As much fun as I have making lectures, I enjoy interacting with my students even more. I am always happy to respond to your questions by email, but I would also like to create an environment in which I could hold broader and more open discussions with more of you, as a kind of virtual office hours or discussion section.
Someday, I hope to create a discussion forum here on this site that will serve that purpose. In the meantime, I am delighted to provide a fun and dynamic temporary home for my online office hours, thanks to the generosity and hospitality of the Lord of the Rings Fanatics Plaza. The Plaza is one of the premier Tolkien fan sites in the world, and it hosts a vibrant community of Tolkien enthusiasts from around the world. I have been very impressed by the maturity, the courtesy, and the intellectual earnestness of their discussions, and I am glad to partner with them.
Anyone may view the discussion at any time, but to post a message you will have to go through the Plaza's quick, free membership process.