by Michael Bérubé on June 25, 2010
Even though today is Friday, this post is not ABF — neither arbitrary nor facetious (and certainly not fun). I suppose it’s my own fault that I have to make this clear at the outset, since I have been known to make up “letters” from imaginary “readers” now and then. But the following letter is quite real, as is my reply. The person who wrote to me, earlier this week, suggested that I might post the exchange (so long as I deleted his/her name), in the hope that s/he could get some further advice in comments. So, dear readers, if you have further advice, offer it in comments!
Dear Dr. Bérubé,
After reading your “Employment of English” at the tail end of my master’s in literature in 2007, I had pretty well sworn off my fanciful idea of becoming a professor. I come from a modest background and my parents have been hit pretty hard by the recession, along with most of my extended family. Making those kinds of sacrifices of time and lost income with very little hope of a job at the end just seemed dangerous to me.
[click to continue…]
by Daniel on June 25, 2010
Via Andrew Anthony, some collateral damage from the Times paywall:
Oliver Kamm has commented that his blog at The Times will also be behind the pay wall. The comments section to his post on the matter is full of those who have said that this decision means that they will no longer read his blog, and these comments include those made by many long term readers. His blog will also not be read by the majority of users of the Internet around the world, even for those using Google to search for information. If they have to pay, they will not bother and try and read something else. […]
No doubt Oliver will continue writing his blog, and the next time Noam Chomsky writes something silly, he will expose him. But this will not assist an average Internet user around the world confronted with a Chomsky argument in an on line debate. For them, the day that The Times starts charging for content will be the day that Oliver Kamm ceases to exist.
Oliver Kamm’s bit of the blogosphere conversation, RIP. If only someone were able to write a suitable obituary.
by John Holbo on June 25, 2010