A lot depends on the school where you work. A major research institution like the Ivy League schools, Stanford, Duke, Berkeley, Chicago and so on, this sort of thing would be, if not actually frowned upon, at least not something for which you would recieve much notice. In fact, if I were at such an institution there's no way I would have undertaken such a project pre-tenure. But JMU is almost exclusively an undergrdauate institution, which changes things. Around here I get a lot of credit for writing a book such as this. Our formal requirement is “scholarly activity” which is more general than just “research.”
Robert...
I imagined that the goats are what's hidden beneath the half walnut shells, just as there is an unseen half walnut shell that previously was covering the car (a "shell game"). Just a thought.
My idea for the cover art involved a ferocious goat with bloody fangs feasting on the still throbbing brain of some anguished undergraduate. But I'm warming up to the understated approach!
I know that academics have to publish to get ahead. How much credit do you get for a book like this?
Is it considered a "less serious" work?
Kevin -
A lot depends on the school where you work. A major research institution like the Ivy League schools, Stanford, Duke, Berkeley, Chicago and so on, this sort of thing would be, if not actually frowned upon, at least not something for which you would recieve much notice. In fact, if I were at such an institution there's no way I would have undertaken such a project pre-tenure. But JMU is almost exclusively an undergrdauate institution, which changes things. Around here I get a lot of credit for writing a book such as this. Our formal requirement is “scholarly activity” which is more general than just “research.”
Oooooooooh. :-)
Congratulations, Jason!
Congratulations! It looks terrific!
good for you!
I guess now we'll all have to buy a copy....
(or at least buy it and return it....)
Most Excellent!
I see you avoided that unsightly s-apostrophe-s in "Mathematics's" by clever use of abbreviation.
Congrats, Jason! Do I get a free copy?
How soon is "soon"? I'm eagerly awaiting it!
Oh, I see, those are walnut shells, like in (the game analogous to) three-card monte. Very nice.
I will check it out and perhaps buy it if I find it interesting. (Certainly, it is up my alley.)
Just in time for xmas!
Lessee...one for me, and one for my clown brother who simply refuses to switch doors.
BTW, that is a great cover.
Seems like a very tiny Caddy...
Maybe I want the goat!
How come they are walnuts and not goats? Would that infringe on some copyright?
Robert...
I imagined that the goats are what's hidden beneath the half walnut shells, just as there is an unseen half walnut shell that previously was covering the car (a "shell game"). Just a thought.
My idea for the cover art involved a ferocious goat with bloody fangs feasting on the still throbbing brain of some anguished undergraduate. But I'm warming up to the understated approach!
Good job Jason! If your book is half as fun to read as your blog is, I'll buy it for sure. :)
Cody: In everywhere but america, it'd be Maths' or Maths's
Cool!
Jason wrote:
So, are you still accepting entries for the banner contest, or no?
You mean the banter contest, don't you?
@ wazza: Or "The story of the most contentious problem in maths". You can nearly always rephrase yourself to avoid an awkward apostrophe.
Has a deal been struck with a UK importer?