Indecision 2011

[evilhippo]

Just a few random things. In re: my flailing around about not being sure how I feel about Occupy Wall Street got tidied up quite nicely by (oddly) the Planet Money podcast about the movement, in which they explain it's more about having a forum than being or asking for anything specific. (It's also a great exercise in what difference a

Comments

[evilhippo]

I'm torn. I will probably continue to be torn. Journalism is what I really want to do (because I can't just hole up in my tiny apartment and make up multimedia stories about alternate universe Chicago or something), but I know deep down that I'd be far from unhappy if I was teaching here. I'm just very aware of the fact that I'm treating it like my fallback plan, and I feel like if I'm going to go into something where I'm dealing with the futures of fledgling people, I should be a little more serious about it. So... I need to work through my unrequited issues with journalism and public radio in some way, first (which may just involve me going to the UofC, talking to the shiny new journalism counselor they have there, and finally having someone confirm that the chances of me getting into public radio are slim even with an 80-thousand-dollar journalism degree). As soon as I can eliminate the "maybe" about those particular pipe dreams, I think I'll probably be enrolling in the ICTC, if they'll take me.

I got my assignment for dwsanta this morning, and I'm... really looking forward to it. Somehow the person I got assigned to prompted something I very nearly prompted. Which means things were meant to be. Provided I can figure out how to write it. Also, I really need to do more work on my pulped_fictions entry... we should have a write-in or something soon.

I would really like to see OWS, actually. Occupy Chicago seems to be all about punching police officers and breaking my bicycle, but more and more I'm kind of enamoured with the way the OWS forum is operated. The human mic system is especially endearing. Even if it doesn't turn out to be ultimately useful as a protest, it's definitely a fascinating social experiment.

[jobey_in_error]

and I feel like if I'm going to go into something where I'm dealing with the futures of fledgling people, I should be a little more serious about it

The very fact that you have that attitude means that you will do less harm and more good on average than most of the teachers I ever had. (Also, having looked at all those teaching programs in the Chicago area two years ago, I felt sympathy and amusement and deep waves of agreement during your account. Screw UofC... Northwestern seems to have it together, though.)

But anyway, I am certainly not suggesting you abandoning your dreams. Lots of luck with proceeding. You already have your essay topic, what with your passionate questions about digital media! (I am sure that the admissions council has somewhat longer attention span and more nuanced outlook than the random people who get stuck on fair night duty.)