Comments on: UC Berkeley Courses and More on iTunes

by: Ricardo Rabago

Mon, 24 Jul 2006 11:55:30 +0000

If interested Organically Speaking has released an audio conversation with Michael Pollan, The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals.

We our introducing a new audio comment system today, you can now leave an audio comment on any of our posts. You will find an “Insert Audio Comment” link at the bottom of the usual “Add Comment” space. All you need is a microphone!

Try it out and let Michael and John know what you think about the show!

http://OrganicallySpeaking.org/

All the best,
-Ricardo

A note from The Siege:

Michael Pollan is the Knight Professor of Journalism at the UC Berkeley Graduate School and director of the Knight Program in Science and Environmental Journalism.

The award-winning writer of three books, Pollan was for many years the executive editor of Harper’s Magazine. His work can also be found in Time magazine as well as the New York Times Magazine where he is a contributing writer.

by: Longwing

Tue, 27 Jun 2006 18:38:05 +0000

Thanks for the support and kind words.

Never fear! I will be attending UC Berkeley come spring 2007. But as I explained to Cal’s Transfer Appeal Committee (which generously agreed to my delayed enrollment), I need to stick around at Santa Monica College a little while longer to further along some student-empowerment initiatives to which I am earnestly committed.

For one, because of the overwhelming and continuing incompetence displayed by key advisors Deyna Hearn and Benny Blaydes in the Office of Student Life, coupled with the apparent laissez-faire attitude of Vice President of Student Affairs, Dr. Robert “Bobbie” Adams toward departments under his jurisdiction, the state of student leadership at SMC is in a shambles. With the help of some key allies and some powerful hoped-for outside assistance coming soon, much needed change can ideally occur, especially if we can overcome the thus-far-effective circling- of-the-wagons by Adams, Hearn, Blaydes, et al.

Another initiative involves reining in the alarming misconduct too often evidenced by SMC’s police force. Until there is some credible SMC police commission (to oversee the college’s security detail), comprised of the four campus constituencies and which is committed to insuring a police presence that is courteous, informed, and respectful, the campus population will continue to suffer from wayward police acts.

And there is more. Nonetheless, come January I’ll be joining you at Cal, but ideally with a legacy of some key reforms at SMC in my wake.

Perhaps we’ll find ourselves on the same side next time…John.

by: John C. Doe

Mon, 26 Jun 2006 06:45:37 +0000

That is terrific information you provided about courses at Cal! However, I am surprised that a journalist of your caliber didn’t challenge himself with the rigor of a UC Berkeley education, for the betterment of his audience. Why don’t you share the information of the classes themselves (instead of their podcasts) with your wide audience? Why substitute iTunes recordings for the experience of an education at Cal? I hope you make it up north next semester, and I hope you share the experience with the rest of us.

-A Long-Time Fan