A critique

Three - that's the number of 'mature age' students I've identified in my Law and Literature class after our first seminar. Now, I use the term 'mature age' as shorthand for any student who possesses the unshakeable belief that anything that issues from their mouth is insightful and fascinating to those around them. 'Mature age' students think that everyone turns up to class only to hear them speak. They will happily interrupt and contradict the lecturer if they think they can 'add' something to the discussion.

These additions often take the form of a long anecdote about some personal experience that is only tangentially related to the topic at hand. Occasionally they chuck in an embarrassing religious view or a sweeping statement on 'who is to blame' for the social problem at hand that does nothing to advance the debate.

As it happens, two of the three 'mature age' students in my class are mature age students. The other young woman has no excuse whatsoever. We've also got two emos. At this early stage, it seems like the emos will pepper the class with comments, some of which will be extremely insightful, but most of which will be... well, postmodern emo rubbish.

Now, don't get me wrong. I think it's great to have discussion-based classes at university. And most of the people doing law are intelligent, decent, and courteous human beings. A stimulating discourse is possible in such an environment. But when a few people monopolise the conversation just to hear the sound of their own voices, the signal-to-noise ratio drops dramatically.

If I was running a seminar, I'd employ a system whereby everyone could make a maximum number of comments per session. I'd suggest two per person per hour. That way, people would only speak if they had something meaningful to say. It would also let some of the less domineering people get more engaged with the class.

I guess the reason I'm a bit worked up about this is that Law and Literature looks like it has the potential to be a really interesting, thought-provoking topic. Here's hoping it doesn't get hijacked by the lowest common denominator.


Oh, and by the way...
...this is post #100 for our humble blog. Who would ever have thought we'd make it this far? Let's hope the next hundred posts are as enlightening and lively as this lot, and let's see some more participation from some of our less prolific members. Tell you what: the more you guys write, the less I will. Now that's an offer you can't refuse!

Bus anecdotes - and a question of etiquette

So I was on the bus the other night, minding my own business, listening to a bit of crazy 80s style synth metal on my mp3 player. Shut up, you probably listen to the Backstreet Boys when you're alone, so don't judge me!

Anyway, the bus was reasonably crowded, but I had one of the few spare seats next to me. As it happened, the row of seats behind me also had only one occupant. That occupant happened to be someone who can only fairly be described as a homeless guy.

The bus stopped, and the doors swung open. On stepped another man who, once again, seemed to be domiciliarily challenged. That is to say, I think he was homeless, and I shall dub him HG2 for the purposes of the anecdote. Now, picture me in my shiny new suit, HG1 behind me. HG2 has swiped his ticket, and is bearing down on us. I like to think of myself as a man of the people, but I must confess I was thinking I'd rather you didn't sit next to me, if that's alright with you

And here's the fascinating thing: HG2 takes one look at me, sizes me up, and walks past my seat to sit with HG1. I'm ashamed to say I feel a bit relieved. I'm also ashamed to say I felt slightly indignant. I'd just been snubbed by a homeless man.


A question of etiquette
Is it okay to talk on your mobile phone when you’re on the bus? When other people do, it makes me feel a bit uncomfortable, like I’m eavesdropping on their conversation. There’s nothing I can really do not to hear it, but I still feel a bit uneasy. What do you guys think? Does it depend on the conversation you’re having? How loud you’re talking? How many other people there are around you?

A bus is a difficult social scene. Actually, I am so over busses it's not funny. When it's freezing and the bus decides not to come? I'm over that. When fat people take up lots of space? I'm over that. Seeing moderately attractive women (for some reason they never seem to be really attractive on my bus route) and never being able to talk to them because you're on a bus and that would be a creepy thing to do? My friends, I am over that.