Happy New Year! I'm making this post because I want an increase in posting over last year - and this post does that!!

Today I concluded that the regular media news, print and television and radio are determined to undermine and harm us in any way they can, and justify it by claiming the moral high ground and proclaiming the purity of journalism's motives. I have always felt this way a little but now I am sure of it. It isn't social media -- it is regular media. The news outlet's social media administrator shares certain stories on social media and generates a forum of ignorance in comments, but social media is not the culprit (although the regular media glories in placing blame there). Today I noticed a headline "Vaccine rollout is more like a dribble so far. What went wrong?" I've seen or heard stories like that a lot recently. Anyone with a functioning brain knows it will take a long time to vaccinate everyone, assuming that's even possible, which it really isn't. Yet I know this is what reporters are going to be pushing, ginning up controversy, pointing fingers, starting fights, increasing drama, hoping for Congressional hearings, hoping for scandal and unrest.

This makes me sick. Also I have more respect for the small number of members (happy to know it's a bipartisan group) who are waiting until all front line workers and seniors have access.

Last week we watched the new season of Blue Bloods. I was surprised when they announced a season 11 after 10 was supposed to be the last. The show seemed "done" to me but I wondered how they would handle two major issues, the pandemic and civil unrest.Well, the answer is: badly. Seriously appalling in both cases, although I suspect the racial issue will be the subject of future episodes (but perhaps not). The pandemic story seemed like an aside so they could pretend COVID-19 was a minor incident in the past and not address public health or the huge, still unfolding cultural impact this long crisis has had and will have on our society. It would have been better if they didn't make another season IMO. The actors not wearing masks, not social distancing, not dealing with the subject in a serious way is pathetic and cowardly. Or maybe everyone connected to the show thinks it is a hoax. As if the dead son's surprise progeny is shocking or scandalous or likely or worthy of center stage treatment. What a crock! How about a real story line - grandpa battles the virus.

I am offended by the politicians, celebrities and all the famous elite people jockeying to get the vaccine first to allegedly set an example for us ig'nant plebes. Yesterday I heard young, healthy members of Congress got it and I was appalled. But, I do have a comforting thought. They can be the next wave of guinea pigs for the miraculous shot. The mutation is concerning. I suppose we should be paying more attention to 1918. There is still a long way to go no matter what the truly ig'nant, elite and otherwise, may say.

Obviously I am not happy about the global pandemic, but I hope some of the changes are permanent. I think more people should Zoom rather than travel for work and personally. I think people should think more about where they live - if loved ones are hours and hours away, requiring all sorts of carbon usage to be with them, maybe reconsider taking that job or going to that college. I think more administrative staff should telecommute, rather than sitting in conference rooms and work stations in office buildings. I think education should utilize synchronous remote approaches more. I hope significant investment is made in broadband and cell to enable this. I hope we never go back to shaking hands. I hope people learn to stay home when they are sick. I have not had even a sniffle since March! I like online shopping, online food delivery, online church, and telemedicine.

 

 

 

I noticed all semester that one of my Fall classes was very special. It is not that I never encounter outstanding students or teach classes that are great; both are common. But the fact is, in 20 years of university teaching, the number of classes that stand out as truly extraordinary is small.

At the end of the semester, during the grade slog made more hectic than usual because of an unrealistic turn around time that the university imposed, I listened to their final vlog assignment. The deadline was looming ominously; I was working feverishly to not miss it. Then I played their recordings, one after another, about what they had learned. I had to pause to take it all in. 

 

Fifteen years ago, during Spring 2006, I taught a class where hand-written journal entries in a notebook were assigned. Technology advocates could choose to use a word processor for composing instead, but either way, it was handed in as paper. The tenth vlog in my Fall 2020 class evoked a clear and very gratifying memory of the last entry in those paper journals thirty semesters ago. It was so strong I could remember the room, the number of students, even some of their faces and where they sat. I recall that when I reflected on that class afterwards, I thought maybe its vibe had been at least partially caused by the time slot (2:45-4:05). I had always taught earlier and wondered whether lunch time hunger was normally a distraction. 

 

I suspect some of what drove the class this Fall to sparkle is that one-third of the students had taken one or more of my classes in the past, and that cohort of Dr. G fans had significant impact on class aura. However, there were also excellent class members who I did not know before this semester. The topic, the setting, the time slot, the delivery method, the pandemic, were all different from 2006. And yet the outcome in terms of student and faculty takeaway was similar. When this happens, I so appreciate the gift. As soon as I submitted grades (and slept LOL), I wrote a thank you note to the class.