The Cheating Wall

The Cheating Wall, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

Not the greatest picture (taken from the window of a restaurant across the street) - but an interesting concept. On the wall is video from Montreal. On this side are passersby from Toronto. The Montrealers can see the people from Toronto. Over the next few days there are activities scheduled - from charades to tai chi. More info from Facebook

Wall

Wall, originally uploaded by susanvg.

Walls can keep people in, keep people out, provide security, hold back erosion... In a safe part of the world we don't think of walls as exclusionary. In other parts of the world walls can restrict freedom or create safety.

My frustration is with the virtual walls - with those many educational institutions that want to keep students behind a walled garden so that communication is restricted. Instead of teaching students to interact in positive ways, to develop the skills to be safe, they simply lock the door to global interactions. It's time to tear down those walls!

Jan 3/10: Snowy Wall

Jan 3/10: Snowy Wall, originally uploaded by susanvg.

For two days the snow
has been gently falling
Flurries of flakes
Float down
Then nestle in cracks
They pile flake upon flake
creating new forms
The crystal dust
speckles all that moves.
A pristine white duvet
blankets the city