Folklore / Telugu Communist Politics

Here is a link to the music clip I played on Tuesday in class for my presentation on folklore and colonialism in India. The singer here, Gaddar, is active on the cultural/political front for the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) in the state of Andhra Pradesh. There is more on the CPI/Andhra Pradesh and related matters here - the blog is now defunct, but there is a wonderful blogroll, and a rich archive.

Bending Science and Scientific Truths

We talked about genetic modification in class today - flounder genes in tomatoes? ack! - and I thought I'd post a link to this very informative GMO watchdog organisation's website. If you're just starting to read about GMOs, and even otherwise really, the group also has a very good, and short but comprehensive primer on GM issues.

A couple of blogs that I visit regularly and that often try to remind people about what scientists actually think, whether about about hybrid embryos or the universe, are Pharyngula and Bad Astronomy. Both are written by scientists.

Borders and Soyinka

I will be talking more this week and next about the figural and literal space/place of the "border" in Wole Soyinka's work.

This news item on Tibet in the NY Times I think really highlights the significance of how "border" conflicts inform political decision making and geographical and artistic vision. it's interesting to consider how Soyinka imagines the border between individual agency/choice and "national unity."

Also of interest: some YouTube postings on  Wole Soyinka