KT Lowe

KT Lowe

It’s never too late for speculative fiction

It’s never too late for speculative fiction

, , , , books
It’s August – already!  Where did the summer go?  And you haven’t even selected your summer reading yet!  That’s okay.  Speculative fiction is ready for you no matter what time of year it is, and here’s a few picks that are sure to expand your imagination. It’s a really big world out there. But first – what is speculative fiction?  It’s a term that refers to a type of literature that, according to a quote from Robert A. Heinlein, could be described as “fiction about things that have not happened.”  Heinlein was a well-known science fiction author, with novels like Stranger in a Strange Land and Starship Troopers to his credit, and is widely considered the person who invented the … Continued
What’s a deepfake?

What’s a deepfake?

, , , Research
Seeing is believing.  That’s a truism most of us have held onto forever.  The modern version – “Pics or it didn’t happen” – only reinforces the idea that visual evidence is more honest than verbal or written evidence.  Images are intended to represent something that actually exists or once existed, and serve as a memento of a person, place, object or event.  Photographic images are supposed to be infallible and real, the promise of early photography revealed.  Deepfakes, however, challenge this idea of visual truth by presenting intentionally false video, usually on a platform that can be seen by multiple people.  These videos have the potential to skew public discourse and influence elections, much as fake news stories may have … Continued
The magic of abracadabra

The magic of abracadabra

, , , Library Resources, Uncategorized
We’ve all seen it –  a magician in a top hat waves his wand and says the magic word Abracadabra.  Poof!  A rabbit appears!  A watch is restored to perfect condition after being smashed to bits!  The woman who was sawed in two is now whole again!  Wonders are associated with this word, but what does it really mean? Abracadabra began its life as a healing spell.  It’s been traced as far back as the third century CE, when physician Quintus Serenus Sammonicus (better known as Serenus) wrote the treatise Liber Medicinalis.  This book documented, in Latin verse, numerous cures for common ailments, including the proper use of Abracadabra. The proper use of abracadabra as a healing spell. First, a … Continued
Separating Sense from Nonsense: McGill University’s Office for Science in Society

Separating Sense from Nonsense: McGill University’s Office for Science in Society

, , , Research, Website
“Science looks like magic, until you know how it works.”  That was one of the first things Dr. Joe Schwarcz said when IU East Coordinator of Library Instruction, KT Lowe, met him last month.  Dr. Schwarcz is the director of the McGill University Office for Science and Society, one of the best fake news fighting organizations in North America.  The OSS focuses primarily on the science of the everyday, busting myths about food, sunscreen, homeopathy and other quotidian things. The room where it happens. The OSS was formally established in 1999 and receives no corporate funding.  It is a formalization of Dr. Schwarcz’s work since the 1980’s, when he would speak with the media on all things science.  He and his … Continued
Poetry from Community Christian Schools

Poetry from Community Christian Schools

, Programs
For National Poetry Month, IU East Campus Library collaborated with Community Christian School for the entire month of April, to help students write their own original poetry.  On May 2nd those students, in 5th through 8th grades, delivered their poetry on campus, with rousing success. KT Lowe, who leads the program, has worked with CCS students for the past three years.  “It’s always fascinating to see what directions the students take.  Some of the work is based on video games and sports, which is pretty interesting.  There’s always poetry with a lot of humor as well.  But some of the work is also really serious, quite mature for their age,” she remarks.  “It’s always a delight to see what they … Continued