In which I discuss the manner in which and the degree to which Twitter is ruining the media. ———— Yesterday, Kevin Drum posted saying that Twitter is ruining political journalism, calling out its role in solidifying media groupthink before events are even completed. That seemed like a pretty good criticism to me, but like a… Continue reading Twitter-Induced Degradation
Month: October 2012
Science Bloggers for Students 2012
I’m barely keeping my head above water with the day job at the moment, so I’m a bit behind the curve on this. It’s October, though, which means it’s time for a DonorsChoose fundraiser. If you’ve been following this blog for any length of time, you’ve seen a few of these. If not, there’s too… Continue reading Science Bloggers for Students 2012
Conceptual Physics Costumes for Halloween
For various reasons I can’t talk about, I’m not in a good mental place for deep and thoughtful blogging just at the moment. But prompted by yesterday’s Surviving the World, I’ll revisit a past post topic, and suggest some abstract ideas you could dress as for Halloween, if you’re so inclined. The Doppler Effect: Wear… Continue reading Conceptual Physics Costumes for Halloween
Links for 2012-10-19
In which we look at commemorating an important anniversary, an unusual way to publish more articles, one of the best discussions of fraternities and sororities I’ve seen, an article calling for more flexibility in academia, and a bit of political silliness. ———— Emilio Segrè Visual Archives “Niels Bohr’s atomic model has had an immense impact… Continue reading Links for 2012-10-19
Science Is Our Human Heritage
In which I get a little rant-y about yet another proud display of ignorance from the Washington Post’s education blog. ———— Some time back, I teed off on a school board member who couldn’t pass a simple math test, who proudly told the world about his ignorance via a post at the Washington Post‘s education… Continue reading Science Is Our Human Heritage
Quantum Computing and Chess Problems
In which I steal an analogy from Joe Emerson to explain the limits of quantum computing. ———— As previously noted, a couple of weeks ago I went to Canada for the opening of the University of Waterloo’s new Quantum Nano Center (their photo gallery includes one picture of me being interviewed, along with lots of… Continue reading Quantum Computing and Chess Problems
Congratulations to Roth and Shapley and John Novak
The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel has just been announced, and goes to Alvin E. Roth and Lloyd S. Shapley “for the theory of stable allocations and the practice of market design.” I know basically nothing about these guys, but I assume they’ve earned their Sveriges Riksbank Prize, so… Continue reading Congratulations to Roth and Shapley and John Novak
Gandalf Was Wrong: Spectroscopy and The Lord of the Rings
It’s a banner day for science explainer things I wrote, as a piece I wrote has just gone live at Tor.com: Why Gandalf Is Wrong Even as a kid, reading J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings at the golden age of twelve or so, Gandalf’s response to Saruman never sat well with… Continue reading Gandalf Was Wrong: Spectroscopy and The Lord of the Rings
What’s So Interesting About Single Quantum Systems? Physics Nobel 2012
In which we do a little imaginary Q&A to explain the significance of Tuesday’s Nobel Prize to Dave Wineland and Serge Haroche. ———— I did a quick post Tuesday morning noting that the latest Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to two big names from my corner of the field. This would’ve been a great… Continue reading What’s So Interesting About Single Quantum Systems? Physics Nobel 2012
Congratulations to Dave Wineland, Serge Haroche, and KSC
The 2012 Nobel Prize in Physics was announced this morning, going to Serge Haroche and Dave Wineland, “for ground-breaking experimental methods that enable measuring and manipulation of individual quantum systems”. This isn’t a pair that was getting much love from the prognosticators, but they’re an excellent choice. And, in fact, commenter KSC correctly picked Wineland… Continue reading Congratulations to Dave Wineland, Serge Haroche, and KSC