Northern Arizona University is located on an island of blue in an ocean of red in the state of Arizona¹. Since November 8, 2016, this island has felt much smaller to me. The day after the election I was walking to teach my 9:10 AM composition class, when I saw, for the first time on … More The Spectrum of Safety in Trumpland, by Katy Sperry
Recently my university got national spotlight because an alt right (read: nazi) website posted an article about a professor deducting a single point from a student’s essay for using the word “mankind” twice. A faculty member of the English department is being sent threats of death and rape for enforcing MLA language guidelines. The students’ … More Humankind v. Mankind: Freedom of Speech and Classroom Policies, by Katy Sperry
The three-wattled bellbird has a call audible to humans up to half a mile away; it lives primarily in Central America, and from the base of its beak protrude three long worm-like tendrils. Most, if given the choice, do not surround themselves with three-wattled bellbirds in part because they are very secretive, and in part, … More Loud People Visiting Schools and a Brief Discussion of Birds, by Justin Kanzler
When the March for Science happened in Flagstaff two Saturdays ago, I was not there. I wasn’t one of the local Science advocates parading down the street, banging on a drum, and shouting generally pro-Science things at the top of their voices. I wasn’t there, partially because I was at the Thin Air community writing … More The March for Science; by Jeanne Mack
Simulated Reality Theory argues that the universe is actually a simulation created by a computer with powers far beyond our comprehension. That means everything–including the interdimensional loose change that lives in every couch simultaneously–is actually a few imperceptible lines of code for us to blithely accept and complain about. A foundational argument for the possible … More Several Indisputable Claims and Why I Fear Chainsaws Simulated; by Justin Kanzler
A dead skunk is permitted to decompose on the side of a road until it dissolves like a putrid dandelion, yet I’m not allowed to sit on a public bench for more than a half-hour. … More Let Me Explain To You Why You Get No Extra-Credit; (a dispatch from your web-editor)
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, readers and writers, it’s that time again. Your Monday will no longer be that drab, soul-dampening harbinger of yet another tedious workweek that it has been all summer. For the next several months, Monday will mean EXCITEMENT. Monday will mean ARTISTIC EXPRESSION. Monday will mean NARROW CHIMNEY. We kick things off … More Narrow Chimney, 2016-2017 kickoff
The second installment of the Thin Air Summer Reading Series is here! Tomorrow (Saturday), be sure to amble on over to Uptown Pubhouse at 6:00pm to catch the action. Come a little early if you feel like feasting on Irish food and drink. I’ll be there, feasting. Come feast! Eric Dovigi
“Eric! Here’s a writing prompt: picture a perfect musical duo. Describe the duo.” Well, a few things immediately come to mind: the members of this duo should spurn the use of the ukulele though be masters of the instrument, should an appropriate context ever arise; they should know Dinah Washington from Billie Holiday; they should … More Blessed Feathers, of Flagstaff
Full Circle Trade & Thrift is supporting The Literacy Center and Northern Arizona Book Festival this month with their “Stuff the Truck” event.Bring your gently used belongings from 11am – 2pm to the parking lot of the National Bank of Arizona, 211 N. Leroux, – Hint: it’s kitty corner from Uptown Pubhouse! – and Stuff! That! Truck! … More Stuff the Truck for the Literacy Center and Northern Arizona Book Festival
