by BARBARA J. KINGDear college students across the U.S.,
Like millions of my colleagues who teach at universities and colleges, I'm working hard this week to put an updated zing into the syllabus for each of my fall classes. Describing the course content and readings for Biological Anthropology and Primate Behavior is the fun, mind-engaging part.
By contrast, the "Policies" (do's and don'ts) section of each syllabus is less than fascinating to compose, but it contains one particularly key passage: Do resist the urge to send email, texts or tweets, check Facebook, read the news, or otherwise engage online via your computer or phone during class!
More.
A possible solution to the Fermi Paradox is that whenever extraterrestrials invent digital electronics, their science and society stagnate because virtual adventure becomes more important to them than real adventure. It's much like in the Star Trek pilot, "The Cage," except these illusions go "Beep!"
ReplyDeleteDid Fermi ever come up with a "Galactic Snob" addendum?
DeleteBecause if I saw American TV transmissions from space, I would avoid this planet....
@Strel: It sounds like your five months trapped in prison with Pussy Riot has left you a bit restless. But the fact that Putin continues to allow you wifi access to College Misery from your cell means the poll numbers are on your side. We Four are proud of you. Keep fighting the good fight.
Delete@Strel: Fermi didn't, but it's a variation of "the Zoo Hypothesis," by Ronald Bracewell. As no less than Calvin observed to Hobbes: "Sometimes I think the surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the Universe is that none of it has tried to contact us."
DeleteFREE PUSSY RIOT!
The point is not that the policy works. But it gives you cover to yell at them, throw them out of class, take their toys, and make them feel guilty about it. It relieves our stress.
ReplyDeleteThat it improves their learning is a side-effect.
Why don't we just get USB ports installed into everyone at birth and be done with it?
ReplyDeleteI have no question that when this becomes feasible, it will be a huge hit, despite what some conspiracy theorists will say.
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