Just discovered this exciting new project - or new incarnation of an ongoing project - regarding the experiences of first-generation students in the academy. It's exciting to see SSHRC funding podcasts, a medium that is ideal for knowledge mobilization.
Plenty of useful insights in this piece from Adam Lewis about the ongoing relevance and value of campus radio. I would add these points also apply to public radio, which has been increasingly moving into campus radio spaces via its digital offerings in recent decades.
This 2024 piece from @defaultfriend.bsky.social does an excellent job of capturing the cultural shift we're experiencing right now as we move decisively from a cultural environment structured by the mass media to one structured by networked digital media.
Jurgen Habermas was a remarkable scholar. From the public sphere, to technology and science as ideology, to the theory of communicative action, facts, law, and power, his work stirred debates over the fate of modern life & democracy-its values, culture & institutions-for more than 1/2 century. RIP.
This a great post, though I would argues that DOONESBURY is the last great newspaper strip and the GOAT in that field). Gary Trudeau opened up new possibilities for the medium while exerting an unparalleled degree of cultural and political influence over more than five decades of regular activity.
The Mono NSC looks like a great org. Especially if one is on the eastern side of the GTA, the Durham Nordic Ski Club is another affordable option. The trail network is small, but very well maintained.
I would pick CITIZEN KANE as the GOAT, but there's no denying CASABLANCA's place at the very top. It's definitely one of those films where its pop culture treatment may lead one to question its quality but taking it in puts all of those concerns to rest.
Intriguing CFP here for a special issue of the InMedia journal on "The Art of Podcasting." Proposals due April 15, 2026.
I was not too familiar with Ralph Towner, the jazz guitarist and composer who passed away on January 18 at the age of 85. It has been interesting to learn more about him and his invigorating music. Here he is working some pieces out with his quartet in Norway.
Just learned of the legendary reggae drummer and producer Sly Dunbar's passing. Here's a fave performance that features Sly and and his creative partner Robbie Shakespeare as the backbone for Bob Dylan, Mark Knopfler, and Mick Taylor.
youtu.be/di6wU11_4Wg?...
Here's a nice piece from @benfritz.bsky.social in the @wsj.com regarding the role of pop culture in holding the US' diverse range of interests and identities together during the 20th century. H/T to Bob Lefsetz for the link.
@anildash.com on ai-washing: "Now, to be clear, those workers haven’t been laid off because their jobs are now being done by AI, and they’ve been replaced by bots. Instead, they’ve been laid off by execs who now have AI to use as an excuse for going after workers they’ve wanted to cut all along."
Laura's work is top-notch and these webinars will undoubtedly help any academics out there who are contemplating the topics cover (working on publishing a book, trying to write a book for a non-specialized audience, thinking of working with a developmental editor and so forth).
Agreed on all of these. My personal crusade concerns "hope this helps" and "I don't know who needs to hear this, but..." when used in social media posts. Those need to go in 2026.
I tend to listen to Christmas music right up until the start of January. However, this novel New Year's music playlist by @carlzoilus.bsky.social has got me moving in a different direction this year. Auld Lang Syne-Off is available on four platforms via Carl's substack here at the link below.
I know that it's practically Dec. 27, but I've just discovered this sublime version of The Christmas Song by tenor saxophonist Dexter Gordon. This gorgeous version demands to be heard by those who are still up for a little seasonal music.
Here's a timely CFP from @tomasdodds.bsky.social and the Public Tech Media Lab at UW-Madison for a special issue of @JournalismPractice. The deadline for extended abstracts is April 1, 2026.
The very fact that Newsom is platforming the individuals listed in the article is evidence of the enduring effect of the so-called vibe shift. A particular phase may be over, but there's no evidence that the shift has stopped, let alone that it may be shifting back to any degree.
Whatever one thinks of AI, this sort of practice will turbocharge academia's decline by a) calling the credibility of the work into question when it's discovered and b) creating contradictions between professional recs and the standards many profs have for their students. Why not rec citation?
Can't go wrong with this particular combo. Personally, I like to prep the cabbage as a side accompaniment to a meat dish (pork or beef), but this combo would please any bacon fans in the crowd.
If you're looking for a different take on some festive classics, try this fun new collection of Christmas tunes from jam-oriented acts by the always brilliant LostMyDayJob.
Thrilled to see that Carl has put together a festive playlist this year. These lists always surface old faves and introduce me to new jams that had eluded me, which is something that's been happening with increasing frequency as a I age :)
Good academic job market advice here. Sure, program reputation and the quality/number of publications are important. But they're less important as one moves down the prestige line. Many depts want hires who show that they want to be there long-term and are ready to teach a wide range of courses.
Time marches onward and we grow older every day. That said, I was not expecting to suddenly develop a strong appreciation for the medieval carols that my father used to play constantly during the holidays. It turns out that they make for excellent writing music.
Yesterday, I posted Zevon's sweetly earnest cover of A Case of You from the 2002 Edmonton Folk Festival. Today, I'm back with this brilliant performance of the folk song "Canadee-I-O." It appears that Zevon learned the Nick Jones version of the song especially for the northern Alberta performance.
Just discovered this heartfelt Warren Zevon cover of Joni Mitchell's A Case of You (featuring Matt Cartsonsis on lap dulcimer and backing vox) from a 2002 set at the Edmonton Folk Fest. Just a short while later, Zevon was diagnosed with the cancer that would take his life.
If you're looking for a good breakdown of the implications of the Warner Brothers-Netflix deal on the US media environment, this Dwayne Winseck thread is the place to go.
This is my first time encountering this delightful piece of microfiction. It's well worth a read if you have a couple of minutes (and who doesn't, really).
Surely it's much closer to the latter. It's hard to believe that a) the incoming sponsors would be able to put up enough money to replace what Adam's had been providing or b) that Adams would want to leave his baby behind. The Israel point notwithstanding, he's still the founder and a cycling nut.
