Janet D. Stemwedel (whose nom de blog is Dr. Free-Ride) is an associate professor of philosophy at San Jose State University. Before becoming a philosopher, she earned a Ph.D. in physical chemistry. Email her at dr.freeride@gmail.com.
For the record, this is the entry I would have posted last Friday if I hadn't been occupied with provisioning for our Independence Day barbecue. (Indeed, regular commenter $0.01 saw me at Trader Joe's last Friday doing that provisioning. "I haven't checked the sprog blog yet," said she. "I haven't posted it yet!" I replied.)
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In the run up to the July 4th holiday, the Free-Ride family dredged up some "common knowledge" about U.S. presidents. Of course, we started with Washington, but it wasn't long until we got to Lincoln.
Younger offspring: Abraham Lincoln was born in a log cabin.
Dr. Free-Ride's better half: That he built with his own two hands!
Elder offspring: (in exaggerated disbelief) What?!!
Younger offspring: No he didn't! He couldn't build a log cabin just with his hands. He'd need tools to cut the logs and make them fit together.
The elder Free-Ride offspring's jaw drops, eyes roll.
Dr. Free-Ride: Is that the only clue that it couldn't be true?
Younger offspring: Well ... babies probably couldn't build log cabins even with tools.
Elder offspring: Especially before they're born!
Younger offspring: Oh. Yeah.
Education
Humanities & Social Science
Comments
What most history books fail to mention was that Abraham Lincoln was a POWERFUL PSIONIC and began manifesting tremendous telekinetic powers from the womb!
(I'm sure there's a reason why they fail to mention this, but you cannot deny that history books do in fact fail to mention this!)
Posted by: Rob Knop | July 10, 2009 5:27 PM
I recall my youngest, a natural skeptic, talking to his grandpa.
Grandpa - if you dance outside naked at midnight it'll snow.
Youngster - Grandpa, I don't think that's how it works.
Posted by: Sarah P | July 13, 2009 11:23 AM