I find the discussion and pictures associated with Hurricane Irene amusing for a combination of forecast accuracy, administrative and management response, and the resulting affect among the general public. First, we see that the forecasts were accurate in terms of the magnitude and direction of the storm. I have been astonished how accurate weather forecasts…
iLead: Steve Jobs’ most important innovation yet
Everyone who uses a computer surely knows by now that Steve Jobs’ health has finally prompted him and Apple to publicly announce his resignation from the CEO’s office. I say publicly, because observing Apple’s recent performance leads me to believe that they must have been preparing, and relying on, the next set of leaders for…
A ‘Snowball’ of Disinformation [via @SSPPjournal]
Are we becoming poorer? That’s the question that comes to mind after reading an opinion published in SSPP today. This is the first set of economic crises I’m living through as an adult, so I have found these types of pieces (where the irreversible decline of America and the current generation is predicted) perplexing. I…
what is education? a generic good with brand-name prices?
As the academic year draws closer, I am getting antsy to start the semester. Not too antsy, since I haven’t yet hit the beach nor completed all my lectures for the upcoming semester, but I’m excited to meet the new class of graduate students, my new advisees, and get started on my second year of…
When you want wine, just draw the water
Reading the Bible, we are sometimes separated from the often truly ridiculous things Jesus did and asked of His disciples. Often, to show reverence, we more politely call his methods “unorthodox” or out-of-the-box, but most of the time “ridiculous” is the correct word. Maybe the religious among us would like to say that Jesus only…
virtue and vice in massive “anaytics”: is the scientific method obsolete?
I came across a link posted by @urbandata on Twitter asking the question, “Does ‘big data’ make the scientific method obsolete?” My immediate response before clicking the link was, “I sure hope not.” After reading the article, I think it may be a bit more complex than that, but stand by my original impression. The…
What constitutes “base training” for instructors?
Today, while reading an article in Running Times Magazine called “Base training basics,” I was reminded that long distance running is a sport in which dividends are paid after years and years and miles and miles of training runs. While in soccer and basketball (my other two favorite sports), athletes are generally winding down in…
the challenge of evaluating students within technicalities but based on truth
I am challenged by what I find is the hardest part about teaching. Well, it’s one of the hardest things about life in general, but especially when teaching or mentoring students you often find yourself in the position of authority or ‘judgment’ on the quality of students’ work and, in some cases, character. This challenge…
two questions
Isn’t it interesting that the majority of US mayors are democrats? How is it that living in cities enlivens these mayors to social interdependence that leads them to legitimize safety nets and other welfare solutions? Not sure… Also, why is it that American voters are turned off to approaching the rest of the world as…
can you ensure maximum returns on the investment of your soul?
Look at the following passage: And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the…