Archive for December, 2008
Twitter update
Preparing for work so that I don’t get holiday-over-too-soon syndrome tomorrow morning. (aka Youtube fever)
merry christmas
cheney’s highest moment
Are you surprised? I’m not.
obama’s pick for education post
If you have been reading this blog for very long you know that I am very interested in issues around this country’s public education system. I have been following chancellor Michelle Rhee in D.C. and others as they reform their school districts. Thus far, I have not taken a political stance on the matter and have been open to any idea that might result in better educated children. I recently came across Alfie Kohn, an articulate advocate quite opposed to Michelle Rhee et al and who questions the very meaning of the word “reform.” Here is a quote from his interview on FAIR’s radio program Counter Spin this week:
…it’s called by the almost Orwellian term “school reform.” What that means, in effect, is a corporate style approach to management of school systems in which the goal is not to help children learn but to prepare them to be employees who will help corporations become competitive in a global economy.
This upends the entire question of education. It means that we should be asking what the goal of childhood education is in the first place. Like many things, the question can be looked at from a micro or macro perspective. As a lawmaker, Obama will need to have his macro goggles on. That’s his role. But as a parent and student, it disgusts me to view education as merely job training for the benefit of U.S. global hegemony. That is why Kohn’s ideas are so attractive for me. You should read his article in the Nation from earlier this month.
something there, something like us
REUTERS/BUAV/Handout
Nobody could call me an animal rights activist (although admittedly, a PETA mailing caused me to stop eating meat for a year), but images such as these are very compelling. You can’t tell me there isn’t something behind that frightened creature’s eyes. Not a soul per se (I don’t believe in souls), but something like what we have. An awareness I suppose.
Sometimes, I think belief in the human soul is why we have trouble respecting other species. The soul is exclusive to humanity. We alone posess it. All other life is lesser for lack of it.
Twitter update
Woke up with an iPod shaped impression on my chest. At least it wasn’t the face of Jesus or something.
crunchy style
I am completely drawn in when I see stylized photography like this. Straight photography is beginning to feel boring to me as a consumer. Tonight I was playing with the ACR sliders in LR (the basic panel) and came up with this gritty, crunchy look that seems very popular right now.
Twitter update
You know you need to lose weight when your stomach wags while walking. I’m almost there.
Twitter update
…and don’t get me started on the ones that actually sit down next to you!
Twitter update
What grinds my gears? Servers who squat to use the table while taking my order…
