Author Archives: Robert Basil

“The end started slowly then happened all at once.”

Posted on May 2, 2026 by Robert Basil

‘Sad day’ as Langara pauses journalism program indefinitely. It really is. Langara has always had very fine, experienced instructors teaching in its Journalism Credential and Diploma programs. From the Vancouver Sun: “Journalism schools across the country have seen dropping enrolment … Continue reading →

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Heavy morning rotation

Posted on April 30, 2026 by Robert Basil

It’s not true din without a diverse display, which we don’t really provide in my corner of the world. — — — — — My longtime staples: The New York Times (despite everything), The NewYorker, Atlantic (itself a din), and … Continue reading →

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Apropos

Posted on April 24, 2026 by Robert Basil

Clarissa is not alone. On X writer Tyler A. Harper darkly assesses university administrators’ embrace of AI. “A lot of the push for AI (therapists! health care professionals! tutors!) is predicated on a tacit acceptance that the broken institutions cannot … Continue reading →

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New leadership styles in academia

Posted on April 24, 2026 by Robert Basil

My friendly colleague Clarissa has vividly expressed an opinion on these: College administrators go to all sorts of business seminars and workshops on ridiculous things like leadership and all that kind of garbage. Then they come back and put everything … Continue reading →

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“Whatever you think you can write.”

Posted on April 15, 2026 by Robert Basil

So says the wonderful Bryan Garner in today’s LawProse Lesson. Anything that can be thought can be written. That dictum is both challenge and liberation for the legal writer. If a concept can take shape in your mind—even faintly, even clumsily—it can be … Continue reading →

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Communications Strategy

Posted on April 11, 2026 by Robert Basil

I’ve been given a communications strategy “capstone” class for the upcoming term. My students and I will be scanning for examples from around the world starting day one. Expect more frequent posting from me going ahead!

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This will be worth an outing

Posted on March 18, 2026 by Robert Basil

I don’t want to miss this. Unsurprisingly, I could not find any list of distributors, tables, events, etc., anywhere. It will be a surprise! — Addendum:

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Share Yourself

Posted on February 26, 2026 by Robert Basil

On a recent train trip I listened to a young computer whiz give a remarkably agile and lucid explanation to his aunt of AI’s probable future role in his industry. Seated two seats behind him, I was too rapt to … Continue reading →

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“Managing Access”

Posted on February 5, 2026 by Robert Basil

The ways Vancouver’s authorities typically address the city’s Downtown Eastside neighbourhood lie on the continuum connecting problematic to harmful. Jamming up the media is commonplace: An inquiry by B.C.’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner has found that news media … Continue reading →

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