Kevin Drum is pondering the economy: A few days ago, in passing, I remarked that I was impressed (surprised?) by the ability of our economy to absorb so much catastrophe in such a short time without things being even worse than they are. What accounts for this? He goes on to quote part of a… Continue reading It’s the Stupid Economy
Author: Chad Orzel
Pop Culture Interlude
1) I see that as a SF fan with a blog, I am contractually obligated to say something about Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog. Enh. It’s well-done, but I’m not that much of a Whedon fanboy, and the hapless villain conceit isn’t enough to get past the fact that I don’t really like musicals. 2) The… Continue reading Pop Culture Interlude
links for 2008-07-19
Purdue Panel Finds Misconduct by Fusion Scientist – NYTimes.com Expect a lawsuit in 3… 2… (tags: physics science fraud ethics energy experiment academia stupid) slacktivist: L.B.: Pistol-packing pacifist “As Alice discovered in Wonderland, this kind of confident, reassured madness can be difficult to engage.” (tags: religion review books stupid politics US)
Physics Magazine
On a happier note than the previous post, the American Physical Society has launched a new publication, called simply “Physics.” The goal is “to highlight exceptional papers within the body of excellent research that the American Physical Society publishes each year in all of the Physical Review journals.” The first issue features a really good… Continue reading Physics Magazine
Joe Bageant, Deer Hunting With Jesus [Library of Babel]
Yesterday, I had an appointment at the local orthopedic associates to get my dislocated thumb looked at. The receptionist escorted me to a curtained-off corner of a big room, where I got to spend ten or fifteen minutes listening to the physician’s assistant on call dealing with other patients. One of them, a women distressingly… Continue reading Joe Bageant, Deer Hunting With Jesus [Library of Babel]
links for 2008-07-18
Kieran Healy’s Weblog – Elementary Particles “Particle physics has been in the doldrums a bit lately, so they could do with some interdisciplinary reinvigoration. Also, their research budgets remain quite large.” (tags: social-science silly physics blogs) Crooked Timber » » Necrotrends: The GOP Was The Party of Civil Rights “So long as political considerations are… Continue reading links for 2008-07-18
links for 2008-07-17
Bush Lifts Offshore Drilling Ban | The Onion – America’s Finest News Source “Is there a ban on printing more money? If so he should lift that too and fix the economy while he’s at it.” (tags: silly environment energy politics)
Owie, Owie, Owie
The comically large cast/splint thing is the result of dislocating my thumb playing hoops at lunch today. Let me just note that looking down to see one of my major joints bending in the wrong place was not what you would call a highlight. And once was enough, thankyewverymuch, at least for this lifetime. I… Continue reading Owie, Owie, Owie
The Verizon Saga
Back when we bought the house, Kate’s parents were having miserable problems with their cable Internet service– at peak times, the real bit rate went down so far that it was impossible to get anywhere– so we opted for DSL service. Five years later, we still have DSL, and even the same modem. When we… Continue reading The Verizon Saga
An Ethical Dialogue
Just before we turn the corner, a woman goes jogging past with a Golden Retriever. As we continue on our way, I can hear the Doberman three houses up barking at them as they go past. The windows muffle the sound, but I can make out a bit of it. “Get offa my lawn! Gonna… Continue reading An Ethical Dialogue