Brain Wave

End of my 3rd semester: A thought about teaching

I think I know why students are sometimes confused. 

I tell them, "I want you to think for yourselves." At the same time, I say, "Do exactly what I say to do."

The two statements aren't perfect polar opposites, but they do set up a kind of disconnect: You could imagine the students asking, "Why do you tell us exactly what to do if you want us to think for ourselves?"

It might be worthwhile for me to explicitly state, "Do exactly what I say to do SO you can learn how to think for yourselves."

Photo: The Tiger Woods fire hydrant

WINDERMERE, FL - DECEMBER 01: A barricade is seen near a new fire hydrant at the entrance to the driveway of Tiger Woods' neighbor's home on December 1, 2009 in Windermere, Florida. Tiger Woods has not spoken with media or Florida Highway Patrol since he drove his SUV into the old fire hydrant and the tree to the right at the entrance to his neighbor's driveway at his Florida home in the early hours of November 27. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) Content © 2009 Getty Images

Are liberals smarter than conservatives?

Is there really a "Stupid Party"? Jason Winerich of the American Enterprise Institute offers this analysis of a hot topic.

Day of the Dead altar at the British Museum

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 29: A decorated altar is unveiled for the British Museum's Day of the Dead celebration on October 29, 2009 in London, England. The altar has been created by Mexican artist Adriana Amaya for Mexico's famous 'The Day of the Dead' celebration, which will be celebrated at the British Museum and in Mexico this Sunday. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)Content © 2009 Getty Images All rights reserved. Accessed via PicApp.

'Lowering Costs Through Competition'

So they finally got the competition part right; now let's make sure the government doesn't compete against its own people.

Hamlet on Broadway, starring Jude Law

CLICK THE THEATER OPTION AND SELECT "JUDE LAW ON THE MEANING OF HAMLET"

Anarcho-syndicalism; or, a short course on politics

Support Obama EXCEPT for health care reform?

This possibility has been completely lost in the conversation: What if Obama is a great guy with some great ideas -- but his proposal for health care reform just isn't such a great idea?

Do you have to believe all of his ideas are great to generally support him?

What if this is his one really bad proposal?

About 85 percent of the country has health care insurance, but some estimates suggest that a government-run plan would eventually draw millions into its system because companies will find it less expensive to drop their own coverage programs -- and find it acceptable to do so because their workers will be covered by the government's safety net... which would become a government catch-all.

Direct TV ads score with Denis Leary & LL Cool J

Direct TV has the genius campaign going right now.

I saw two ads on CNN this morning, one featuring LL Cool J and the other with Denis Leary. Both of the guys are challenging us not to be the guys who miss the big NFL play due to the cable TV going out.

As an almost-40-year-old guy, I like both of these guys. In different ways, they were part of the pop culture consumption of my late teens and then my twenties. Now that I'm older, and have (a little) disposable income, LL Cool J and Denis Leary are just the guys who will catch my attention. I watched, even though I'm not a huge fan of pro footbal.

Good demographic thinking and marketing by Direct TV.

Approx. 259.9 million Americans have health insurance

In various news reports, the largest number representing uninsured Americans (that I have seen so far) is 47 million.

The U.S. population is running about 306.9 million right now, according to the U.S. Census population clock.

So roughly 84.6 percent of Americans are covered.

The two key variables in the current conversation seem to be:

1. How much of a government-mandated change do we want to require for the sake of 15.4 percent of our population?

2. If the will for government-mandated change prevails, what heavy burdens can we reasonably ease for those who do, already, have health insurance?

Despite what Obama is saying right now, his proposals still have to be processed by plenty of compromise and negotiation ahead.