Tensegrities

Elizabeth Palmberg has a piece up at Sojourners this month on some classic books of science fiction that engage spirituality. There’s another list up at Sojo.net, but I was disappointed that it was only in the comments section that Lois McMaster Bujold was mentioned at all. And NO ONE commented on Sherri Tepper’s work! Some day I’m going to try and teach a whole class on just Bujold and Tepper, and the ways in which their work helps us to reflect theologically… (Hat tip to Greenflame)

The WCC has just published a wonderful and rich set of resources for use during the Advent seasons — liturgical resources, songs, prayers, etc. — ALL using CC licenses. Check them out!

The Alban Institute has a lovely, concise, and up-to-date essay on the impact of Web 2.0 on congregations up on their website. It quotes one of my favorite researchers on these topics — Heidi Campbell — and includes a couple of easy ways for churches to begin to engage with Web 2.0.

I think these would be fun!

I don’t pretend to understand how to cope with the challenges of US foreign policy in relation to Iran. I do know, however, that I am manifestly opposed to war as a solution to conflict. Here is a statement that has just been released by a broad range of academics that have studied the situation in Iran. I don’t know whether or not to accept this statement as our best policy choice, but I think it’s important to read and ponder it.

And here is the Code of Best Practices of Fair Use in Media Education, put out by a variety of key media educators.

The MacArthur Foundation has funded a major piece of ethnographic research on youth engagement with digital media which has just been released. “Kids’ Informal Learning with Digital Media: An Ethnographic Investigation of Innovative Knowledge Cultures” is available in a variety of forms (short summaries, an extensive white paper, the whole report) and so on. Among other findings, the report suggests that youth use online media to extend friendships and interests, and to engage in self-directed, peer-based learning. The report suggests several implications, including the almost banal notion that “adults should facilitate young people’s engagement with digital media.” This is a really significant piece of research, and worth pondering in full.

This is very cool! Life Magazine has put millions of their photos up on the web, searchable through Google.

The MinnPost is running a fascinating set of articles on school integration (or perhaps only school desegregation?) in Minnesota. The articles include a useful timeline. Given that we’ve been very strong supporters of EMID (the East Metro Integration District), with both of our kids attending EMID schools, and given how much pressure that district is currently under, these are important articles to pay attention to!

We’ve been in Vienna since last week, but I’ve been so busy with my online class and other work, that I haven’t even mentioned it in here! Alex finally asked me what was up, and I realized I ought to at least note that I’m currently in Vienna. Eric has been doing a good job of adding notes and pictures from this latest trip, both here and here.