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…
(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 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:If you like to…
More progress as I continue to level up my #blender3d skills. Similar:The Lost Art of Paste-UpWhen I started using a word processor as…AestheticsIt not only went VROOM, it carried chunky plastic letters that could *spell* VROOM.Tonight, when I got home after all the e…AestheticsOn set as Betsy and Philip Schulyer in an historical film.PersonalLie to…
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…
About a dozen local TV news stations aired a video segment produced by Amazon. Some identified the source, but most just let TV viewers assume the video was a news story, rather than a PR piece hosted by an Amazon employee. Journalism matters. See Forbes for details on the story. Similar:Anecdotal evidence reliable? One man…
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…
Similar:Jumpsuit for a female mechanic in my #neovictorian #steampunk project. #blender3d #unity3dAestheticsActors Fail to Distract Audience from Prop Newspaper HeadlinesMy daughter and I were talking about pro…AmusingT.S. Eliot: "when we do not know enough, we tend always to substitute emotions for thought…I remember being fascinated with and cha…CultureWoman comments on man's looks. Man FREAKS OUT.If…
Powerful writing, by Matthew Schneier. Most of the essay is on the power of poetry as an oral art form. (See also Poetry is for the Ear and Poetry Writing Hacks: Top 10 Tips.) But I blogged it because of the paragraphs about the author’s father. Right now, a machine is breathing for my father,…
Yet in a circle pallid as it flow by this bright sun, that with his light display, roll’d from the sands, and half the buds of snow, and calmly on him shall infold away Deep-speare’s creation is nonsensical when you read it closely, but it certainly “scans well,” as an English teacher would say—its…
Similar:Who cares about hyphens, commas and capital letters? You should.You’re a busy editor, fighting a deadlin…BooksWhy Study Humanities? What I Tell Engineering FreshmenWisdom from science writer John Horgan.[…AcademiaThe automatic doors on my fantasy steampunk cruiser do work… kinda TThe automatic doors on my fantasy stea…PersonalThe black chair is down to 18¢ per ounce? Shut up…
Yes, this was the decisive moment. I ended up cleaning my son out when he landed here later in the game. Similar:Epic Game of Thrones pun battle. Carolyn Jerz Vs. Greg KerestanHere is the transcript the girl provided…AmusingPict Classic Theatre Romeo and Juliet. PersonalIn Defense of Liking ThingsIt used to bother me that people got all…CultureThe…
Using invisible shapes to cut holes in the hull, and a shrinkwrap modifier to align the cockpit frame and the glass. Similar:What gives you comfort? I collect lights. Some of these have magnets!!AmusingShe feels pretty at the dress rehearsal (opens Thursday)On the ride home, in the middle of a spi…AmusingRenata, Carolyn and Alex in a…
Similar:Murder Is Her Hobby: Frances Glessner Lee and The Nutshell Studies of Unexplained DeathSimulations are powerful tools for under…AestheticsIt's a lie that having zero assignments to mark means I have nothing "to do," but this par… A relief.AcademiaA Thursday throwback to end 2015.PersonalPICT's production of Jane Eyre has its first preview tonight.PersonalBooby Trap (ST:TNG Rewatch,…
A great production of a delightful play. Similar:Great moments from Pride and PrejudiceI haven’t read Pride and Prejudice in ab…BooksA Box With A Hidden Video Camera Documents Journey Through The MailAs a big fan of Richard Scary, I really …AmusingPac-Man on Atari 800 @setonhilluniversity discussion of Summer reading book #readyplayeron…PersonalIn August, 2001 I was blogging…
(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.…
Similar:Serving at midnight breakfast.PersonalAs coronavirus cases climb, the White House line is consistent: Everything is well in handTraditional journalism aims for neutrali…Current_EventsChipping away at the total as the final submissions pour in.PersonalChess again with my son.GamesThe Hidden Benefits Of DaydreamingWhen your mind wanders, its like P. T. B…CultureHow to interact with the introverted…My daughter spends…
Similar:What Khan Academy's Fun, Free Learning Empire Has to Do with Dystopian Social Control Over the Christmas break, I’ve been ch…AcademiaFacebook’s Instant Articles restore subscription options they previously strippedThe ability to serve content faster than…BusinessMy Summer Project: A WordPress Website for Stage Right, a Local Non-Profit Not too shabby, if I do say so mysel…AestheticsI do not…
Similar:Stage Right's "The Secret Garden": Performing with My Talented Daughter This weekend has been magical. Frida…CultureA serious summer activity.Once classes start again, we will all ha…CultureJaw-dropping moments of insight and humanity. So funny, so edgy, so affirming! I did not e…PersonalI just realized I've been misspelling and mispronouncing "detritus" all my life. I’ve been a…
Researchers identified more than 100 false narratives about COVID-19 that are proliferating on Twitter by accounts controlled by bots. Among the misinformation disseminated by bot accounts were tweets that conspiracy theories about hospitals being filled with mannequins, or tweets connected the spread of the coronavirus to 5G wireless towers, a notion that is patently untrue.…