Chris Mooney has a new Science Progress column on the number of scientists that challenges the claim that there are not enough students earning science degrees. The facts clearly say otherwise, no matter how you slice them. According to the National Science Foundation, in 2006–the last year for which data is currently available–the nation produced… Continue reading Make the Right Claims
Month: August 2008
Security Theater
In the wake of the Virginia Tech shootings, Union, like most other colleges and universities, installed a new emergency alert system, which they test much more frequently than it can possibly require. This always produces a flurry of emails alerting us to the upcoming test, and then the test message itself (which is also read… Continue reading Security Theater
In Defense of Short Papers
The Mad Biologist points to and agrees with a post by Jonathan Eisen with the dramatic title “Why I Am Ashamed to Have a Paper in Science. Eisen’s gripe is mostly about Science not being Open Access, but he throws in a complaint about length restrictions, which is what the Mad Biologist latches on to… Continue reading In Defense of Short Papers
The Relevance of Relevance
Via Swans On Tea, a ranty blog post titled Sucky Schools – How To Repair Our Education System, which takes its structure and much of its tone from Paul Lockhart’s “Mathematician’s Lament” (which, unfortunately, is a PDF file). I’m fond of ranty posts about education reform, but both of these kind of lose me. Lockhart,… Continue reading The Relevance of Relevance
links for 2008-08-20
slacktivist: Saddleback "The Democratic senator wasn’t there to try to win evangelical votes by touting his support for abortion rights. Nor was he there hoping to persuade them to change their minds on that question. What he did instead was this: He disagreed with them." (tags: politics US society religion) Physics Today Campaign 2008 –… Continue reading links for 2008-08-20
Free Books Reminder
First of all, if you’re Tony DeCapio, you need to send Kate an email address so she can contact you regarding the free book offer. Leave it in a comment at her LiveJournal– she’s screening the comments, so there’s no chance that spammers will get it. If the previous sentence doesn’t make sense to you,… Continue reading Free Books Reminder
Fit Trumps Fat
The New York Times today has an article about obesity, showcasing new studies that find weight isn’t that important as an indicator of health: Despite concerns about an obesity epidemic, there is growing evidence that our obsession about weight as a primary measure of health may be misguided. Last week a report in The Archives… Continue reading Fit Trumps Fat
Journalists Doing Science Right
Via a comment to an earlier post, here’s an example of a journalist doing science right: NPR’s Sarah Varney looks at “cleansing” foot pads, and finds them wanting. She took a set of the pads, tried them out, and then brought used and new pads to a laboratory at Berkeley, where chemists studied the composition… Continue reading Journalists Doing Science Right
The Dogparent
I’m at the computer, typing, when SteelyKid starts fussing in the porta-crib in the living room. “Oh, why are you crying?” I say, as I cross the room. This is the fifth outbreak of fussiness today. “What am I going to do with you?” “We could eat it!” the dog says, from her pillow next… Continue reading The Dogparent
links for 2008-08-19
College cocktails lead to science career ""I could mix drinks without measuring," Sacchettini recalls. "Turns out that was perfect training for biochemistry."" (tags: academia biology chemistry medicine science jobs drugs) Musical Perceptions: Can’t even win a dull contest We’re #2… on the list of dullest college towns in America… (tags: academia silly) Built on Facts… Continue reading links for 2008-08-19