This one went up last night, instead of Monday. But I'm pleased with the result.
(![[tumblr.com profile]](https://www.tumblr.com/favicon.ico)
heroofthreefaces, whom I cite in this video, is known as ![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
scarfman around these parts)
(
scarfman around these parts)
Something good to remember.
It is closed captioned. What the captions don't tell you is that the narrator is Tom Hanks.
It is closed captioned. What the captions don't tell you is that the narrator is Tom Hanks.
Because they only made closed captions available to people who donated through their Patreon.
...And accessibility is a universal right, damn it -- not a privilege reserved for those who can pay.
So I was happy, today, to see that TED-ed (A channel of animated, educational, videos aimed at high school students, that consistently captions their videos) has started a series called "There's a Poem for that".
So here's "The Nutritionist" by Andrea Gibson (content warning: it's a poem about mental health and suicidality. It is also fiercely optimistic, and a call to stay alive):
...And accessibility is a universal right, damn it -- not a privilege reserved for those who can pay.
So I was happy, today, to see that TED-ed (A channel of animated, educational, videos aimed at high school students, that consistently captions their videos) has started a series called "There's a Poem for that".
So here's "The Nutritionist" by Andrea Gibson (content warning: it's a poem about mental health and suicidality. It is also fiercely optimistic, and a call to stay alive):
In May of last year (<-- By frogs and fishes! That is fun/weird to type), Yinon M. Bar-On, Rob Phillips, and Ron Milo published a report in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America on a census of all life on Earth, by surveying and estimating how much carbon is where, on the planet, by weight.
Vox.com published a stunning visual chart of what this all means, )here.
That's cool, and wondrous, and exciting (and sobering), and all...
But then-- in December, The Deep Carbon Observatory published its own report on a survey of carbon deep within the Earth's crust -- and came to the conclusion that all the bacterial biomass carbon from that earlier report? Is only 30% of the total bacteria on Earth.... And there are bacteria surviving so close to the Earth's core that ambient temperatures are above 100 C -- but water is still liquid, there, because the pressure is so high.
Okay, so 70-80% of stars in our galaxy are M dwarf stars, which are rather violent when young, and this video (closed captioned) explains why that might end up making the planets ultimately uninhabitable.
But M dwarf stars are extremely long-lived, and once their violent youth is past, they become very stable (I'll put a video about the life cycle of stars at the end of this post).
And if the majority of microbial life actually starts out deep beneath the surface of planets, then (my inner plot bunnies are whispering) perhaps it could survive its home star's violence, and gradually migrate to the surface once it's calmed down ... And, as I always like to remind myself, life has a way to change a planet to make it more comfortable to life.
Or maybe they won't migrate to the surface, but they still might form comparatively complex life. Here's a neat video from Kurzgesagt (also closed captioned) that explores the possibility of subsurface life that exists on planets that don't even have any stars:
(The main thing that annoys me about Kurzgesagt videos, is that they keep judging quality of life and intelligence by current, human normativity: use of metal-based technology, fire, etc.. Also, they assume that advancement as a civilization must depend on expanding our territory, and colonizing other worlds, and also in getting as close to individual immortality as possible. ... none of which are things I agree should be taken as givens)
Anyway, here's that video on the life cycle of low-mass stars, and there's a suggestion how the Earth, itself, might become a rogue planet, 6 billion years or so, from now, when our Sun burns through its hydrogen and loses mass -- which decreases the gravity that holds planets in their orbits (also closed captioned):
(For what it's worth: I'm not really all disturbed by the thought of humanity going extinct, or even of my own personal death, as long as neither comes prematurely, due to foolish decisions -- like denying climate change -- or causes avoidable pain to others)
Vox.com published a stunning visual chart of what this all means, )here.
That's cool, and wondrous, and exciting (and sobering), and all...
But then-- in December, The Deep Carbon Observatory published its own report on a survey of carbon deep within the Earth's crust -- and came to the conclusion that all the bacterial biomass carbon from that earlier report? Is only 30% of the total bacteria on Earth.... And there are bacteria surviving so close to the Earth's core that ambient temperatures are above 100 C -- but water is still liquid, there, because the pressure is so high.
Okay, so 70-80% of stars in our galaxy are M dwarf stars, which are rather violent when young, and this video (closed captioned) explains why that might end up making the planets ultimately uninhabitable.
But M dwarf stars are extremely long-lived, and once their violent youth is past, they become very stable (I'll put a video about the life cycle of stars at the end of this post).
And if the majority of microbial life actually starts out deep beneath the surface of planets, then (my inner plot bunnies are whispering) perhaps it could survive its home star's violence, and gradually migrate to the surface once it's calmed down ... And, as I always like to remind myself, life has a way to change a planet to make it more comfortable to life.
Or maybe they won't migrate to the surface, but they still might form comparatively complex life. Here's a neat video from Kurzgesagt (also closed captioned) that explores the possibility of subsurface life that exists on planets that don't even have any stars:
(The main thing that annoys me about Kurzgesagt videos, is that they keep judging quality of life and intelligence by current, human normativity: use of metal-based technology, fire, etc.. Also, they assume that advancement as a civilization must depend on expanding our territory, and colonizing other worlds, and also in getting as close to individual immortality as possible. ... none of which are things I agree should be taken as givens)
Anyway, here's that video on the life cycle of low-mass stars, and there's a suggestion how the Earth, itself, might become a rogue planet, 6 billion years or so, from now, when our Sun burns through its hydrogen and loses mass -- which decreases the gravity that holds planets in their orbits (also closed captioned):
(For what it's worth: I'm not really all disturbed by the thought of humanity going extinct, or even of my own personal death, as long as neither comes prematurely, due to foolish decisions -- like denying climate change -- or causes avoidable pain to others)
Can't think of a question, today, so I am posting videos of songs that I think of, when New Year's comes around -- in chronological order. Some of these videos are YouTube Old, and low rez. And I don't think any of them have captions. But I'll link to lyrics where I find them.
The Old Year Now Away is Fled (1542)
This duet is only singing the first two verses. But the full song can be found here: Carol for New Year's Day
A sung recitation of Alfred Lord Tennyson's "Ring out, Wild Bells" (1833)
Found here at the Poetry Foundation: In Memoriam A. H. H. Obiit MDCCCXXXIII
"When you're Traveling" -- Animaniacs (1996)
Lyrics are here at the Animaniacs fandom Wiki
When I was six or seven, we had this Folk music Christmas album, and it had one track that I always looked forward to. It was my favorite, and always made me smile. But that album was the only place I'd heard it. I'd never heard it played on the radio, or covered by any other artists. And I haven't heard it in decades.
Just now, I decided to do a YouTube search, and Lo! and Behold! It was there. And I couldn't help dancing in my seat, a bit, as I played it:
( Transcript and lyrics behind here )
Just now, I decided to do a YouTube search, and Lo! and Behold! It was there. And I couldn't help dancing in my seat, a bit, as I played it:
( Transcript and lyrics behind here )
And I like it better than the original, because the original song is about sexual attraction (which is 'meh' to me). And this version about how quantum physics leads naturally to physics, which leads naturally to biology on the human scale (which is !Shiny! to me) -- all illustrated with animation as each level scales up. ... and put to the same catchy tune.
I can't follow the mathematical/chemistry terminology, but I think I understand the illustrations.
Unfortunately, it's unfriendly to those sensitive to flickering light... so I'll put it under a cut:
( The Molecular Shape of You )
One thing I love about it, metaphorically speaking, is that it personifies each of the entities as they interact: disturbances in the quantum field, electrons, protons, atoms, molecules, amino acids, and finally, the human listening to the song.
This helps me articulate an idea that's been snuffling around in my brain for years, now:
The problem with the "Schrödinger's cat paradox" is that Schrödinger forgot that the 'cat' is a witness to events inside the box (that is: if inanimate objects can contain "information" in a non-sentient way, why can't they "observe" in a non sentient way?):
"Come bond with me, Baby, come bond!"
I can't follow the mathematical/chemistry terminology, but I think I understand the illustrations.
Unfortunately, it's unfriendly to those sensitive to flickering light... so I'll put it under a cut:
( The Molecular Shape of You )
One thing I love about it, metaphorically speaking, is that it personifies each of the entities as they interact: disturbances in the quantum field, electrons, protons, atoms, molecules, amino acids, and finally, the human listening to the song.
This helps me articulate an idea that's been snuffling around in my brain for years, now:
The problem with the "Schrödinger's cat paradox" is that Schrödinger forgot that the 'cat' is a witness to events inside the box (that is: if inanimate objects can contain "information" in a non-sentient way, why can't they "observe" in a non sentient way?):
"Come bond with me, Baby, come bond!"
All hail to the days that merit more praise
Than all the rest of the year,
And welcome the nights that double delights
As well for the poor as the peer!
Good fortune attend each merry man's friend,
That doth but the best that he may;
Forgetting old wrongs, with carols and songs,
To drive the cold winter away.
Let Misery pack, with a whip at his back,
To the deep Tantalian flood;
In Lethe profound let envy be drown'd,
That pines at another man's good;
Let Sorrow's expense be banded from hence,
All payments have greater delay,
We'll spend the long nights in cheerful delights
To drive the cold winter away.
'Tis ill for a mind to anger inclined
To think of small injuries now;
If wrath be to seek do not lend her thy cheek
Nor let her inhabit thy brow.
Cross out of thy books malevolent looks,
Both beauty and youth's decay,
And wholly consort with mirth and with sport
To drive the cold winter away.
The court in all state now opens her gate
And gives a free welcome to most;
The city likewise, tho' somewhat precise,
Doth willingly part with her roast:
But yet by report from city and court
The country will e'er gain the day;
More liquor is spent and with better content
To drive the cold winter away.
Our good gentry there for costs do not spare,
The yeomanry fast not till Lent;1
The farmers and such think nothing too much,
If they keep but to pay for their rent.
The poorest of all now do merrily call,
When at a fit place they can stay,
For a song or a tale or a cup of good ale
To drive the cold winter away.
Thus none will allow of solitude now
But merrily greets the time,
To make it appear of all the whole year
That this is accounted the prime:
December is seen apparel's in green,
And January fresh as May
Comes dancing along with a cup and a song
To drive the cold winter away.
This time of the year is spent in good cheer,
And neighbours together do meet
To sit by the fire, with friendly desire,
Each other in love to greet;
Old grudges forgot are put in the pot,
All sorrows aside they lay;
The old and the young doth carol this song
To drive the cold winter away.
Sisley and Nanny, more jocund than any,
As blithe as the month of June,
Do carol and sing like birds of the spring,
No nightingale sweeter in tune;
To bring in content, when summer is spend,
In pleasant delight and play,
With mirth and good cheer to end the whole year,
And drive the cold winter away.
The shepherd, the swain do highly disdain
To waste out their time in care,
And Clim of the Clough hath plenty enough
If he but a penny can spare
To spend at the night, in joy and delight,
Now after his labour all day;
For better than lands is the help of his hands
To drive the cold winter away.
To mask and to mum kind neighbours will come
With wassails of nut-brown ale,
To drink and carouse to all in the house
As merry as bucks in the dale;
Where cake, bread, and cheese is brought for your fees
To make you the longer stay;
At the fire to warm 'twill do you no harm,
To drive the cold winter away.
When Christmas's tide come in like a bride
With holly and ivy clad,
Twelve days in the year much mirth and good cheer
In every household is had;
The country guise is then to devise
Some gambols of Christmas play,
Whereat the young men do best that they can
To drive the cold winter away.
When white-bearded frost hath threatened his worse,
And fallen from branch and briar,
Then time away calls from husbandry halls
And from the good countryman's fire,
Together to go, to plough and to sow
To get us both food and array,
And thus will content the time we have spend
To drive the cold winter away.
(A few of the verses sung by a choir, so you can hear what it sounds like)
(And if you're in the Southern Hemisphere, you can always change the lyrics around -- maybe to "To drive the old year(?) away."
Than all the rest of the year,
And welcome the nights that double delights
As well for the poor as the peer!
Good fortune attend each merry man's friend,
That doth but the best that he may;
Forgetting old wrongs, with carols and songs,
To drive the cold winter away.
Let Misery pack, with a whip at his back,
To the deep Tantalian flood;
In Lethe profound let envy be drown'd,
That pines at another man's good;
Let Sorrow's expense be banded from hence,
All payments have greater delay,
We'll spend the long nights in cheerful delights
To drive the cold winter away.
'Tis ill for a mind to anger inclined
To think of small injuries now;
If wrath be to seek do not lend her thy cheek
Nor let her inhabit thy brow.
Cross out of thy books malevolent looks,
Both beauty and youth's decay,
And wholly consort with mirth and with sport
To drive the cold winter away.
The court in all state now opens her gate
And gives a free welcome to most;
The city likewise, tho' somewhat precise,
Doth willingly part with her roast:
But yet by report from city and court
The country will e'er gain the day;
More liquor is spent and with better content
To drive the cold winter away.
Our good gentry there for costs do not spare,
The yeomanry fast not till Lent;1
The farmers and such think nothing too much,
If they keep but to pay for their rent.
The poorest of all now do merrily call,
When at a fit place they can stay,
For a song or a tale or a cup of good ale
To drive the cold winter away.
Thus none will allow of solitude now
But merrily greets the time,
To make it appear of all the whole year
That this is accounted the prime:
December is seen apparel's in green,
And January fresh as May
Comes dancing along with a cup and a song
To drive the cold winter away.
This time of the year is spent in good cheer,
And neighbours together do meet
To sit by the fire, with friendly desire,
Each other in love to greet;
Old grudges forgot are put in the pot,
All sorrows aside they lay;
The old and the young doth carol this song
To drive the cold winter away.
Sisley and Nanny, more jocund than any,
As blithe as the month of June,
Do carol and sing like birds of the spring,
No nightingale sweeter in tune;
To bring in content, when summer is spend,
In pleasant delight and play,
With mirth and good cheer to end the whole year,
And drive the cold winter away.
The shepherd, the swain do highly disdain
To waste out their time in care,
And Clim of the Clough hath plenty enough
If he but a penny can spare
To spend at the night, in joy and delight,
Now after his labour all day;
For better than lands is the help of his hands
To drive the cold winter away.
To mask and to mum kind neighbours will come
With wassails of nut-brown ale,
To drink and carouse to all in the house
As merry as bucks in the dale;
Where cake, bread, and cheese is brought for your fees
To make you the longer stay;
At the fire to warm 'twill do you no harm,
To drive the cold winter away.
When Christmas's tide come in like a bride
With holly and ivy clad,
Twelve days in the year much mirth and good cheer
In every household is had;
The country guise is then to devise
Some gambols of Christmas play,
Whereat the young men do best that they can
To drive the cold winter away.
When white-bearded frost hath threatened his worse,
And fallen from branch and briar,
Then time away calls from husbandry halls
And from the good countryman's fire,
Together to go, to plough and to sow
To get us both food and array,
And thus will content the time we have spend
To drive the cold winter away.
(A few of the verses sung by a choir, so you can hear what it sounds like)
(And if you're in the Southern Hemisphere, you can always change the lyrics around -- maybe to "To drive the old year(?) away."
By the way: This is a different melody than the one you’re probably used to, but as I understand it, this is the tune that Burns had in mind when he wrote the words down in the eighteenth century (and in this performance, there are also a couple of verses sung in Gaelic. so if you all of a sudden don’t understand what they’re singing, don’t worry [probably]).
( Lyrics behind here. )
( Lyrics behind here. )
Okay, here's a Child ballad of Robin Hood, that showed up in my YouTube subscription feed, yesterday afternoon. I have absolutely zero evidence that it inspired Mark Gatiss in writing "Robots of Sherwood," mind. But the adventure described in the lyrics sounds enough like a classic Doctor Who plot, that should Mr. Gatiss admit to it, I would not be in the least surprised.
As evidence, I present this excerpt from the lyrics:
(Quote -- spelling corrected)
(Unquote)
Now, does that, or does that not, sound like a classic Doctor Who foe and threat?
Here are the full lyrics, written out (from Wikisource): https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Child's_Ballads/129 (if you read all the way to the end, you'll see that this is one version of Robin Hood's story where his life as an outlaw comes to an end, and his life a respected nobleman resumes).
And here's the video of the song being sung, that popped up yesterday (I disagree with his rhyming choices in a spot or two, but it's still earworming me, anyway): https://youtu.be/JnrN2KiTsbw (about 11 minutes long).
---
As a side note, here's a video of "Daddy wouldn't buy me a bow-wow," which is the chorus that Sarah Jane whistles as she walks away at the end of "Hand of Fear," (which might make it ironic, or simply a rounding out of her story arc, when the Doctor sends her a version of K-9 later): https://youtu.be/R45Eoi3ZeME
As evidence, I present this excerpt from the lyrics:
(Quote -- spelling corrected)
'Come, tell me the cause, thou pretty one,'
Quoth Robin, and tell me aright,
From whence thou comest, and whither thou goest,
All in this mournful plight?'
'From London I came,' the damsel reply'd,
'From London upon the Thames,
Which circled is, O grief to tell!
Besieg'd with foreign arms.
'By the proud Prince of Aragon,
Who swears by his martial hand
To have the princess for his spouse,
Or else to waste this land:
'Except that champions can be found
That dare fight three to three,
Against the prince and giants twain,
Most horrid for to see:
'Whose grisly looks, and eyes like brands,
Strike terror where they come,
With serpents hissing on their helms,
Instead of feathered plume.
(Unquote)
Now, does that, or does that not, sound like a classic Doctor Who foe and threat?
Here are the full lyrics, written out (from Wikisource): https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Child's_Ballads/129 (if you read all the way to the end, you'll see that this is one version of Robin Hood's story where his life as an outlaw comes to an end, and his life a respected nobleman resumes).
And here's the video of the song being sung, that popped up yesterday (I disagree with his rhyming choices in a spot or two, but it's still earworming me, anyway): https://youtu.be/JnrN2KiTsbw (about 11 minutes long).
---
As a side note, here's a video of "Daddy wouldn't buy me a bow-wow," which is the chorus that Sarah Jane whistles as she walks away at the end of "Hand of Fear," (which might make it ironic, or simply a rounding out of her story arc, when the Doctor sends her a version of K-9 later): https://youtu.be/R45Eoi3ZeME
Links and Signal Boosts:
Jan. 27th, 2016 05:49 amFrom Important to Impertinent:
1) The Hearse at the End of the Driveway: http://davehingsburger.blogspot.com/2016/01/the-hearse-at-bottom-of-driveway.html (Breaking the silence around mental illness and anxiety -- vivid, first-person description of what it feels like to have a panic attack).
2) A trio of strips from Robot Hugs: "Return" http://www.robot-hugs.com/return/ (a message from the future about life with mental illness) "Rat Race" http://www.robot-hugs.com/rat-race/ (A fable about/metaphor for job hunting today -- show this to people who say you're not trying hard enough) "Tone Policing" http://www.robot-hugs.com/tone-policing/ (an explanation of what it is, and what's wrong with it -- this is also another strip of theirs which includes Disability in their Diversity... This is the only strip [not specifically dedicated to Disability] that I can think of that regularly does that. So kudos to them).
3) "Mrs. Ribeiro" https://youtu.be/6GqMgLnluKY (a poem from Sarah Kay about happy learning).
4) "Science Wars" -- Acappella Parody: https://youtu.be/LTXTeAt2mpg (The old "Which field of science is most important?" debate, sung to the John Williams theme, aimed at high school students, and an infernal earworm, with puns).
5) Tomska Behind your Sofa -- a Mr. Weebl Song: https://youtu.be/8yW28zw5PpQ (Included to make the list an odd number, and also to complete the spectrum from "Serious" to "Seriously?!?!").
1) The Hearse at the End of the Driveway: http://davehingsburger.blogspot.com/2016/01/the-hearse-at-bottom-of-driveway.html (Breaking the silence around mental illness and anxiety -- vivid, first-person description of what it feels like to have a panic attack).
2) A trio of strips from Robot Hugs: "Return" http://www.robot-hugs.com/return/ (a message from the future about life with mental illness) "Rat Race" http://www.robot-hugs.com/rat-race/ (A fable about/metaphor for job hunting today -- show this to people who say you're not trying hard enough) "Tone Policing" http://www.robot-hugs.com/tone-policing/ (an explanation of what it is, and what's wrong with it -- this is also another strip of theirs which includes Disability in their Diversity... This is the only strip [not specifically dedicated to Disability] that I can think of that regularly does that. So kudos to them).
3) "Mrs. Ribeiro" https://youtu.be/6GqMgLnluKY (a poem from Sarah Kay about happy learning).
4) "Science Wars" -- Acappella Parody: https://youtu.be/LTXTeAt2mpg (The old "Which field of science is most important?" debate, sung to the John Williams theme, aimed at high school students, and an infernal earworm, with puns).
5) Tomska Behind your Sofa -- a Mr. Weebl Song: https://youtu.be/8yW28zw5PpQ (Included to make the list an odd number, and also to complete the spectrum from "Serious" to "Seriously?!?!").
Is it these octopodes, or the squeeing (human) marine biologists?
In ascending order of length, behind cuts (with commentary):
First, the song which opens this video is one of the best encapsulations of Epicurean philosophy I've come across, since I discovered what Epicurean philosophy is.
( A long note on the video's format (which, if you're not familiar with the channel, seems really weird) )
( We're all gonna DIE (so have a good time, and be nice to each other) -- 'Vlogbrothers channel' 3:19) )
What I find so inspiring about Epicurus is that, after accepting as given that:
He then came to the conclusion that the meaning of life is Happiness, and that Happiness = Wisdom + Friendship. I mean -- for example -- Nietzsche read Epicurean philosophy, accepted the first three givens, but then decided he wanted to end up in a very different place. Well, I know which road I'd rather travel.
Second:
( 'Simon Says' by Theresa Davis ('Button Poetry' channel 4:00) )
A poem about educators who use their power to abuse students, but it ends with a positive tone. She uses "the F-word" a few times, but it's as an exclamation of emphasis and/or surprise, rather than anger.
Third:
( The Worst-Designed Thing You've Never Noticed | Roman Mars | TED Talk (18:18) )
About what makes a good flag, and how so many city and regional flags are so bad. It's part educational presentation, partstand-up sit-down comedy. I've watched this 6 times in the last couple of days, and I still laugh out loud at all the vexillological punchlines.
It's also got me thinking of the challenge of designing a Disability Pride flag that goes beyond the blue stick-figure wheelchair person. That very well may be a separate post, soon.
First, the song which opens this video is one of the best encapsulations of Epicurean philosophy I've come across, since I discovered what Epicurean philosophy is.
( A long note on the video's format (which, if you're not familiar with the channel, seems really weird) )
( We're all gonna DIE (so have a good time, and be nice to each other) -- 'Vlogbrothers channel' 3:19) )
What I find so inspiring about Epicurus is that, after accepting as given that:
- the Cosmos is made of invisible atoms,
- we're all gonna die when our atoms eventually disperse, and:
- Death = Nonexistence
He then came to the conclusion that the meaning of life is Happiness, and that Happiness = Wisdom + Friendship. I mean -- for example -- Nietzsche read Epicurean philosophy, accepted the first three givens, but then decided he wanted to end up in a very different place. Well, I know which road I'd rather travel.
Second:
( 'Simon Says' by Theresa Davis ('Button Poetry' channel 4:00) )
A poem about educators who use their power to abuse students, but it ends with a positive tone. She uses "the F-word" a few times, but it's as an exclamation of emphasis and/or surprise, rather than anger.
Third:
( The Worst-Designed Thing You've Never Noticed | Roman Mars | TED Talk (18:18) )
About what makes a good flag, and how so many city and regional flags are so bad. It's part educational presentation, part
It's also got me thinking of the challenge of designing a Disability Pride flag that goes beyond the blue stick-figure wheelchair person. That very well may be a separate post, soon.
In the early 16th Century, "Geek" meant "village idiot."
In the early 20th Century, "Geek" meant "actor in a carnival side show."
In the late 20th Century,* "Geek" meant "a person mocked for their weird enthusiasms (as if they were an attraction in a carnival side show)."
In the early 21st Century, "Geek' meant "a person proud of their enthusiasm for esoteric fields, not caring if they are mocked."
This is why I love being in the company of geeks. Their enthusiasm is contagious, even when I don't share enthusiasm for their particular favorite thing. Here's a video of a mathematician who is a Klein Bottle geek. I bet you'll be grinning by the end of it. I bet you!
*first noted in popular culture in the movie "The Breakfast Club"
In the early 20th Century, "Geek" meant "actor in a carnival side show."
In the late 20th Century,* "Geek" meant "a person mocked for their weird enthusiasms (as if they were an attraction in a carnival side show)."
In the early 21st Century, "Geek' meant "a person proud of their enthusiasm for esoteric fields, not caring if they are mocked."
This is why I love being in the company of geeks. Their enthusiasm is contagious, even when I don't share enthusiasm for their particular favorite thing. Here's a video of a mathematician who is a Klein Bottle geek. I bet you'll be grinning by the end of it. I bet you!
*first noted in popular culture in the movie "The Breakfast Club"
Last night, I decided to check out the Mudcat forum (folk music and blues), and near the top of the page, there was this thread:
Obit: Andy M. Stewart (1952-2015)
That's the "saddened" part of this post. Here's my addition to the thread (as "Guest"-- hadn't realized my cookie had expired):
Quote:
Unquote.
Now comes the "Enraged" portion of this post.
Today, while looking for web pages about him and his music, I came across the crowdfunding page his sister had put up to help him pay for his medical bills (it had not reached the goal by the time he'd died), and therein, she explains why she needs to raise money for him, including this passage (the added emphasis is mine):
Quote:
Unquote.
(The crowdfunding page is here: https://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/help-andy-m-get-mobile-/318806 It's now raising money for a funeral)
Okay. So I am under no illusion that having a motorized chair would definitely have lengthened his life (it might have... a little). But I do know from experience that spending extra time and physical energy just getting from one end of your house to the other puts a real damper on creative writing. The world could certainly have used more songs and humor from this fellow. And we are all poorer for the loss.
Now -- what about all the wonderful, creative people in this world who became disabled before they were famous?! What is the world missing? All because of fear mongering about fraud and disabled people "scrounging off" Society.
So I'm going to take a moment to lay deeply felt curse against those who keep trying to "tighten the restrictions on entitlement 'criteria'":
May every sweet thing you bite turn to ashes and hair in your mouth
And may every draught you swallow turn to mouldy slime.
And here: have an article (link courtesy ofjesse_the_k) about the real value of motorized chairs: Don't worry, he won't get far on foot -- he's dead
To end on a more upbeat note, have a video of Andy M. Stewart performing one of the songs he'd written, back in the day:
(I still don't have audio, but I've been in the audience when he's performed it on stage)
Obit: Andy M. Stewart (1952-2015)
That's the "saddened" part of this post. Here's my addition to the thread (as "Guest"-- hadn't realized my cookie had expired):
Quote:
Aw... Dammit.
I hadn't heard him perform in quite a while, but I was blessed enough to have heard him live in several performances. He was a great singer, songwriter, and a gracious performer on stage.
Unquote.
Now comes the "Enraged" portion of this post.
Today, while looking for web pages about him and his music, I came across the crowdfunding page his sister had put up to help him pay for his medical bills (it had not reached the goal by the time he'd died), and therein, she explains why she needs to raise money for him, including this passage (the added emphasis is mine):
Quote:
Having lost so much my brother is facing a situation where he will need to leave his home and move to wheelchair friendly accommodation. He will need daily nursing care to assist his living. He does not 'meet the criteria' for entitlement to a motorised wheelchair because he has the use of his arms, even though this kept him housebound for many months. Except for when someone visits to help get him out of the house that's what he will go back to.
Unquote.
(The crowdfunding page is here: https://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/help-andy-m-get-mobile-/318806 It's now raising money for a funeral)
Okay. So I am under no illusion that having a motorized chair would definitely have lengthened his life (it might have... a little). But I do know from experience that spending extra time and physical energy just getting from one end of your house to the other puts a real damper on creative writing. The world could certainly have used more songs and humor from this fellow. And we are all poorer for the loss.
Now -- what about all the wonderful, creative people in this world who became disabled before they were famous?! What is the world missing? All because of fear mongering about fraud and disabled people "scrounging off" Society.
So I'm going to take a moment to lay deeply felt curse against those who keep trying to "tighten the restrictions on entitlement 'criteria'":
And may every draught you swallow turn to mouldy slime.
And here: have an article (link courtesy of
jesse_the_k) about the real value of motorized chairs: Don't worry, he won't get far on foot -- he's deadTo end on a more upbeat note, have a video of Andy M. Stewart performing one of the songs he'd written, back in the day:
(I still don't have audio, but I've been in the audience when he's performed it on stage)
I've been fiddling...
Dec. 16th, 2015 03:37 pm... Making cut paper, five-pointed, stars from squares of paper.
Five folds, one straight cut. A video is here: https://youtu.be/iraWBwcOfU8 (haven't found a text, or diagram, or still picture, set of instructions yet). It really is ingenious. I wondered who figured out the math, 'cause drawing a pentagram by Euclid's method, using straight edge and compass, is mind-numbingly complicated.
Five folds, one straight cut. A video is here: https://youtu.be/iraWBwcOfU8 (haven't found a text, or diagram, or still picture, set of instructions yet). It really is ingenious. I wondered who figured out the math, 'cause drawing a pentagram by Euclid's method, using straight edge and compass, is mind-numbingly complicated.
(I'd ordinarily post this behind my "Disability Discussions" access filter, but I'm in a "Shameless Agitator" mood, and want this to be publicly available to search engines)
I first posted this video almost three months ago (July 31), with no other comment than:
"This man is saying all the things I've been [saying] about why "C.P. = 'Retardation'" (unfortunate term still common in medical contexts) is Bullsh--
But because he's the "normal" parent, people believe him. Whenever I've said this, it must be that my C.P. "warps" my perceptions...
I left it there, because it was the end of a long, hot, day. I had neither time nor energy to unpack my reactions, and type them up. But summer's passed, and today is still young. So I'm finishing what I started.
The video is roughly 18 minutes long, and I encourage you to watch the whole thing. But if you can't, I want to focus on these two points that Dan Habib made in this speech:
First, at around the ten minute mark:
(Quote)
(Unquote)
I can't help but wonder how much of a link there is behind this national statistic and another that I've seen cited around the Web (often verbatim, so I suspect writers of Websites are "copy-and-pasting" each other) that 'between 30% and 50% of children have some level of mental retardation or seizure disorder.' (also note that the presence of intellectual disability and of seizures are often independent of each other, so I find it troubling that the two conditions are lumped together in this way).
Second, at around the eleven minute mark:
(Quote)
(Unquote)
On the one hand, this makes me want to pump my fist in the air and say: "[Durn] Right!" Inclusive societies do better by everyone.
On the other hand, this passage also makes me angry. There's the obvious question of: "Why should the lives of "typical" children be worth more effort and care than the atypical -- especially since it's out of the control of the children and their families?"
But also: The way Mr. Habib explains these demonstrably better outcomes has bothered me since I woke up the morning after I posted this. It's an explanation that sounds to my ear very like the medieval Church's endorsement of alms and of begging: Because being able to offer charity is good for the soul. His son is good for his "typical" classmates, because he is in need of their help -- which frames his role in the class as more of a passive, rather than active participant.
So, here, I would like to offer a few alternate explanations for the improved academic outcomes in inclusive classrooms:
1) Disabled students are role models for their more "typical" peers -- they demonstrate the fact that there is more than one way to solve a problem, and overcome a barrier. Disabled students are in a position to teach as well as receive help in learning -- so that their presence helps other students learn whether or not those other students ever become their "buddies," or take a personal interest in helping them out.
2) Schools that strictly segregate students by some arbitrary metric or piece of paperwork in a student's file,* are also likely sending the subliminal message that difference is taboo, and demonstration of weakness will lead to ostracization within a stigmatized social group. Is it any wonder, then, that kids don't do as well in such a learning environment?
3) And finally, a school that embraces a culture of inclusiveness -- from the teachers to the parents to the administrators, and which encourages peer collaboration in a way that Mr. Habib describes -- is more likely to be creative in its teaching methods, and more likely to look for -- and find -- solutions to unanticipated problems.
There! Now I've got that off my chest. I feel (a little bit) better.
*The Chesapeake Public School System, for example, mandates that every student who has an Individual Education Plan (an I.E.P) on file, must ride to school on the dedicated "special" bus -- even if the child is perfectly capable of riding a "regular" bus -- so the special ed students are being segregated even outside the school building.
I first posted this video almost three months ago (July 31), with no other comment than:
"This man is saying all the things I've been [saying] about why "C.P. = 'Retardation'" (unfortunate term still common in medical contexts) is Bullsh--
But because he's the "normal" parent, people believe him. Whenever I've said this, it must be that my C.P. "warps" my perceptions...
I left it there, because it was the end of a long, hot, day. I had neither time nor energy to unpack my reactions, and type them up. But summer's passed, and today is still young. So I'm finishing what I started.
The video is roughly 18 minutes long, and I encourage you to watch the whole thing. But if you can't, I want to focus on these two points that Dan Habib made in this speech:
First, at around the ten minute mark:
(Quote)
56% of kids in this country with intellectual and developmental disabilities spend their entire day in self-contained, seprate settings just for kids with disabilities ... whether it's classes or separate schools. Even though we know ... and all the research says ... that that is not going to yield better outcomes for them. Advocate for inclusion. Advocate of inclusive education.
(Unquote)
I can't help but wonder how much of a link there is behind this national statistic and another that I've seen cited around the Web (often verbatim, so I suspect writers of Websites are "copy-and-pasting" each other) that 'between 30% and 50% of children have some level of mental retardation or seizure disorder.' (also note that the presence of intellectual disability and of seizures are often independent of each other, so I find it troubling that the two conditions are lumped together in this way).
Second, at around the eleven minute mark:
(Quote)
I've come to -- to believe that maybe it's really not about [my son and students like him] . . . Maybe it's actually about the other kids. Maybe we need to show that inclusion benefits typical kids without disabilities as much -- or more -- than they benefit [disabled kids].
The truth is that there are all these research studies that are being done at universities that show academic benefits for typical kids who are learning in inclusive settings. And there's one particular study that was done at Vanderbilt where they did two groups of kids they studied. One group were in an inclusive environment alongside their peers with disabilities. The group that worked alongside their peers with disabilites had an average of a 15 point increase in their academic achievement. that happened and it was because when you're working collaboratively with a peer ... with a friend ... with somebody who might need a little extra assistance ... or some coaching ... you're much more engaged in the curriculum. You want to understand it. you want to study it.
(Unquote)
On the one hand, this makes me want to pump my fist in the air and say: "[Durn] Right!" Inclusive societies do better by everyone.
On the other hand, this passage also makes me angry. There's the obvious question of: "Why should the lives of "typical" children be worth more effort and care than the atypical -- especially since it's out of the control of the children and their families?"
But also: The way Mr. Habib explains these demonstrably better outcomes has bothered me since I woke up the morning after I posted this. It's an explanation that sounds to my ear very like the medieval Church's endorsement of alms and of begging: Because being able to offer charity is good for the soul. His son is good for his "typical" classmates, because he is in need of their help -- which frames his role in the class as more of a passive, rather than active participant.
So, here, I would like to offer a few alternate explanations for the improved academic outcomes in inclusive classrooms:
1) Disabled students are role models for their more "typical" peers -- they demonstrate the fact that there is more than one way to solve a problem, and overcome a barrier. Disabled students are in a position to teach as well as receive help in learning -- so that their presence helps other students learn whether or not those other students ever become their "buddies," or take a personal interest in helping them out.
2) Schools that strictly segregate students by some arbitrary metric or piece of paperwork in a student's file,* are also likely sending the subliminal message that difference is taboo, and demonstration of weakness will lead to ostracization within a stigmatized social group. Is it any wonder, then, that kids don't do as well in such a learning environment?
3) And finally, a school that embraces a culture of inclusiveness -- from the teachers to the parents to the administrators, and which encourages peer collaboration in a way that Mr. Habib describes -- is more likely to be creative in its teaching methods, and more likely to look for -- and find -- solutions to unanticipated problems.
There! Now I've got that off my chest. I feel (a little bit) better.
*The Chesapeake Public School System, for example, mandates that every student who has an Individual Education Plan (an I.E.P) on file, must ride to school on the dedicated "special" bus -- even if the child is perfectly capable of riding a "regular" bus -- so the special ed students are being segregated even outside the school building.
I'm in this mood right now:
Oct. 3rd, 2015 07:47 pmI'd post the original, but it's a depressing video of a baby orangutan in a 1960's concrete zoo enclosure... That just makes the song so damned melancholy. And this video is so visually clever.
Sometimes, the reboots are better.
... On the other hand, the lyrics are all about playing outdoors, and all these kids are in a cinder block school building where the only light is fluorescent...
*sigh*
The only thing I have to add is this: I take this to be a plot bunny challenge for all of those out in Journal Land who write superhero stories...
A necessary dose of silly monsters.
May. 8th, 2015 02:24 pmSo, I was sitting here, trying to polish commentary on the history of Disabled American Veterans, and how the medical model of disability was systematically designed to quell dissent in the aftermath of WW 1, and thinking:
"Damn! I need to watch something Ab-So-Lute-Ly SILLY, right now!"
And I figure I'm not alone. ... So I went to YouTube, searching for this:
And lo! I found there were more \o/
And yes, they helped. I hope they cheer you up, too (even the already-happy could use cheering).
"Damn! I need to watch something Ab-So-Lute-Ly SILLY, right now!"
And I figure I'm not alone. ... So I went to YouTube, searching for this:
And lo! I found there were more \o/
And yes, they helped. I hope they cheer you up, too (even the already-happy could use cheering).
