March 05

Discussing Petroski
So far, it seems like I'm the only who's started threads for discussion i the forum. NOw that we're moving into the second half of the semester, I'd like to change that. Therefore, I am not going to initiate any discussion about Petroski at all.

At the same time, since Flex Time is in effect, I won't require any of you to start discussion either. In other words, I am throwing this one up in the air and seeing where you all take it. I have to say, you have not disappointed me in Paper Two and Paper Three sounds just as promising, so I know you all can do this.

Suggested Topics
I will however, give some suggestions for threads you may want to start :

• General discussion: you may want to point to a particularly important piece of his essay, or raise a question abotu a specific passage.
• Failure: Petroski's take on failure seems both unique and central to what he has to say. How about starting a thread on failure? For example, has this class evolved through failure? What about the Writing Program's philosophy of grading and writing? Does it seem to reflect what Petroski says? Of course, his example comes from consumer electronics, so you may want to think about computers as well. We're up to Windows XP now, but we still get the "blue screen of death"... have computers used failure to evolve? Why or why not?

I'll post suggestions next class that will help us start thinking about Petroski in the context of the other essays, so let's just focus on his argument for now.

Forum Dynamics
In order for discussion to work, we need postings. We need something like a critical mass, in fact. Let's face it, if yuo come to the forum and nothing is there, you tend to leave and won't return for a while. But if you come and there's discussion happening, you'll join in, and you'll come back sooner to see where the discussion is going. I'll personally make the commitment to check twice a day--morning and night. You know, guys, it doesn't take long to do that. So, give it a try, ok?

To Do for Next Class:

1. Discuss Petroski
2. Finish Paper Three. Papers are due by Noon on Friday. If that's a problem, email me now to ask for an extension. Late papers will be penalized on eletter grade. Papers must be emailed to me at barriosb@rci.rutgers.edu by 4pm on Thursday or at barrios@optonline.com after that.