Welcome to The Spaces in Between, a weekly newsletter on culture, language, and technology written by Stephan Caspar. If you’re new here, then welcome, feel free to subscribe.
Often, when returning from a short break, it is in the hope is that you’ll be refreshed, having rested, caught up with friends, and enjoyed the company of family, but somehow I doubt that it has been like that.
Covid-19 cases are at an all-time high in the US and UK, with thousands dying each day amid the failures of governments who lack the leadership required for such times, spreading confusion and even misinformation. The UK is in lockdown, the US is in turmoil, and the last chaotic days of the Trump Presidency are seeing previously unimaginable scenes.
I urge you to read some of the thoughts and reactions of this week. Anger and injustice are clear to perceive; the blame falls at the feet of not just one man, but a party, a system, and a group of people indoctrinated, emboldened, enabled, and even as they reached their nadir, praised and blessed as patriots when they are not.
I like to end the opener on an optimistic note and that’s to mention the great job that activists, community workers, and puppies did in Georgia. Stacey Abrahms completes a job she set out to do ten years ago, door by door, voter by voter.
Hey, what about us? We’re okay, we’re back into school and work, the Christmas tree is on the curbside waiting to be picked up and pulped, we’re hunkering down with new books and listening to music, watching tv, drawing, and making. We’re safe and our family back home is doing okay, coping somehow.
I had hoped to start this year on a more reflective note, there were moments during the break when I was able to think about the year ahead and some of the projects and ideas that I want to explore. I wrote some of it down and I’ll share more over the next few weeks.
I hope that you’re doing well. Thank you to those who have called and messaged to see how we’re doing during all of this, it’s reassuring to know that people are seeing the same things as we are, that you are as shocked and concerned. Talking it through helps to rationalize and better understand the situation.
Stephan
Teaching & Learning
I put my out-of-office on just before the break and returned to a full inbox (apologies if this sounds like busy bragging). I’ve spent the week working towards a neutral state and where I have everything lined up at least for the next few weeks. I had already set out a plan for the semester, which stretches into the summer and beyond, but I am conscious that remote-working/learning will continue for some time and I felt drained and exhausted by the end of the year. The game will continue to be rigged for the time being, so family and my own mental health will have to take priority.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed and anxious about the semester ahead, then I urge you to seek advice and guidance, share your worries, and say no to extra work. It will get better as the number of vaccinated people increases and we will have the comfort to know that elderly relatives and family in care homes will have their risks reduced. We must not, however, feel the urge to increase the pace, push through to the other side. I don’t think there will be a day when we move over from pandemic to pandemic-free, we will need to be patient and stay safe for some time.
Having said that - one of the thoughts that did tumble around my brain (a bit like gravel in a cement mixer) was about the type of project I might be able to engage with during the next couple of years. It is dawning on me that I might have the opportunity to do something really big. I have some ideas of what that could be, perhaps a film or book, an installation, or a large-scale collaborative project. More to come.
Life Lessons
On Monday we received a message from home to say that the UK had gone into full lockdown. After weeks of dithering and poor messaging, the government finally did what teachers, doctors, and many parents had been saying they should do. Of course, it was all too late for primary school children who attended, mixed and came home to the news that schools would be shut.
I've heard a few people say that the pandemic thrives in delay and indecision, and from what I see I agree. Today’s career politicians are woefully ill-equipped to lead, organize, and build. Governments need to function, they need to administer, take action, and crucially take decisions! It isn’t just the issue of not listening to expertise, but actively working against it, because the thinking is purely partisan, they can’t imagine anyone working for a common good, for the service of a country, its people, regardless of how they voted.
Lost and Found
A few useful tools to help me start planning and getting organized. Last semester I had some success with padlet and dotstorming, especially as an ice-breaker or way to set up a discussion. I want to use more polls, especially integrated into Slack or Canvas. One of the simplest ways to poll I’ve come across is to post two comments, let’s say “for” and “against” and ask students to like the one they prefer.
I’m moving from teaching minis to semester-long courses for Spring, so I’m rethinking ways to communicate with the students. How frequently can I contact them, is one Canvas announcement at the start of the week about right? More? This is tricky and reflecting on some of the feedback from last semester, even students are unsure how much engagement is right. I would be grateful for some advice, please let me know if this is something you’ve thought about in the comments below.
There are resources to use in class if you’re talking about the riots and storming of the U.S Capital. This Wakelet produced by Carolyn Foote includes links to news articles, maps, and archive material.
Go and listen to the Two Americas episode of Pod Save America.
Thank you
So, bumpy start to the year, and we were probably kidding ourselves if we thought otherwise, but we’re still here and managing just about. I wish you all the best this year, hope that you can fulfill some of your plans and most of all get to see and be with your friends, family, and loved ones.
Please say hello, I love to hear from you and grateful for your comments. If you spot things that might be of interest to our community of readers, then let me know. If you’re struggling to read all your newsletters, you might be interested in the Substack Reader which is a simple RSS page that compiles your weekly reading.
Let’s pick up again next week, I’m looking forward to it already.