A L S O_ T O D A Y

Debunking the myths of the Puritans
By Maria Russo
A revisionist argues that historians have turned the authoritarian, conformist Puritans into reflections of themselves

Comics
Keith Knight: "Star Trek" trailer trash

T A B L E_ T A L K

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R E C E N T L Y

It's all about parties -- and the bottom line
By Jason Zinoman
Every year the Radcliffe Publishing Course inducts another group of recent graduates into the glamour and drudgery of publishing
(11/23/98)

The breakdown of consciousness
By Paige Arthur
Confronted by the discoveries of artificial intelligence, some philosophers are questioning the very minds that keep their profession afloat
(11/20/98)

Historiographic revisionism
By Christopher Shea
DNA evidence shows that Jefferson fathered at least one of Sally Hemings' children, and his academic defenders are scurrying to cover their tracks
(11/18/98)

What do Jefferson and Clinton have in common (besides randiness)?
By Christopher Hitchens
Answer: They're both protected by a group of credulous historians
(11/18/98)

Camille on Campus
By Camille Paglia
Allan and Harold Bloom dared to buck the conformity and cowardice of the academy
(11/18/98)

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---------------

---------When my favorite professor revealed that he was human, too,
------------------I knew I'd never look at him the same way again.

"Stop by anytime, I'm always there," my favorite professor told me when I couldn't make it to his regular office hours. So, late that afternoon, after most people had left campus for the day, I found the building and room number he'd typed on the syllabus: Sci170. The door was locked. I checked the number again, saw my professor's name printed on the door and figured he'd probably stepped out for a minute. Renowned professors pee, too, I thought. I sat on the floor in the empty hallway and waited.

That's when I heard hushed voices coming from behind the door across the hall. I couldn't make out entire sentences at first, but then the voices sounded more urgent and the volume rose slightly. I picked up snippets of conversation:

"She started it, I ..."

"It doesn't matter who ..."

"If I'd known you'd react this way, I never would have told ..."

"How do you expect me to ..."

"I just thought, Jim, that you'd understand ..."

"Understand that your student blew you in your office?!"

"Would you keep your voice down?"

"Everyone's gone by now ..."

"Look, I know it's wrong, it'll never happen again ..."

"You have to swear it won't, because if it does ..."

"Can we talk about this later?"

"You mean at night, with your wife in the other room?"

"Don't be cruel, Jim. I have an exam to write ..."

Feeling eerily like Linda Tripp, I decided I didn't want to hear any more and quickly stood up to leave. When I reached the end of the hallway, I peered around the corner and saw my professor walking back into his office. Tiptoeing out of the building, I hoped he'd forgotten about my request to stop by for help.

N E X T_ P A G E .|. What did that wink mean?