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Showing posts from October, 2013

The Case of the Repeated Noun

When the same noun is used on both sides of the verb it has a remarkable effect. It confers a meaning that may entrance, or even inspire the reader. Linking the same stem in this manner confers a deeper meaning and affect an emotional response.  If implies a deeper meaning, which actually upon reflection is incumbent on the reader to create.  It is really just a linguistic trick used by all the our masters* of language.  But they must be applied with the author mindful of just the right application. Here is a famous quote: "Luck is believing you're lucky." --- Tennessee Williams Here is another: Dryden to Lawrence (of Arabia) in the film: "It is recognized you have a funny sense of fun."  The remaining of these were generated from noun and verb lists.  Though all were constructed in just two hours, it should take you just two minutes to review.  All bunk. Hope is in the imagination of the hopeful. Freedom is life's realization to be free. Memory is

Impossible Problems – Arising in Education

The is the third in our series of impossible problems articles.  Education is an easy target because so many problems of education have no solution or at least no clear solution consensus. See, Impossible problems - conflicting information: http://used-ideas.blogspot.com/2013/10/impossible-problems-arising-from.html Impossible problems - complexity: http://used-ideas.blogspot.com/2013/09/impossible-problems-arising-from.html Impossible Problems – Arising in Education by G. Donald Allen Almost all of the problems of education are impossible, or at least difficult. In fact, there seems no field of study for which almost every problem is impossible. The education literature is totally loaded with impossible problems; even still we are constantly hearing of local solutions on this problem or that. A teacher has finally connected with her students and this is how… ; A district has developed a professional development program that fully engages the teacher in fully engaging the stu

Trolley Problems - Revisited

Trolley problems – revisited   This is a problem, an impossible problem,   purported to conflict with our moral system, which is only a part of one’s belief system. It is a part of how we solve problems.  See,http://used-ideas.blogspot.com/2013/02/problem-solving-your-marvelous-brain.html and recent writings on impossible problems in this blog. The original problem is due to Philippa Foot who devised the Trolley Problem in her article "The Problem of Abortion and the Doctrine of the Double Effect" (1967) . You are at a railway switch high above the tracks, with the ability to route the oncoming train to one route or exactly one other.   You cannot stop the oncoming train.   On, say route A, there are five people basically tied to the tracks, meaning they cannot move from their current position.   On, say route B, there is but one person in a similar situation.   Whichever route the train follows, either five people or one person will die.   However, you can select