I took a detour on my way to work this morning by walking across the Capitol directly catch the Orange/Blue lines. [I don’t like crowds, and if you’ve been in Union Station with broken escalators between 7.45-8.45AM, you might sympathize.] Halfway to the station, I looked up and this is what I saw: I remember…
#31
I’ve been reading Leslie Newbigin’s “The Gospel in a Pluralist Society” and he’s got me thinking about some of the fabulous ideas he presented. I think one of the most riveting ideas he presents is the myth of a secular society. To make things short, Newbigin argues that we as Christians cannot assent to the…
learning teaching & understanding understanding
I am a new assistant professor at George Washington University in Engineering Management and Systems Engineering. For my first semester, being an assistant professor was better than a dream! No teaching responsibility, so I was only writing proposals and submitting postdoc papers. My, how much difference winter break has made! Now, being a prof is…
#58
Today, I just finished an awesome book, Predictably Irrational, by Dan Ariely. Prof. Ariely, MIT Sloan Professor of Behavioral Economics, describes many ways in which we predictably and systematically violate the usual “rational actor” assumptions of classical economics. He shows examples from his research demonstrating how arousal, desire for uniqueness [or conformity], temptation, social norms,…
#56
in my opinion, the most alarming piece of news today will probably not get one one-millionth the press as detroit’s greater grace temple’s prayer service over the life of the suv. [i understand why we would pray for the survival of the detroit auto industry, but parking suv’s and luxury cars on the pulpit of…
Will Natural Capitalism Be Vindicated?
while i have not posted on my blog for a long time, two news events (or opinions) today are irresistible. let’s start with thomas friedman’s “While Detroit Slept.” in short, friedman obviously thinks the bailout of GM, Chrysler, and the other “Big” 3 might possibly be the worst investment we can make as american taxpayers….
#53 pathologies of power… and powerlessness??
first off, i apologize in advance for this play on paul farmer’s amazing book‘s title. i just am a little curious and frustrated at the portrayal of africa, latin america, asia and generally what some scholars call “the other world” (although most of the people on the planet live there)… i am amazed at nicholas…
#52… afrocentric school?
wow, i’m amazed at the description of a new Afrocentric school in Toronto. i am fascinated with the possibility of black students at least learning a little about their roots beyond the cursory mention of a few north american freedom fighters during the month of february. the idea that black youth, especially young men, are…