As a science fiction fan, when I see a dramatic headline like Computer Flaw Could Imperil Space Station, I can’t help thinking of murderous AI’s. Sadly, the real problem is much more prosaic: The [International Space Station] depends on Russian and American computer systems to maintain the attitude of the station as it orbits the… Continue reading “Open the Pod Bay Doors, HAL”
Month: June 2007
Better Science Teaching Costs Money
Another itme from yesterday’s Inside Higher Ed that’s worth a mention is a report about a new call for improved science teacher in the public schools: The report by the Business-Higher Education Forum (BHEF) is distinguished from the many other recent reports on the subject, the forum’s leaders said, by the group’s emphasis as much… Continue reading Better Science Teaching Costs Money
Quantum Particles and Australian Teabags
His Holiness posts a YouTube video of a cartoon explanation of double-slit interference. Apparently this was made by the “What the Bleep” people, and it sort of shows in the gosh-wow tone that shades toward mysticism at the end. As always with YouTube, though, the real fun is in looking at the related videos, which… Continue reading Quantum Particles and Australian Teabags
Wake Me When You Have Something Surprising to Say
Bora’s probably already aware of this, but the annual meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies is currently underway in Minnesota. Like many professional society meeting, this has led to a giant blort of press releases on EurekAlert, as the PR office for the conference tries to drum up some attention. The press releases in… Continue reading Wake Me When You Have Something Surprising to Say
The NCAA vs. Free Speech
As regular readers of this blog know, I’m a college basketball junkie. As far as I’m concerned, the NBA is just a giant methadone program to easy me into the summer, when there aren’t any sports worth watching on tv. I’m a big fan of NCAA basketball, but I’m starting to think about how I… Continue reading The NCAA vs. Free Speech
Frequency Combs and Astrophysics
Clifford Johnson is pointing to a pair of stories about extrasolar planets. One is a news piece about the “flood” of new discoveries, and the other is a Top 10 list from space.com (warning: irritating web design). This provides a good excuse to roll out a blog suggestion from Ron Walsworth, who pointed out a… Continue reading Frequency Combs and Astrophysics
The Power of Screechy Monkeys
The current tempest in the teapot of the academic blogosphere is the stalking of Scott Eric Kaufman. John Holbo has a decent summary, with links to most of the relevant original posts. The short form is this: Scott commented negatively on the “Jesus’ General” blog about what he thought was an overreaction to a post… Continue reading The Power of Screechy Monkeys
LOL Vincit Omnia
Via the Little Professor, I learn that Geoffrey Chaucer can hath cheezburger. For many dayes ich haue desyred to maak Lolpilgrimes from the smal peyntures that Mayster Linkferste hath ymaad for my Tales of Canterburye – not oonly wolde it be a thing of muchel solaas to me, but it wolde be a good “pre… Continue reading LOL Vincit Omnia
Semi-Dorky Poll: Librarians or Libertarians?
I need to disappear into a swamp of paper grading, exam writing, and committee meetings for a while, so here’s a comment thread topic inspired by somebody else’s typo: Librarians or Libertarians? I’m not entirely sure exactly what I’m asking for– it could be “Which of these groups have done more good for humanity?” or… Continue reading Semi-Dorky Poll: Librarians or Libertarians?
No Way to Run a Poster Session
One of the few glitches in the DAMOP meeting program was the way the poster sessions were run. For those from regions of academia that don’t do poster sessions, it’s pretty much what the name implies: rather than delivering short talks about their work, the presenters in the session prepare posters describing their work, and… Continue reading No Way to Run a Poster Session