Category: ideas

Book review: ‘Hit Makers: The Science of Popularity in an Age of Distraction’

In a few short days, the world will be awash in media hype to mark the 50th anniversary of the Beatles’ album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, which was released on June 1, 1967. Frequently cited as the greatest album ever made , Sgt. Pepper’s is a pop culture touchstone that has influenced countless musicians over the past half century. The record’s golden anniversary has spawned several new books, a “super deluxe” album reissue, a new documentary about the Fab Four andeven  a pretty hilarious mashup of the album with another pop culture icon, Star Wars.

Continue reading “Book review: ‘Hit Makers: The Science of Popularity in an Age of Distraction’”

International students can make America first in #highered

The seven countries affected by the travel ban. Map via CNN.
The seven countries affected by the travel ban. Map via CNN.

Soon after President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday, Jan. 27, to restrict U.S. entry by citizens of seven majority-Muslim countries, college and university officials issued a flurry of statements in response. They ranged from generic and cautiously worded memos expressing support and guidance for students and scholars from the affected countries to stronger messages critical of the Trump administration’s ban. (Purdue President Mitch Daniels’ statement — which calls the executive order “a bad idea, poorly implemented” — was among the strongest and most straightforward I’ve seen, but I’m sure there are others.) Continue reading “International students can make America first in #highered”