Academic twitter has been abuzz with the story of Tiffany Martinez, a student and aspiring professor at Suffolk University. Martinez was called out in front of her whole class for suspected plagiarism because she used the word “hence.” Martinez described her… Continue Reading
I’ve enjoyed being Russell Saunders. Earlier this year, I wrote about my decision to use a pseudonym back when I very first started writing this blog (version 1.0). It’s an angry internet out there, and it seemed prudent to try… Continue Reading
A matter of pride. Continue Reading
Elizabeth and Daniel discuss civility. Continue Reading
Here’s an interesting idea for a short story: The God of the Old Testament looks down on Earth and is not at all happy with what he sees. Mankind, He notes, is overflowing with the sin of hubris. But more than… Continue Reading
Well, are they? Continue Reading
“Don’t read the comments.” It’s a truism of online culture that the overwhelming majority of online commentary is, at best, dispensable. At its frequent worst, it is ill-informed, vitriolic, hateful, and a disgraceful cesspool of humanity’s ugliest impulses. Avoiding comments… Continue Reading
Supporters of Bernie Sanders, you have some work ahead of you. I am not referring to the long odds you face in the delegate math on the way toward getting your candidate nominated. I’m talking about what you’ll need to… Continue Reading
First, a concession: My dislike of Edgar Allan Poe’s writing style — the visceral, physical cringing I feel when reading his poems and stories — is likely a testament to that style’s phenomenal success. The dreary, gothic, broad strokes that paint… Continue Reading
It’s an unsteadying moment, realizing one of your favorite authors is pretty obviously racist. For various reasons, I tend not to speak much of my personal religious faith when I write. I’ve mentioned my evangelical upbringing at times, generally in… Continue Reading