Free distribution of scholarship online …?

Harvard Proposal to Publish Scholarship Free on Internet

I really have to think about how I feel about this, I’m not sure how I feel about anything “free”. At least, for course materials (lecture notes/videos, past exams), I don’t advocate free distribution because I feel that I’m paying for my education … so why should anyone else benefit by getting it free? If they are to benefit, shouldn’t they contribute by paying (so that the cost to me is lower)? … It is somewhat selfish, yes.

Anyways, this is a slightly different issue, which is why I do have to think about it.

Rogoff on China

From the Financial Times: China may yet be economy to lose sleep over

I’m not sure how I actually feel about said issues – I’ve only skimmed the issues through – but it seems pretty convincing. In any case, I’m taking Rogoff’s class this semester at Harvard, and I’m pretty excited (and not just because the girl:guy ratio is about 3:30).  I’m relatively worried about it, no lies – quite technical, which is awesome and fine, but i just haven’t learned to think intuitively in formulas yet (usually juniors and seniors take this class, too, which means i have to meet people to do psets …).

And Rogoff is a really nice, extremely knowledgeable professor. I’m just a tad intimidated by him (I always am, with prestigious professors), but I’m super excited.

Shopping period

Yesterday, I shopped Feldstein’s Public Policy class. I’ve seriously considered taking it as a 6th class … I’m not sure my parents will be very happy about it, nor do I think it would be sustainable should I get serious about doing the research that I’m potentially starting this term (commuting to Harvard Business School, across the river).

It’s also a 9am MWF class, and right now I have straight class from 10-4, not including sections (including sections, I’m just screwed, but … yes. It’s what happens when you book 5 classes back to back). It’s alright, I guess – I’m always up then anyways, but I’ve been working out before class and I know the 9am would make my mornings too crazy. In any case, so far I like having my classes back to back – I’ve found I don’t get hungry (though I usually need a coffee around noon), and I still concentrate in my later class(es) – maybe because so far I find them interesting, or so far I haven’t burnt out, or the whole thing is just so novel right now.

Shopping period is really stressful, though. Am I making a mistake by not taking 6 [note: the College standard here is 4. Some seniors take 3 to have time to pursue research/thesis work; many sophs and juniors take 5]? Am I making a mistake by booking 5 back to back? Am I making a mistake of taking the really intense econ class? Am I making a mistake by pursuing HBS research instead of work with the economics dept?

I still have time to lose sleep over this before I turn in the final study card, but time is ticking and I feel more indecisive than ever.

I’ve been busy …

The thing about being the events coordinator for the student organization center is that I have to pretend to know things that I often don’t (well, that’s life, sometimes, too …). More often than not, though, I force myself to be a little versatile by doing some readings and making connections to groups that I hadn’t known existed previously.

What have I done recently? (… that has detracted from my posting here, admittedly) I’m working on spring programming. In 48 hours, I pulled together a talk by the first woman to be named a Harvard University Professor, on her area of expertise. Note that I know very little of poetry … writing an effective blurb on a speaker you’ve never met, on a topic you haven’t studied, to an audience with which you don’t usually interact – well, it’s quite difficult. I’m more nervous for this event (occurring in February) than I am with most others.

But I’m simultaneously trying to help plan for some more high-profile speakers: think on the level of the Dean of the College. I’ll refrain from naming people, but again, out of my area of expertise …

I’ve also been looking into getting a music speaker (we’ve invited her already), another chemistry/science speaker (in the process of inviting), a history/psychology speaker (already invited), a moral reasoning/history/cultural speaker (already invited/confirmed) …

It’s fun, though, because I get to interact with a ton of student groups on campus and get to know people who are really passionate about what they do – even if it’s something I hardly know about.

That said, I hope I’m not marketing these types of things incorrectly …

Feldstein, Mankiw, and the NBER

From Professor Greg Mankiw’s blog , on Professor Feldstein leaving the NBER this June and Mankiw’s disinterest for the position.

Perhaps I have too much Harvard pride, but I’d really prefer to see a professor from Harvard take over the post. Feldstein’s work over the years has been really amazing. I’ve been in the NBER a few times now, and Feldstein – even in casual conversation – is completely aware of the latest releases, studies, and papers written. I’ll definitely miss that resource.

Day-in-the-life blogging

Seeking Day in the Life Bloggers

I think it would be interesting to see a Harvard undergrad day-in-the-life. I don’t think one quite exists. Yet I think it’s unlikely to exist for several reasons: 1) What’s the motivation to write it, anyways? (for me, it has been a while since I’ve separated personal from public/online life, and my daily activities and frustrations are shared only with those I trust); 2) There’s always that fear that, if it’s good enough (which it’s likely to be, if you try), your professor(s) will stumble on it. And then … what kind of honesty can you have? … not that I haven’t absolutely loved all my classes; 3) It’s time-consuming; 4) Your own image, and all of Harvard’s. I wrote a post on, but did not post, my late-night/early-morning experiences of reading and exam period. If you were to hear the descriptions of what I’ve done, or what others have done, would it change your perception of Harvard …? I don’t want to know, and in all honesty, it might be better better that you hold whatever unsubstantiated stereotype than it is for you to change your mind and point solely to my “day-in-the-life” during reading period as evidence for your new beliefs.

happiness and Harvard

Teaching Happiness, on the Web

One of the comments already holds my reaction for this (post 5 … with a typo, I know). I’ve actually been asked to get this professor to come speak at the Student Organization Center this semester, so perhaps I should jump on it.

In any case, I don’t think web-based classes are the way to go – I say this as a relatively self-disciplined person who can hardly stand to watch or re-watch lectures online. The Harvard experience is in being present, hearing every question (usually not picked up by the microphones), in approaching the professor afterward (or in office hours), and engaging with fellow students in conversation. I suppose the online course beats nothing at all, if you’re really going to stay engaged during the videos, but I would hesitate to associate Harvard’s name and quality of education with what is offered by an online course of lecture videos.