Spotlight Interview with BFuniv.com
January 13th, 2010
Robin asked me four questions, all of them good. I’ll try to give a reasonable answer to each:
Q: 1. Tell us a little about Bastiat Free University.
A: It all started when I decided to go for an MBA. I talked with several top notch universities in Southern California, and picked one particularly prestigious school as they offered an “Experienced Executive MBA,” based on my organizational position. The entrance exam was 100 multiple choice questions, questions like “a dog is related to a cat as a cat is related to:” obvious answer, mouse. It was the interview after the test that laid out my curriculum, and my desire for an MBA.
The school counselor, actually a salesman, explained that having successful executives with this school listed on their resume helped the school compete for new students — he said he was sure I understood. For a bit over a year, I would attend a once a month seminar with other executives and business owners. I would need to bring a position paper to each weekend, “But everyone has their secretary type it up, I was assured with a laugh.” The class structure involved hanging out and networking, a few sessions with instructors, and then I would graduate with honors.
I checked out a few other schools, they all had similar programs. Their goal was to garner tuition, and have their school listed on my public speaking brochures as a testament to their programs value. Others would see this, and pay for a full program — one I’m sure would frown on having others write their papers. Mentally I reviewed my classes from when I earned my Bachelor’s in business and finance, there were just a couple of classes where I learned more than I could have found in a weekend with a few good books.
Hence, Bastiat Free University –
Bastiat Free University
Find the wealth of centuries, comprised of knowledge, at your fingertips.
I found Squidoo while it was still in beta, it seemed it a nice way to give an overview of Bastiat Free University. It has worked well. Well enough that over the years I have created another 100 lenses on various subjects. Currently, my most read lens is on the supposed purpose of education, complete with a purple star.
Q: You use some of your lenses to write novellas, do you think you might turn these into books one day
A: Currently I have two story projects on Squidoo.
The first is Complicit Simplicity – a Hackers End Game. It’s a vision of the future, where ethical hackers fight corrupt tyrannies. I’m done writing Complicit Simplicity, but as soon as I return from a sabbatical I’m going to do an extensive rewrite and edit. It needs to sit and mellow a while first. It’s hard to see your own errors when you are thrilled with just finishing.
The second was intended to be a weekly serial, Shirker John Leprechaun, esquire. It has a fun little prelude, and so far five chapters, each a way to experiment with different writing ideas. Right now I’m most excited by chapter six. A young lensmaster decided to write some Fan Fiction about John the leprechaun – it’s a great first effort. Alma Joy loves fantasy, and jolly old England – it’s great to read as she explores her goal to write children’s stories. I’ve set it in a lens for her, but haven’t been able to talk her into taking the lens as her own and re-working it. I’ll keep trying – she has a gift for stories, you can feel the excitement she felt as she wrote.
By the way, both Complicit Simplicity and Shirker John are open content, no limitations. If you want to use them, their back stories, and their cannon — do as you wish. I created a lens on the Complicity Universe if anyone wants to create artistic projects around it.
Q: Which of your many lenses is your favorite and why?
A: It would have to be We Are Ignorant, we only pretend to know. It was fun to write about the limitations of our knowledge, to poke fun at the highly intelligent and over-educated. I’ve re-worked it several times – usually when I’m feeling too confident of my own knowledge and need to take myself down a peg or two. At least I find that fun. I’ve read thousands of books and studied deeply in many areas – enough to know how ignorant I truly am. I’ve forgotten so much. Others seem to enjoy this lens also – it gets some interesting comments.
I should also mention my Renaissance Learning lens, for the opposite reason. It came out better than expected. When I look at it I’m amazed I had something to do with it’s creation.
Q: How do you see that proverbial glass?
A: I guess it depends on the angle. Long term I’m optimistic, I believe the glass will still be there tomorrow, ready with another drink. Short term, obvious flaws in our leader’s world views might create nightmares tonight. I’m looking forward to sharing a drink with all of you later.
Next pint’s on me, may we both be here to enjoy it.
Seek and find your best in life,
Allan aka BFuniv.com
Related posts:
Posted in Giant Squid