In general, what they allow folks like me to do is take what I've learned and the resources of the university and connect them to the greater society.

The lottery has become the white noise of society. It doesn't stand out as it once would have. As long as people here keep the lottery cool and don't offend the North Carolina sensibility — as long as it doesn't get tacky —I think it'll come off fairly well here.

That's what eventually pushed North Carolina over the divide. It gave Governor Easley an argument: Why should our people be paying for schools in Virginia, Georgia, Tennessee and South Carolina?

They are a way for a big university to enhance its research capacity, enhance its ability to discuss and bring together people for learning, and advancing knowledge that's not strictly classroom instruction.

You can't really class all reality shows together. For instance, 'Top Chef' is about talent and competition. 'Big Brother' is more like what happens when you get all those narcissistic personalities crammed in together... and there are limits to that.

Personally, I don't get that whole reality show thing. It was much smaller, and it's grown. It's like an epidemic. I'm still rather confused by it.