Jet lag often gives me the opportunity to see Shanghai bright and early at 5:30 a.m. Urban living consists of scattered family members still dressed in cartoon animal pajamas sitting on small plastic chairs, slurping their breakfast noodles over worn wooden tables, as well as people emptying their chamber pots into public toilets.
Recently, I came across an interesting piece of graffiti artwork in a Langson Library bathroom. It read, "Honey, why are you writing on bathroom walls? I didn't pay $30,000 a year for this! Get back to work! Love, mom. P.S. Call me often. P.P.S. Clean up your room!"
During office hours, a conservative professor explains to his students that Senator John McCain, a Vietnam War veteran, may be the best candidate to negotiate and make peace as president. A liberal professor cracks a joke at the expense of conservatives. To what extent (if any) should a professor express his or her own views?
