Monthly Archives: April 2007

Archives, Nations, Ownership

Posted on April 30, 2007 by Timothy Burke

I have ambivalent feelings about debates over the ownership of physical objects that have sacred or heritage value to one group or institution and knowledge-producing value to another group or institution, such as the struggle over Native American remains held … Continue reading →

Posted in Africa, Information Technology and Information Literacy, Intellectual Property | 18 Comments

The Cafeteria Monitor and the Mouseless Security Check

Posted on April 25, 2007 by Timothy Burke

When I was in first grade, there was a woman hired by the school to assist kids in the cafeteria. But she decided that it was her job to ensure that all kids ate properly. (I found out later that … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | 1 Comment

Fun With Intellectual Property Issues, No. 340 in a Series: Aluka

Posted on April 24, 2007 by Timothy Burke

Regular readers have heard me complain before about the straight-up weirdness of the way the cost of research falls on institutions of higher education. Universities directly or indirectly subsidize faculty to carry out research through a variety of means: sabbaticals, … Continue reading →

Posted in Academia, Africa, Information Technology and Information Literacy, Intellectual Property | 7 Comments

History 89 Environmental History of Africa

Posted on April 20, 2007 by Timothy Burke

Here’s a draft of a course I’m teaching for the first time this fall. I’m still making specific selections of material from some of these books, and may shift around titles as I find them, as well as likely pare … Continue reading →

Posted in Africa | 9 Comments

Misery Poker: At Least a Full Boat, Maybe Quads

Posted on April 19, 2007 by Timothy Burke

April really is the cruellest month in the academic calendar, but this year, I am pretty much at the outer limits of my ability to cope with the flood of things that need doing. Some of those are self-made catastrophes … Continue reading →

Posted in Academia, Miscellany | 6 Comments

Putting the Dead to Work

Posted on April 18, 2007 by Timothy Burke

Very busy time the last two weeks, and I’m not out of it yet. I’ve been storing up some thoughts for the weblog, and hope to get them up soon. One thought in passing this morning. Anybody whose first impulse … Continue reading →

Posted in Miscellany | 10 Comments

He’s a Mean One, Mr. Grinch

Posted on April 4, 2007 by Timothy Burke

Maybe it’s because I have whatever this hideous flu thing is that’s spreading around here (sore throat + headache + exhaustion in the worst part of the academic calendar = not happy camper) but I just pretty much read the … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | 9 Comments

Phew.

Posted on April 4, 2007 by Timothy Burke

I was sure I was going to end up as Simon on this quiz. Your results:You are Malcolm Reynolds (Captain) Malcolm Reynolds (Captain) 65% Wash (Ship Pilot) 65% Dr. Simon Tam (Ship Medic) 60% Zoe Washburne (Second-in-command) 60% Kaylee Frye … Continue reading →

Posted in Popular Culture | 4 Comments

Blunt-Talking Non-Lunatic Mavericks?

Posted on April 3, 2007 by Timothy Burke

John McCain lost any residual appeal to me when he revealed very clearly around 2003 that he had gotten off the Straight Talk Express and boarded the Fawning Courtier Slow Coach instead. Now he’s even managed to paint himself into … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | 12 Comments

FROOOOSTING!

Posted on April 3, 2007 by Timothy Burke

As long as we’re talking about 300, check this out. (Via Penny Arcade.)

Posted in Popular Culture | 1 Comment