Literature Appetizer
Ben Kusserow
A Northern Appalachian's Journey

Recently I just finished Appalachia North by Matthew Ferrence. In it, he recounts the complex relationship he still has with the land as a Northern Appalachian. Typically when I finish a book I write a Literature Appetizer to get people a taste of what they will find. Since his book is such a personal journey, I would not do it justice by recounting his life.

Many of his experiences reflect my own experience growing up in Western PA. So instead of condensing his journey, I thought I would condense mine.

The Hero’s Journey is a common literary structure where the hero of the story departs home to do a great act, and then returns victorious. My Northern Appalachian Journey is a bit different, but has a similar structure of three parts; Living in Water, Succeeding by Leaving, and The Mountains are Calling.

A Northern Appalachian's Journey

Literature Appetizer: Moby-Duck by Donovan Hohn

Literature Appetizer: Moby-Duck by Donovan Hohn

In January of 1992, a large shipping container traveling from Hong Kong to the US capsized in a massive storm. This happens, but what was unique was one of the items being shipped: 28,800 bath toys. Our global currents sent these toys on a journey bigger than they could imagine.

When the first ducks were being found, there was little story about them. But as more and more kept appearing, media and the populous started to organize and share their findings. Beachcombers searched for the 'next big cache' of ducks. Environmentalists wanted to use this in court to stop shipping across the oceans. Oceanographers analyzed the data to determine how our ocean currents actually move.

Making Metallic Hydrogen

Making Metallic Hydrogen

In the middle of lazy afternoon phone conversation with my grandfather, he says "Did you know they just made metallic hydrogen?" I know this is a very rare thing for me to say, but I was speechless. Of course I knew that hydrogen could become a solid at cold enough temperatures, but that is scary close to absolute zero. It never occurred to me that it could, even in a solid state, resemble anything like a metal.

Just typing 'metallic hydrogen' into Google brings up articles like this: Hydrogen turned into metal in stunning act of alchemy that could revolutionise technology and spaceflight. Bold claim, as the media is ought to do. And of course, just a few hours later, articles started popping up refuting the claim.

But digging a bit further, the search for metallic hydrogen goes much further back than a few days ago. It goes back to Wigner and Huntington.

I Hate Protesting

I Hate Protesting

OK hate is a strong word. Maybe I should have titled this "I feel very uncomfortable in a protesting environment." That just doesn't have the same ring to it though...

My family taught me many valuable things, but being actively involved in politics was not one of them. Both my parents vote every four years for president, make a comment every now and then on the political climate, but mostly let others deal with 'politicking.'

Literature Appetizer: Bug Music by David Rothenberg

Literature Appetizer: Bug Music by David Rothenberg

Humans have taken pride over the millennia of our achievements; Buildings, ideas, even going to the moon! But what if music, generally seen as a human created form of self expression, has actually been going on for millions of years on the planet before humanity ever left Africa? What if, for example, the intervals that bugs in China created inspired in some way the specific music theory in that area?

Life Time Liberal Arts: Chemistry

Life Time Liberal Arts: Chemistry

As I am finishing up graduate school, I realized that my learning has been not very 'liberal artsy...' Of course in my studies I have had my mind expanded and shown a variety of viewpoints...but all in environmental education. Since July 2015 I have been focusing on myself as an environmental educator. Just as metamorphic rock is formed under intense heat and pressure I feel like I have been molded into this field in a fantastic way.

But I am more than just that. I want to be better at baking. Better at adventuring. Better at gaming! But those are all things I know how to learn about. What if I want to learn about something new...?

Music and Environmental Education: Guided Inquiry Auxiliary Text

Music and Environmental Education: Guided Inquiry Auxiliary Text

This post is intended to be an auxiliary text for my Guided Inquiry Presentation on Monday, December 5th for the ENVS 585 Foundations of Environmental Education course. Even if you will not be at the presentation on Monday, I invite you to read on to get a taste of what has been going through my mind for the entire last year plus.

Breathe Deep, Seek Peace

Breathe Deep, Seek Peace

“Breathe Deep, Seek Peace” is a common greeting and farewell in Dinotopia. The first part comes from the dolphins that surround the island. They are responsible for bringing ship-wrecked sailors safely onto shore. By breathing deep, they are able to live an aquatic life even though they do not have gills. The second part is thought to come from the dinosaurs themselves, as a response to the terrible wars that once happened on the island (pg 51). This simple mantra is what I have been using throughout my teaching. The dolphins remind us to breathe deep the wonder that is around us while the dinosaurs speak from millennia of wisdom by seeking peace.