* It is very hard to accept this — the wealth gap is not a mistake. It is the logical outcome of policy and democratic will. From the streets of Cicero on up, the point was to imprison black people in the black belt and then exploit them. The goal was pursued through public policy, private action, and open terrorism. The goal was accomplished.
* Even college presidents don’t believe in MOOCs.
* “An Open Letter to Professor Michael Sandel From the Philosophy Department at San Jose State U.” A writeup at the Chronicle.
* Science Fiction in China: A Conversation with Fei Dao.
FD: Chinese sci fi has about a hundred years of history. When it started, in the late Qing dynasty around 1902, it was chiefly concerned with the problem of bringing ancient China into modernity. At that time, Liang Qichao [translated sci fi] because he thought it would be beneficial for China’s future … as something that could popularize scientific knowledge. And Lu Xun thought that if you gave ordinary people scientific literature to read, they would fall asleep. But if you blended scientific knowledge into stories with a plot, it would be more interesting. [He thought that] in this way, the people could become more modern.
* Chris Beckett wins Arthur C. Clarke award for Dark Eden. Probably the first book I’ll read once the semester is over, thanks to @shaviro’s great paper on it at ICFA.
* The Pope against capitalism.
* Obama against legal weed dispensaries, despite like a dozen promises not to do this anymore.
* See no evil, hear no evil: Republicans propose abolishing the unemployment rate.
* Previously on The Walking Dead.
* Profit Still Rare, Expenses Still Rising at Athletic Programs.
* One Woman’s Crusade Against Revenge Porn.
* Administrators are maniacs: School Conducts Surprise Shooting Drill with Real Gunmen Firing Blanks.
* Rumor: Koch Brothers to buy 8 major newspapers, including LA Times.
