Monthly Archives: May 2009

Defiant in Darkness: On Dickinson’s “Me, change! Me, alter!” (268)

“Me, change! Me, alter!” (268) Emily Dickinson Me, change! Me, alter! Then I will, when on the Everlasting Hill A Smaller Purple grows – At sunset, or a lesser glow Flickers upon Cordillera – At Day’s superior close! Comment: What exactly is the difference between “change” and “alter?” Dickinson forces us to do our homework; …

May 12, 2009 – 3:12 am | By ashok | Posted in dickinson, poetry | Tagged , , | Comments (1)

Humility vs. Low Expectations – On “Star Trek” (2009)

Spoilers galore ahead. 1. “Star Trek” is a good movie, but not a great one. It is purposely not aiming to be great; given the “alternate reality” it claims to be, it could be treated as a stand-alone episode. It consistently recognizes the depth of the mythos, whether that is the fullness of the characters, …

May 11, 2009 – 3:49 am | By ashok | Posted in movies | Comments (2)

Links, 5/10/09

Malcolm Gladwell’s piece in The New Yorker about skill vs. effort introduces some deep questions about both ideas. $17 billion in cuts vs. a $1.45 trillion deficit – what’s most notable here is that the press isn’t buying the Obama administration’s rhetoric. Apparently NBC has a new drama based on an old story (h/t aldaily.com)

May 10, 2009 – 7:29 pm | By ashok | Posted in links | Comments (0)

A Thought on Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan

Steven Lloyd Wilson, in his brief review of this film, provides much to think about: The film begins with… a simulation called the Kobayashi Maru, a test required of all command cadets, a test that cannot be won. The importance of the test is gradually revealed over the course of the film and dovetails with …

May 10, 2009 – 1:40 am | By ashok | Posted in movies | Comments (4)

Back home (for now).

Dallas was productive – read a dissertation by another on my topic, and have much to add and amend on what I have written already. It’s good to be back; there’s much to do on a number of levels. I want to thank everyone who made my little trip as good as it was; in …

May 9, 2009 – 3:39 pm | By ashok | Posted in personal | Comments (0)