Start saving for Norway
Observations regarding Norway,the prohibitive cost of consumables, and the first few days of proceedings related to the World Humanist Congress in Oslo. Also, I experience a Larry David moment, and am briefly mortified.
Racial nationalism and white guilt
Whether or not white guilt is generally merited as a consequence of apartheid, any of us should certainly feel guilt if we cease dialogue, and instead resort to violence against those we disagree with.
Tuning out (and in)
Both sorts of interacting – the immediate (Twitter), and the traditional (books) – with words, and with ideas, are valuable. We shouldn’t neglect or demonize either of them – but rather make sure we take full advantage of both.
Hateful speech, hateful characters (but good TV)
A disjointed and incomplete reflection on what it means to hate, and what the best television shows ever created are. I reckon The Wire has to rank, as does Battlestar Galactica. Mock me if you like.
The limits of our language
The ministry of basic education in South Africa is considering scrapping the examination of grammar in a separate examination paper for Grades 10 to 12, alongside reductions in the amount of time and attention devoted to teaching grammar. Following through on these intentions would be a mistake, because what we able to conceive of is related to what we are able to express. In a country where we are in dire need of a critical citizenry, able to express their concerns in compelling and persuasive ways, the last thing we should be doing is limiting the ability of scholars to develop these skills.
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