From walking, a caution first-wary
Invites retroactive quote-query
When re-punctuated:
Ideas curated
T’ward efforts cross-disciplinary.
We’ve reached July yet again, and so it’s again been fun to think about a summer series of posts that center on a common theme.
This summer, I am interested in revisiting the overlap of science and the humanities that had inspired last year’s two conference talks, looking in greater depth at my own experiences in interdisciplinary teaching over the past several years, with some more time to do so.
From walking, a caution first-wary…
This first limerick is inspired by the sign that I have often seen on a nearby trail: as shown, it reads “AVOID COLLISIONS / NO STOPPING / ON BRIDGE.”
Although the syllables used do not match this format, its three lines and evocative theme always make me think of a haiku. The text consistently reminds me of some of the challenges and opportunities in the interdisciplinary courses I teach, which bridge from chemistry to another area, such as art or literature: they are rewarding opportunities, but perpetual, thoughtful planning is vital in avoiding “collisions.”
Invites retroactive quote-query /
When re-punctuated…
Seeing the sign repeatedly over the years in its neutral presentation, I’ve often imagined a different interpretation: reading it in reverse and adding in some punctuation, creating a disciplinary crosswalk of sorts. Ultimately, use caution, but proceed: “Bridge on! Stopping? No! Collisions, avoid.” Such a read is reversed and re-punctuated, and the resulting query stems from the original quote.
(Alternatively, depending on how directly these potential interdisciplinary debates were invited, I could imagine yet another read: “Avoid collisions? No! Stopping on bridge!” I see in this version an active invitation to the beneficial challenges such conversations can bring, if approached constructively.)
The revised interpretations summarize my interest in interdisciplinary work, as well as my awareness of attendant potential “collisions.”
Ideas curated /
T’ward efforts cross-disciplinary.
Different disciplines are often portrayed “at cross-purposes,” as in the title’s referenced idiom, but it is also interesting to consider the purposeful possibility of crossing the bridges between them. These July 2025 essays will thus collate and curate some related ideas from the past several years.
Chemphasis 