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Back from summerschool, there is one important question that kept rotating inside my head but nobody would really get deeper into explaining about it. As you know, this year’s summerschool has taken place in Macedonia, a republic of former Yugoslavia. Now if you haven’t been completely asleep for the last 15 years, you will remember something like ongoing news reports about some armed conflicts in the balkan states. The conflict lasted from mid-nineties up until 2001, Macedonia being one of the last countries to find peace. Take a look at the map:

Polog and the southwestern territories share their border with Albania in the west. In the north the country is bordered by Kosovo, and to the northeast it’s Serbia . Left to mention Bulgaria (east) and Greece (south). Anyway, simply put, Albania started to dispute Macedonia’s territory in 2001, and as a consequence the Albanian minority in Macedonia was attacked by civil riotists. Most north and western parts of the country were in upheaval (war), including the region where our beloved summerschool has taken place. Due to the lake, putting distance between Macodonia and Albania, however, there were only minor incidents.

In my opinion it is important to be aware of such things. We walked the streets of a battered country.

So, I managed to get to Macedonia in one piece and am now at the PPE Summerschool 2008. PPE stands for Prolearn, Palette, and EATEL. The 2 latter ones being the (EU ?) projects actively supporting the summerschooling activities, the former one being the original project that started out all the summerschooling. Having been here since 2 days now, i have had the chancs to intense discussions with the other participants. For example with Ambjörn, discussing the socio-scientific problem of “knowledge emulation”, which is generated through the everlasting fight for social influence and inside the scientific community just like in every other resort. One of the effects is the “ivory tower” phenomenon, i.e. building of stronghold institutions that only let people participate if they submit to completely incomprehensive and volatile conventions, like specific jargon type and so on. An effect that , by the way, can even be noticed slightly right here, in the summerschool.

The surrounding conditions, anyway, are really great and there is already a lot of photo material that has been uploaded to flickr. Check out the picture repository and get an impression. It looks very holidayisch, but most pictures actually were taken in the weekend so far.  Right now things are in fact quite busy, sitting in lectures, and preparing interesting things to be presented on thursday afternoon at the same time.

So much for now, more news shortly.

Well. The next big hit is just about to happen. Prolearn Summerschool 2008 is looming ahead.
I managed to be a lecturer again (like last time), which gives me the honour to be listed at eye-level among exclusive and illuster professors, who are more seasoned and powerful than myself.

That’s what THEY think. However in reality I will be quite powerful indeed, too. I am in charge of a workshop regarding user acceptance of TEL paradigms. That means, together with other nifty PhD-students we will make sure to properly critizise all content of all other workshops at the Summerschool. It will be an onslaught of pure interpersonated nastiness. Well… whatsoever. The ways to glory lead through darkness.

Another funny thing I am thinking of is that Macedonia is probably the country that inspired the famous Comicbook Author Hergé to the creation of the fictive country Syldavia in his famous Tintin stories. This will be fun!

Mille millions de mille milliards de mille sabords!!!!!

The deed is done. I just arrived at my destination a couple of minutes ago. This Naduurfrijndehuis here seems quite fine and they gave me a large room where I can spread my stuff. I will make some pictures and upload them. But now I have to head out again and find some food.