Model trains are not cat toys!!!
You can skip to 1:20 if you’re impatient:
Recent Posts
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High school students! You can learn linguistics online!
Linguistics is the science of language. While most often classified as a social science, it’s really an interdisciplinary field that sits at the intersection of social sciences, humanities, and STEM – language is such a fundamental piece of our collective… Read More ›
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The myth of “learning styles”
It says here that 90% of teachers believe two related claims: There are four different learning styles — visual, auditory, reading/writing, kinesthetic. Lessons need to address all four. For several reasons I have long been skeptical of statements like the… Read More ›
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He’er, his’er, him’er: Pronouns in the news, 1912 edition
Pronouns again! There are (at least) two different issues swirling around pronouns: Singular they, which I wrote about in 2018 Calling someone by their preferred pronouns (in terms of gender), which I wrote about earlier this month Both of these issues… Read More ›
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I can’t give secure assessments in a remote teaching-and-learning setting!
Don’t tell anyone: there’s a dirty little secret here! I have some bad news: people cheat. More specifically, students cheat on tests and other assessments. So, how do you give secure assessments in a remote teaching-and-learning setting? It’s all too… Read More ›
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Stuck in the past
You say you didn’t learn cryptography in high school or college? And you didn’t learn it on your own, as some of us did? It isn’t too late! In that case you’ve probably never heard of the Vigenère Cipher, so… Read More ›
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A comfortable pillow?
Vincent is ignoring William, who thinks that he’s resting his head on a comfortable pillow:
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Ashmont Grill has reopened!
The Ashmont Grill has reopened! Barbara and I ate dinner last night on the spacious and beautiful back patio. Barbara had their special New England Lobster Dinner (steamers, lobster, chorizo, corn on the cob, potatoes), with Nanny Sheila’s renowned carrot… Read More ›
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Your last name is always your last name, right?
“Of course my last name comes last,” you reply! “That’s why it’s called my last name!” Well, no. Your surname is not always your “last” name. And I’m not talking about the “Doe, Jane” construction used in bibliographies and official class lists… Read More ›
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The Just City: science fiction and Plato
I am overwhelmed! By unanimous consent, Jo Walton’s The Just City has now been added to my top-ten books list (which already had 12 books on it). There was no doubt about it. In a sense, this book is science fiction…. Read More ›
Featured Categories
Books ›
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The Just City: science fiction and Plato
July 21, 2020
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“How to Read 50 Books in a Year (Even When You’re Busy)”
July 18, 2020
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How many books have you read this year?
July 14, 2020
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Performances? Performances!
July 12, 2020
Dorchester/Boston ›
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A comfortable pillow?
July 26, 2020
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Ashmont Grill has reopened!
July 25, 2020
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Think of the veterans. And think of the cats… and dogs.
July 11, 2020
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Tavolo is back!
July 8, 2020
Food & Restaurants ›
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Finally venturing out to a restaurant (outdoors, of course)
June 26, 2020
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Zia Gianna (and a bonus visit from William)
June 19, 2020
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Special dinner from Tavolo
June 14, 2020
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Tavolo again
May 28, 2020
Life ›
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Model trains are not cat toys!!!
August 3, 2020
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Your last name is always your last name, right?
July 23, 2020
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English history, fractals, and Donald Trump
July 19, 2020
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Justice Alito has strong views about pronouns (and gender).
July 10, 2020
Linguistics ›
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High school students! You can learn linguistics online!
August 2, 2020
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He’er, his’er, him’er: Pronouns in the news, 1912 edition
July 30, 2020
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What’s up with Hispanic surnames?
July 17, 2020
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Irregardless of what you may think, “irregardless” is a word.
July 15, 2020
Math ›
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Stuck in the past
July 27, 2020
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I survived my first week of Zoom-based teaching.
July 3, 2020
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On the other hand… Gödel (but not Escher or Bach)
July 1, 2020
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Sanity through math
June 29, 2020
Model Railroading ›
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Bay State Model Railroad Museum Open House
March 9, 2020
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The huge Amherst Railway Society Railroad Hobby Show
January 26, 2020
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Murder on the Toy Town Express
December 2, 2019
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Greenberg Model Railroad Show
November 24, 2019
Movies & (occasionally) TV ›
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Grim fairytales
June 15, 2020
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Leonard Cohen; The Doors; Emerson, Lake, and Palmer; Jimi Hendrix; The Who; and so forth
April 11, 2020
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Seán Mac an tSíthigh tells the story of Boston’s Irish.
April 7, 2020
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Contagion
March 29, 2020
Teaching & Learning ›
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The myth of “learning styles”
August 1, 2020
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I can’t give secure assessments in a remote teaching-and-learning setting!
July 28, 2020
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Zoom vs. MCET: compare and contrast.
July 7, 2020
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Resources for non-linguists
June 22, 2020
Technology ›
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“…And Madly Teach”
May 13, 2020
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How many languages are missing from the internet?
May 8, 2020
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“Why don’t high schools teach CS?” asks Mark.
December 20, 2019
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Intertwingled/“Hypertext in the Age of Trump”
October 18, 2019
Travel ›
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A Moroccan teen blogs about linguistics (and other matters…).
June 6, 2020
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What are your favorite poems?
May 24, 2020
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How about a nice, relaxing cross-country bus ride from NYC to LA?
January 13, 2020
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Seattle 4: The Food
October 30, 2019
Weston ›
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What’s wrong with Advanced Placement tests?
May 19, 2020
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Weston wins! High School Quiz Show: Tantasqua vs. Weston
February 14, 2020
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Are teachers entitled to get Social Security benefits?
November 21, 2019
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Linguistics in MetroWest
October 8, 2019
