Read, Listen, Watch

Staff Picks and Suggestions

Britannica to launch collaborative site

Britannica logo Britannica has just announced that it’s developing what seems to be a parallel site in which end-users can contribute content to the Encyclopedia as they do in Wikipedia. It looks like the user-contributed content will appear side by side with their original content (which will be marked “Britannica checked” to distinguish it from the flotsam and jetsam of the hoi polloi). A beta version of the new Britannical Online is available. It’s not clear to me exactly how the user-contributed content is going to be associated with the regular academic Encyclopedia Britannica, which NU has already by subscription. When I go to the new site it thinks I’m logged in, and recognizes me as “Northeastern University,” although I don’t seem to be able to actually contribute anything (not that I’m sure what I could/would contribute). I have some quarrels with the new site, notably the insufferable amount of advertising especially for a subscription service. Some small things, like a “return to home page” button have probably just been overlooked since this is still beta. I like the article layout better than the traditional encyclopedia site. Another good thing and a plus over Wikipedia is that all the content will be signed and contributors (yes, that means you!) will submit a profile, no anonymous posting allowed.

Egyptian Education

I just read an interesting (and alarming) article in The Chronicle of Higher Education about education in Egypt. I know some people who have studied and taught there-some liked it, and some hated it-but all were pretty vague and general in describing their experiences. Andrew Mills’s article certainly paints a bleak picture. I’d like to visit Egypt and read quite a bit about it when I was younger, but I haven’t been yet. Has anyone visited or studied there? What were your experiences like?

Nicholas Daniloff in the news

Book Cover: Of Spies and SpokesmenNU’s own Nicholas Daniloff, an NU professor of journalism and former library Meet the Author panelist (with Khassan Baiev in ’04) is featured in an article in this week’s U.S. News and World Report. The article is about his new book Of Spies and Spokesmen; and his brief arrest in the Soviet Union, which Gorbachev has since admitted was in retaliation for the U.S. arrest of a Soviet spy. (Interestingly, the article fails to mention that, as usual, the Reagan administration bargained with the Soviets for Daniloff’s release, releasing the Soviet spy in exchange.) Ah, the Cold War. Seems like a playground kickball game compared to the foreign policy problems we have now! Daniloff’s new book is available at Snell Library and excerpts are in the U.Missouri Press Media Kit.

Escape Pod

Any science fiction fans out there? If so, there’s a good chance you already know about Escape Pod. But in case you don’t, here’s all you need to know. Escape Pod is a weekly science fiction literary podcast. Every episode contains one SF short story as well as commentary by editor Steve Eley. Escape Pod stories run the gamut from life on other planets to superheroes to the dangers and wonders of technology. Most episodes are under an hour and are great to listen to on your daily commute, hanging out at home or while doing an otherwise mundane task. I just started listening to Escape Pod a few months ago but they have episodes on their website (escapepod.org) going back to the launch of the podcast in 2005. Here are some of my favorite episodes to date: The Color of a Brontosaurus – Archeologist tries to travel back in time. Immortal Sin – Man attempts to live forever to avoid paying for his sins. Results – The danger of knowing too much. Impossible Dreams – A must-listen for any movie lover. So if you’re not a fan of Escape Pod yet, I highly recommend checking it out. And if you prefer horror or fantasy fiction, try Escape Pod‘s sister podcasts Pseudo Pod and Pod Castle. And in the words of Steve Eley, Have fun.