Measurement essays, non-pipes, and a visual poem

Back in February, I wrote an essay entitled "On measurement in Computer Science." This was an invited piece for a student's honors project—a collection of essays from a variety of perspectives on the theme of measurement. I am pleased to report that the student—Rebecca Jackson—has completed her collection and her honors thesis. The collection is This Is Not a Pipe: Essays on Man as the Measurer of All Things, available online via ISSUU. Her thesis comprises both the collection and an author's statement, and like all Honors theses, it is available through Bracken Library.

Rebecca was kind enough to send me my own personal copy:

Cracking it open, I was pleased to see the illustrious company that my essay kept: essays by some of my favorite people on campus, including John Emert (Math), Patrick Collier (English), and Melinda Messineo (Sociology). Clearly, Rebecca has good taste in essayists.

Rebecca also included a thoughtful personal note thanking me for my contribution. When I opened the card, this loose sheet fell out:

At the end of the note, Rebecca mentioned that she included a visual poem that was inspired by my essay. Truly, this is one of the greatest gifts I have received.

Also, when I was opening the envelope, I sliced my thumb somehow. "What is this marking on the envelope?" I wondered. "Oh, it's my blood." This led to the discovery that my departmental office does not have the first aid kit that everyone thought it did. My friends in the Math department down the hall were happy to provide me with a small bandage, and I think this prompted my department staff to order a first aid kit of our own—so I guess it all turned out for the best.