The Beauty of Quiet Landscapes
I like landscape photography. I like looking at it. But more than that, I like photographing it. The reason is simple. In order to photograph a beautiful landscape, you have to go there. And being there is itself worthwhile, even if you decide not to take the picture. Landscapes vary a great deal. Some are gentle on the senses like farm scenes or rolling prairie. … Continue reading The Beauty of Quiet Landscapes
Winter Birds
At the beginning of March I learned there were snowy owls not more than ten miles from my home in Janesville, Wisconsin. In fact, they had been here since November, and I did not know. On receiving this news, I immediately grabbed my camera and headed out to the solid white tundra that had been last summer’s corn fields in search of the owls. Thankfully, … Continue reading Winter Birds
How Can We Save Democracy from Our Own Irrationality?
Recent studies confirm that when people holding false beliefs are confronted by facts contradicting those beliefs, not only do they fail to reject their false beliefs, but they believe them even more strongly than before.* Philosophers, political scientists and social psychologists have long noted the irrational aspects of human nature. Nonetheless, one of the cornerstones of classical democratic theory is faith in reason. The focus … Continue reading How Can We Save Democracy from Our Own Irrationality?
My 2013 Year of Books
I like to read contemporary fiction, especially mysteries. When it comes to reading, mysteries are my guilty pleasure. But this past year I tried to put the mysteries aside (for the most part) and read less pleasureful, but perhaps more thought provoking, literature. The annotated list for the past year is below. If you have read any of the following books and agree, or disagree, … Continue reading My 2013 Year of Books
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Artists Conduct Workshops in Oaxaca
Since 2009 University of Wisconsin-Whitewater artists have visited the city of Oaxaca in Mexico to participate in art related activities. Last week UW-Whitewater faculty again conducted art workshops for students and professional artists in Oaxaca. Professors Michael Flanagan and Max White completed a week of workshops on January 13, 2014 hosted by the Universidad Autónoma Benito Juárez de Oaxaca (UABJO). Professor Flanagan’s workshop in museum … Continue reading University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Artists Conduct Workshops in Oaxaca
A 2014 Calendar of Wisconsin Scenes For You
Dear Friends and kind readers please feel free to download my 2014 calendar of Wisconsin scenes for your personal use. The calendar is in PDF format and the images are suitably large for printing. Photos in the calendar are those shown in the gallery below. All except one of the photos are from southeastern corner of the state near the towns of Janesville, Milton, Fort … Continue reading A 2014 Calendar of Wisconsin Scenes For You
Education and the Reproduction of Social Privilege
We often say that education for all is a key ingredient in the achievement of equal opportunity. No matter one’s socio-economic background, education is the great equalizer that creates equal opportunity in a world that is often unequal. Political leaders everywhere who profess a concern for the poor and the oppressed have frequently stressed its importance. In 2003 Nelson Mandela remarked that “Education is the … Continue reading Education and the Reproduction of Social Privilege
Political Sociology 101: Matching Colleges with Career Aspirations
On a day to day basis most of us don’t think too much about presidential cabinets. Yet, they are important. And, they are filled with highly talented people. But how does one get to be a member of a presidential cabinet? Where do these people come from? Perhaps being selected has something to do with one’s college alma mater. On this hunch I decided … Continue reading Political Sociology 101: Matching Colleges with Career Aspirations
Day of the Dead – Three Cemeteries
The Day of the Dead celebrations in Oaxaca include elaborate attention by family and friends to the grave sites of the departed. And while the traditions in each cemetery are similar and have the same purpose, the customs in each cemetery may differ from community to community. In this album three cemeteries from the state of Oaxaca are represented: the main cemetery in the city … Continue reading Day of the Dead – Three Cemeteries
Rick Hintze – Making A Covered Jar – Step 1- From Clay to Jar
My friend Rick Hintze is a potter in southeastern Wisconsin who makes beautiful objects from clay. Rick has been making ceramic objects for more than thirty years. For many years he taught college. More recently, he works full-time at his art in his studio in Johnson Creek, Wisconsin. Rick and I are making a series of videos that demonstrates the process of making ceramic pieces … Continue reading Rick Hintze – Making A Covered Jar – Step 1- From Clay to Jar
When Politics Become Personal
Now that the latest manufactured political crisis is over, we can breathe easier for a couple months. We don’t have to worry about the government being shut down or a default on U.S. debt – until the next set of deadlines in about 90 days. Are we are supposed to feel good, until the crowd in Washington decides to do it again? And chances are … Continue reading When Politics Become Personal
Amber Waves of Bean: The Beauty of Soy
Soybeans Ready for Harvest near Whitewater, Wisconsin This is a remarkable time of year in southern Wisconsin. The changing colors of the leaves capture one’s attention, but I also like looking at the crops ready for harvest, especially the soybeans. Wisconsin is ranked 13th in the nation for soybean production, and Rock County (where I live) produces more soy than any other county in the … Continue reading Amber Waves of Bean: The Beauty of Soy
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