Looking over my scheduled posts for today, I see that there isn’t anything stridently political. Not wanting to shock the systems of readers still coming down off the election, let me add my voice to the chorus of ScienceBloggers expressing concern over the idea of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as head of the Environmental Protection… Continue reading RFK Jr.
Manute Bol
Former NBA player Manute Bol spoke on campus last night. Bol, who was born in southern Sudan, is currently working with a group called Sudan Sunrise to promote peace and reconciliation efforts in that country, and specifically to build a school in his home village. Bol spoke for an hour or so about his experiences… Continue reading Manute Bol
Now We Are Three (Months)
It’s SteelyKid’s three-month birthday! One quarter of a year, already. To celebrate, she shows off her developmental progress: Within the last week or so, she’s finally grasped the idea that the larger world consists of objects that she can interact with. Just this week, she’s begun to reliably grab the hanging animals in her little… Continue reading Now We Are Three (Months)
links for 2008-11-07
Kevin Drum – Mother Jones Blog: Raw Data "Which groups did Obama do especially well with? That is, which groups did he swing by margins substantially more than 9 points?" (tags: us politics math statistics social-science society) Easily Distracted » Blog Archive » Appalachia and Other Reflections "I think we can all make things just… Continue reading links for 2008-11-07
Thursday Baby Blogging 110608
For lucky Week 13, SteelyKid models an outfit from the Belichick Collection: Asked about the picture afterwards, she said “It is what it is. Right now, we’re focused on next week. We just take it one game at a time.” Well, ok, she’s not that advanced. She does, however, know what to do with a… Continue reading Thursday Baby Blogging 110608
Pop Song Super-Collider
On the way in to work this morning, I was switching through stations on the radio, and heard a bit of “Only” by Nine Inch Nails (“Only” on last.fm) followed by “Hitchin’ a Ride” by Vanity Fare (“Hitchin’ a Ride” on last.fm). I was struck by the unsettling realization that the chorus of “Only” would… Continue reading Pop Song Super-Collider
Puzzling Solar Panel Press Release
Getting back to science, at least for the moment, I was puzzled by a press release from RPI, with the eye-catching headline Solar power game-changer: ‘Near perfect’ absorption of sunlight, from all angles. The article describes work published in Optics Letters (that I haven’t been able to put my hands on yet), developing new anti-reflection… Continue reading Puzzling Solar Panel Press Release
The Kids Are Alright
I’ve seen several people linking to Andrew Gelman’s analysis of voting in the election, which is generally good and interesting. I would like to quibble about one thing he says, though. After noting that young voters overwhelmingly went for Obama, he says: But there was no massive turnout among young voters. According to the exit… Continue reading The Kids Are Alright
links for 2008-11-06
stevenberlinjohnson.com: The System Worked "We hear so often that the American political system is broken, but I think the last two years suggest that our national politics are healthier than we have been led to believe." (tags: politics us society culture blogs) Easily Distracted » Blog Archive » Dear President Santa "Here’s a Christmas wish… Continue reading links for 2008-11-06
It’s All About Timing
Slate (who, by the way, drive me up the freaking wall with their habit of giving each story about six different headlines, depending on where the link is) has hit the ground running with a panel of distinguished right-wing types discussing what the Republicans should do now. Jim Manzi gets the ball rolling with an… Continue reading It’s All About Timing