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
Blog Table Discussion with Puff the Mutant Dragon (part II)
In which we have the next round of the conversation with Puff the Mutant Dragon. Previous entries here and there. ———— Amusingly, your post was singled out for high praise in the Knight Science Journalism Tracker review of the book. Probably because Deborah Blum, who wrote it, wrote a book about poisons, so the topic… Continue reading Blog Table Discussion with Puff the Mutant Dragon (part II)
Entangled in the Past: “Entanglement Between Photons that have Never Coexisted”
In which we do a little ResearchBlogging to look at a new paper about weird quantum effects, entangling two photons that never both exist at the same time. ———— I’m teaching full-time this term, but I’ve blocked out Thursdays as a day when I don’t do class- or chair-related work. Usually, this means trying to… Continue reading Entangled in the Past: “Entanglement Between Photons that have Never Coexisted”
Links for 2012-10-05
In which Heinlein helps out a friend, new Trek turns 25, the future isn’t what it used to be, skeptics see a chupacabra, Star Wars characters can’t read, and Frank Turner is brutally honest about John Lennon’s worst famous song. ———— British folksinger Frank Turner on why he hates John Lennon’s “Imagine” | Music |… Continue reading Links for 2012-10-05