In Memory of Roger Blair

Roger Blair was a wonderful friend for 44 years.

We met through mutual acquaintances and got along extremely well though we couldn’t have been more different in personality and in interests.

Links!

TOTAL F*ING MAGIC

All You Need to Know about Computers and Telecommunications

If you’re uncomfortable reading news about computers and telecommunications, if you feel like you can’t quite get up to speed with what’s happening in this interesting and important area, Total F*ing Magic is the place to start. http://www.total-fing-magic.com/

You Can Do a Biography or Autobiography. And It Can Be Affordable http://www.partners-for-writers.com/

Culturally Transmitted Educational Fatalism FAQ

Note:  The views expressed here are those of the author, Garrison Walters, and do not necessarily reflect the policies of the South Carolina Higher Education Foundation, for which Walters is a volunteer staff member.

Culturally Transmitted Educational Fatalism is a belief about educational success that individuals get from the society that surrounds them. People with CTEF lack “self efficacy” about education, believing that fate, either in the form of genes or in the decisions of others (or both), determines whether education can have an important role in their own economic success and quality of life.  

>Isn’t talking about CTEF just a way of helping the schools avoid responsibility?

Given our long history of assuming that the only way to improve educational outcomes is through “fixing schools,” I can see why someone would think this way.

Does Speling and Grammer Mutter?

A day that shall live in infamy:  March 7, 2014.

First, I found this in the Washington Post:  “she’s just terribly board with nothing to do…”[i]

Next, in the New York Times: “The Commission has principle responsibility…”[ii]

If I Learn, You Get Paid

And, Frankly, I’m Not Interested In Your Topic

Today’s national discussion on improving education is dominated by self-described experts.

“I Am Going to Prison…I Don’t Want To. That’s Just What’s Going to Happen.”

Young people, ages 8-13, who grow up in the most deprived neighborhoods in Britain are seven times less likely to think they are “clever and good at school work” when compared to those in the least deprived areas.[i]

Cyborgs Won’t Drive Teslas

AI (Artificial Intelligence) is hot now. Tesla CEO Elon Musk is talking about it, which means it’s due to explode any time.

Musk believes that AI is a huge danger to humans and has donated $10 million to help keep AI “beneficial for humanity.” The super-entrepreneur actually thinks that AI can be evil.

Eeevil, I tell you!

We’ve Already Granted Amnesty

The standard argument from those who oppose a path to citizenship for illegal aliens, is “they broke our laws.” Consequently, immigration reform of the kind now proposed is described as “amnesty.”