I am completing a proposal for a book (working title = Genius in the Hood) illuminating and expanding the notion of human ‘genius.’ Below is the overview: THE TERM ‘GENIUS’ conjures up Leonardo da Vinci, Isaac Newton, Thomas Edison, Marie Currie, Albert Einstein, Charlie Chaplin, Martha Graham, Steve Jobs and other individuals considered brilliant for […]
My latest column, Taming Math Dragons (ii), has been published in the spring 2025 issue of the Prison Mathematics Project newsletter. This remarkable (free) newsletter is available in paper and pdf form. My column offers insights and strategies for inmates hoping to re-engage with mathematics as students. In this column, I pick up from my previous […]
(Update: March 20th: per the story below, I traveled to Washington Corrections Centre a week ago to attend the Pi Day event and give a 30-minute presentation to the 60 or so inmates who attended. There were three other presentations besides mine and they were thoughtful and engaging. For my presentation I shared five points […]
There exists a passion for comprehension, just as there exists a passion for music. That passion is rather common in children, but gets lost in most people later on. Without this passion, there would be neither mathematics nor natural science. – ‘Ideas and Opinions’ essay by Dr. Albert Einstein in Scientific American, 1950 I don’t […]
(nb – NOV. 2024: This course will be offered via Cont. Ed., Antioch University (online) in the Spring session starting in early January. See my post of November 12th for more details. I will bring this message forward later in November. – MMaser) The real work of humanity at this time may be to awaken […]
An article of mine: ‘Your story, your life, your learning: Autobiography reveals basis for supporting personalized, holistic pedagogy’ is now published in the (peer-reviewed) Journal of Contemplative and Holistic Education (Vol. 2, no. 1). Basically, the article summarizes my recent PhD research and links my findings – that learning is more subjective or personal than […]
I highly recommend The Myth of Normal – CBC ‘Ideas’ podcast – a 2-part series on CBC’s ‘Ideas’ that includes many insights from authors I reference in my ‘Neurobiology and Learning‘ course in Antioch University’s Individual Masters Program (online): Temple Grandin, Gabor Maté, Thomas Armstrong, and others talking about the need for accepting and expanding […]
In crafting a literature review for my PhD dissertation on the subject of learning, certain researchers and authors jumped out at me. I was fascinated to know about Frederick Winslow Taylor and his theory of ‘scientific management’ that girded the automation of modern education. ‘Taylorism’, as it was known, forged the way for standardized curricula, […]
“Each of us has some genius to bring to life and each life is a meaningful story trying to unfold from within.” – Michael Meade, ‘The Genius Myth’ Michael Meade is spot on. The veteran cultural anthropologist and author shows in myriad ways in his 2016 book, The Genius Myth how our birthright is […]
The start of a new year is a good time to consider a new learning path or plan for the coming year. What’s yours? What are you most curious about? What are you committed to exploring or investigating? This decision is yours to covet, just as it is for everyone. After all, each of us […]
Michael’s book, Learn Your Way! SelfDesigning the Life You Really Want, Starting Now is an ERAC-approved middle and high school textbook for career planning and health education courses (British Columbia), and it has received many endorsements. Contact Michael directly to obtain a pdf copy of the book.
