Showing posts with label smarter than i. Show all posts
Showing posts with label smarter than i. Show all posts
Jun 13, 2005
smarter than I #6 is up
... over at Locusts and Honey. Thanks to John the Methodist for hosting, and to everyone who sent a link. If you'd like to host Number Seven, email smarterthani AT hotmail DOT com.
Jun 12, 2005
last call for Smarter than I #6
Been reading any great blog posts lately? Sure you have, because you're a sharp, beautiful, magnificent human being and an outstanding blogger.
Send us a link to the best-written (or just best) piece you've seen in the past week or so, and we'll include it in this week's Smarter than I, which will show up sometime Monday over at Locusts and Honey. We already have a decent number of quality articles, but we have room for many, many more.
Send your entries to smarterthani AT hotmail DOT com, or use this form.
Help us point out unrecognized genius in all its forms, and make the world a smarter place. Because smart people contribute to Smarter than I.
Send us a link to the best-written (or just best) piece you've seen in the past week or so, and we'll include it in this week's Smarter than I, which will show up sometime Monday over at Locusts and Honey. We already have a decent number of quality articles, but we have room for many, many more.
Send your entries to smarterthani AT hotmail DOT com, or use this form.
Help us point out unrecognized genius in all its forms, and make the world a smarter place. Because smart people contribute to Smarter than I.
Jun 8, 2005
schnozblogging
My nasal passages are a playground for rhinoviruses this morning, so don't expect too much brilliance out of me today. At the very least, contribute to the coming Smarter than I carnival--find something worth reading and send it our way--either through email (smarterthani AT hotmail DOT com) or with this handy form.
Jun 1, 2005
smarter than I #5: Deep Throat edition
[a special welcome to readers of Shakespeare's Sister]
His scuffed brown oxfords tapped the concrete as he stood in the shadows of the dingy parking garage where we had agreed to meet. I was nervous, too, and hoped he didn't notice.
His voice surprised me--it was reedy and raspy, like a flute stuffed with jellybeans. "I got the goods," he said, the words echoing off graffiti and flaking paint. He struck a match and lit a cigarette, taking in two short puffs. I couldn't make out much in the darkness, just a glimpse of a paunch and a cheap suit. "Here," he said, tossing a manila envelope my way. "Take a look."
I opened it and pulled out the documents--memos, scrawled notes, newspaper clippings. Nothing scandalous, I thought, no smoking gun... and then I saw the printed emails.
I read aloud. "'Citizens of a democracy, we are taught, address their concerns and protest bad administrations and their dire policies on election days. We are polite and respectful as we register our dissent in quiet booths with drawn curtains. But maybe, just maybe, the pride we take in our civility will become our greatest shame.' Shameful civility? Who's calling for a shakeup?" I asked.
"Shakespeare's Sister," my anonymous source replied. "Got it on a hot tip from Jesse of differentia."
I rifled through another stack of rumpled printouts. "Who's this Mark Olson fellow?"
"Another tipster. He's a fan of ChicagoBoyz, recommended that I read Life on the Horizontal and Microeconomics and the OODA Loop. The first, by Ginny, praises individuality as a route to universality. The second, by Mitch Townsend, defines OODA and its putative relationship to microeconomics."
I read from the latter. "If you struggle to suppress your gag reflex, as I do, when you hear another military analogy applied to corporate life, you can relax." I felt bile rising, and returned my gaze to the emails.
"Wait, here's another from the City of the Big Shoulders, by Shannon Love: Lisa, the Post-Modernist Simpson. Seriously?"
"Read it," he said, flicking his cigarette butt aside and lighting another.
"It is hard to look at a character like Lisa Simpson and see the first multiplying cells of malignant political and social cancer... but that's what she is."
"You thought the cartoon was simple entertainment," he said, cigarette glowing in the shadows. "You thought wrong."
I skimmed over the horror movie Survival Kit sent by Brian from Denver, but was distracted by Caroline Compton's email about Oedipus Wrecks, Lance Mannion's psychoanalysis of Bush II. "'...everything George W. has done as President has been a slap in his father's face.' Harsh."
"Read it all before you pass judgment," my source retorted. "Go on."
"Liberal doom and gloom from John J. McKay of archy, I see. 'The last remaining check or balance will be those moderate Republicans willing to break party discipline and risk being cut off from re-election funds. The judiciary will take a hard swing to the radical right as openly ideological judges fill all the vacancies.' I never did understand the phrase 'radical right,' but never mind."
"Bora sent in another one," he said. "Something about rumination. Should be right under it."
"'...it would be nice if we all could see gossip when it happens, especially because sometimes the gossip is equated with political commentary, and this totally omits blogs which apply political science principles to wider events or which see politics in our daily lives. You know, like quite a few feminist blogs.' From Self-Obsessed Ruminations on Blogging. I'd like to see Echidne debate Ginny."
"Or maybe Pamela of Atlas Shrugs, who sent me this rant by Harvey of Bad Example."
I read it and smiled. "'You're SO wrong, Arianna. Good blogging IS good writing. You don't just toss off a steaming pile of unfinished thought-crap, call it good, and wait for Lady Fortune to kick in your door toting buckets full of gold coins.' This is good stuff, but I don't know if it's enough for a conviction."
I noticed my own emails in the stack. "You've printed out my correspondence," I said. "Does it all fit into your connect-the-dots scheme?"
"Short answer? Yes. The Myers piece, The Burden of Bearing a Massive Penis, that was eye-opening to say the least. I had to sneak it through the company firewall. And that Theomorph character took Ratzinger to task. He plays with fire. I'm not that much of a risk-taker, if you haven't noticed." He stamped out his cigarette.
"This is all interesting, and just might help me finish this scoop of all scoops," I said, "But how do you put it all together? Activism, the Simpsons, cat hating, Arianna Huffington, oversized members, Cardinal Ratzinger... is it some grand conspiracy, deeper and more conspiratorial than we could possibly imagine?"
"Follow the links," he replied, disappearing into the shadows, his voice trailing into the darkness. "Just follow the links."
Thanks to everyone who contributed links and publicity for this edition. Up next, John of Locusts and Honey will host Smarter than I #6 on Monday, June 13. Send your entries to smarterthanI AT hotmail DOT com or use this handy form.
Previous editions:
statement of purpose
#1 at decorabilia
#2 at l'esprit d'escalier
#3 at Pseudo-Polymath
#4 at Science and Politics
His scuffed brown oxfords tapped the concrete as he stood in the shadows of the dingy parking garage where we had agreed to meet. I was nervous, too, and hoped he didn't notice.
His voice surprised me--it was reedy and raspy, like a flute stuffed with jellybeans. "I got the goods," he said, the words echoing off graffiti and flaking paint. He struck a match and lit a cigarette, taking in two short puffs. I couldn't make out much in the darkness, just a glimpse of a paunch and a cheap suit. "Here," he said, tossing a manila envelope my way. "Take a look."
I opened it and pulled out the documents--memos, scrawled notes, newspaper clippings. Nothing scandalous, I thought, no smoking gun... and then I saw the printed emails.
I read aloud. "'Citizens of a democracy, we are taught, address their concerns and protest bad administrations and their dire policies on election days. We are polite and respectful as we register our dissent in quiet booths with drawn curtains. But maybe, just maybe, the pride we take in our civility will become our greatest shame.' Shameful civility? Who's calling for a shakeup?" I asked.
"Shakespeare's Sister," my anonymous source replied. "Got it on a hot tip from Jesse of differentia."
I rifled through another stack of rumpled printouts. "Who's this Mark Olson fellow?"
"Another tipster. He's a fan of ChicagoBoyz, recommended that I read Life on the Horizontal and Microeconomics and the OODA Loop. The first, by Ginny, praises individuality as a route to universality. The second, by Mitch Townsend, defines OODA and its putative relationship to microeconomics."
I read from the latter. "If you struggle to suppress your gag reflex, as I do, when you hear another military analogy applied to corporate life, you can relax." I felt bile rising, and returned my gaze to the emails.
"Wait, here's another from the City of the Big Shoulders, by Shannon Love: Lisa, the Post-Modernist Simpson. Seriously?"
"Read it," he said, flicking his cigarette butt aside and lighting another.
"It is hard to look at a character like Lisa Simpson and see the first multiplying cells of malignant political and social cancer... but that's what she is."
"You thought the cartoon was simple entertainment," he said, cigarette glowing in the shadows. "You thought wrong."
I skimmed over the horror movie Survival Kit sent by Brian from Denver, but was distracted by Caroline Compton's email about Oedipus Wrecks, Lance Mannion's psychoanalysis of Bush II. "'...everything George W. has done as President has been a slap in his father's face.' Harsh."
"Read it all before you pass judgment," my source retorted. "Go on."
"Liberal doom and gloom from John J. McKay of archy, I see. 'The last remaining check or balance will be those moderate Republicans willing to break party discipline and risk being cut off from re-election funds. The judiciary will take a hard swing to the radical right as openly ideological judges fill all the vacancies.' I never did understand the phrase 'radical right,' but never mind."
"Bora sent in another one," he said. "Something about rumination. Should be right under it."
"'...it would be nice if we all could see gossip when it happens, especially because sometimes the gossip is equated with political commentary, and this totally omits blogs which apply political science principles to wider events or which see politics in our daily lives. You know, like quite a few feminist blogs.' From Self-Obsessed Ruminations on Blogging. I'd like to see Echidne debate Ginny."
"Or maybe Pamela of Atlas Shrugs, who sent me this rant by Harvey of Bad Example."
I read it and smiled. "'You're SO wrong, Arianna. Good blogging IS good writing. You don't just toss off a steaming pile of unfinished thought-crap, call it good, and wait for Lady Fortune to kick in your door toting buckets full of gold coins.' This is good stuff, but I don't know if it's enough for a conviction."
I noticed my own emails in the stack. "You've printed out my correspondence," I said. "Does it all fit into your connect-the-dots scheme?"
"Short answer? Yes. The Myers piece, The Burden of Bearing a Massive Penis, that was eye-opening to say the least. I had to sneak it through the company firewall. And that Theomorph character took Ratzinger to task. He plays with fire. I'm not that much of a risk-taker, if you haven't noticed." He stamped out his cigarette.
"This is all interesting, and just might help me finish this scoop of all scoops," I said, "But how do you put it all together? Activism, the Simpsons, cat hating, Arianna Huffington, oversized members, Cardinal Ratzinger... is it some grand conspiracy, deeper and more conspiratorial than we could possibly imagine?"
"Follow the links," he replied, disappearing into the shadows, his voice trailing into the darkness. "Just follow the links."
Thanks to everyone who contributed links and publicity for this edition. Up next, John of Locusts and Honey will host Smarter than I #6 on Monday, June 13. Send your entries to smarterthanI AT hotmail DOT com or use this handy form.
Previous editions:
statement of purpose
#1 at decorabilia
#2 at l'esprit d'escalier
#3 at Pseudo-Polymath
#4 at Science and Politics
May 31, 2005
on the way again
I've closed the gates on the next Smarter than I, which will be up sometime tomorrow. Number Six will be hosted at Locusts and Honey.
May 27, 2005
Jesus sends out the twelve
I am leaving for the weekend, once again daring to sleep with the ducks. Happy Memorial Day.
In my absence, check out some of my (life-less?) neighbors, and send in an entry to the next smarter than I. Because of the long weekend, I'll take them until Monday evening. Just email a link or two (and a blurb, if you want) to
smarterthani AT hotmail DOT com
or, even easier, use this handy-dandy automatic form.
Two days without blogging. Will I survive? Stay tuned...
Update: When the shaking and the headaches subsided, I relaxed and enjoyed a pleasant weekend eating too much meat and drinking too much Pepsi. Highlights included two perfect digs in a pickup volleyball game, five straight soccer goals against two limber Pele wannabes, and a crushing defeat of the same two adolescents in consecutive badminton matches. "You're conceited," one of the teenagers complained after the second embarrassment. "Comes with the win-loss record," I replied. (Props to my brother Matt for helping me hone my skills over the past few summers.)
I'm still taking entries for smarter than I #5.
[fourteenth in a series]
In my absence, check out some of my (life-less?) neighbors, and send in an entry to the next smarter than I. Because of the long weekend, I'll take them until Monday evening. Just email a link or two (and a blurb, if you want) to
smarterthani AT hotmail DOT com
or, even easier, use this handy-dandy automatic form.
Two days without blogging. Will I survive? Stay tuned...
Update: When the shaking and the headaches subsided, I relaxed and enjoyed a pleasant weekend eating too much meat and drinking too much Pepsi. Highlights included two perfect digs in a pickup volleyball game, five straight soccer goals against two limber Pele wannabes, and a crushing defeat of the same two adolescents in consecutive badminton matches. "You're conceited," one of the teenagers complained after the second embarrassment. "Comes with the win-loss record," I replied. (Props to my brother Matt for helping me hone my skills over the past few summers.)
I'm still taking entries for smarter than I #5.
[fourteenth in a series]
May 21, 2005
smarter than I #5: the homecoming
The fifth Smarter than I will be hosted where it began, here at decorabilia. For those of you who haven't yet experienced it, here's how it works: instead of sending in your own work, which every other (great) carnival is for, you nominate the best posting in the last few weeks by someone else, especially if that someone else isn't getting her proper due.
To use PZ Myers' phrase, this promotes "more distributed linkage." As Timothy Sandefur writes, "Good idea—I’ve wondered why this hasn’t been the way before."
It's the easiest carnival to join, too. Just email a link or two (and a blurb, if you want) to
smarterthani AT hotmail DOT com
or, even easier, use this handy-dandy automatic form.
Entries are due Monday, May 30th by 5:00 p.m. PST, and will be published the following day.
We reserve the right to limit quantities. Batteries not included. No shirt, no shoes, no service. Floss daily.
Read up on past editions here:
statement of purpose
#1 at decorabilia
#2 at l'esprit d'escalier
#3 at Pseudo-Polymath
#4 at Science and Politics
If you're interested in hosting a future edition, email me at smarterthani AT hotmail DOT com.
(Thus far, our photographic parade of geniuses includes Albert Einstein, Margaret Atwood, Stephen Hawking, George Washington Carver, and Maxine Hong Kingston.)
May 16, 2005
smarter than I #4: aloft
Smarter than I #4 is up at Bora Zivkovic's Science and Politics. Check out great examples of writing chosen by savvy readers.
A huge thank-you to Bora for hosting. If you'd like a turn, email me at smarterthani AT hotmail DOT com.
The next Smarter than I will be published on Monday, May 30th (or so) at an undisclosed location.
Read up on past editions:
statement of purpose
#1 at decorabilia
#2 at l'esprit d'escalier
#3 at Pseudo-Polymath
A huge thank-you to Bora for hosting. If you'd like a turn, email me at smarterthani AT hotmail DOT com.
The next Smarter than I will be published on Monday, May 30th (or so) at an undisclosed location.
Read up on past editions:
statement of purpose
#1 at decorabilia
#2 at l'esprit d'escalier
#3 at Pseudo-Polymath
May 15, 2005
one last reminder
With the most recent Carnival of the Godless, Skeptics' Circle, Carnival of Education, and Carnival of the Recipes now upon us, it's time for a reminder that smarter than I #4 will soon be here, hosted over at Science and Politics. Send the best posting you've read in the past two weeks to
coturnix1 AT aol DOT com
or
smarterthani AT hotmail DOT com
or, easier still, fill out this easy form.
Read up on past editions:
statement of purpose
#1 at decorabilia
#2 at l'esprit d'escalier
#3 at Pseudo-Polymath
coturnix1 AT aol DOT com
or
smarterthani AT hotmail DOT com
or, easier still, fill out this easy form.
Read up on past editions:
statement of purpose
#1 at decorabilia
#2 at l'esprit d'escalier
#3 at Pseudo-Polymath
May 8, 2005
coming soon: Smarter than I #4
In about one week, Bora Zivkovic of Science and Politics will host smarter than I #4. It's easy to participate: just read, like you always do, and choose the best posting or two you can find--by someone else, of course. You can submit an entry three ways:
email smarterthani AT hotmail DOT com
email coturnix1 AT aol DOT com
or
fill out this simple form.
Read up on past editions:
statement of purpose
#1 at decorabilia
#2 at l'esprit d'escalier
#3 at Pseudo-Polymath
The deadline is Sunday, May 15. Go forth and discover more talent!
May 2, 2005
smarter than I #3
... is up in fine fashion over at Pseudo-Polymath. Go read!
If you'd like to host a future "smarter than I," email me at smarterthani AT hotmail DOT com. That is, unless you're sportin' a virus.
Previous Episodes:
statement of purpose
#1 at decorabilia
#2 at l'esprit d'escalier
If you'd like to host a future "smarter than I," email me at smarterthani AT hotmail DOT com. That is, unless you're sportin' a virus.
Previous Episodes:
statement of purpose
#1 at decorabilia
#2 at l'esprit d'escalier
Apr 30, 2005
smarter than I trois in the works
Final Update Get those links in soon; the deadline is about twenty-five hours away. We await your brilliant findings. Click here for the easy, easy form.
Update: Some changes have been made. First, "smarter than I" will be published every other week, giving you more time to find just the right link to send our way. Because of the extra time, you can send in a second entry if you like.
It's easy to contribute: just go here and fill out the form. The new deadline is Sunday, May 1st, 6:00 pm EST. Or email smarterthani AT hotmail DOT com. Thanks to those who have sent in their entries so far, and for the continuing publicity.
Mark Olson of Pseudo-Polymath has agreed to host smarter than I #3. For those of you just joining us, smarter than I is the carnival dedicated to promoting the genius of others--the only carnival, to my knowledge, where all you have to be is a discerning reader.
We make no guarantees that everything you'll find here will be truly ingenious--after all, this isn't Mensa--but we promise that you'll find new voices, fresh perspectives, distinctive personalities. We're linkers, and we're proud of it.
And it's oh-so-easy. You can email your links directly to smarterthani at hotmail dot com, or fill out this automatic form. Entries are due Sunday, May 1, by 6:00 p.m. Eastern.
Previous Episodes:
statement of purpose
#1 at decorabilia
#2 at l'esprit d'escalier
Apr 18, 2005
smarter than I: the legend continues
In the ongoing quest to bring publicity to those who deserve it, jpe over at l'esprit d'escalier has put together the very second "smarter than I," and in a smashingly creative fashion. Check it out!
Thanks to everyone who has participated so far--your entries have been excellent. The host for the next smarter than I will be announced soon... if you'd like to add your name to the list, email me at smarterthani at hotmail dot com.
Thanks to everyone who has participated so far--your entries have been excellent. The host for the next smarter than I will be announced soon... if you'd like to add your name to the list, email me at smarterthani at hotmail dot com.
Apr 15, 2005
regular broadcasts to resume shortly
Thanks to a "suck-o week filled with papers," jpe will be publishing the next smarter than I on Monday, April 18--which means you still have time to send in an entry. The new deadline is Sunday, April 17, 3:00 p.m. PST.
Send your--er, someone else's--link to smarterthani at hotmail dot com.
Send your--er, someone else's--link to smarterthani at hotmail dot com.
Apr 13, 2005
smarter than I: the update
UPDATE: The deadline for entries for this week's smarter than I is fast approaching. Send your entries to smarterthani at hotmail dot com by 3:00 pm PST.
Thanks for the continuing publicity for the second edition of "smarter than I."
Friends include:
anniemiz
Evangelical Outpost
Locusts and Honey
Pseudo-Polymath
Science and Politics
tongue but no door (dot) net
(If I've missed yours, let me know.)
There's still time to send in your entry. smarterthani at hotmail dot com...
Thanks for the continuing publicity for the second edition of "smarter than I."
Friends include:
anniemiz
Evangelical Outpost
Locusts and Honey
Pseudo-Polymath
Science and Politics
tongue but no door (dot) net
(If I've missed yours, let me know.)
There's still time to send in your entry. smarterthani at hotmail dot com...
Apr 9, 2005
still smarter
I'm gearing up for the second installment of smarter than I, the carnival where you submit other bloggers' work. I'd like to include a new category: superior commentary. Often the best thing about a particular post is the witticism, ingenuity, or rhetoric it inspires. So, this time around, you'll be allowed two entries--your link to a posting and a comment of genius.smarter than I is simultaneously the easiest and most difficult carnival out there. It's rather easy to send a link--and that's all you have to do. It's hard to choose just one, especially if, like most bloggers, you're addicted.
Send them to smarterthani at hotmail dot com by Wednesday, April 13, 3:00 pm PST. And thanks in advance to all those who will help spread the word.
Read the very first smarter than I here, and a statement of purpose here.
(oh, and jpe, if you still want to host, you can have #3--just email me)
Surprise Update: jpe of l'esprit d'escalier has agreed to host installment #2. Continue to send entries to smarterthani at hotmail dot com.
Apr 5, 2005
smarter than I inaugural edition
"Okay, discussion time," Mr. Anderson barked, and his 4th-period digital literature class grudgingly set down their pens and arranged their desks in an oblong facsimile of a circle. "Today we're talking about good writing. Did you remember to bring your homework, your example to share with the class?"
Mark Olson raised his hand. "What homework?--just kiddin', Mr. A." Mark cleared his throat. "This one's pretty good. 'Yes, I watch far too much television. And my tastes are not those, in general, of this blog's audience. But, you know, TV isn't all that bad if you don't turn your mind off.' It's part of a fascinating article called Mason, Rockfish & Nursing, by Ginny of Chicago Boyz. The title's great--and you'd never guess what the article is really about."
"Which is...?"
"Nuh-uh," Mark replied. "Gotta go read it."
Tom Harrison broke in. "And I quote: 'There have been far too many harsh words thrown back and forth over Terri Schiavo. To my chagrin, it is my side that has initiated most of the hostility, but the other side has gotten in its licks. This is a plea for some mutual understanding.' That's from the other side of Terri Schiavo, by Dave Gudeman. Not everything has been said about Schiavo. Until now, maybe."
"I have a feeling you're right, Tom. These are interesting choices so far. More?"
The stentorian voice of PZ Myers boomed across the circle. "'Spring is finally slinking into the northeast, and the backyard wildlife here is shaking off the winter torpor. Our oldest daughter, Charlotte--' (the class snickered)-- 'is now old enough to be curious about this biological exuberance. She likes to tell stories about little subterranean families of earthworm mommies and grub daddies, cram grapes in her cheeks in imitation of the chipmunks, and ask again and again about where the birds spend Christmas. This is, of course, hog heaven for a geeky science-writer father like myself--' (more snickering)-- 'but there is one subject that I hope she doesn't ask me about: how the garden snails have babies. Because then I would have to explain about the love darts.'" (General uproar.)
"Shhh, shhh," said Mr. Anderson, repeating his favorite phrase. "Well-read, PZ. A delightful excerpt from Carl Zimmer's Love Darts in the Backyard. (Uproar again.) "Okay, okay, shhh. Who's next?" He scanned the room, looking for someone making the mistake of eye contact. "Ah. Kathy B. What did you bring today?"
Kathy frowned only slightly. "Well, I was on a technical kick, reading John Darnielle's really really brilliant essay, Bits, about digital versus analog, or as he calls it, 'That hoariest of chestnuts.' I'll read a sample passage: 'Which is why there was no point in shifting away in the first place; digital's big PR point, or one of them, was that it was gonna democratize things. You wouldn't have to buy big expensive consoles, you wouldn't have to know a Neumann from an AKG, you wouldn't have to become tech-nerd-guy if you didn't want to. You'd have More Power.'"
"I like that last phrase. Very Monster-Monster-Monster Trucks," Mr. Anderson responded, pointing to Ryan Fenno, who now had his hand in the air.
"I don't have a selection to read," Ryan said, "but I'll describe it. Reverend Mykeru's tagline 'Serenity Through Viciousness' is in lights for The Right Wing's Persistent Vegetative State. Although it was written prior to Schiavo's passing, it really gives a great snapshot of how the blogosphere--especially the right wing political sector--dealt with the controversy."
"So I was right. There still is more to say about Terri Schiavo--yes, Matt?"
"This ought to sound familiar," replied another Anderson. "'Submissions must not be your own. Sorry. That's what other carnivals are for. Choose the best post you've read in the past week or two, perhaps with a brief (1-2 sentence) description or shout-out. There are no other criteria--just good writing, wherever you can find it.'"
"Leave it to our resident philosopher to bring a self-referential example," Mr. Anderson said, laughing. "All right--" he glanced at the roll sheet--"who hasn't shared yet? All the way at the end of the alphabet... Zivkovic. Bora Zivkovic."
"More Schiavo, I'm afraid. jonnybutter isn't too thrilled with Peggy Noonan, and takes a swipe at Nat Hentoff, too. Ranting, I believe, is the right word to describe this: 'Originally, I had a little delayed gratification here, tantalizing the reader with anticipation for the creamy-goodness, the sheer sugar-and-spice girlish charm of Noonan's piece to come. I'd had a brief detour into a column by legend-in-his-own-mind Nat Hentoff , who, as a 60s NYC hipster, I felt simply must be paired with Peggy in the context of this post. But...I thought better of it. Hentoff's column really didn't add anything, and was just full of stock lies you can read anywhere...' Ouch."
"Sounds a little like Mencken," Mr. Anderson said. "If you're in the mood for withering prose, you'll appreciate Ed Brayton's welcome-back to Alan Keyes." (From somewhere in the circle: "Who's Mencken?" "You'll know when you're older.")
jpe waited patiently until finally jumping into the conversation. "My hard drive crashed last night, so I had to go on the library computer and dig up something quick during ten-minute break. How about K-punk's theory-ish, counterintuitive reading of ethics and the family?"
"Sounds like--" and the bell rang, cutting Mr. Anderson short. As the students shuffled toward the door, he called out, "Don't forget next week's discussion." When the last backpack disappeared, he collapsed at his desk, worn out from the first-ever smarter than I.
EXTRA CREDIT
Match some of our contributors with their very own blogs!
____ Mere Orthodoxy
____ Science and Politics
____ Pharyngula
____ L'esprit d'escalier
____ Imposter Syndrome
a) jpe
b) Matt Anderson
c) Ryan Fenno
d) PZ Myers
e) Bora Zivkovic
Thanks to everyone who contributed to the very first smarter than I; I'll be adding to my blogroll because of your choices. Thanks also for the publicity, which will continue to be a large factor in this carnival's growth.
The purpose is simple:
You, too, can join in the fun. If you'd like to host a future smarter than I, email me at smarterthani at hotmail.com.
Send in your links for next time as well. Untapped talent is everywhere. Go find it!
Mark Olson raised his hand. "What homework?--just kiddin', Mr. A." Mark cleared his throat. "This one's pretty good. 'Yes, I watch far too much television. And my tastes are not those, in general, of this blog's audience. But, you know, TV isn't all that bad if you don't turn your mind off.' It's part of a fascinating article called Mason, Rockfish & Nursing, by Ginny of Chicago Boyz. The title's great--and you'd never guess what the article is really about."
"Which is...?"
"Nuh-uh," Mark replied. "Gotta go read it."
Tom Harrison broke in. "And I quote: 'There have been far too many harsh words thrown back and forth over Terri Schiavo. To my chagrin, it is my side that has initiated most of the hostility, but the other side has gotten in its licks. This is a plea for some mutual understanding.' That's from the other side of Terri Schiavo, by Dave Gudeman. Not everything has been said about Schiavo. Until now, maybe."
"I have a feeling you're right, Tom. These are interesting choices so far. More?"
The stentorian voice of PZ Myers boomed across the circle. "'Spring is finally slinking into the northeast, and the backyard wildlife here is shaking off the winter torpor. Our oldest daughter, Charlotte--' (the class snickered)-- 'is now old enough to be curious about this biological exuberance. She likes to tell stories about little subterranean families of earthworm mommies and grub daddies, cram grapes in her cheeks in imitation of the chipmunks, and ask again and again about where the birds spend Christmas. This is, of course, hog heaven for a geeky science-writer father like myself--' (more snickering)-- 'but there is one subject that I hope she doesn't ask me about: how the garden snails have babies. Because then I would have to explain about the love darts.'" (General uproar.)
"Shhh, shhh," said Mr. Anderson, repeating his favorite phrase. "Well-read, PZ. A delightful excerpt from Carl Zimmer's Love Darts in the Backyard. (Uproar again.) "Okay, okay, shhh. Who's next?" He scanned the room, looking for someone making the mistake of eye contact. "Ah. Kathy B. What did you bring today?"
Kathy frowned only slightly. "Well, I was on a technical kick, reading John Darnielle's really really brilliant essay, Bits, about digital versus analog, or as he calls it, 'That hoariest of chestnuts.' I'll read a sample passage: 'Which is why there was no point in shifting away in the first place; digital's big PR point, or one of them, was that it was gonna democratize things. You wouldn't have to buy big expensive consoles, you wouldn't have to know a Neumann from an AKG, you wouldn't have to become tech-nerd-guy if you didn't want to. You'd have More Power.'"
"I like that last phrase. Very Monster-Monster-Monster Trucks," Mr. Anderson responded, pointing to Ryan Fenno, who now had his hand in the air.
"I don't have a selection to read," Ryan said, "but I'll describe it. Reverend Mykeru's tagline 'Serenity Through Viciousness' is in lights for The Right Wing's Persistent Vegetative State. Although it was written prior to Schiavo's passing, it really gives a great snapshot of how the blogosphere--especially the right wing political sector--dealt with the controversy."
"So I was right. There still is more to say about Terri Schiavo--yes, Matt?"
"This ought to sound familiar," replied another Anderson. "'Submissions must not be your own. Sorry. That's what other carnivals are for. Choose the best post you've read in the past week or two, perhaps with a brief (1-2 sentence) description or shout-out. There are no other criteria--just good writing, wherever you can find it.'"
"Leave it to our resident philosopher to bring a self-referential example," Mr. Anderson said, laughing. "All right--" he glanced at the roll sheet--"who hasn't shared yet? All the way at the end of the alphabet... Zivkovic. Bora Zivkovic."
"More Schiavo, I'm afraid. jonnybutter isn't too thrilled with Peggy Noonan, and takes a swipe at Nat Hentoff, too. Ranting, I believe, is the right word to describe this: 'Originally, I had a little delayed gratification here, tantalizing the reader with anticipation for the creamy-goodness, the sheer sugar-and-spice girlish charm of Noonan's piece to come. I'd had a brief detour into a column by legend-in-his-own-mind Nat Hentoff , who, as a 60s NYC hipster, I felt simply must be paired with Peggy in the context of this post. But...I thought better of it. Hentoff's column really didn't add anything, and was just full of stock lies you can read anywhere...' Ouch."
"Sounds a little like Mencken," Mr. Anderson said. "If you're in the mood for withering prose, you'll appreciate Ed Brayton's welcome-back to Alan Keyes." (From somewhere in the circle: "Who's Mencken?" "You'll know when you're older.")
jpe waited patiently until finally jumping into the conversation. "My hard drive crashed last night, so I had to go on the library computer and dig up something quick during ten-minute break. How about K-punk's theory-ish, counterintuitive reading of ethics and the family?"
"Sounds like--" and the bell rang, cutting Mr. Anderson short. As the students shuffled toward the door, he called out, "Don't forget next week's discussion." When the last backpack disappeared, he collapsed at his desk, worn out from the first-ever smarter than I.
EXTRA CREDIT
Match some of our contributors with their very own blogs!
____ Mere Orthodoxy
____ Science and Politics
____ Pharyngula
____ L'esprit d'escalier
____ Imposter Syndrome
a) jpe
b) Matt Anderson
c) Ryan Fenno
d) PZ Myers
e) Bora Zivkovic
Thanks to everyone who contributed to the very first smarter than I; I'll be adding to my blogroll because of your choices. Thanks also for the publicity, which will continue to be a large factor in this carnival's growth.
The purpose is simple:
We already have enough carnivals where bloggers trumpet their own work. Let's share the love. I propose a new carnival titled "smarter than I," in recognition of those who are too humble, too busy, or too shy to submit their tidbits of genius.
You, too, can join in the fun. If you'd like to host a future smarter than I, email me at smarterthani at hotmail.com.
Send in your links for next time as well. Untapped talent is everywhere. Go find it!
Apr 4, 2005
on the way
We're starting small, but smarter than I will be ready for action pretty soon. It's technically too late to send in a link, but if you get it to smarterthani at hotmail dot com in the next few hours, I'll make a way to fit yours in...
smarter than I
We already have enough carnivals where bloggers trumpet their own work. Let's share the love. I propose a new carnival titled "smarter than I," in recognition of those who are too humble, too busy, or too shy to submit their tidbits of genius.
Guidelines:
Submissions must not be your own. Sorry. That's what other carnivals are for. Choose the best post you've read in the past week or two, perhaps with a brief (1-2 sentence) description or shout-out. There are no other criteria--just good writing, wherever you can find it.Submissions must include the post's title along with a working link, and may include a one- or two-sentence summary. I reserve the right to edit for grammar, spelling, and clarity. If I can't accept your link, I'll be sure to let you know exactly why.
Send your entries to smarterthanI at hotmail dot com by 3 pm PST, Monday, April 4. Pass the word along, too, if you get the hankerin'.
Update: Unless I'm petitioned for an extension, I hope to have the Carnival up by Tuesday. Thanks to Mark Olson of Pseudo-Polymath for sending in the first entry. Keep 'em comin'...
Update Update: Thanks to all the bloggers who've linked to this so far (including those I've missed), and for all those who've sent in their suggestions. So far, most of the entries are from lesser-known blogs, which is exactly what I'd hoped. smarterthanI at hotmail dot com...
Update cubed:
More thanks are in order. Remember, all you have to do is send a link. That's it. I'll do all the rest of the work, at no cost or obligation to you.
smarterthanI at hotmail dot com... only seven hours remain...
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