David Epstein,"Not Just Child's Play," Inside Higher Ed, 28 November, looks at the use of video games* in the classroom.
*In comments, Rob MacDougall suggests that I should specify: Civilization (i.e., crack).

There was a time, says Ronald Wright, when the word"American" referred to its native peoples, as the words"Asian" or"African" still do -- not to its European settlers. In"Why America is Different," TLS, 23 November, Wright reviews Fintan O'Toole, White Savage: William Johnson and the Inventing of America. Thanks to Manan Ahmed for the tip.

There's a lively discussion about Martin Heidegger and Nazism sparked by Nathanael Robinson's"The Preventable Demise of Mr. Heidegger," Rhine River, 15 November; and continued in posts at enowing; Brandon Watson's"Heidegger and Nazi Ideology," Siris, 18 November; and Robinson's"Ideal Types and Ideologues," Rhine River, 21 November. At each point, check out the comments.

As Ahistoricality points out, Chris Bray has been on quite a roll over at Historiblogography. He may be posted in and posting from the Middle East, but Chris is still winning freedom of information victories in southern California and giving us his wry commentary on life in Uncle Sam's armed forces. [More ...]

Umberto Eco,"God Isn't Big Enough for Some People," Daily Telegraph, 27 November, reflects on the alternatives in an era that is weary of traditional faith. Thanks to Dave Merkowitz at Cincinnati Historian for the tip.

Kevin C. Murphy - 11/28/2005

Hopefully, they won't get them started on <em>Civilization IV</em> - it's particularly virulent and addictive.

Rob MacDougall - 11/28/2005

The Inside Higher Ed piece is not just about using video games in the classroom, it's about exposing students to the highly addictive (esp. to historians) timesucker known as Civilization. Why not just give the kids crack?

Jonathan Dresner - 11/28/2005

What I understood of the Heidegger and Naziism discussion was fascinating. At some point I'm going to have to dig out my Encyclopedia of Philosophy and see if I can make my way through that entry, clarify some of what didn't make sense this time. I have the feeling that it would make great lecture fodder, but I can't put my finger on it yet.