Linguist James Gee

Heaven and Hell in Los Angeles, But Nothing in Between

Linguist James Gee is the Mary Lou Fulton Presidential Professor of Literacy Studies at Arizona State University and an advocate for video gaming in education. Before participating in a panel on how games can transform our schools, he sat down in the Zócalo green room to talk about his bad habits—today, the word “situated”; in the past, smoking cigarettes—and why cats are better than kids.

Q:

What word or phrase do you use most often?


A:

In my academic work, I think sadly the word “situated.” Not in my regular life.


Q:

What’s the last habit you tried to kick?


A:

Probably smoking cigarettes, 35 years ago, and then I gave up kicking habits. I’ve just lived with them.


Q:

What’s your favorite thing about Los Angeles?


A:

I used to live here. My favorite thing and my least favorite thing are the same: L.A. is the only place I know where it’s either heaven or hell but never purgatory. That was good and bad.


Q:

Ask yourself a question, then answer it.


A:

When I was younger I could answer any question, but in my old age I’ve discovered I don’t know the answers to anything. So I’ve begun writing poetry, which is a sure sign I’m near death.


Q:

What don’t people get about Arizona?


A:

I think they understand Arizona. I guess what they don’t get is that it’s not just a right-wing kook place. It used to have libertarians, and something in the water turned them into right-wing kooks. The good thing is, the water’s going away.


Q:

What do you eat for breakfast?


A:

Berries, but now I eat a muffin.


Q:

Where do you go to be alone?


A:

I never am alone. I am only with my mate, Betty, and I’m always with her, and I avoid other people—if I can. And I have nine cats—I’m with them. They’re much better than my children.


Q:

What don’t you leave home without?


A:

Probably despair.


Q:

Do you have any superstitions?


A:

I don’t like anything with a lot of sixes in it.


Q:

Where would we find you at 9:00 on a typical Friday night?


A:

You’d find me playing a video game.