Will Wilkinson has some comments about an article by Malcolm Gladwell from The New Yorker. I basically agree with him about Gladwell, but I’m bothered by the last paragraph: Now, there’s no point in saying things that will make your readers think you are an evilcrazy person, so I can understand why Gladwell wastes words… Continue reading Teachers, Quarterbacks, and Markets
Month: December 2008
Official Neil B Quantum Measurement Thread
I’m a little cranky after a day of reviewing grant proposals, so it’s possible that I’m overreacting. But commenter Neil B has been banging on about quantum measurement for weeks, including not one, not two, but three lengthy comments in Tuesday’s dog post. For that reason, I am declaring this post’s comments section to be… Continue reading Official Neil B Quantum Measurement Thread
links for 2008-12-10
Swans on Tea » The Migration and Herding Tendencies of Tools "Tools are routinely used and then set aside on the most convenient unoccupied flat surface, after which they are shuffled around to create more unoccupied surface area, which eventually obscures some of the items that have been piled up. Murphy’s law dictates the most… Continue reading links for 2008-12-10
Four Months
SteelyKid turned four months on Sunday, and thus went in for a four-month check-up today. Since I’m sure you’re all dying to know her progress, here’s the OBGraph: She’s one ounce shy of 14lbs, putting her in the 55th percentile for her age. She’s now 25.5 inches in length, up from her initial 20, which… Continue reading Four Months
The Law of Burger Attraction
I’m sitting at the dining room table eating lunch, when I get the feeling of being watched. I look around, and see the dog across the room, curled up on her pillows staring at me. She’s quietly chanting to herself “I get stuff. I get stuff. I get stuff.” “You’re not trying that hypnosis thing… Continue reading The Law of Burger Attraction
links for 2008-12-09
Hope in a box: The A.V. Club’s guide to holiday gifts for the new era of good feelings | The A.V. Club "Words like "need" or "necessary" lose all meaning around Christmas, even when the economy is collapsing. For example, does anyone actually need a flexible plastic case to prevent their bananas from getting bruised?… Continue reading links for 2008-12-09
What to Do About Science and the Public
In comments to last week’s rant about the low esteem in which science is held, taffe writes: Ok then, what should scientists be doing, individually or as a community? Maybe the masses just plain find political info more interesting. I mean hell, you had to use dog fans as a hook for your popular book,… Continue reading What to Do About Science and the Public
The Age of Entanglement by Louisa Gilder
I made a run to the library last week on one of the days I was home with SteelyKid, as an excuse to get out of the house for a little while. I picked up three books: Counterknowledge, The Devil’s Eye by Jack McDevitt (an Antiquities Dealers Innnnn Spaaaaaace novel, and a good example of… Continue reading The Age of Entanglement by Louisa Gilder
NFL Notes
SteelyKid was kind of fussy for the early part of the afternoon, and my Giants lost. It’s hard to say whether she was fussy for reasons of her own, or just picking up on my irritation at the Giants’ lousy play. In any case, the correlation between Happy Baby and football victories remains intact– she… Continue reading NFL Notes
links for 2008-12-08
Holiday Guide 2008: Gifts – Best Books of 2008 (washingtonpost.com) Only three science books, but at least they have a Science category. (tags: books review science society culture) Mike the Mad Biologist : Framing Good Transit Policy Poorly: The Efficiency Argument "I don’t like the subsidizing of the ‘burbs by the urbs either, but, if… Continue reading links for 2008-12-08