An Urban School That Works?

I agree with this idea:  lower income students need serious order in their school (and in their habits) if they are to succeed.  Anything that stands in the way of implenting order is detrimental.  I wonder, however, if the facts about the school correspond the the Will's rosy vision. 

Naysayer Bullseye

Perhaps this is just a pat paradox, but often I find naysayers to be the greatest optimists.  What is more hopeful than seeing either the truth (if you're right), or recognizing that things can (only) get this bad (if you're wrong)?

 

Also, I have an old friend whose name is actually Dr. Dooms.

Bush Bull

I seriously doubt the premise here:  that Bush is a Trumanesque visionary whose cowboy bluster actually succeeded in turning the world tide against radical Islam; and that selling out the middle class of America for the mach-speed growth of India and China is a categorically positive deed of a benevolent capitalist.  But, hey, it's always good to consider the contrarian's POV.

Alas, once a "trend" is reported, it's doomed for a backlash. So the literary rockers will probably soon be loathed and a new crew of AC/DCites will arise. Hey, there have been literate songwriters forever. Just not always so celebrated...

On Kultcha

So very sad yet true:  gadgets have supplanted thought amongst the sassy masses, always eager not to think, but to reap the social benefits of appearing to think. 

Right Vs. Left

William Greider vs. Free Market Ten Commandments.

Invincible

A very cool local artist, Invincible. 

Science Dying On the Cross Of Self-Esteem?

Sometimes I should level about my own anti-science misgivings.  They aren't mentioned in this article.

Eating Al Desko?

How to find time for yourself to think?  Oh, you righteous busybodies--here's my solution--chill out, quit your job and become a mailman. 

 

Or maybe you can program your computer to provide you more time.... 

Quo Vadis, Elitist?

Turning the tables on the dirty word bandied about to stave off bouts of inferiority.  Fact:  box seats at athletic events easily cost as much as good seats at the opera.

 

 

Literary Darwinism

Literary Darwinism probably won't be the savior of literary criticism.  It's always bad to set yourself up as the messiah--tends to garner unreasonable expectations.  However, it may open up fresh perspectives, put the cult-studs on notice that some of their assumptions are outmoded or worse--trite.  And possibly be a step in the direction of Consilience--the unifying of science are humanistic knowledge--which is a noble endeavor, even if some doubt it can ever be a reality. 

On Education and Inequality

More of the same old education hand-wringing, writ in the academic economic detailia. 

100 Greatest Detroit Songs Ever.

Need we say more?

 

 

Aw, Someone Burst Wall Street's Bubble

As one of the commentators put, "The new American capitalism = privatize profits, socialize losses."  Even when one grants that we're all in this together, it inspires vomit.   

Satanic Epistles Fetch High Price, at Expense of Public?

Even in the sale of our forebears heirlooms, conflicts can arise between public and private interest.  Especially when they were famous forebears who interacted with Satanic epistolary pals. 

 

You Ain't Goin Nowhere

A lonely voice argues that, on balance, in spite of loud and gleeful predictions to the contrary, America isn't over the hill. 
 
Says Uncle Sam, "We ain't goin nowhere."


 

On the Cuban Caudillo

To what ideals did Fidel actually show fidelity?  Even to admirers and apologists of the left, does his dubious heroism rest on anything other than surviving the pirahnas of capitalism for half a century? 

Oh, You Mean Mammon isn't All Good?

Finally, a card-carrying economic big-wig, questioning our absolute love of private property and worship of the market.

 

 

Mangy Change or Free Range Change or Strange Change or...

The sneaky rhetorical ploys of Brooks are always a delight of observe, even if one disagrees with their partisanship.

On Rap And the Pantheon

I like the idea of people trying to bring everything under one roof.  Or at least take a look at all forms of art/music and be honest about what makes it in the door and why or why not.  And, so on rap.