Those sneaky alumni organizations — they've always got new angles on how to get to you. The alumni magazine for the University of Oregon has a writeup on me and a current member of the UO faculty, Mark Thoma. Apparently, we are Cyber Scholars, professors who use the blogosphere to teach the world. I think we need some new academic robes to go with that designation — preferably something in silver fabrics, and with a jetpack.
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Inside Higher Ed reports on a new study of the connection between college athletics and alumni giving, with some interesting findings:
No, it's not another spoof religion like the Flying Spaghetti Monster, and it's not a real religion for people to get outraged over.
The preceding comments about my alumni oganization were brought on by a bunch of factors-- the arrival of a Maryland alumni publication this week, the update-your-information questionnaire from the Society of Alumni, a visiting speaker last week who was two years behind me at Williams.
Energy Secy advances nano science in spare time - San Jose Mercury News
No, no, a jetpack would be space opera or a Jetsons future. A Cyber Scholar gets a trenchcoat, a simstim deck and a voiceover written in imitation of Raymond Chandler.
Oh, we're also going to have to redecorate Morris with generic kanji lettering, bulk up your neon light quotient and install a dirigible which circles town proclaiming over a loudspeaker, "A new life awaits you in the off-world colonies. . . ."
Nice image, but it will more likely be something in an XKCD t-shirt, and with a USB hub installed at the base of your skull.
70 MILLION Blogs
Holy cyberspace Batman!!!
It's getting like the island in the Pacific where everyone makes their living taking in each others wash.
And 120,000 new ones each day?...that's just CRAZY!!!
Cool idea about the jetpack, but I want my flying car! The science prognosticators have been promising one for nigh on 50 years! If you are now a cyber scholar maybe you can get that project moving. Hehehehe
Cheers,
Ray
Who needs a jetpack when you have a hot air balloon?
A mortarboard straight out of Tron.
...and blinking chevrons.
I'm thinking you need a robe more reminiscent of the lecturer in recent runes, or perhaps a pointy hat with some sequined squids on it. anyway... Now that you are now considered to be teaching the world, don't you wish it came with a raise?
Iono about other cuberscholars, but I imagine PZed wearing these as epaulettes.
In that same googling I think I stumbled across his personal brand of USB-stick.
How about a squid emblem on your tassel in honor of cthulu? The tentacles of online scholarship reach out and touch you in your home. Seems appropriate to me.
Shouldn't you just get a cape like Cory Doctorow?
Kevin: A red cape, mad scientist goggles, and a Zepplin! from which to broadcast his wisdom to the masses.
70 Million blogs, but most of them are spam blogs. 120K new ones a day, but almost all of them are spam blogs....
Tsk.
No capes!
Happy to know a fellow U of O alum has achieved such elevated status. Bravo.
NO CAPES!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=M68ndaZSKa8
From the aforelinked article:
O RLY?
The article I see just talks about popularity, as measured by Technorati rank.
Capes are just fine, unless you're in the superhero business. Then I agree - no capes.
(Bloggers aren't in the superhero business; they just think they are.)
Blake: details, details. I steal credit where I can get it.
When it comes to futuristic clothing, you can't beat tronguy.
"preferably something in silver fabrics, and with a jetpack."
It's a squid! It's a plane! It's ... PZ!
Alternatively, Stupid Nerd Glasses®.
(Warning: If you still need your ribcage, don't follow this link.)
I think a lot of people start blogs, write a few posts, and then forget about the blog or lose interest. I know I'm guilty of this cyber-negligence; blogging consistently over a protracted period requires a special kind of persistence, regardless of the main topics.
Maybe there should be a neologism for abandoned blogs, or for the process of neglecting a blog. Blogligence? Blogslaughter? Deadbleating? Blorphans?
Since both PZ and Thoma are on my very short daily blog read list (and I am a UO alum) .... this make me feel like all is right in the universe. And to think that I almost threw my alumni mag in the recycling without even cracking the cover.
Congrats to both you and Mark, PZ.
Alternatively, Stupid Nerd Glasses®.
(Warning: If you still need your ribcage, don't follow this link.)