchronous Online Classes: 10 Tips for Engaging Students

Every time I have taught an online class, I have made it asynchronous. I’m blogging these synchronous teaching tips so I can find them again when I’m prepping my fall classes (which will likely be HyFlex). The tips offered here won’t miraculously eliminate the initial awkwardness of virtual class sessions, but they’ll help. And over…

Carolyn Gombell Is Not a Real Person: #JusticeforCarolyn Is a Campaign Against Twitter Refusing to Delete Trump’s Tweets Accusing Joe Scarborough of Murdering Lori Klausutis

Fascinating use of social media. To be clear, this story about “Carolyn Gombell” is a fabrication, intended to spark Twitter to take action against people (such as Donald Trump) who use Twitter to publicize unfounded accusations. Will that matter to people who share it? It’s parody accounts, not journalists, who are retweeting this story as…

New York Times runs just 1000 names of the nearly 100,000 Americans who have already died from COVID-19

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Looking forward to Part 2 of #PPTPlaytime’s production “The Rivals” (live… now!)

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Dogmeat and I may yet win this game.

Yes, this was the decisive moment. I ended up cleaning my son out when he landed here later in the game. Similar:13: The Musical Promohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40MbeApiX…CultureA full minute standing ovation after that rousing final “Alleluia.” Thrilling!PersonalPop Culture Showdown with My Retro DaughterThe girl tried to weird me out with a vi…AestheticsThe Tempest, According to My 9yo…

Leveling up my skills in #blender3D.

Using invisible shapes to cut holes in the hull, and a shrinkwrap modifier to align the cockpit frame and the glass. Similar:Facebook’s News Feed: Often Changed, Never GreatI’ve never liked Instant Articles — Fac…BusinessMeme alleging Trump said “Africans Are Lazy, Good at Sex, Theft” is a hoax I’ve seen this meme shared by severa…EthicsReader, I…

I just bought Diamond City.

Similar:The boy approved of the WWII historical fiction Dunkirk. CultureEnjoying more live theater.CultureA masked, socially distant museum visit. So nice to get away from syllabuses and email for… Ford built about a half dozen of the…AestheticsMany things in the world are awful, but my latest #Blender3D work on my #steampunk control…One of many steampunk control panels…

The Rivals #PPTPlaytime

A great production of a delightful play. Similar:Perspective | After a stunning news conference, there’s a newly crucial job for the Americ… I have always taken a neutral stan…CultureThe Pope's Prayer for Countering "Fake News"Today is the feast of St. Francis de Sal…CultureUnderstanding 9/11: A Television News ArchiveStunning collection of thousands of hour…CultureSome new locations…

The High Ground (ST:TNG Rewatch, Season Three, Episode 12) Sensitive, Artistic Terrorist Is Also a Terrorist

(Rewatching ST:TNG after a 20-year break) Crusher finds herself sympathizing with the charming terrorist who kidnapped her. After last week’s “The Hunted” and the week before’s “The Defector,” it seems the writers are very interested in humanizing perceived enemies. An unusually exposition-heavy captain’s log establishes the Enterprise is visiting a non-aligned world shaken by terrorists.…

On a little afternoon walk with my son.

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Every few years, I Google the name of the kid who saw “The Empire Strikes Back” the night it opened, and blurted out the big spoiler during gym class.

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