Back in August, somebody from Night Shade Books contacted me and asked if I would like a review copy of the forthcoming book by Nathalie Mallet, The Princes of the Golden Cage. I almost never turn down free books, so I said yes (actually, both Kate and I were contacted, and she replied first, so… Continue reading Nathalie Mallet, The Princes of the Golden Cage [Library of Babel]
Kooks With Prestigious Prizes
The Times today has an article on famous scientists who have nutty ideas, inspired by the James Watson kerfuffle of the last couple of weeks. Of course, they had to mention at least one kooky physicist, leading to this wonderful set of paragraphs: Sometimes the wandering from one’s home turf extends all the way to… Continue reading Kooks With Prestigious Prizes
links for 2007-10-28
NIST demos industrial-grade nanowire device fabrication A method that produces nanowires in specific places with specific orientations. (tags: physics materials experiment science news) Video shows buckyballs form by ‘shrink wrapping’ Graphits sheets wrap around and shed pieces, eventually leaving a sphere. With obligatory YouTube link. (tags: materials physics experiment science news youtube) American kids, dumber… Continue reading links for 2007-10-28
Physics of Engine Repair
Via Physics Buzz, a Mechanical Aptitude Test for diesel technicians. It’s fifty basic physics questions, covering a wide range of material from introductory physics: basic concepts of force and torque, a little bit of electrical circuits, and even some thermodynamics. I got 45/50, which is a passing score. I suspect that I bombed the handful… Continue reading Physics of Engine Repair
Scary Movie “Meme”
Bora has tagged me, and nagged me in comments for this “Happy Hallowmeme” thing where people post links to clips from their favorite scary movies. The problem with this is that I really don’t have that much interest in horror in general, or scary movies specifically. I do, however, retain some affection for 80’s cheese,… Continue reading Scary Movie “Meme”
links for 2007-10-27
slacktivist: Gay-hatin’ Gospel (pt. 4) Blogdom’s best writer on religion and politics continues his series on why evangelicals are so hostile to gays. (tags: religion society politics gender) It Is Written – Books & Culture Christianity Today reviews The Year of Living Biblically (tags: culture religion books review society) Casimir Forces between Arbitrary Compact Objects… Continue reading links for 2007-10-27
Libertarians Are Cheap Bastards
They’re too cheap even to donate to DonorsChoose, and– Oh. Wait. They are, aren’t they? This is the worst fundraising idea ever.
DonorsChoose Payoff: Sporting Superiority
As part of the “Buy This Blog” incentive for the DonorsChoose fundraiser, Ewan McNay asks for a post on the superiority of Commonwealth sports (cricket, football) over the US-favoured kind (baseball, american football) ;-). Oh, OK, then; I’ll setle for cricket. Cricket? You want me to talk up cricket? The best I can do is… Continue reading DonorsChoose Payoff: Sporting Superiority
Quantum Consciousness and the Penrose Fallacy
Over at Neurophilosophy, Mo links to an article by a physicist, posted on the arxiv, that claims to explain visual perceptions using quantum mechanics: A theory of the process of perception is presented based on von Neumann’s quantum theory of measurement and conscious observation. Conscious events that occur are identified with the quantum mechanical “collapses”… Continue reading Quantum Consciousness and the Penrose Fallacy
links for 2007-10-26
Jobs, News and Views for All of Higher Education – Inside Higher Ed :: ‘Inside Greek U.’ Surprisingly sensible comments about a new book on fraternities and sororities (tags: academia education books) Books: The Musical Mystique “The discourse supporting classical music so reeks of historical blindness and sanctimonious self-regard as to render the object of… Continue reading links for 2007-10-26