The first time I was asked to write a letter of recommendation for a student, I was thrilled. Finally I had an opportunity to write a letter for someone else, rather than endlessly requesting letters from my own faculty advisers. Although my own mentors were always generous in writing on my behalf, I was nervous […] … learn more→

Not too long ago, my university, the University of Virginia, along with a dozen or so other schools, entered into an agreement with a company called Coursera to develop Internet-based courses. The issue of Internet learning is especially fraught at Virginia. As just about everyone now knows, our president, Teresa Sullivan, was dismissed not long […] … learn more→

During an out-of-body experience (OBE) a person finds his or her centre of consciousness displaced from their physical body. Research suggests around 10% of people have had an OBE, where they have experienced leaving their body and viewing it from a different location in the room. During an OBE people typically see themselves from a […] … learn more→

The North Pole is losing its ice cap. Comparing recent melt seasons with historical records spanning more than 1,400 years shows summer Arctic sea ice in free fall. Many scientists believe that the Arctic Ocean will be ice-free in the summertime within the next decade or two, and some say that this could occur as […] … learn more→

[Part III of the Text for Remarks made at the Piracy and Counterfeiting in a Digital Environment: U.S. and Italian Experiences, U.S. Consulate General Florence, Italy, September 27-28.] Last week a colleague at Cornell asked me to give a talk to his class on intellectual property. I found myself explaining the historical dynamics behind the […] … learn more→

When I graduated in March last year, I expected to enjoy the pomp of the ceremony, the sumptuous and faintly ridiculous robes and hat of formal academic dress, and the joy of receiving my doctoral degree with my parents in the audience. And I did enjoy all of this, but what surprised me was my […] … learn more→

Today, nonprofit higher education is under threat like never before. Costs for higher education are rising at a rate that simply may not be sustainable over the long term. For-profit universities have provided platforms that enable individuals, especially those in the work force, to obtain degrees with an ease and convenience formerly not possible. Silicon […] … learn more→

All access privileges to fashion shows, talking to the best designers, celebrities, industry fame, success and perks in the form of bags, shoes and apparel are all part of every aspiring fashion journalists daydream. As pretty as it may be fashion is a tough industry—the technological evolution and the death of traditional journalism isn\’t helping […] … learn more→

Education is becoming highly competitive with every passing day. With loads of investment in this sector, it is becoming increasingly tougher. A sizeable amount of PC based internet population is from the age group of 15 to 24 years old students. In the same way, the population of this same group of mobile users for […] … learn more→

May I begin by thanking the U.S. Embassy in Rome, John Cabot University and the Florentine Consulate for this invitation and their very gracious hospitality. When I spoke last year at John Cabot, I mentioned that following the talk I was headed to Gaeta to meet for the first time Italian cousins of my father\’s […] … learn more→