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:My Father's Day adventure…

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:Attending Religious Perspectives on the War in Gaza. Attending Religious Perspectives on the…PersonalIs Superman the next Drudge? Clark Kent quits newspapers in latest issue Even Clark Kent can see through the wri…Current_EventsTips to Improve HappinessKing says many simple and effective tech…CultureStar Wars: TIE Fighter…

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

Similar:Journey's End (#StarTrek #TNG Rewatch, Season 7, Episode 20) Picard must relocate a North … Rewatching ST:TNG An obviously tr…CultureThesis Reminders and Transitions: Touched up and created an infographic for a web page tha…Touched up and created an infographic fo…AcademiaCrabby 9yo Constructs a Head-mounted Frump-amplification Isolation CubeMy 9yo was ordered not to leave the kitc…DesignFamily…

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

Similar:Will ChatGPT Kill the Student Essay? Universities Aren’t Ready for the Answer | The WalrusI’m still grappling with exactly how the…AcademiaSigma Tau Delta English Honors Society induction ceremony. Congratulations new members. #s…PersonalWhat's a Snollygoster? Even lexicographers are wrong sometimesThis is an amusing little story about ho…CultureSteampunk flag for the United States of Britannia (from the alternate…

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:Salesman at Pittsburgh Public Theatre. PersonalLighting makes a difference. The officers' pub from the interplanetary cruiser #steampunk …  AestheticsMy son showed me #PacificRim.My son showed me #PacificRim. Liked the …CybercultureOkay, freshly downloaded app…Okay, freshly downloaded app,…

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:Faculty/staff orientation begins @setonhilluniversity PersonalBooks vs. Kindles: The Choice No One Made Ever”I bought a Kindle. I didn’t immediately…BooksSeton Hill University advertises for “Social & Digital Content Manager”The Social & Digital Content Manager…AcademiaRude mechanical sighting!…

I just bought Diamond City.

Similar:I'm not showing you my email inbox, or my laundry pile, or the state of my soul. Just…PersonalThe automatic doors on my fantasy steampunk cruiser do work… kinda TThe automatic doors on my fantasy stea…PersonalAnother 10 sq cm of #steampunk control panel. #blender3d #blender3dart #relaxing #aestheti…AestheticsMaking progress.PersonalEvery family has one.PersonalYou aren’t doing it wrong… if…

The Rivals #PPTPlaytime

A great production of a delightful play. Similar:If You Check the Source of an Inspirational Prayer You Shared on Social Media, You Might B…I needed this prayer yesterday. I checke…AmusingRhinoceros in Love (World Drama — China, 1999)The blurb for a 2011 English version of …AcademiaStanford to offer new undergraduate majors integrating humanities, computer scienceTraining humanists…

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.

Similar:It appears there may be some audience participation in this outdoor production of Richard …PersonalWeaving: Breathing: Thinking: The poetics of Emerson's NatureText derives from texere, which means “t…AestheticsFaculty stacked up in launch tube beneath McKenna gym, ready for graduation 2022.AcademiaThe Drowsy Chaperone @setonhilluniversityPersonal5 Fun Ways to Help Your Kids Learn Math OnlineMy son has finally…

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.

Similar:When backwards newbie poets write…PersonalA quick Sunday visit to #fortligonier with my history-loving son.A quick Sunday visit to #fortligonier wi…CultureHappy Father’s Day One of my favorite pictures of my fa…Current_EventsMostly German, sometimes refreshing my high school Latin.PersonalA Pox On Your Listicle ClickbaitYup, seeing “1 of 21” at the top of your…BusinessNo interior yet. Getting there.…

And you thought your last teleconference was rough!

Similar:Renata, Carolyn and Alex in a scene from this weekend's Pippin.CultureYour first attempt at a medieval gate and city walls will be your worst. #blender3d #medie…Your first attempt at a medieval gate an…PersonalCarolyn will portray Cosette Saturday at 2pm with 70 talented Stage Right castmates.The teen summer camp production of Les M…CultureA student who is…

Researchers: Nearly Half Of Accounts Tweeting About Coronavirus Are Likely Bots

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.…