It's the nightmare (or, I should say one nightmare--of too too many) of every PhD student: You're pages from completing your dissertation, when you casually browse digital dissertation abstracts. There you see it: Someone H. Else, at Somewherelse U, has been newly PhD'ed with a dissertation that is the Exact Replica of Yours. Only Better. < scarry organ music >
Well, that has not happened to me. (And if my karma is in balance, it will not.) But I did get a preview of such a situation when I came across this Black History Month blog at Virginia Commonwealth University: http://blog.vcu.edu/blackhistory/.
In this instance, I don't hear the "da-da-da-dummmm" music upon discovering this: Yeah, the folks at VCU Libraries did a much better job than I did with my li'l 31Days of Black History Month posts. But in all fairness to me, there were many more people working on their blog--I, on the other hand, had to contend with an overworked unruly staff--of one!
The other reason this is not a nightmare is because we are all so very enriched with this VCU site--It is truly a great example of what an institution can do, and do well, with this blogging format to educate about African American history and culture.
So, I know it's March, but if you get a chance check it out.
(P.S. And if you've been reading me, you remember that I lived for a year in VCU's back yard--an added personal connection bonus!)
Posted by perry032 at March 5, 2005 07:11 AM