by Christopher Dean, Will Hochman, Carra Hood, and Robert McEachern

INTRODUCTION: Node II
By Will Hochman

Since l986, technology has changed my teaching, constantly bouncing me between the paradox of helping me, hurting me, and creating more of a need to help others. "Me And My Uncle," a song the Grateful Dead played often, helps illustrate how learning and human nature converge in both enriching and hurtful ways. I include it here to keep us wary of what it means to teach in a wireless laptop classroom.

Me And My Uncle (Click on the link to the left to go to a live Grateful Dead set that includes "Me and My Uncle")

Music and Lyrics by John Phillips
Published by Honest John Music (BMI)

Me and my uncle went riding down
South Colorado, West Texas bound
We stopped over in Santa Fe
That being the point just about half way
And you know it was the hottest part of the day

I took the horses up to the stall
Went to the bar-room, ordered drinks for all
Three days in the saddle, you know my body hurt
It being summer, I took off my shirt
And I tried to wash off some of that dusty dirt

West Texas cowboys, they's all around
Weed, liquor and money, they're loaded down
So soon after pay day, you know it seemed a shame
You know my uncle, he starts a friendly game
Hi-lo jacks and the winner take the hand

My uncle starts winning, cowboys got sore
One of them called him, and then two more
Accused him of cheating, well no it couldn't be
I know my uncle, he's as honest as me
And I'm as honest as a Denver man can be

One of them cowboys, he starts to draw
Well I shot him down, Lord, he never saw
Shot me another, hot damn he won't grow old
In the confusion my uncle grabbed the gold
And we high-tailed it down to Mexico

Now I love those cowboys, I love their gold
I love my uncle, God rest his soul
Taught me good, Lord, taught me all I know
Taught me so well, I grabbed that gold
And I left his dead ass there by the side of the road

Node Three of the Introduction