Thursday, May 24, 2012

Tools of the trade

In school I always thought that the diligent fact checking, the piercing critiques, and need to justify all assumptions were intended to prepare us for a world where our facts would be diligently checked, our ideas subject to piercing criticism, and our assumptions thoughtfully questioned.  Regularly I realize I had it backwards, and that reality is far more frightening.  Back then, with the worry that an omission or flaw would be found came the comfort that someone more knowledgeable could fill in gap, patch up the hole, point the way.  For academia, it seems the point of the training was to learn the defensive arts.  Elsewhere, specific knowledge is more dilute and rather than a shield a compass is required.

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Capitol Scents

I love the way DC smells.  I know it's not known for its olfactory charm, but there's a drought in LA and here, microparks bloom.  Between mall and metro, there's a patch of peaty moist mulch.  And a honeysuckle bush reminds me that school's nearly out for the summer.