Random Variable

Frustration over the way Creative support podcasts in their software means I am about to embrace the dark side and get an iPod Classic.

I admire the openness of American universities to publish their lectures online, and even publicise them through the Apple store.

In fact, I ought to mention a number of podcasts that were perhaps crucial in getting me to apply to Birkbeck.

First, Greg Niemeyer’s “Foundations of American Cyberculture” course at Berkeley made me rethink the material I was teaching Year 9’s on web design - i.e., the National Curriculum Framework materials are hopelessly illogical and outdated, not to mention just plain boring.

Mainly, it was Nathan Sayre’s “Natural Resources and Population” lectures, also at Berkeley, which made me bite the bullet and quit teaching and get a great job back in London that also provides me with the flexibility to embark on a degree in Politics & Sociology (having previously done Computer Science).

Sayre’s course on “World Regions, Peoples and States” also ties in excellently with my first year courses. He also joint lectures on my other favourite topic, climate change.

In fact, I had to personally thank Nathan Sayre in an email just because I think he is that good and been that influential in my change in track.