A continuation of the lecture transcription/ working out of idea for Boskone that I started in the previous post. There’s a greater chance that I say something stupid about quantum measurement in this part, but you’ll have to look below the fold to find out…
Notes Toward “Weird Quantum Phenomenon”
I’m teaching our sophomore-level modern physics course this term, which goes by the title “Relativity, Quantum Mechanics, and Their Applications.” The first mid-term was a couple of weeks ago, on Relativity (special, not general), and the second mid-term is tomorrow, on Quantum Mechanics, and then we get three weeks of applications (basically, whatever topics out… Continue reading Notes Toward “Weird Quantum Phenomenon”
Inordinately Fond of Beetles
In case you’ve ever found yourself longing for a math/physics version of J.B.S. Haldane, Scott Aaronson ponders the nature of God.
Top Eleven: Rudolf Moessbauer
The penultimate experiment in the Top Eleven brings us up to the first nominee who’s still with us.. Who: Rudolf Moessbauer (1929-present) (that’s Mössbauer with a heavy-metal ö), a German physicist. (The Wikipedia link is for consistency with the other posts, but contains very little information. A better bio is available from the Nobel Prize… Continue reading Top Eleven: Rudolf Moessbauer
Next Time, Hit It With a Rock
Like PZ, I wasn’t going to mention the whole “Cheney shoots another hunter” thing, because that is, after all, part of the sport of hunting. And while I don’t personally hunt (I prefer fishing), I went to a high school where classes were unofficially cancelled on the first day of deer season, so I have… Continue reading Next Time, Hit It With a Rock
Idle Thought
The New York Times this morning has a long article on the stolen paintings of Edvard Munch, most notably the iconic painting “The Scream.” Copies of “The Scream” (there are apparently four versions, which I didn’t know) have been stolen on two different occasions: in 1994, two thieves propped a ladder up against the wall… Continue reading Idle Thought
Half a Good Plan (Duke-UMD)
My Terrapins lost to the hated Dukies yesterday, 96-88. I’d be more down, but they actually played pretty well– they just aren’t that good a team this year, and Duke is better than they are. They gave a great effort, though, and might’ve had a chance if they’d had more than half of the right… Continue reading Half a Good Plan (Duke-UMD)
Links Dump
Miscellaneous quick things that I’ve noticed this week that don’t quite rate a full post of their own: First, a couple of links from
You’ll Have No Idea How Fast I’m Moving
The preliminary Boskone program has been posted, and I’ll soon be adding another tag with a “Participant” ribbon to my Wall of Name. (I have a big collection of nametags from various meetings hanging on a wall in my office.) Excerpts of the schedule will appear below the fold, with scattered commentary, for those who… Continue reading You’ll Have No Idea How Fast I’m Moving
Top Eleven: Edwin Hubble
The next experiment in the Top Eleven is a set of observations, not an experiment. Who: Edwin Hubble (1889-1953), an American astronomer, and the guy the Hubble Space Telescope is named after. When: He was nominated for two related but different discoveries which were announced in 1924 and 1929. What: Hubble’s most famous work concerns… Continue reading Top Eleven: Edwin Hubble