Harmony Busker
If, as some say, they are only two kinds of people in this world, namely realists and dreamers, International Relations Prof. Daniel Kselman would be the quintessential dreamer. Mind you, he’s a dreamer who still believes in sincere and effective political action!!!
He says that as a musical species we are inspired by harmony, by the joining together of individual notes and lines into something that is more graceful and complete. And, as you’ll see, he has no problem busking in his search for harmony!
P.S. Prof. Kselman holds a PhD in political science from Duke University, where he also did a Masters degree in Economics. His research focuses on the consequences of political parties’ organizational structures for a variety of important phenomena, including the incidence of political extremism…
Chicago Cubs
Director of Undergraduate Studies in Architecture at IE University, David Goodman, talks about architecture while playing baseball. Professor Goodman is passionate, articulate, focused, and, most importantly of all, a fan of the Chicago Cubs. He tends to support the underdog, and is ready to fight and suffer for the Chicago Cubs just like any Real Atletico de Madrid supporter. We call Atletico fans sufferers, or “sufridores” in Spanish, because it’s an uphill struggle for them all the way. It would appear that the same goes for Chicago Cub fans…
Prof. Goodman received his Masters Degree in Architecture from the Harvard University Graduate School of Design, and completed degrees with honors in Government and in History of Architecture and Urbanism from Cornell University. He also co-authored the book “An Introduction to Architecture Theory: 1968 to the Present,” as well as founding his own firm, Roadwork Studio.
Sharks
When I first talked to International Relations Professor Mario Esteban back in March about shooting this video, he already knew what he wanted to do, and that was to dive with sharks. I wasn’t surprised because he is one of the most determined people I’ve ever met. However, sharks are sharks, right?!!! Hence, a few months passed until we finally got to the Valencia Oceanographic Aquarium. I hope you enjoy the result.
Prof. Esteban says that a lack of knowledge about other nations, other cultures, or sharks in this particular case, can often produce negative stereotypes and a fear of the unknown. That’s why he always tries to look at things in depth, to get a proper idea of what they are really about.
I’m speaking from personal experience, seeing as I had the pleasure of having him as professor when I took a degree in Asian Studies. I’ve also wandered around the back streets (Hutongs) of Beijing with him, looking for cheap films, and other weird and wonderful stuff. He is knowledgeable, reliable, and most of all, really good fun!!!
Skating
When you talk about passions with Career Services Executive Director Prof. Amber Wigmore you talk about skating. She’s been going to the ice rink for as long as she remembers, but then she’s not one of those people who brings it up at every opportunity. It was actually sheer coincidence that I found out about this particular hidden passion.
Prof. Wigmore says she’s lost count of the number of lessons she has drawn from skating. One such lesson is: “If you don’t fall, you’re not pushing yourself enough as a skater, or in life”.
If I had to say just one thing about Prof. Wigmore, I would say that it’s amazing how she always has a smile on her face no matter how tough the going gets. Apparently, that’s yet another thing she learnt at the ice rink. Ready to hit the ice?
Citizen Neringa
When I first talked with Qualitative Methods Professor Neringa Kalpokaite about shooting a video for the other side series, she explained how she uses qualitative methods to evaluate quantitative surveys. Hence it seemed natural to talk about politics and the way we vote.
For my part, once again I found myself drawing on the Orson Wells –Joseph Cotten partnership for inspiration, not only because they did such great things together, but also because Joseph Cotten happened to be married to one of my grandmother’s cousins, Patricia Medina, an actress too. That’s why it seemed so fitting to have Citizen Kane as a mental backdrop for this video. Shouldn’t we all try to be good citizens? You have to agree that if we were all conscientious citizens we would be much better off…
Professor Kalpokaite studied politics and has developed a model for regime transitions based on the Spanish transition from dictatorship to democracy. She is young, knowledgeable. and most of all good company.
