Spinning Yarns.

Spinning Yarns:
Quote: "Storytelling and dialogue is a part of every child’s life. From bedtime chronicles exploring the misadventures of fantastical creatures to the beginning mumblings of a toddler trying to explain her day, storytelling introduces children to the initial stages of communication and literacy, as well creating a bridge between the physical world and an imaginative one... This paper hypothesizes that online forums and virtual communities, including message boards, Weblogs and instant messaging software (IM), allow children important spaces to share ideas and feelings, discuss issues and projects, ask and answer each other’s questions, and promote a prosocial spirit."
Comment: While this paper is an interesting read, I think it's important for promoters of wikis, blogs, social software, etc. to start making a distinction between potential and actual use. The potential of blogs/wikis are that everyone has an equal voice, that ideas flow freely, and that we dialogue more effectively. The reality is that most people are too busy to maintain a blog, wikis are too open for most people to feel comfortable, and people have a strong individualistic component that needs to be considered when tools and programs for knowledge/idea sharing are planned.

[elearnspace blog]

4:33:52 PM    

I've posted this before, but it's worth a re-visit every year or so.

Ordinarily I delete most of the mail supposedly for women (ghastly treacle, the lot of it), but this one struck a chord. I don't know who wrote it, but if you contact me, I'll be happy to put your name on it.

Every woman should have:
1. One old boyfriend you can imagine going back to and one who reminds you of how far you've come.
2. Enough money in your control to move out and rent a place of your own, even if you never need to.
3. Something perfect to wear if the employer or man of your dreams wants to see you in an hour.
4. A purse, a suitcase and an umbrella you're not ashamed to be seen carrying.
5. A youth you're content to move beyond.
6. A past juicy enough that you're looking forward to retelling it in your old age.
7. The realization that you are actually going to have an old age and some money set aside to help fund it.
8. A set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill and a black lace bra.
9. One friend who always makes you laugh and one who lets you cry.
10. A good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in your family
11. Eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems and a recipe for a meal that will make your guests feel honored.
12.A resume that is not even the slightest bit padded.
13. A feeling of control over your destiny.
14.A skin care regime, an exercise routine and a plan for dealing with those few other facets of life that don't get better after 30.
15. A solid start on a satisfying career, a satisfying relationship and all those other facets of life that do get better.

Every woman should know:
1. How to fall in love without losing yourself.
2. How you feel about having kids.
3. How to quit a job, break up with a man and confront a friend without ruining the friendship.
4. When to try harder and when to walk away.
5. How to kiss a man in a way that communicates perfectly what you would and wouldn't like to happen next.
6. How to have a good time at a party you'd never choose to attend.
7. How to ask for what you want in a way that makes it most likely you'll get it.
8. That you can't change the length of your calves, the width of your hips or the nature of your parents.
9. That your childhood may not have been perfect, but it is over.
10. What you would and wouldn't do for love or money
11. How to live alone, even if you don't like it.
12. Who you can trust, who you can't, and why you shouldn't take it personally.
13. Where to go, be it your best friend's kitchen table or a charming inn hidden in the woods, when your soul needs soothing.
14. What you can and can't accomplish in a day, a month, and a year.
15. Why they say life begins at age 30.     

9:29:59 AM    

The Fishbase. The Fishbase is a web-accessible database of fish information. This may sound somewhat... dull... until you actually start playing with it. With over 28,000 fish listed (including my favorite, the Coelacanth), the Fishbase lets you explore by environmental information, location,... [WorldChanging: Another World Is Here]

7:24:13 AM    

Insultingly Stupid Movie Physics http://intuitor.com/moviephysics/
A fun way to teach physics while undoing the misconceptions fostered by movies. Browse by specific movie reviews, or by the violated physics principles (falls, explosions, scaling, etc.)

[Neat New Stuff]

7:22:12 AM    

Encyclopedia of Television
http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/index.html
Courtesy of the Museum of Broadcast Communications. While this isn't a good source for info on current programming (the entry on The Muppet Show says that a new Muppet Show will air in 1995), entries on older programs include the cast list, production information, a bibliography, and an essay on the content and development of the show. Entries on idividuals include an essay, a list of productions, links to related articles, and a bibliography. Browsable but not searchable.

[Neat New Stuff]

7:21:44 AM    

And is this a good thing or a bad thing?

MIT weblog: "Psychology Today tells us that a growing number of people are using The Sims to make sense of themselves and the other folks in their lives." [Scripting News]

7:11:29 AM