A Thorn Among Roses

This evening we had a Skype with Module 3 focus. Long silences, which seem to be par for the course. It seems the point was to have us understand why we use the language of research. When explained at the end it made perfect sense. I did feel slightly cheated though. However, I accept that this is the way information is imparted and not everybody speaks another language, so the following analogy would be lost. 

When my children were at school, the household language was a kind of Franglais. We all spoke French and English, but some things were described more succinctly in one of the two, so we favoured that. French nouns in English sentences were commonplace. As the children grew older and their world became more Anglophone, English dominated. Adesola was talking nuance. The English word 'kitchen' and the French word 'cuisine' are both describing the same room. However, the perception is different. A kitchen is somewhere that work is done, cooking, cleaning and so on. La cuisine is where recipes are dreamt up and meals are created. Art versus toil.

The language of research is used as a standardised form of describing the process. I would've accepted that upfront. Now, of course, I've got to go out and find a research glossary, so I can transmogrify anything I write. I have been reading, but I haven't come across anything that encompasses my enquiry using language I wouldn't use myself. Suggestions appreciated. Any treatise on the language used to describe Soul (music) not in plain English? Anyone?

Screen If You Wanna Go Faster

On Monday this week I had seven (7!) 'virtual' meetings; telecons, video calls and plain old phone calls. In the world 'before', that would have been a ridiculous notion. And, in reality, it was indeed ridiculous. One call ran over and then I was late to the next two. Mind you, the second of those I had little interest in and it finished on time, so...result! It seems so long since the Skype on Sunday, I can't really remember what I said. In my journal I wrote there were silences, so, once I'd finished my dinner I joined in to fill the void. Whatever I said I believed at the time, yeronna.

I've just commented on Adesola's post about Connectivism. Social media for me comes with the territory. I can cope with it, as I'm a shouty person with opinions. I try hard not to make stupid statements, or to post things as fact if I have no other source. However, I saw this cartoon...

And this seems to be how we draw conclusions these days. Boris does badly at PMQs because, apart from ineptitude, he doesn't have his 'chaps' in the seats behind 'hear, hear-ing' him on. It's social distancing's fault. The misnomer irritates me and I've probably said it before. We are, of course, physically distancing. All this screen time is our effort to avoid social distancing, it's the antidote. It reminds me of an Asimov story, which I think was The Naked Sun. It's science fiction, at least it was when it was written. People stay in their homes and 'socialise' by a kind of projection. The end of your room disappears and is replaced with your friend's room with your friend in it. Like a whole wall is a giant Zoom meeting with one other person, or several. 

Only one Zoom today, but it was being recorded so I had to 'dress up'. I've really got out of the habit and it seemed such a faff. With Black History Month approaching, it seems I'm more 'gob for hire' than 'flavour of the month', but I'll get over it. It's not like I've got much else on.

I'm back teaching next week, doing a face to face class. To be honest I'm a bit anxious about it. We'll see how it goes, fingers crossed, sanitiser at the ready. Don your masks, get set...go!

It's OK, I've Done This Before!

I'm getting straight in with my first blog of the new term. Partly so I don't forget what just happened and partly so I don't forget. It seems a long time since the start of last term. I was in Australia for one or two Skypes. Mind you, I've participated going through security at airports and hotel rooms more than once. I'm fairly certain the current pandemic will ensure my continued presence in my own home. I'm a singer and it's not just my international gigs that have been cancelled, they all have. Just out of interest and by way of encouraging interaction, what's happened to everyone else? As we're all over the world, I'm interested if anyone is getting to perform or teach at all?

Lots of information was imparted during the Skype and though I've definitely been there before, the memory's a bit hazy on detail. So it was welcome. Since we're all based outside the university, we can't help but draw on our experience, both in our own lives and our practice. Reflection is, for me, a very important part of this course. It has become more obviously important as time goes on. I'm in Module 3, so nearing the end of my studies, hopefully. I say that as I have no idea what the immediate future holds. None of us have. But I'm beginning to feel I know what I am doing. I may feel differently with a week to go until deadline, of course.

One thing that was touched on that I feel it's necessary to address is the notion that we are living in a 'post truth' society. History has always been written by the victors, so there is always another story to be told. We are beginning to hear these other stories and that is a good thing. However, when that 'post truth' notion is used to describe science, I have a problem. Scientific knowledge is not immutable. As you uncover more about an unknown, facts change. What was true beforehand may no longer hold. This doesn't mean we can throw the baby out with the bathwater. I'm putting it out there that my tolerance of crackpot, tinfoil hat theories has worn thin. I have to engage in social media, it's part of my job. The nonsense I have come across is startling. So people, think what you like, but please don't invite me into your wardrobe. I don't believe in Narnia. I'll always try to be nice. At first.

If you want to know more about me, here are a couple of recent(ish) links. The first is when at the height of #BLM protests the university posted a video of a single we released during lockdown, which was good of them, here it is:

'Stand Together' - Dub Pistols ft Rhoda Dakar

And this is how I've been amusing myself with no gigs, my radio show 'Pork Pie & Mash Up'. Produced at home, because the studio was shut. Though that may be changing:

Pork Pie & Mash Up - September

So that's me. What's your story?