“A” asks: Given the chance, would you take a job at a major research-university, or do you enjoy teaching a lot and doing some research at your small liberal arts college? My first answer is “no,” though I guess it would depend on the terms of the offer. In general terms, though, I’m very happy… Continue reading Uncomfortable Questions: Research University
Author: Chad Orzel
Uncomfortable Questions: Spitzer
Eric Lund asks: Do you have any comments on the Eliot Spitzer scandal/resignation? Nothing original, which is why I haven’t commented. I had the same “what he said” reaction as most people who linked to August J. Pollak, but I didn’t think that was worth a post.
Arthur C. Clarke, RIP
As approximately six billion other blogs have noted, Arthur C. Clarke is dead. His obit in the Times runs to three pages, which is a good indicator of just how long and distinguished his life was. My initial reaction is similar to Matt McIrvin’s: it feels like the passing of an age. Bradbury and Pohl… Continue reading Arthur C. Clarke, RIP
links for 2008-03-19
First-ever spring break quidditch tour March 22-29 The Middlebury Quidditch Club hits the road. (tags: academia books sports silly SF) Tenure, the Movie :: Inside Higher Ed :: Higher Education’s Source for News, and Views and Jobs “I’m not sure how much I’ll expect accuracy out of a Luke Wilson comedy about my profession,” he… Continue reading links for 2008-03-19
Plot Synopsis Project, and the Problem with LiveJournal
Joshua Palmatier, whose first two books I enjoyed, and probably ought to booklog, has organized the “Plot Synopsis Project,” in which a bunch of published SF authors post copies of the plot synopses they sent with their successful novel pitches, and talk about the writing process. Most of them have lists of the participants posted,… Continue reading Plot Synopsis Project, and the Problem with LiveJournal
Uncomfortable Questions: Church Wedding
Adrienne asks: Why, when you apparently are an agnostic or atheist, did you get married in a church? And are you going to baptize your baby? Raise him/her in a religious framework? Now, here’s a nice volatile question… Why did we get married in a church? Because religion is more than just superstition and mythology.… Continue reading Uncomfortable Questions: Church Wedding
Uncomfortable Questions: Why No Cat?
chezjake asks: OK, try this one on for size. Do you have a bias against cats? We know that you have Emmy, and therefore you like dogs, but is there a reason you don’t also have a cat? Well, the main reason we don’t have a cat is that we have Emmy. She divides the… Continue reading Uncomfortable Questions: Why No Cat?
Uncomfortable Questions: Rugby Blogging
J-Dog asks: So, how come you don’t blog more about Rugby? Because it’s not on tv regularly, and I can’t blog about sporting events that I don’t see. This is a persistent source of irritation, though. For example, Wales just won the Six Nations, and the only mention of it I’ve seen on the “Worldwide… Continue reading Uncomfortable Questions: Rugby Blogging
Uncomfortable Questions: Particle Physics
Stephen asks: Why do you try to hide your secret desire to be a high-energy particle physicist? Heh. Seriously, honestly, I have no desire whatsoever to be a high-energy particle physicist. I wish I had a somewhat better understanding of particle physics, becuase that way I would have an easier time reading a lot of… Continue reading Uncomfortable Questions: Particle Physics
Women of AMO Physics
Via Steinn, a “meme” asking people to name women in science: Rules: 1. You can’t choose people from your own institution or company. 2. You can’t google or use the internet to aid in your search. (But if you know someone is a scientist, but not sure what disciple, you can look that up). 3.… Continue reading Women of AMO Physics