I’m beat, and I have a ton of stuff to do today, so here’s some seasonally-appropriate filler. I spent a while in a big chain bookstore’s cafe area yesterday, doing some edits on the book-in-progress (I can’t do this effectively anywhere where I have Internet access), and was stuck listening to some sort of “quirky”… Continue reading Christmas Songs That Don’t Suck, 2008
links for 2008-12-11
Water confirmed on distant planet – physicsworld.com Any lingering doubts about whether water exists on a planet orbiting a star 63 light years away have been quashed by astronomers in the US. The team measured infrared light emitted by the planet, known as HD 189733b, and found distinct spectral features that, they say, can be… Continue reading links for 2008-12-11
Change Physicists Can Believe In
Cosmic Variance (among others) reports that 1997 Nobel Laureate in Physics Steve Chu will be the next Secretary of Energy. Sean gives a good run-down of the many reasons why this is a Good Thing. Like Sean, I’ve met Chu in person. Unlike Sean, my one meeting with him doesn’t shed any light on anything.
Teachers, Quarterbacks, and Markets
Will Wilkinson has some comments about an article by Malcolm Gladwell from The New Yorker. I basically agree with him about Gladwell, but I’m bothered by the last paragraph: Now, there’s no point in saying things that will make your readers think you are an evilcrazy person, so I can understand why Gladwell wastes words… Continue reading Teachers, Quarterbacks, and Markets
Official Neil B Quantum Measurement Thread
I’m a little cranky after a day of reviewing grant proposals, so it’s possible that I’m overreacting. But commenter Neil B has been banging on about quantum measurement for weeks, including not one, not two, but three lengthy comments in Tuesday’s dog post. For that reason, I am declaring this post’s comments section to be… Continue reading Official Neil B Quantum Measurement Thread
links for 2008-12-10
Swans on Tea » The Migration and Herding Tendencies of Tools "Tools are routinely used and then set aside on the most convenient unoccupied flat surface, after which they are shuffled around to create more unoccupied surface area, which eventually obscures some of the items that have been piled up. Murphy’s law dictates the most… Continue reading links for 2008-12-10
Four Months
SteelyKid turned four months on Sunday, and thus went in for a four-month check-up today. Since I’m sure you’re all dying to know her progress, here’s the OBGraph: She’s one ounce shy of 14lbs, putting her in the 55th percentile for her age. She’s now 25.5 inches in length, up from her initial 20, which… Continue reading Four Months
The Law of Burger Attraction
I’m sitting at the dining room table eating lunch, when I get the feeling of being watched. I look around, and see the dog across the room, curled up on her pillows staring at me. She’s quietly chanting to herself “I get stuff. I get stuff. I get stuff.” “You’re not trying that hypnosis thing… Continue reading The Law of Burger Attraction
links for 2008-12-09
Hope in a box: The A.V. Club’s guide to holiday gifts for the new era of good feelings | The A.V. Club "Words like "need" or "necessary" lose all meaning around Christmas, even when the economy is collapsing. For example, does anyone actually need a flexible plastic case to prevent their bananas from getting bruised?… Continue reading links for 2008-12-09
What to Do About Science and the Public
In comments to last week’s rant about the low esteem in which science is held, taffe writes: Ok then, what should scientists be doing, individually or as a community? Maybe the masses just plain find political info more interesting. I mean hell, you had to use dog fans as a hook for your popular book,… Continue reading What to Do About Science and the Public