About
ABOUT
My name is Clay. I’m a writer, professor, and speaker from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Thanks for checking out my site.
I’m all about edutainment. I am endlessly fascinated, love to laugh, and guarantee unique perspectives that will make you laugh and think.
You’ll get healthy doses of pop culture references while we laugh at life and ponder the meaning of it all. I’m a Gen Xer all the way, so don’t be surprised if I sprinkle some love for the1980s and 90s around.
I usually post 3 times a week about life, culture, and education. Most of the stuff around here is light and fun, but we’ll get serious from time to time. I hope that everything you see here helps make your day go a little better.
Where did eduClaytion come from?
I love learning and have been in classrooms my entire life including teaching I’ve done at 4 colleges & universities. On the academic side I was a history and political student. They tell me I’m a master of the social sciences, but mostly I just like to observe and write about how absurd we often are.
Personally, I’m just a dork who made it. I’ll never lie to you and am honest about all the ridiculous things I’ve done and experienced. Hopefully you’ll feel better after watching my roller coaster life!
I’ve written professionally off and on for years. My first big gig came at Infinity Broadcasting where I edited and wrote for a biweekly publication. That’s where my column “EduClaytion” was born. I brought back the name when I began putzing around in the blogosphere a couple years back.
If you would like to see examples of my published work check out a couple of pieces which appeared in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
I stepped back from writing after getting the opportunity to teach college history, government, and political science in 2006. I absolutely love teaching and connecting with students of all ages. I’m never bored, discover new things every day, and am passionate about life.
I got serious about this site in the fall of 2010. Since then I’ve discovered a wonderful community of fellow writers and thinkers.
If you really want to know about me, go ahead and dig into the writing. After all, words are the windows to our souls right?
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A Few Posts For Your Viewing Pleasure:
Whether you’re visiting for the first time or already know the secret handshake you may be interested in some posts from the past that other readers have enjoyed. Consider this breakdown an eduClaytion anthology.
Personal tales because my life makes people feel better about theirs:
Don’t Forget The Toilet Paper: A Memoir
This piece got me a ton of run as WordPress selected it to be Freshly Pressed.
The Tangled Web I’ve Woven (Scenes of Humiliation Included)
Once everyone started saying I looked like a new Disney character I figured I should examine the meaning of my life through the history of my hair.
Visits With Dead People: Family Memories
I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about dead people since my family forgot me at that funeral home when I was four years old.
The Greatest Teacher I Ever Had
“There really was no one else like Ron Forsythe. Ever.”
How to Survive A Riot and Rock the G20 Summit
When world leaders and enraged protestors descended upon my city I knew I had to go in but never expected to land in the mouth of madness.
How I infiltrated the scientologists headquarters compound in Clearwater, Florida.
Please enjoy these popular faves as well:
A shocking discovery sent me to the brink of madness.
Ever wonder how modern technology would’ve affected classic movies? I have.
It’s probably not what you’re thinking.
Proof that I’m actually a professor:
The truth about cheating students and what teachers know.
Terrible Students & The Teachers Who Deal With Them
Having a little fun with slackers. This post includes the famous “What Failing Students Sound Like” video.
A Classroom Survival Guide For Teachers & Students
Here are the rules of classroom etiquette we all need to follow.
…a history professor:
The Braveheart of Robert the Bruce–Braveheart was my 27th great-grandpa. Seriously.
Every once in a while we get philosophical:
We all take turns being the person whose life is spinning out of control.
Reflections on a painful anniversary about how to overcome the damage of hurt.
Some hair metal based theology.
Memorial Day: Honoring Sacrifice
So that true heroes will not be forgotten.
Doing Small Things With Great Love
My 7 part series on social justice continues to generate discussion. You can begin here at the first part and follow the links at the end of each post from there.
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Thanks for reading! If you have any questions or comments that you would like to get to me feel free to use the Contact page.
12 Comments »
Jump into the discussion!
Life. Culture. Education.
Life as Pop Culture Professor Clay Morgan
In The Matrix, Morpheus tells Neo he can take the blue pill and go on believing whatever he wants to believe. Or he can take the red pill to stay in Wonderland and find out how deep the rabbit hole goes.
This is a red pill type site that provides information in an entertaining way. It’s about clear thinking and good writing. It’s about finding meaning amidst the absurd. It’s about humor and truth.
I’m a writer / speaker who teaches history and political courses at a couple of local colleges. Where is local, you say? Well, that would be Wonderland of course.
On topics ranging from pop culture to the meaning of life, my brain’s always poppin’. Take the red pill and unplug.
“I’m just a dork who made it” has logline potential. Love that line.
I’m always interested when people point out a particular line. Thanks for that. I’ll have to make it do something.
Love the About page, Clay, and I do believe you’ll never lie to me. Does that make me easy? Thanks for the list of your blogs. I’ll be checking them out.
Not easy at all. You know you can trust me with all those precious pop culture references.
Thanks for reading.
Hi! I found you through the Good Greatsby. I love the about page. Dorks are cool. On a side note, do you know what the true definition of a dork is?
You have a great blog.
Cheers,
Louise
Hi Louise! So glad you found me. I use the term dork in the way my older sisters have intended it for the past, um, 30 years. Not sure about the actual definition.
Nice blog! I’m a fellow Gen Xer/1980s/history/politics enthusiast, so I’m thinking I’ve come to the right place! So tell me, is it possible for me to achieve my lifelong pipe dream of being a pop culture historian? Do I have to go to school for that or could I just take a test or two to be certified, maybe send away for a degree by mailing in a few Fruity Pebbles box tops? Just wishing and hoping…
Hey, nice blog mate. Adding you to my blog roll and subscribing.
And a dork is a whale’s penis.
Because I’m all for education too
Haha, funny mate!
Clayton, I discovered you through Leanne’s blog: http://ironicmom.com/2011/03/31/search-bombing/.
You all are hilarious. Please, please, please teach me the secret handshake!!! I’m stalk…., ah, following, you now.
http://mjmonaghan.wordpress.com
Ha, thanks MJ! The handshake is a complicated formula that involved the Canadian national anthem and not actually touching each other. Glad to have you in the mix.