Commonplace Book

I loved this article, from Inside Higher Ed, although I think it’s more broadly applicable than the author suggests.

What really cracks me up about it, though, are the complaints in the comments. Complaints that this must have been a slow submissions day at Inside Higher Ed; complaints that the article reinforces black stereotypes; complaints that the article should have been prefaced with a warning that it contains objectionable language (because the title isn’t a giveaway?). Talk about reinforcing stereotypes, stereotypes about humorless academics, that is!

Ahhhhh. Now I understand what’s been happening in the market recently, thanks to this great article (free registration required) by Albert Leonard on Salon.com.

Doesn’t really help me figure out what I should be selling or buying right now, unfortunately…

You’re Siddhartha!
by Hermann Hesse
You simply don’t know what to believe, but you’re willing to try anything once. Western values, Eastern values, hedonism and minimalism, you’ve spent some time in every camp. But you still don’t have any idea what camp you belong in. This makes you an individualist of the highest order, but also really lonely. It’s time to chill out under a tree. And realize that at least you believe in ferries.

This, according to the Book Quiz at the Blue Pyramid.

Huh. I dunno. Maybe I should go find a tree under which to chill out and meditate…