My family was attacked by a ferocious stomach flu bug and we have pretty much been out of it for some time now. As we are recovering, I finally have the possibility of sharing some random thoughts.

Music
Anoushka Shankar is a pleasant, recent find. A daughter of Ravi Shankar (and therefore, half-sister to Norah Jones), she plays the sitar like her father. Her album Rise contains a number of Indian instruments and ragas in a modern setting. What I find striking is that she seems to be focused on composition and arrangement instead of showing off her skills in the instrument. I find this a rare quality in young musicians - especially if they are virtuosos. Her album also reminds me of the brilliance in Indian rhythm language.

In particular, I was struck by two male singers performing Tarana, the traditional improvised, spoken, rhythmic vocals in fast 7/8 time. There was enough brilliance in the portrayal of narrative in these improvised, call-response structures to save the day of one poor researcher, laboring with revising a theoretical paper (I tend to listen to music while I write).

Quote

"Over the years, a huge number of theological man-hours have been spent debating the famous question:

How many angels can dance on the head of a pin?

In order to arrive at an answer, the following facts must be taken into consideration:

Firstly, angels simply don't dance. It's one of the distinguishing characteristics that marks an angel. They may listen appreciatively to the Music of the Spheres, but they don't feel the urge to get down and boogie to it. So, none."

From the book Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. The book is a lighthearted romp the best characteristics of which do not emerge out of its plotline but such side remarks as the one above. There is also a hilarious sequence where an arch angel and the snake of paradise get drunk together and discuss about life. Not a profound work of art but good monday-morning reading in the bus on one's way to work.

Dialogue in teaching

David Ing, a colleague from my days at the Helsinki University of Technology presented some good reflections about my previous post regarding dialogue. I find his remarks about the linkage between the history of the case method and practical philosophy to be enlightening.

I was reading Kenny Andrews's classic from 1971, The Concept of Corporate Strategy, I was struck by how much wisdom there was in the case-based approach of the early business policy types when they were teaching strategic management to top managers. There is a deep appreciation of context, doubt regarding universal solutions and a focus on building the character of the student instead of on teaching a set of analytical techniques.

Such a case-based approach can only progress through good dialogue. I would argue that the teacher, involved in dialogical teaching has to balance between at least three tensions:

1. Building a plotline for the discussion. Being surprised by, and open to, new insights provided by the students, vs. being in control of the discussion, ensuring that the dialogue touches on key theoretical contents
2. Pacing the discussion and deciding on the speed of progress. Balancing between student frustration as the discussion moves into uncharted territory, and their willingness to "have a say". When students use a lot of voice in the discussion, sometimes those using less voice get frustrated and would like the teacher to move the discussion forward. Yet, it is also quite hazardous to break up the discussion when it has begun. You need to have built a lot of respect with the students to enable you to silence others when you feel it is necessary. David mentioned this in his comment about belly dancing on David Hawk's management class.
3. Theretical alertness. I have found that the teacher should have a theoretically interesting question, comment or reflection on each individual commment. This is demanding as you have to be alert to each and every comment.

Commenting on this blog

I have been pleasantly surprised that some friends and colleagues have commented on this blog. I discovered, however that one could only comment if one chose to register. I have turned this setting off, so now everybody can use voice if they want to. Please feel free to do so, looking forward to hearing from you.

On books and blemes

By reading Ola's blog again, I have learnt a new work, 'bleme' ('bleemi in Finnish'). It appears that a bleme is a meme (a self-replicating cultural phenomenon), which is replicated through blogs. It appears that the word 'bleme' was created by Kriisi. I think I crashed one of her parties when I was under age.

While I tend to think meme theory is a rather lame attempt to understand culture, I like to formulate top ten lists. While I'd really like to print out my ten favorite Star Trek episodes, I will aim for something a bit less nerdy and allow Kriisi's book bleme replicate itself through me. :-)

1. A book that changed my life

Probably Constitution of Society by Anthony Giddens, which helped me make sense of my PhD topic. Might have been Esa Saarinen's Länsimaisen filosofian historia huipulta huipulle, which was my introduction to philosophy.

2. A book which you have read more than once

Well, I have read the Lord of the Rings 12 times. How nerdy of me.

I also read Neil Peart's Ghost Rider twice,which I rarely do, even if I like a book quite a bit. Peart is the drummer and lyricist from Rush, my favorite band. His lyrics often strike a chord and somehow I enjoyed reading his prose. The book was about a journey he took after losing his wife and daughter and is mainly about recovery. The problem of Peart's prose I think is that he is brutally honest and allows his non-politically-correct sentiments and views show. In Ghost Rider this works, as such unsympathetic emotions just deepen the process of grief he is recovering from. In his later works, I have a harder time relating with him.

3. A book to take with you on a desert island

Wittgenstein's Philosophical Investigations, probably. Or Aristotle's Metaphysics. Something profound, yet non-technical.

4. A book which made you a tramp ('Hupakko' in Finnish)

Foucault's Discipline and Punish. I can never do mainstream management research after reading this.

5. A book which made you burst out in tears

There are so many of those... :-) A good example is Pavane by Keith Roberts. An alternate history, which touches on some basic issues in ordinary life so beautifully.

6. A book which you hope would have been written

I sure wish George R.R. Martin would already have finished his Song of Ice and Fire series. It is probably the best there is in the fantasy genre these days: realistic, unsaturated plotlines, in-depth characters, mature topics. But it sure takes a long wait.

7. The book you wish would have never been written

Straying from the Flock by Alexander Elder. Elder is a successful stock market analyst and author, and apparently, a kind of a self-help guru. I innocently read his New Zealand travelogue, with the intent of experiencing New Zealand. Instead, I got a mouthful of judgmental prose on the characters he meets and at least 57 mentions of him using his credit card. To be avoided.

8. A book which you are currently reading

Viriconium by John M. Harrison. I have a soft spot for pretty much any far-future scifi: The City and the Stars by Clarke, Book of the New Sun by Wolfe, Dying Earth by Vance, Dancers at the End of Time by Moorcock, etc. So, I have great expectations for this one.

9. Book which you have intended to read for some time

Organizational evolution and strategic management by Rodolphe Durand. I promised to write a review to the Scandinavian Journal of Management, so I'd probably better get to it, then.