ask a scatterbrain: how do you get your book taught?

From a faithful reader. Here’s a question for those who have published books: What are the most effective things you or your publisher did to get your book picked up in classes? Are there things you wish you had done, or things that you thought would pay off but probably didn’t? (Likewise, experiences from the [...]

amazon censors lgbt books

So a few folks have sent me notes about this. Basically, Amazon changed the way it “ranks” sales recently, and decided not to rank products that are “Adult”. So what, you might ask, is “adult”? The answer, it turns out, is anything gay. You can check out a list of de-ranked books here; they include [...]

parenting

I was reflecting even before church about some of the hard things parents have had to do, and then the minister brought up one of them in a wonderful Easter sermon. Here are the things I was thinking about: (1) The parents who paid for and accompanied their adult child overseas to get sex change [...]

a sad piece of history

This story comes from the BBC. It gives an account of how, upon requesting that French troops be allowed to lead the liberation of Paris during the second world war, de Gaulle was given a condition by American and British forces: make sure those who entered Paris were all white. The victory should seen as [...]

it’s funny because starfish are clingy.

If you’re sufficiently curious, the end makes more sense when you’ve seen the first episode.

really cool graphs

So, somewhat in response to OW’s post, I give you Gapminder. It produces really amazing graphs. Seriously. Click on “explore the world.” And then explore. I think it’s super cool (WOW is it cool). I saw this by watching a video by its founder, Hans Rosling, present at TED. Laying aside what I think of [...]

public service message

If you run into a cougar, your safest bet is to run. This is particularly the case, “if you are in a situation that allows you to run in a surefooted fashion with even strides — for instance, on dry, flat ground rather than uneven, rocky terrain or deep snow.” I am not responsible if [...]

spss is changing its name to pasw

I am not making this up. What the bother? (HT: yli)

vermont!

Ksiler, we have an answer to your question. Vermont legalizes same-sex marriage. MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — Vermont has become the fourth state to legalize gay marriage — and the first to do so with a legislature’s vote. The Legislature voted Tuesday to override Gov. Jim Douglas’ veto of a bill allowing gays and lesbians to [...]

lots of tables?

Let me be very clear what I’m asking. This is about tables of means, lots of them, 65 – 100 pages of them, integrated with explanatory text. Most social scientists don’t do this kind of stuff, but I do in my “public sociology” work. I need to generate reports that integrate text with LOTS of [...]

drek, this contest is for you

Poor Drek, besotted with argumentative conspiracy theorists and burdened by his duties as one of only a handful of sociology royalty. He is surely on the path to madness as he struggles against Conservapedians. But, alas, a contest worthy of Drek’s passion and matched to his artistic skills. I give you, Drek, the Stick Figure [...]

ask a scatterbrain: how do you do a lit review

From a lurker: something we all have to do but are rarely taught about is constructing a literature review. Any strategies out there? Our reader provides some VERY HELPFUL strategies (after the break). But further suggestions from you would would be much appreciated! For me, one of the central questions here is not just how [...]

ask a scatterbrain: book series vs. general sociology

A reader asks: Given the choice, is it better to have a book published by a publisher who would place the book in a series (edited by scholars from a related discipline, not sociology), or one who would place it in the general sociology list?    Assuming the presses are quite comparable in terms of reputation [...]

air fare madness

I’ve seen this a lot before.  I live in a small midwestern city that is served by several airlines. I’m pricing air fares to Europe. From my city to Amsterdam via Minneapolis on Northwest is $226 CHEAPER than the Minneapolis – Amsterdam ticket for the same flight.  From my city to Amsterdam on Northwest via [...]

iowa finds same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional

Dispatch from everyone’s favorite state, Iowa: DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Supreme Court says the state’s same-sex marriage ban violates the constitutional rights of gay and lesbian couples, making it the third state where gay marriage is legal. Did You Know: Iowa City was one of the first municipalities in the United States [...]