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Serendipity, aka "Accidental Discovery": Does the Web Help or Hurt?

All Hail the Analogue Computer! It Shows Us What We Are (Not) Blog Image

I am obsessed with serendipity. It's become an almost pathological fascination since 2009, when I was inspired by a happy confluence of what I was doing then, and something that bumped up against it. I'm curious about what serendipity is, how it can be predicted and the things that help facilitate it and hinder it. And, being a student of the social psychology of the web, I'm interested in how the digital space affects it.… more

Digital Literacies for Writing in Social Media

Digital Literacies for Writing in Social Media Blog Image

The following is a shortened version of a talk I gave at the "Engaging the Public" symposium held at Washington & Jefferson College on Oct. 1.… more

Learning, Freedom, Youth, and the Web: Brazil

Learning, Freedom and the Web in Brazil Blog Image

Freedom of speech and social mobilization is new for many countries in Latin America. Most have had closed governments and dictatorships for the last 30 years. However, because of the spread of social media, political action, protests and activism have flourished. In Chile, for example, students have been leading protests demanding educational reform. Reports say more than 400,000 people have gathered in several of these marches.… more