As various politicians and pundits amuse themselves slinging mud at each other in an adult version of the playground wars, it becomes more and more clear how historical data saved somewhere in the cloud has become a powerful tool for the least empowered members of our society. No longer forced to pay large sums of money to Nexus-Lexus, nor to sit in libraries pouring through microfilms and micro-fiches, the average voter can, possibly for the first time, find out what was truly said, rather than rely on blanket statements of "He said, she said" from the chattering class. The power of memory seems to frighten those who live and work in DC - at least when it happens here, rather than Tahir Square, but for the rest of us-- we live in exciting times.
Here's the direct link - give it a try! http://archive.org/web/web.php
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Friday, May 4, 2012
The Reverse Gender Gap
Ever since I plunged into the world of children's literature, shortly after the birth of my first child, I've been struck by the absence of strong, positive, male role models in the stories that they most love to read. As a child, the moment I realized that my cousins had the Hardy Boys was when my copies of Nancy Drew went into the attic. Today's boys however, have the anti-hero: Artemis Fowl; or the hero in search of himself: Harry Potter; or the clueless hero: Percy Jackson. The really interesting books all involve groups of boys and girls: The Mysterious Benedict Society.
Anecdotally, I've heard that it's easier for a young man to get into certain competitive colleges - even in stem disciplines.
And once you enter the work force, it's the young women who have pulled ahead. Citing higher motivation and better work ethic from young women, the NY Times points out the lack, at the top, of young men.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/14/us/14iht-letter14.html?_r=1&src=recg
What does this mean for my sons? For our society in general?
Anecdotally, I've heard that it's easier for a young man to get into certain competitive colleges - even in stem disciplines.
And once you enter the work force, it's the young women who have pulled ahead. Citing higher motivation and better work ethic from young women, the NY Times points out the lack, at the top, of young men.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/14/us/14iht-letter14.html?_r=1&src=recg
What does this mean for my sons? For our society in general?
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