Category Archives: Uncategorized

Thirty years ago, when I began my teaching career, I taught a course with a unit on natural selection.  I was qualified to teach this, having just finished a PhD in systematics; what’s more, I had spent the summer reading … Continue reading →

I like Heterodox Academy. I like the fact that people outside it are identifying that parts of our society are too dominated by people of one political persuasion. I like the way more and more college administrators are saying the antidote … Continue reading →

I’ve been reading brutal satire lately. It feels like cleansing my palate, brushing off cobwebs, struggling out of a too-tight sweater that was given me by an easily-wounded elderly relative who’s been here for an extended visit… OK, that metaphor … Continue reading →

I read it over and over. “President X can’t possibly bring back jobs, because ROBOTS. AUTOMATION.” People write it as if they were saying ‘President X can’t possibly fly because GRAVITY.” As if increased automation were an irresistible force of … Continue reading →

Who isn’t? In particular, I’m irritated by this article from the NYT, in which an economist tries to grapple with the question of why voters simply don’t believe it when economists say global trade is good.  You’ll be glad to … Continue reading →

That was the subtitle of Advice From Pigeons, but only Sofia Samatar got the reference. Maybe Matt Bruenig would have: he has an interesting post up today about how The Discourse marginalizes the people. I always agree with Matt completely … Continue reading →

Because of my story in the From The Dragon Lord’s Library Vol. 2 anthology, I was interviewed by J. Patrick Allen.  Find out what I want on my tombstone (and a bunch of less morbid stuff about me) at his … Continue reading →

Another day, another article about the parlous state of Universities and the lack of respect afforded to faculty, the ‘Disneyfication’ of the curriculum, grade inflation, the embattled professoriate and students’ inability to handle difficult topics without puppies and balloons. Not … Continue reading →

This week, a Facebook group I’m on had a long discussion. It was prompted by somebody upset at all the no-pay publications calling for submissions from us hopeful authors jockeying for exposure — an upset which quickly morphed into upset … Continue reading →

Today I got to see my colleagues again after the long break. Of course we were there to do something or other, but the really important stuff happened in between. Various folks dropped by my office during coffee break and we … Continue reading →