Stuff we're reading / watching / listening to

[UffishThought]

Just finished the show City Hunter. Anyone else seen it? I want to complain about how I felt like the last couple of episodes were really inconsistent.

[bobtheenchantedone]

I recently watched Interview with a Vampire. I either really enjoyed it or didn't like it, I'm not sure. Also it was fun to note all the things SMeyer (probably) stole for her Twilight series.

I also recently watched the documentary This Film is Not Yet Rated. I chose it because Marduk's mother was in the room so I didn't want to continue my burlesque documentary streak for fear of her looking over at my computer, but it turns out that much of TFINYR is "and here's what the MPAA deemed inappropriate! *sex scene* *sex scene* *sex scene montage where we count thrusts* *threesome*"

[Digit]

The Paperless Future

[C is for]

In accidental preparation for Pi Day I just read Navigating Early by Clare Vanderpool. (When it's not about two boys rowing up a creek, it's about Pi.) I liked it and would recommend it if you're into Newbery-quality writing.

[Whistler]

why you should still learn cursive (seriously, changed my mind about it): http://www.insidehighered.com/views/201 ... 3c.twitter

[Katya]

I read Legion by Brandon Sanderson and I really liked it.

[Tally M.]

why you should still learn cursive (seriously, changed my mind about it): http://www.insidehighered.com/views/201 ... 3c.twitter

My friend just told me he has to write in cursive for a job interview.

[Violet]

why you should still learn cursive (seriously, changed my mind about it): http://www.insidehighered.com/views/201 ... 3c.twitter

UGH! I'm sorry. I think cursive is valuable and I was hoping to find more positive reasons to support my position. I don't want anyone to stop teaching cursive, but arguing in the face of technology and typing is a stupid way to go about it. Also, so many of the tech arguments are flat-out wrong.

I started writing a response on the blog because I was incensed, but then decided I'd share it here instead.

"I'm a university student who can read and write cursive and I'm grateful for the skill. While I think cursive should still be taught (the obvious for historical document purposes and some language reasons—Russian only has script), I think your approach isn't effective. Technology is the way things are going (see your dated argument about the GRE for an example). There are reasons to teach cursive, but they don't all have to be arguing against typing and computers.

"I also want to ask, when did you last check on the touch typing statistics? All of the classmates I have encountered know how to touch type because it's a necessary skill. If you can't touch type, you can't succeed. I learned in a public school when I was 10. Maybe it's because I learned how to type so young that I never learned how to write quickly, or maybe I lack fine motor skills, but in order for my handwriting to be legible, I can only write at about 30-45 wpm. I can type about 90 wpm, a full 2-3 times faster."

[Katya]

"I'm a university student who can read and write cursive and I'm grateful for the skill. While I think cursive should still be taught (the obvious for historical document purposes and some language reasons—Russian only has script), I think your approach isn't effective. Technology is the way things are going (see your dated argument about the GRE for an example). There are reasons to teach cursive, but they don't all have to be arguing against typing and computers."

Yeah, I can read Fraktur and cló Gaelach because those are skills I've had to acquire in my line of work, but that doesn't mean I'm anti-Roman type, or that I think that German or Irish should still be written with the old typefaces.

[Digit]

Speaking of unreadable, it's interesting that since its dedication on November 3, 1990, nobody at the CIA has yet fully cracked the code in the sculpture right in the front yard of their headquarters.

Ha. Palimpsest is a keyword of solution 1

[Whistler]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/brain ... CMP=twt_fd I have been a longtime fan of the MBTI but maybe it's time I faced the facts (that it's not all that great a personality test).

[Digit]

Worldwide breakdown of Subway restaurant franchises. I was surprised that there are three in Afghanistan (three times as many as Greece has). Bet they don't sell many BLTs

[S.A.M.]

Worldwide breakdown of Subway restaurant franchises. I was surprised that there are three in Afghanistan (three times as many as Greece has). Bet they don't sell many BLTs

Hmm... Likely on US military bases. I wonder if they will stay in business once our troops leave if that's the case.

[Squirrel]

Have I Done Any Good- Alex Boyé and Carmen Rasmusen Herbert ohthisissogood!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=aIeA_5yYgB4

[Digit]

Worldwide breakdown of Subway restaurant franchises. I was surprised that there are three in Afghanistan (three times as many as Greece has). Bet they don't sell many BLTs

Hmm... Likely on US military bases. I wonder if they will stay in business once our troops leave if that's the case.

Google Maps can't see the three in Afghanistan, but it does see a few, but not all, of the 38 in neighboring Pakistan, which probably don't get many US soldier customers.

[Digit]

Ha ha. A blog about oversharing parents. This one's kind of funny (person excitedly posts on Facebook that she passed her dissertation defense and is now Doctor [name], to which someone responds "Yipee. How exciting. Now you need the title *mommy*.") #smugalert

[Tally M.]

http://setapartalbum.byu.edu/

I love Men's Chorus. This just makes me even happier.

[Squirrel]

GENERAL CONFERENCE!!!!

[Tally M.]

I have to say that Elder Holland's talk--among others--was really helpful for me. I quite enjoyed this General Conference, and I look forward to the May Ensign to read through them again and take more notes.

[bobtheenchantedone]

Elder Holland for the win. I've already listened to his talk again - I downloaded it to my phone to help me fall asleep.

Edit: by which I mean that I wasn't able to sleep due to anxiety and his talk calmed me down, not that it was boring. : )