Imagining the Dream e-Tool for Education and Training
The keynote of the SSP IN meeting inadvertently raises a question — Is it possible to market new e-learning tools without blaming teachers or the educational system?
The Wrong Approach: Harrisburg University Bans Social Networking to “See What Happens”
A provost sees multi-tasking in his home, and decides to make his university suffer — all because he took the wrong lesson to heart.
Will You Be “IN” Next Week?
There’s still time to get “IN.”
Let the Adaptations Begin!
The infrastructure for change is in place and largely working. What might that mean for publishing and academic cultures? (The first of a four-part series.)
Environmental Degradation Captured on Film — via the Rainbows Near the Earth’s Surface
Rainbows are much more common in near-ground sprinklers than they were 20 years ago. Or so asserts the infamous “Rainbow Lady.”
Penn & Teller on the Vaccines and Autism Debate: A Model of Great Science Communication
The now completely discredited vaccines and autism linkage is tackled here in inimitable and definitive style by two guys who really know how to stage a story simply and effectively.
Today’s UK Researchers: E-journals Dominate, Access Not an Issue, Skimming Increasing
A set of findings confirm rather than surprise, but apparently some publishers are still behaving as if they’ll be surprised.
The SSP IN Conference — An INfernal Event!
It appears that the Society for Scholarly Publishing (SSP) will be holding another “IN” meeting next month over my strenuous objections as a long-standing member of the society. My objections are not concerning SSP holding a Fall meeting – indeed, the autumn is my favorite time of the year to repair to a fine club, properly provisioned with brandy and cigars, to discuss the affairs of the society with other learned gentlemen. ather, my concerns are regarding the topic of the meeting. “IN,” I am told, stands for INnovation, INspiration, and INteraction. I am wont to think of a more unholy trinity of concepts and think “INfernal” is more apropos!
Rectifying Asymmetries — Experts Are Battered From All Sides, But Are We Any Smarter?
Is the Web making experts more susceptible to challenge? Is this a good thing for society as a whole? Or is it creating a confusion demagogues can exploit?
Teaching the End of Print — Using Books Poised on the Edge of Oblivion
A teacher publishes a syllabus contemplating a print era bounded by two inventions — the printing press and the networked screen. It’s part of a sweep of interesting observations.
The Noble Plastic Bag — A Naturalist’s View
Brutal and compelling, the lifecycle of the plastic bag is beautifully captured in this short film.
Reference List Length and Citations: A Spurious Relationship
Like ice-cream and murder, there is no causal relationship between reference length and citations. Now go tell Nature.
The Mismeasure of Man, Funds, and Open Access Experiments
After one year, most COPE funds remain unspent. Is it time to revise the policy?
Clay Shirky on Generosity, Erotic Novels, Civics, Lolcats, and Scholarly Journals
The cognitive surplus of our age is being unleashed. This video discusses some of the side-effects and trends that will shape our futures.
The Power of Time Perspectives: How Cultures, Countries, Cities, and Citizens Are Shaped By Them
Do you have time to learn about time perspectives? I hope so.