The Tortoise, Not The Hare

Last week, in my “Students Re-THINK PSU” countdown, I called for switching from quarters to a semester calendar as the number one thing the university could do to help students….

Newsroom consumption

I have a habit—good or bad, I’m not sure—of watching something not for the plot, but for a specific person involved. It’s my way of providing support, I suppose, and…

I like big books and I cannot lie

There used to be a time when authors would write an entire story from start to finish within the confines of a 400 page book. Nowadays, it’s not uncommon to…

Anxiety Culture

We’re an anxious lot. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately 40 million Americans ages 18 or older have an anxiety disorder. Ask anyone you know what’s worrying…

How You Tell a Story

It is a truth universally acknowledged that adaptation is a key to survival. We adapt, or we die. I would argue that all things must adapt, or be adapted, to…

Hip-Hop’s Sonic Revolution

“How much do I not give a f**k? Let me show you right now, ‘fore you give it up.” With that, a choral rendition of “Sermon (He’ll Give Us What…

Respect, not Intolerance

Let’s talk about religion for a minute. I know, I know, it’s one of those things that polite society tells us not to criticize, but I’m going to do it…

Why you should be reading this

Do you love to read but simply can’t find the time the pick up a book anymore? Or do you detest reading and go to great lengths to avoid picking…

Students Re-THINK PSU, Part 2

Last week I introduced the first five of 10 recommended improvements to make Portland State a great university for students through better amenities, good practices and a new structure. This…

Easier Done When Said

College relationships, especially ones started in high school then carried into college, are very similar to the Russian space program in that they are unreliable and notoriously prone to breaking…