danajohnhill.org | Hard Times Come Again No More

It is a sad but established fact that Americans are less knowledgeable about math and science than their Western peers. Actually, the same holds true for history and geography, as well. In any case, the deficiencies are apparent and shocking, though it’s hardly any wonder: popular music is only exacerbating the problem. Let’s look at two embarrassing examples of lyrical disinformation.

Fleetwood Mac’s 1977 hit “Dreams” posits that “players only love you when they’re playing.” That may or may not be the case (while I’m pretty sure some player somewhere has legitimately loved before, the statement is, at best, non-falsifiable). But their earlier assertion that “thunder only happens when it’s raining” is demonstrably false.

An even more egregious misstatement of fact can be heard in Vanessa Williams’ 1992 song “Save the Best for Last.” First she accurately iterates that “sometimes the snow comes down in June.” Indeed, this is a verifiable meteorological phenomenon; snow has been observed in every month of the year many places on Earth. But then she tries to claim that “sometimes the sun goes ’round the moon.” I am not sure from what sort of Dark Ages textbook Ms. Williams studied “science,” but Copernicus quite convincingly disproved the notion of geocentrism–let alone lunarcentrism–in the mid-16th Century. Simply put, the Sun never goes around the Moon.

Both of these songs employ a similar rhetorical device: they juxtapose a seemingly implausible assertion with an outrageous lie.

Alas, if American students continue to glean their scientific insights from decades old adult contemporary pop, we will never close the education gap.

Filed under: Popular Music, Rantings on March 21st, 2008 | No Comments »

Happy Vernal Equinox!

I love spring because it means the cold days are almost over, and cold has become my enemy. Alas, it also means the windy days are here, but it’s a fair trade. Still, the days are getting longer, and that, coupled with the early introduction of daylight saving time, makes me happy.

Most of my appreciation of the outdoors comes from my time on campus these days, and it is actually quite pleasant. The azaleas are just about finished, and leaves are replacing flowers on dogwoods and Japanese magnolias. But the orange trees are still blooming like mad, and before too long the confederate jasmine will flower. Those are two magnificent aromas.

On the Reitz Union lawn this morning I was walking my bicycle (the seat was wet from a rain last night), and as I passed a sweet gum tree I heard a squirrel barking. I looked all around the branches but couldn’t see the critter. Finally I found him; his little head was poking through a hole in the bark where a limb had been. It was adorable. Of course, it only happened because I left my camera at home, and awesome things always happen when I don’t have my camera, like the time this one girl riding a bike was wearing ass-less pants.

Above you can see a series of photos I took of the Shumard Oaks on the Reitz Lawn as they got their leaves.

Filed under: Animals, Current Events, Gainesville, Meteorology, Photography, School on March 20th, 2008 | No Comments »

Congratulations once again to the Gainesville Roller Rebels, today featured in the Gainesville Sun, with a picture on the front page, and several more on Page 1D with accompanying article.

The girls are getting some much deserved attention, and I suspect it will only get better once they begin competing next month. Alas, it seems I may miss their first competition: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band play Orlando the same night. Meanwhile, I do what I can to support the team, taking pictures at practice (like the one above), and doing the players’ portraits. Last Tuesday was Evey Slammond; this week: Patsy Clothesline.

Filed under: Gainesville, Photography, Sports on March 18th, 2008 | No Comments »

There is something I find pleasantly amusing about St. Patrick’s Day on campus.  It isn’t that the weather is always beautiful this time of year, or that the trees have their new leaves, or that the spring breakers have all returned with obvious sunburns.  Rather, it’s the silly tradition of wearing green that dates back to elementary school days where you’d be pinched if you forgot.  Looking around today I see that at least a quarter of the kids–me included–have on a green shirt or dress.  Even the students who are obviously not the least bit Irish are participating, and it gives me a warm feeling of common understanding of my fellow man.  Sure, it’s pointless, but it’s comforting.  Plus, green’s a really nice color.

Filed under: Musings, School, Special Occasions on March 17th, 2008 | No Comments »

The History Channel and the National Geographic Channel both have broadcast nearly identically themed programs in the last month or so on the subject of a depopulated Earth.  First came Life After People, then, last week, Aftermath: Population Zero.  Both imagined a world where humans have suddenly disappeared–for any number of reasons, with the understanding that the planet is still habitable for plants and animals–and predicts the eventual demise of all that mankind has created, from the smallest home to the grandest monument. 

Both programs used a chronological, count-up format, beginning in the first hours after humans have disappeared.  Quite suddenly, electrical systems will begin failing, as coal plants deplete their fuel.  Even largely self-sufficient nuclear and hydroelectric systems will go offline as the national grid begins experiencing massive, computer initiated fail-safe blackouts.  But once the diesel backup generators that ensure that spent nuclear material is kept cool in enormous pools shut down, those pools boil over, and radioactive material spreads.  What plants and animals it doesn’t kill, however, do pretty well.  Obviously, pets that cannot get outside are doomed, as are small breeds of dogs which are not naturally suited to survival without humans.  But cats and larger dogs can fend for themselves.  Zoo animals that can escape will adapt, assuming the weather cooperates.  Sea life thrives, as do birds.

Over time, all man-made structures that require constant maintenance will fail, from bridges and towers to houses and skyscrapers.  Essentially, what doesn’t get repainted will rust or rot, and eventually collapse.  After a few decades, cities look more like jungles, with vines and weeds and forests growing on buildings and streets.  After thousands of years it would be difficult to identify even New York City. 

One thing I found amusing in Aftermath: Population Zero was a scene near the beginning, where humans have been absent for weeks, and small wild animals like raccoons have moved into our homes.  A critter is shown foraging for food, and scurries past a box on a kitchen floor.  Thanks to HD technology, we can see that the box contains Boo Berry Cereal.  That’s right: Boo Berry survives mankind.

Filed under: Food, Musings, Technology, Television on March 17th, 2008 | 1 Comment »