Oh how I love Neil deGrasse Tyson. Check out his tweets mocking Christmas.
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/12/neil-degrasse-tysons-christmas-morning-jokes-ignite-pious-furor-on-twitter/
One of them is poetic: "Merry Christmas to all. A Pagan holiday (BC) becomes a Religious holiday (AD). Which then becomes a Shopping holiday (USA)."
Christmas seems to be a mostly secular holiday. The Christmas trees, lights,, shopping, gifts, and food don't seem to have anything to do with Christ. I don't like Christmas. I'm not Christian, but I might respect it if it was stripped of its secular parts, leaving at least an attempt at a genuine and meaningful holiday.
What would Jesus think of Christmas? The commercialism might make him table-flipping mad. And I'm not so sure he would want to be worshiped--certainly not with trees and lights. Christians should think about this.
I posted earlier about how John Shelby Spong's idea of a secular Jesus moved me. So I carry myself through my days inspired by a powerful, but non-supernatural, idea of Jesus. And I can't find any way to connect that Jesus to Christmas.
I woke up happy on January 26. I feel like my holiday vacation has begun now that I got through Christmas.
Friday, December 26, 2014
Tuesday, November 25, 2014
Under the Skin, film and novel
I really liked Michel Faber's novel, Under the Skin. I read it after reading his The Crimson Petal and the White. Reading Crimson was like getting my hands on an uncensored draft of a Dickens novel that is 100% honest about the sex habits of Victorians.The film adaptation of Under the Skin is only very loosely based on the book. The film gives no back story and shows little direct insight into the protagonist's mind. However, in its own abstract way, it fairly successfully tells the story of the undercover extraterrestrial on earth, struggling and lost.
I often avoid watching film adaptations of my most favorite novels because I don't want to override my subjective reading (words on page) of a story with objective viewing (images on screen). But Skin's film adaptation was so loose that I lost not a bit of my subjective reading experience.
The back story unveiled only in the novel matters. Being sent from another world to secretly live among humanity in order to harvest human meat--a delicacy back home--is a chilling scenario. But because the novel is capital-L Literature, it doesn't come off as cheesy sci-fi/fantasy horror. The protag's longing for a certain associate of her species matters and is missing from the film.
The film's most powerful scene is not drawn from the novel at all. The protag, who catches her prey through seduction, finds a young man with a deformed face. The protag doesn't seem to have any sense that he is different and seduces him like any other young man. Their dialog is one of the most incredible movie dialogs I've seen.
Sunday, November 16, 2014
Alternatives to for-profit colleges
Defenders of for profits say that the old model of higher education is outdated, that going away to a 4-year residential campus no longer serves the needs of today's students who are often older and have work and family commitments. And they are right. But higher education has already evolved to meet the changing needs of students. Postwar America expanded its public higher education system into a vast and diverse network of institutions. On one end there are selective state research universities on par with the Ivies. On the other extreme are community colleges with virtually open enrollment. In between the extremes are regional state colleges that grew out of early teachers colleges and expanded to offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degrees.
The new community colleges of the 2nd half of the last century were built to serve the nontraditional student. They are typically located in population centers, commuter oriented, and provide flexible class times at a very low cost. And many of the regional state colleges are similarly tailored to meet the needs of students housed on campus as well as commuters.
A recent innovation in higher ed is online instruction, but the for profits don't have a monopoly on this. All sorts of schools offer online classes, including some degree programs that are entirely online. And there even many options for free, high quality online classes. Although I happen to think online education isn't going to put brick and mortar campuses out of business.
So I don't see the allure of a for profit college when most populated places have affordable, higher quality public institutions within reach.
Wow!
It is time to stop the for-profit colleges from exploiting naive poor people and soaking up public financial aid cash.
[I saw that I posed the wrong link and I can't find the one I meant to post. But if you do a Google news search for "for profit college", you will get the idea.]
[I saw that I posed the wrong link and I can't find the one I meant to post. But if you do a Google news search for "for profit college", you will get the idea.]
Friday, September 19, 2014
The British Union Lives
Well that was close.
I was worried Scotland would vote to secede. Besides further weakening the once great empire and perhaps inspiring other democratic secessionist movements, I think it could have weakened democracy. Russia and China, the world's big anti-democracies, would see UK's loss of Scotland as an example of the folly of giving power to the people.
So what happens now? Does the promise of greater power to the Scottish parliament mean England, Wales, and Northern Ireland will receive greater powers? (This is what the commentators are yapping about.) I think the UK has shown that its democratic government, even its monarchy, can adopt to changing circumstances. This is a government that peacefully let go of almost all of its overseas territories. The UK held no general elections during World War Two, resulting in ten years without a vote--only to return seamlessly to robust democracy in 1945.
I'm moved by David Cameron's post-election remarks. He notes that the UK did not try to avoid or delay a decision on Scotland. But man, it was a big risk. Perhaps a risk that pays off. Because the UK actually gave Scotland a chance to vote itself out, it shows that the UK respects the will of Scotland, even if it conflicts with the UK's interests.
I was worried Scotland would vote to secede. Besides further weakening the once great empire and perhaps inspiring other democratic secessionist movements, I think it could have weakened democracy. Russia and China, the world's big anti-democracies, would see UK's loss of Scotland as an example of the folly of giving power to the people.
So what happens now? Does the promise of greater power to the Scottish parliament mean England, Wales, and Northern Ireland will receive greater powers? (This is what the commentators are yapping about.) I think the UK has shown that its democratic government, even its monarchy, can adopt to changing circumstances. This is a government that peacefully let go of almost all of its overseas territories. The UK held no general elections during World War Two, resulting in ten years without a vote--only to return seamlessly to robust democracy in 1945.
I'm moved by David Cameron's post-election remarks. He notes that the UK did not try to avoid or delay a decision on Scotland. But man, it was a big risk. Perhaps a risk that pays off. Because the UK actually gave Scotland a chance to vote itself out, it shows that the UK respects the will of Scotland, even if it conflicts with the UK's interests.
Monday, September 15, 2014
More On Scotland
Forget Scotland. How about Canada and Australia rejoin the British Empire? Those two countries are deeply aligned with Britain through their culture and history and already retain the British monarch as their own. Sure, in 2014 the union can be a lose federation, but still a great union.
With America's reign as sole superpower coming to a close with China's economic boom, Russia's bold expansionism, and the pooled strength of the European Union, let a restored British Empire emerge as another superpower.
Let the renewed British Empire be a moral one. Yes, the British Empire wasn't a global saint as a colonial power. But long after letting go of British rule, many of the world's great liberal democracies are former British colonies (Canada, Australia, New Zealand, United States). I don't think democracy would have occurred to India sans British meddling.
The former colonies of Spain and Portugal are dictatorship prone. Brazil is finally becoming a robust democracy, and I love that. But the country had eased into dictatorship in the 1960s with little public opposition. Heck, Spain and Portugal were themselves military dictatorships into the 1970s.
My country shook free of British rule quite early. But I think being a subject of the Queen is worthy of pride.
With America's reign as sole superpower coming to a close with China's economic boom, Russia's bold expansionism, and the pooled strength of the European Union, let a restored British Empire emerge as another superpower.
Let the renewed British Empire be a moral one. Yes, the British Empire wasn't a global saint as a colonial power. But long after letting go of British rule, many of the world's great liberal democracies are former British colonies (Canada, Australia, New Zealand, United States). I don't think democracy would have occurred to India sans British meddling.
The former colonies of Spain and Portugal are dictatorship prone. Brazil is finally becoming a robust democracy, and I love that. But the country had eased into dictatorship in the 1960s with little public opposition. Heck, Spain and Portugal were themselves military dictatorships into the 1970s.
My country shook free of British rule quite early. But I think being a subject of the Queen is worthy of pride.
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
Wow Scotland
It bothers me that Scotland may vote to leave the UK.
I'm an American. My country fought its first war to split from the British Empire and its bloodiest war to remain intact. And we are obviously a democracy, but more specifically a constitutional and representative democracy. Ultimately the people have full power, but through a hard-to-amend constitution and elected representatives.
The UK has practical limits on democracy too. Its monarchy has become a purely ceremonial institution, but if democracy goes haywire, the Queen can steady the ship, as in the case of Juan Carlos in Spain.
It surprises me that Scotland is allowed the opportunity to break its union the the rest of the UK through a direct referendum. We wouldn't let Texas (once the Republic of Texas, and once part of Mexico) hold a vote on whether to leave the United States.
The British Empire has let go of territories all over the world in the name of national sovereignty. But isn't Scotland at the heart of the UK? Will Northern Ireland and Wales follow?
I'm an American. My country fought its first war to split from the British Empire and its bloodiest war to remain intact. And we are obviously a democracy, but more specifically a constitutional and representative democracy. Ultimately the people have full power, but through a hard-to-amend constitution and elected representatives.
The UK has practical limits on democracy too. Its monarchy has become a purely ceremonial institution, but if democracy goes haywire, the Queen can steady the ship, as in the case of Juan Carlos in Spain.
It surprises me that Scotland is allowed the opportunity to break its union the the rest of the UK through a direct referendum. We wouldn't let Texas (once the Republic of Texas, and once part of Mexico) hold a vote on whether to leave the United States.
The British Empire has let go of territories all over the world in the name of national sovereignty. But isn't Scotland at the heart of the UK? Will Northern Ireland and Wales follow?
Friday, August 15, 2014
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Good lord
I just watched Frontline's Losing Iraq and I am embarrassed. In 84 minutes, Frontline covers the debacle in depth, from the taking of Baghdad to ISIS's recent territorial gains. The details make no one look good. And there aren't even any cheap shots. The documentary doesn't mention the failure to find WMDs and says almost nothing about Abu Ghraib.
I supported the start of the war. Or I at least didn't oppose it like I should have. My feeling at the time was that opposition was led largely by opponents of war itself who wouldn't support even a just war. And yes, many of the opponents were simply anti-war in general. But this was a war even the staunchest hawks should have opposed.
The war killed and maimed many innocents and weakened America militarily, economically and diplomatically and I feel stupid for having supported it. The war can't be undone. What can I do as an American to make sure we don't pull something like this again? I don't know. I am changed by it. I hope the country is changed by it too.
Frontline is one of the highest quality TV shows out there. I remember a few years back some asserted that PBS was no longer needed, since several cable channels, such as The Learning Channel, Discovery, and the History Channel, started providing quality educational programming. But sadly, these channels have become mostly crap since then. Dirty Jobs and Mythbusters are some excellent exceptions, of course.
Monday, May 5, 2014
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
50 years late
CVS will no longer sell cigarettes at its drugstores.
“We have about 26,000 pharmacists and nurse practitioners helping patients manage chronic problems like high cholesterol, high blood pressure and heart disease, all of which are linked to smoking,” said Larry J. Merlo, chief executive of CVS. “We came to the decision that cigarettes and providing health care just don’t go together in the same setting.”
(NYTimes)
The famous Surgeon General's report linking smoking to serious health problems, such as lung cancer and heart disease, hit the streets in 1964. Why only now is CVS removing this dangerous product from its pharmacies?
Since the release of the report, the percentage of American who smoke has decreased from 42% to 19%. Fewer people are buying cigarettes. In addition, some jurisdictions have already banned cigarette sales at pharmacies. So CVSs in those places served as test cases for how stores fare without cigarette sales.
Meanwhile, CVS continues to sell as much junk food as ever.
“We have about 26,000 pharmacists and nurse practitioners helping patients manage chronic problems like high cholesterol, high blood pressure and heart disease, all of which are linked to smoking,” said Larry J. Merlo, chief executive of CVS. “We came to the decision that cigarettes and providing health care just don’t go together in the same setting.”
(NYTimes)
The famous Surgeon General's report linking smoking to serious health problems, such as lung cancer and heart disease, hit the streets in 1964. Why only now is CVS removing this dangerous product from its pharmacies?
Since the release of the report, the percentage of American who smoke has decreased from 42% to 19%. Fewer people are buying cigarettes. In addition, some jurisdictions have already banned cigarette sales at pharmacies. So CVSs in those places served as test cases for how stores fare without cigarette sales.
Meanwhile, CVS continues to sell as much junk food as ever.
Friday, January 31, 2014
A very interesting article in The Atlantic Cities considers whether advancing technology will make the traditional college campus obsolete. Online learning allows students access to classes from the very best universities regardless of where they are located. We can't know what the ultimate impact of this will be on the physical form of campus, or whether it will lead the total disappearance of the residential campus as we know it. But surely it will have an impact.
The traditional residential campus is in part a product of the limited transportation technology at the time this education model came to be. Before cars and trains, it was practical for students to live at their school. Most schools now have a substantial commuter student population and many are schools have no on-campus housing.
I think that we are in the very early stage of the development of online learning. We don't yet know what works and what doesn't. However, I happen to believe that the in-person experience matters. It seems to me that in-person meetings are always more productive than conference calls, for example.
Thomas Jefferson designed the University of Virginia to foster student-professor relationships because he felt that his bond with his teachers was central to his education. If that relationship matters, I worry that it is harder to develop online than in person.
I am eager to see how the technology develops and the creative ways people use it. But I suspect that the value of the residential college campus will be appreciated despite advances in technology.
The traditional residential campus is in part a product of the limited transportation technology at the time this education model came to be. Before cars and trains, it was practical for students to live at their school. Most schools now have a substantial commuter student population and many are schools have no on-campus housing.
I think that we are in the very early stage of the development of online learning. We don't yet know what works and what doesn't. However, I happen to believe that the in-person experience matters. It seems to me that in-person meetings are always more productive than conference calls, for example.
Thomas Jefferson designed the University of Virginia to foster student-professor relationships because he felt that his bond with his teachers was central to his education. If that relationship matters, I worry that it is harder to develop online than in person.
I am eager to see how the technology develops and the creative ways people use it. But I suspect that the value of the residential college campus will be appreciated despite advances in technology.
Monday, January 27, 2014
Gates Letter
In his annual letter, Bill Gates ties to dispel myths about foreign aid. The big one, I think, is the misconception that if we succeed in decreasing infant mortality in the poorest countries, the population will balloon. The truth, he says, is that when parents are confident that their children will survive, they tend to have fewer children. This leads to population growth slowing as health improves, with the United Nations' prediction that world population will eventually stabilize.
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Trouble with for-profits
Wow. These stories are heartbreaking.
http://www.salon.com/2014/01/25/inside_story_of_a_for_profit_college_nightmare/
Blame?
http://www.salon.com/2014/01/25/inside_story_of_a_for_profit_college_nightmare/
Blame?
- The for-profit schools shouldn't aggressively recruit students who are unlikely to succeed in college.
- Before enrolling, a student should have a full understanding of the cost of attendance and the time and effort necessary to complete the program. If deciding to enroll, the student should commit to completing the course of study.
- The federal government should reform its financial aid programs to stop rewarding for-profit colleges that enroll unprepared students.
Saturday, January 18, 2014
Hard work
Dirk Hughes has a sad story.
The sad fucker completed law school in middle age while working full time, and suffers from an early onset heart condition because of stress. His house lost half its value in the market crash. With his heart condition and full-time job, he hasn't been able to pass the bar exam. I feel for the guy.
Like a lot of people, myself included, he fucked around for years as a young adult. He dropped out of college twice. He aspired and failed to become a successful writer. He eventually earned his college degree and became a teacher and then an administrator at one of those for-profit colleges.
I certainly believe in insane hard work to create the life you want. I had a lot of catching up to do after screwing around like this guy. But I was still in my 20s and my body and spirit could handle overnight shifts mixed with school. He pulled that kind of shit in middle age when he had a mortgage and a family.
Life is unfair. It is hard to finish college when you are young and immature, but it is harder when you have adult responsibilities. And pursuing a dream of fame when young can easily jeopardize your future livelihood.
I wish the best for Dirk Hughes. I hope that he can find some peace and comfort in his life.
The sad fucker completed law school in middle age while working full time, and suffers from an early onset heart condition because of stress. His house lost half its value in the market crash. With his heart condition and full-time job, he hasn't been able to pass the bar exam. I feel for the guy.
Like a lot of people, myself included, he fucked around for years as a young adult. He dropped out of college twice. He aspired and failed to become a successful writer. He eventually earned his college degree and became a teacher and then an administrator at one of those for-profit colleges.
I certainly believe in insane hard work to create the life you want. I had a lot of catching up to do after screwing around like this guy. But I was still in my 20s and my body and spirit could handle overnight shifts mixed with school. He pulled that kind of shit in middle age when he had a mortgage and a family.
Life is unfair. It is hard to finish college when you are young and immature, but it is harder when you have adult responsibilities. And pursuing a dream of fame when young can easily jeopardize your future livelihood.
I wish the best for Dirk Hughes. I hope that he can find some peace and comfort in his life.
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
This ain't good
Not really into blogging lately, but this is relevant to previous posts:
Fed Student-Loan Focus Shows Recognition of Growth Risk
Jan 15, 2014 10:29 AM ET
Tiffany Roberson works for the state of Texas as a parole officer, teaches part time and is living with her parents after finishing a master’s degree. She’s held off marrying her boyfriend of four years and starting a family because she owes more than $170,000 in federal and private student loans.
More at Bloomberg
Fed Student-Loan Focus Shows Recognition of Growth Risk
Jan 15, 2014 10:29 AM ET
Tiffany Roberson works for the state of Texas as a parole officer, teaches part time and is living with her parents after finishing a master’s degree. She’s held off marrying her boyfriend of four years and starting a family because she owes more than $170,000 in federal and private student loans.
More at Bloomberg
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