In Praise of: Chris Raines and the New "Public Intellectual"

If you've read this blog for more than two minutes, you know that I'm all in favor of informed discussion and debate, which means I'm all in favor of what are usually dismissed as "scholars." You know: those pointy-head types who spend inordinate amounts of time studying a subject so that when they open their mouths to discuss their subject, what comes out is substance rather than fluff.

However, I adore scholars who then make the effort to share what they know with the rest of us. (The alternative being to remain closeted in their university offices, sharing knowledge only with other scholars.) People like that used to be called "public intellectuals," but I think of them as benefactors. Or saints, depending on my mood.

Anyway, that's why I'm a fan of Chris Raines. Chris is a professor in the Department of Dairy and Animal Science at Penn State. He's the model of a new kind of scholar: one who is not afraid of blogs, Twitter, and, gasp, making connections with ordinary people like me.

His blog, Meat Is Neat, epitomizes what scholars can (and, in my opinion, should) be doing with their expertise: sharing it in simple language that non-experts like me can understand. A prime example (no pun intended) is his recent entry on e-coli and grass-fed beef. If you have any interest in the current debate about food, food safety, and environmentalism, you should take a gander. (Hoof it over there? Paw through it?)

Chris is also a master of what Twitter can and should be. He's there as @iTweetMeat. Enjoy!

Why I Am Not Here

Well, I'm here, but I'm not HERE, if you know what I mean.

I am researching the next chunk of the book. It's certainly the mid-section or perhaps the middle two-thirds, or whatever. In any case, I've moved the research into a new time period which means I'm trying to figure out "what happened" during that particular block of time (in this case roughly 1900-1940).

The only thing I know for sure is that my initial instinct, way back when, was correct: The Jungle didn't "cause" much of anything to happen. It was more of what we'd now call a tipping point than a cause; a straw (beefsteak? pot roast? rolled rump?) that broke the camel's back.

But even that moment (c. 1906) is clearly not the main event in the years from 1900-1920 and beyond. Not even close.

Anyway, it's all fascinating, but the most efficient way for me to deal with all this new information is to stay focused on it. Or, more accurately, to allow my brain to stay focused by not digressing into things like beer, random rants, pondering the nature of the cosmos and other distractions.

So that, dear readers, is why I'm not here ranting away. Soon as I get a good grip on this new material and actually start writing the next chapter(s), blogging will return to its usual pace. 'Cause I can research for hour and hours, but I can only write for a few hours at a time.

Revel In Revels and Drive the Dark Away

This from Scholars & Rogues via the irreplaceable Dexter: Revels! Who knew? (Not me.) I think I need it. Here's the Amazon page for the cd.

The Wall Street Journal's Take On E-Readers

Okay, so nothing to do with anything, but . . .

Today's Wall Street Journal has a brief take on the state of e-readers (you know: Kindle, Nook, etc.) There's also a great graphic in the sidebar that's a side-by-side comparison of the current contenders. Nice!

My favorite part, however, is that the reporter notes that, ahem, this first crop of readers may go the way of the eight-track. Which is precisely why I've not bought one. There are too many flaws in all of them.

So until Mr. Jobs enters the fray, I'm keeping my checkbook closed (my debit card unscanned? my paypal account unclicked? whatever). Not that Jobs will come up with a perfect e-reader, but a) I'm guessing it'll be better than what's available now; and b) its arrival will surely spur even more competition and some kind of standard for the device. And when it comes to stuff like this, standards are where it's at.

Well! That Was Nice.

Ooooooooh boy did I enjoy these four days off. More-or-less spontaneous vacation, which involved a visit from three of my dearest friends and a marathon of talking, cooking, and eating. No work. I repeat: NO. WORK.

Soooo.... now I'm going back to work. And as soon as my brain is back in work mode and has something interesting to say, I'll download the results here.

Hope you enjoyed your time off as much as I did. Honestly, who knew a few days down could leave the brain so rested?

More Comments On Local Food

It always amazes me when anyone notices this blog. I mean, I obviously hope for that --- I am, after all, running a business --- but it's a big, bloggy world out there.

Anyway, some more local food folks showed up to comment (thanks!) on one of  my previous posts and that seems like a good enough reason to direct you to their sites:

One is from a site called Small Footprint Family (complete with advertisements for Chevrolet!) (That whacked my funny bone.) ( Been a long day.)

The other is from a site called Hyperlocavore.

Check 'em out.