opening up

essays

recasting readers as learners & citizens

It has become clear that new media will to continue to supplant traditional journalism in many of its historical functions (ranging from offering classifieds to breaking news). But if you ask to see traditional journalism’s crown jewel, you’ll find a long-time interest in the public good and a professional code nurtured over years of civil [...]

unbecoming expert

The idea that knowledge can be effectively broken down into categories is deeply rooted in our attitudes about the world. We taxonomize knowledge and skill very early on, and we see it everywhere. Driven by the increasing economic pressure for specialization and the fundamental role we let career play in defining our identity, [...]

opportunity : obligation :: right : responsibility :: privilege : duty

I’m going to constrain the meanings of these words for this post. People bandy them about, but there are some essential differences that call for their distinction.
Opportunities are the chance to do something, the chance at something. Rights are guarantees that are (morally or ethically) inviolable. Privilege are opportunities accorded by virtue [...]

the next step(s) for social networking

Why are my friends and acquaintances significant to me? Largely (and couched with deliberate callousness), I care about them because of what they do for me. They provide value. Whether this is because I inevitably have fun around them; because they know how to do the things I want to; or because [...]