The answer, apparently, is yes. As of today (Constitution Day), a Google search on “constitution” squeezes the 4,500 word U.S. Constitution on a card at the top of the results (and a 3×5 card at that, at least on my screen). A drop-down menu allows the reader to jump through sections. A number of other […]
Commentary
Exposing the Underbelly of Austin’s Economic Segregation
Austin conjures two parallel images in America’s popular imagination: Glowing descriptions of a “cool,” fast-growing city for the “young and creative” known for internationally famous musical events and Formula One racing compete with portrayals of increasing socioeconomic inequality and residential class, racial and ethnic segregation. But like many U.S. cities and metropolitan areas, wealth and […]
What the FIFA Scandal Can Teach Us About World Sport and Global Governance
The sensational bribing scandal and the fall from power of former FIFA president Joseph (Sepp) Blatter has amazed the world. Following the implosion of FIFA’s ruling circle have come the demands for reform. But who has the lawful authority and the political traction to reshape a globe-girdling sports federation whose executives enjoy an autonomy comparable […]
The Criminal Justice System is a Massive Failure. Here’s a Solution
Contrary to logic, intuition and common sense, the hard fact is that punishment does not reduce criminal offending. This may be a difficult one for some to swallow, especially since the past 45 years and more than $1 trillion have been spent on punishment as the centerpiece of American criminal justice policy. We essentially bet […]
Let’s Buck Tradition by Putting a Woman on the $20 Bill
Hillary Clinton’s recent official announcement that she would run for the Democratic presidential nomination generated plenty of coverage but little surprise. For many, the prospect of a woman winning a major party’s nomination for president of the United States, which would be a first in our history, is the only exciting thing about the Democratic […]
Boston Bombing Shows the Power of Familial Ties
For many, the recent trial of Boston bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev has relit the inevitable question: “How could they?” One answer lies within something called familial ties, and they’re more powerful and prevalent than most people realize. Although the trial and sentencing may bring some closure, we should also not forget the overwhelmingly spontaneous humanity […]
We Need to Protect Ourselves From Our Phones
When it comes to cellphones, we are no better than trained rats in a box. Just the other day, I was stuck behind a driver playing with a cellphone while driving. I have gotten used to assuming that everyone doing something silly on the road is driving while distracted. In Austin, San Antonio and several […]
The Benefits to Paid Family Leave That Nobody is Talking About
This month marks 22 years since the passage of the Family and Medical Leave Act. The FMLA was an important first step toward improving the lives of American workers by helping them secure unpaid leave from their jobs for a variety of family issues, while protecting their employment security. But the FMLA left much to […]
On This Pearl Harbor Anniversary, Our Relationship with Japan is Changing Again
Seventy-three years ago on December 7 marked the beginning of a new era in world history. After what President Franklin Roosevelt called a “dastardly attack” on our naval fleet at Pearl Harbor, the United States went to war with Japan. For the next four years, young Americans fought some of the most brutal air, sea […]
Pakistan Exchange Benefits Global Scholarship
With our knowledge of Pakistani society at the South Asia Institute (SAI) we understand that Pakistan faces vital social needs in education, health, rural and urban infrastructure and job creation. We are also acutely aware of the internal conflicts within Pakistani society based on ethnic, religious, gender-based and sectarian tensions. Yet we perceive such moments […]
Americans Work Too Much, and That Needs to Change
Work much lately? As we celebrated the American labor movement with Labor Day, a sad fact that we must face is that U.S. workers work more than their counterparts in other wealthy countries, and it doesn’t benefit us much. The average U.S. workweek is 41 hours, compared with Britain’s 38 hours, Germany’s 37 hours and […]
The Politics of Immigration Puts Our Elders at Risk
Most Americans are aware of the heated political debate about the influx of unaccompanied migrant children caught at the southwest border. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has called this an “urgent humanitarian situation.” But, there is another pressing crisis related to immigration policy: the undermining of the nation’s elder-care systems. It’s surprising that the […]
Why are Rituals Alive and Well in Sports?
The 2014 World Cup isn’t just an outlet for showcasing national pride, indulging in international competition, and showcasing athletic talent. It also illustrates one of the most curious and pervasive aspects of human behavior—ritual. Even the best soccer player in the world, Cristiano Ronaldo, performs pre-game rituals. Not only does he insist on being the […]
Who Benefits From Mega-Events Like World Cup?
You will see a lot of Brazil during the next few weeks while the FIFA World Cup happens in 12 cities. And beyond soccer matches you will see both good and bad images, parties and protests. People there are asking hard questions about the legacy of mega-events such as World Cup, and we should too. […]
Stop Micromanaging Your Employees by Using the Neighborhood Technique
June 2 is Leave the Office Early Day, providing a good excuse for managers to let their employees leave early for a day, which could improve morale and ultimately employee retention. Simply put, successful employee engagement involves creating a neighborhood at work. As the labor market continues to improve, employee retention is becoming more important. […]
William Shakespeare’s Relevance in Today’s Society is Changing
If anniversaries are a good time for taking stock, Shakespeare’s 450th birthday on April 23 offers the perfect reason to ask about his plays and poems, and what the future may hold for them. The writings of this country boy from Stratford are legendary. Thoughts and images came so easily from his pen that other […]
Liberal Arts Matter in a STEM World
Isaac Barchasis the director of the Austin Technology Incubator, which helps early-stage technology companies to develop in order to get an initial round of funding from investors. From that perch, you might imagine that he sees science, technology, engineering and mathematics (the STEM disciplines) as the core of economic growth in Austin. And, to be […]
Fear Factor
First, let me make a confession. I am Vivian Harris Porche, M.D., an anesthesiologist, and I am afraid of “the doctor.” I am also afraid of receiving injections, getting my blood pressure taken, and being examined. However, this underlying fear did not stop me from my lifelong goal of becoming a physician. Upon entering The […]
The Flipped Classroom
After a quiet summer, campus is once again bustling with activity as faculty and students prepare for a new academic year. It may still feel like the dog days of summer outside, but soon enough the campus sidewalks will be filled with groups of students and there will be a foreboding line at the Starbucks […]
A Stack of Books
Recently the dean’s office asked liberal arts faculty to provide copies of the books they had authored over the years for a collection to be exhibited in the Gebauer Building. To comply with this request I began making a stack on my office desk. My stack grew to 13 books, including two I had edited […]
Long Live the Jane Austen Frenzy!
As “Pride and Prejudice,” first published in 1813, celebrates its 200th anniversary, Jane Austen is repackaged to appeal to a new generation of readers On the highbrow end, organizations and libraries around the world are busy hosting academic conferences and readings to celebrate the bicentenary. On the pop culture side, Hollywood is about to release […]
Getting to Topsight in your Organization
Organizations almost never work the way they’re supposed to. And that’s often a good thing. Let me explain. As a professor of rhetoric and writing, I research how people circulate information in workplaces. That involves going into an organization, watching people work, interviewing them about their jobs, and looking at the tools and texts that […]
The Hidden Gem in a Liberal Arts Education
As a career center director, I often ask alumni about their job titles, employers and other career-related topics. But of all the questions I pose to alumni, my favorite by far is an unexpected one: “What was your favorite ‘useless’ class?” I go on to explain what I mean by this: the class you took […]