peake: What you won’t read "Nevertheless, just possibly because of my own slight interest in the outcome, I have been following the responses to this yearâs shortlists [for the Hugo and other SF awards] rather more intently than I might otherwise. And I have been struck by a number of observations. Nothing earth shattering about… Continue reading links for 2009-04-05
Month: April 2009
Physics for Kindergarteners
The monthly Sigma Xi email newsletter for April included a link to Magic World Media, a new company producing children’s books about science: Magic World Media was founded in 2008 by scientists in order to offer children a view into the mysterious ways of life and the universe through books and other forms of media.… Continue reading Physics for Kindergarteners
Restoring the Office of Technology Assessment to Its Rightful Place
Over at his new digs, Chris Mooney talks about efforts to re-launch the OTA: I’m starting to detect some buzz on this very important front, which I wrote about in detail in 2005’s The Republican War on Science and elsewhere. Basically, the story is this: In 1995 the Gingrich Republicans, looking to slash budgets–and looking… Continue reading Restoring the Office of Technology Assessment to Its Rightful Place
links for 2009-04-04
â¦My heartâs in Accra » From protest to collaboration: Paul Simonâs âGracelandâ and lessons for xenophiles A great post about one of the most successful cultural appropriations ever. (tags: politics culture music history world zuckerman) Career Advice: Check It Out by Checking It Off – Inside Higher Ed "Before you assign an essay three things… Continue reading links for 2009-04-04
How Much Information Is Too Much Information?
In the wake of the Virginia Tech shootings, we instituted a complicated emergency alert system, involving sirens, loudspeakers, text messages, and emails. The whole thing gets tested far more frequently than it really needs to– every few weeks, we get a barrage of emails warning us that a test is coming up, then another barrage… Continue reading How Much Information Is Too Much Information?
Happy News Open Thread
My friend Paul, this blog’s Official Middle East Correspondent, and his wife, Helen, just had a baby, which they (well, he) announced to the world via the new tradition of changing his Facebook status message. Paul, Helen, and baby Ray are all healthy and unironically happy, so congratulations to the whole family. And on that… Continue reading Happy News Open Thread
Sleepy Baby Blogging 040309
Shhhh! Stop reading so loudly! You’ll wake the baby: It’s been a while since we had a sleeping baby picture of the week, and conveniently enough, SteelyKid slept late this morning. So there you go.
links for 2009-04-03
Why Advertising Is Failing On The Internet "My basic premise is that the internet is not replacing advertising but shattering it, and all the kingâs horses, all the kingâs men, and all the creative talent of Madison Avenue cannot put it together again." (tags: economics society culture internet advertising business media) Views: Monsters With Constituencies… Continue reading links for 2009-04-03
Physics Communication Strategies
Physics World this month has a nice article by Robert Crease on the strategies used in popular physics books, drawing on a study of popular books by Elizabeth Leane (Reading Popular Physics, much of which is available via Google Books). He talks about three different strategies that she identifies, and how they’re employed in different… Continue reading Physics Communication Strategies
Up for Adoption
The spring round of the Adopt-a-Physicist outreach program will begin soon. I did this in the Fall, and it was a good experience, so I’ve registered myself again. The program pairs volunteer physicists with high school classes, and provides a web forum in which students can ask questions about physics and careers in physics. Back… Continue reading Up for Adoption