Brad Rourke

Brad Rourke’s Blog

  • Hard, Ain't It Hard

    This column first appeared (with a different title) in Pajamas Media. There’s not much I do that’s actually difficult anymore. It didn’t used to be that way. When I applied to colleges, it was suggested to me that I create a number of tiers of schools: the long-shots, the probables, and the back-ups. I collected…

  • Hard, Ain’t It Hard

    This column first appeared (with a different title) in Pajamas Media. There’s not much I do that’s actually difficult anymore. It didn’t used to be that way. When I applied to colleges, it was suggested to me that I create a number of tiers of schools: the long-shots, the probables, and the back-ups. I collected…

  • Learners Are People, Too

    This article first appeared in Pajamas Media. On an airplane last week, I found myself seated behind the president of a large municipal school board along with a staffer. I know this because I am only human and could not help but peruse the board member’s briefing book over the owner’s shoulder. They were on…

  • The Pressure of High Anxiety

    This article first appeared in Pajamas Media. They say Americans are under more pressure than ever these days. Students must pass high-stakes tests in order to graduate. Competition to get into top-tier universities is crushing. The middle class is squeezed economically. Schedules are hectic. Commutes brutal. It’s just harder and harder to get by. This…

  • Taxonomy of Hotel Internet

    I’ve been travelling again. It’s got me thinking about different kinds of hotel internet access: I see four basic kinds: Just plain on — This is great, but unusual. Walk into the hotel room, flip on your laptop, find wireless network, connect, go. Free but signup — Courtyard by Marriott has this. It’s quite good.…

  • Taxonomy of Project Managers

    Like many of my friends, I am a “consultant,” which means I work on “projects” for “clients.” Those clients are typically organizations. My point of contact is usually a “project manager.” I’ve encountered six kinds: Dishrags — Totally passive. See their role as “passing on feedback.” Can’t take a stand and don’t control process. Random…

  • Expensive Money

    This essay originally appeared in Pajamas Media. As I recall, it was a Thursday and I needed to eat. While gainfully employed in a student job, my check wasn’t due for another week or two. I had nothing in my bank account. The slate clouds threatened that cool, morning drizzle northern California is known for.…

  • Taxonomy of Hotel Hangers

    I have been travelling a lot lately, and it got me to thinking about a taxonomy of hotel hangers: I recorded this at the Sofitel in Chicago.

  • Living Like Xerxes

    This essay originally apppeared in Pajamas Media. When first we lay eyes on the evil Xerxes, in the visual revolution known as 300, he is riding a monstrous platform carried by a throng of people whom (we presume) are slaves. It’s a floating throne and court all in one, massive and imposing. He wants to…