Non-Professional Non-Faculty Non-Development

As the PowerPoint session that was to close our morning inspirational program (see title above) ground to a halt -- and the microphone that was to carry the soft-spoken voice of the final "acknowledgement" refused to amplify -- I, once again, congratulated our school on its flawless record of "programs with errors" now continuing for nearly a full year.  We should be renamed the Savannah Nontechnical College -- because our technology is 20 years old and often, most often, it simply doesn't work.

Ten minute delays (where nothing happens) -- 5 minute downloads of 2 minute videos -- multiple occasions where people who should be using microphones don't, and people who use microphones use them badly -- welcome to the faculty world of which I am a member.

Grades Determine Self Worth for Many

Why does someone think of themselves as a "B" student rather than an "A" student?  Does a grade, given in an imperfect and often biased world constitute a true test of worth?

I don't think so.

When I was in school (just after the creation) -- grades were only important to sort out effort, not inherent value. It was widely believed in my "set" that anyone could get "great grades" with the right kinds of techniques, effort, and focus. Coming to class, taking notes well, looking at one's notes, doing assignments: those were the keys to a successful grade (and learning). Nowadays we want to be on "automatic" --- learning without any effort on our part. The old joke about "sleeping with your textbook under your pillow" has now been tried and used as a typical "study technique." And that is why we are entering the "age of idiocracy." Long may it wave -- welcome, Mr. Trump.

Careless Students -- But Not About their Pictorial Portfolios

Some of my students spend more studious time on Snapchat or Facebook editing their swimsuit pictures than they do on their academic progress.

I have several students who are missing one speech from this term --- and who will get a C rather than an A because of it -- who talk constantly before class  about their picture posts on social media. One student was so proud of her bikini shot on the beach this week (exam week)  than she was of anything else ("Finally my buns look toned and tan!!!!") These students are insultingly shallow and will likely stay that way since they haven't gotten the message -- any message for that matter -- about responsibility, growth, focus, etc.

I have now sent emails to them informing them of their situation -- which I am sure they will not read, alas.  

Too Pale?

One of the group presentations in one of my Public Speaking classes dealt with "diversity." What are the recognizable differences between people (physically) that are used to "troll" them by others.

Too black, too big, too fat, too dumb, too pale! Yep, that's right --- too pale. It's amazing what children (and the likes of Donald Trump) will use to disparage others. Beauty is actually in everyone's face -- too black is not an issue, nor is too gay, nor too bearded, nor too anything.  The amount of color you have, or size, or roughness, or smartness, or anything --- is your distinct feature and to be cherished not disparaged. You are what you are -- magnificently -- and should be appreciated for it, no matter what. 

Smart, or Too Smart, or Not Too Smart

Politics is like our own special national education process!  We think we know who and what ideas are going to "win" in an election, and yet we are oft defeated by seemingly random circumstances.

Trump has all but won the GOP nomination for President in 2016. What a tremendous loss for the Republican Party (and the nation) -- throwing away its own history to nibble at the fascist table of an oligarch maniac (Donald Trump by name). The Party of Lincoln is now the Party of Trump. All hale racism, xenophobia, misogyny, and multiple other kinds of hatred and small-mindedness.  Trump has "trumped" the field and "trumpeted" his own success story. Yikes.

Someone please pray for the United States and the continuing health of Hillary Clinton!

The Crucible of Exams

It's another exam day -- the second in a series of four.  And the students who have to take the exam, are hard at it. They probably should have done the Research Project instead...but that was their choice. 

My people from Wagram, NC, John and Celeste Lewis, are on the way to San Francisco today (by car) to pick up their cruise to Alaska. It should be the trip of a lifetime for them -- for me it would be another episode of Dangerous Catch on the tube. Not that much to say in "wild nature" I'm afraid, especially by boat. There are so many other things to see in the world --- Alaska would not be a first choice for me. No food culture -- very limited access to local people -- too much danger. Like taking a trip to Syria to see the ancient ruins (hah).

Year of Living Dangerously

Women are always difficult to "read" -- especially if you are male. They (women) do not ever think like men do. Even if a man tries to anticipate how a woman thinks, and then guesses the opposite -- he will be wrong. Women are hard-wired differently than men. Accept it. Get over it. Live with it.

Men are simple and not very complex creatures. They head for something, say, the food bowl in the corner, and little will deter them from achieving their goal. No matter what, they have to get to the damn food bowl, and by golly, they will get to it. Men are hugely "dumb" in that regard, and hugely successful in getting the simple things they want. Anything more complex than that, and men have to break down the "quest" into many, many simple straightforward little quests. And that is always problematic.

Women, on the other hand,... oh, what do I know!