In which we look at a great commencement speech, the oversupply of mediocrity, the nominees for a science blogging award, and Facebook games distilled to their essence. ———— Wellesley High grads told: “You’re not special” | The Swellesley Report Yes, you’ve been pampered, cosseted, doted upon, helmeted, bubble-wrapped. Yes, capable adults with other things to… Continue reading Links for 2012-06-12
Author: Nathan
Relativity for Bay Area Dogs, Among Others
Two How to Teach Relativity to Your Dog items: First and foremost, I’ll be appearing at Kepler’s Books in Menlo Park, CA, this Thursday, June 14 at 7:00pm. I’ll probably read a bit of the book, so if you’ve ever wanted to hear me do the silly dog voice live, here’s your chance. Provided, of… Continue reading Relativity for Bay Area Dogs, Among Others
Single Photons Are Still Photons: “Wave-particle dualism and complementarity unraveled by a different mode”
In which we do a little ResearchBlogging, taking a look at a slightly confusing paper putting a new twist on the double-slit experiment. ———— I’m off to California this afternoon, spending the rest of the week at DAMOP in Pasadena (not presenting this year, just hanging out to see the coolest new stuff in Atomic,… Continue reading Single Photons Are Still Photons: “Wave-particle dualism and complementarity unraveled by a different mode”
Links for 2012-06-04
In which we look at a prize for science blogging, a new book club, and the unhappy situation of associate professors. ———— 3quarksdaily: Sean Carroll to Judge 4th Annual 3QD Science Prize As usual, this is the way it will work: the nominating period is now open, and will end at 11:59 pm EST on… Continue reading Links for 2012-06-04
Green Speckled Frogs
In which we look at the very latest in amphibian science. ———— The embedded video shows one Prof. S. Kid describing her latest observations in detail. It’s a very comprehensive study.
Links for 2012-06-03
In which we look at one of the great spoofs of all time, a clever twist on a viral physics video, one of the great cartoons of all time, the puzzling lack of relationship between violence and the NFL’s popularity, the new approach of the US National soccer team, one of the greatest musicians of… Continue reading Links for 2012-06-03
Arbitrary Numerical Signifier
Ten years. Still the best decision I ever made.
Excellent Approximations and Lying to Children
In which I talk about the common complaint that we teach students physics that “isn’t true,” and the limits on that statement. ———— Frequent commenter Ron sent me an email pointing to this post by David Reed on “What we “know” that t’aint so…. and insist on teaching to kids!”: he science we teach is… Continue reading Excellent Approximations and Lying to Children
Links for 2012-05-31
In which we look at creepy fairytales, the writing of science books, when overfishing is actually okay, and what it means to be an experimental physicist. ———— 10 Creepy Details Glossed Over By Modern Versions Of Fairy Tales A surprising number of these can still be found in SteelyKid’s fairy tale books. Making the leap… Continue reading Links for 2012-05-31
How the NBA Ruins Our Pick-Up Games
In which I get a little ranty about basketball. ———– Over at Slate, Matt Yglesias has a column about why everybody ignores the Spurs.: America—at least in its own imagination—stands for certain things. For the idea that hard work and sound judgment bring success, and that success deserves celebration. That winners should be celebrated as… Continue reading How the NBA Ruins Our Pick-Up Games