Skip to main content

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 1/21/24

3 Up

1. Japan Moon Landing - It's kind of crazy to think in a world with budding AI and all of the technology we are trying to wrap our minds around here on Earth, landing on the moon is still a rarity. Congratulations to Japan for becoming the fifth nation to do so. It'll be nice to get more info as I'm sure the race to the moon for more exploration is on. 

2. Spelman College Donation - The largest-ever donation for an HBCU happened this week with Spelman College receiving a $100M gift. That's cool, and it should be interesting when higher education and institutional power within higher education are at their most fragile. 

3. Taylor Swift Impact - It's 2024, and Taylor continues dominating in amazing ways. One of those is that Swift is responsible for 7% of all vinyl record sales in 2023. Considering her music and the intersection audience that typically adores her and collects vintage which seems on the surface very unlikely - Swift's power and influence knows no boundary. 

3 Down

1. Immigration - From the continued migrants in cities to the discussion at the border, to really nothing being done, it raises the discussion on the seriousness of how we approach immigration, or if we just want to utilize it for political rhetoric. 

2. Cancelled Debate - A Nikki Haley vs. Donald Trump debate is now off after Trump refused to show (again), and Haley refused to do it if Trump declined. I mean, after all, what's the point. Our politics are broken. 

3. Sports Illustrated - Sad week with the announcement of the demise of Sports Illustrated. An establishment for any sports fan of the past, the medium and landscape changed, and SI fell behind. I sort of miss it - coverage and discourse of sports haven't been the same.

Cover Photo

A large statue depicting rapper and actor Scott Ramon Seguro Mescudi, aka Kid Cudi, is installed in front of the Palais Brongniart in Paris, France, on January 12, 2024. The statue appeared, unannounced, as part of a campaign to promote the release of Kid Cudi's new album. #

Alain Jocard / AFP / Getty

Labels:

Recently Read

Quick Ponder: Future Self

We always think,  what would we say  to our  younger self? However,  what would  our younger self say  if they met us, today?
Read more

Dear Son, Big Fan of the Kid Turning Seven

---7 Years Old --- Dear Son,  It’s been a while since I’ve dropped a few thoughts. Forgive me, I’ve just been watching. Just observing. Taking it all in. Trying to be a good dad. I’m punching the keys today from one of your martial arts practices. It’s your second with “the big kids” and also the second time I’ve found myself watching from the sidelines with anxiety, with pride, and with likely my biggest fandom for you yet in this space. My feelings are much more than you playing baseball or coaching you in basketball. Your disposition is different. Your excellence is different in this space. With martial arts, you stay diligent with the process. Respectful. Working hard. Getting better. In competition with and respecting the older kids you are training with. That’s what I’ve enjoyed. It encapsulates everything you’ve grown into thus far. Still empathetic as ever, but adding an element of self-ambition and drive - something I’ve prided myself on - and to see you mature into this m...
Read more

Working in Higher Ed, Lately

"Working in higher education must be interesting these days, huh?" That question was posed to me by several people who recently learned that I worked in higher education. The recent discourse around the industry and field has certainly shifted in narrative and the overall feel within it. I recently wrapped up my fourteenth (!!) academic year. It's remarkable to think that I've been serving students and following a passion for this long. This is especially the case considering the rising turnover, the documented yearly burnout, and the increasing exodus from the field.  And, yup, there is that whole enrollment cliff combined with the politics that are more present than ever on college campuses.  So yeah, higher education is weird right now. Very weird.  Some quick thoughts : IS IT TIME?  Yes, I have thought about leaving the field several times. Especially, over the last few years. COVID didn't really bother me, but it's safe to say that the world of higher edu...
Read more