Gramsci’s “Optimism of the Will”
Isn’t it pointless to fight back? Antonio Gramsci, the Italian political writer jailed by Mussolini’s Fascist regime, believed in “pessimism of the intellect and optimism of the will.” In other words, you can know your clapboard house is on fire, and you’re a long way from civilization. But you have to call 911, get out […]
Delivery mechanisms for values
Two interesting things I’ve seen recently have got me thinking. The first was Mark Slouka’s comment that The humanities, done right, are the crucible within which our evolving notions of what it means to be fully human are put to the test; they teach us, incrementally, endlessly, not what to do but how to be…. […]
Even idleness is eager now
From George Eliot’s Adam Bede [via the brilliant Brain Pickings] Surely all other leisure is hurry compared with a sunny walk through the fields from “afternoon church”… Ingenious philosophers tell you, perhaps, that the great work of the steam-engine is to create leisure for mankind. Do not believe them: it only creates a vacuum...
The Dynamo and the Social
Thought this was an interesting piece at Slate based on Paul David’s paper. There are some obvious parallels with personal or mobile computing and education and the difficulties we have with using it well. “Electric light bulbs were available by 1879, and there were generating stations in New York and London by 1881. Yet a...
The most important thing is insight
Another one less than enamoured with talent. William Faulkner in a Press conference, University of Virginia, May 20, 1957. (The audio is here) “At one time I thought the most important thing was talent. I think now that — the young man or the young woman must possess or teach himself, train himself, in infinite […]
Rembrandt – created not discovered
This video is almost worth it just to hear the comment about using technology for something more than just improving businesses.
Beware of Artists & Things You Want to be True
Just came across a nice quote via Euan on Facebook. It was attributed to the McCarthy era. “Beware of artists. They mix with all classes of society and are therefore the most dangerous” Alongside taking exercise and eating healthily, one of the things I keep trying to do more of, not always successfully, is check […]
Questions & Answers & Feynman
via The Science Explorer
Evelyn Waugh’s Letter “This is quite true”
This was read out again last night at Letters Live, this time just as brilliantly by Tom Hollander.
The Problems with Effect Sizes
I keep coming back to this talk by David Weston on Hattie’s work and why “it might be a little bit more complicated than it seems.” Definitely worth a watch.