I was thinking of trying to post something really erudite about science today, but a series of minor catastrophes has completely derailed that plan. Now, I’m just hoping to get through my afternoon lab without punching anybody. So, in place of the science stuff, here’s a pop music topic. While on the way to pick… Continue reading Pop Culture Interlude: Least Grammatical Lyrics?
Category: Music
Best Music of 2008
This is a much more idiosyncratic sampling than usual, for the simple reason that I bought very little music this year– probably the least since I started buying my own records. This was a combination of pre-SteelyKid austerity measures (do you know what day care costs these days?), post-SteelyKid lack of time to listen to… Continue reading Best Music of 2008
Christmas Songs That Don’t Suck, 2008
I’m beat, and I have a ton of stuff to do today, so here’s some seasonally-appropriate filler. I spent a while in a big chain bookstore’s cafe area yesterday, doing some edits on the book-in-progress (I can’t do this effectively anywhere where I have Internet access), and was stuck listening to some sort of “quirky”… Continue reading Christmas Songs That Don’t Suck, 2008
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
Two-Word Lyrics Quiz, #2
I’ve got meetings and phone calls most of the day, so here’s something to keep you amused. Each of the following two-word phrases is taken from a pop song, some well-known, some faintly obscure. If you think you can identify one, leave a comment containing a more complete version of the line in which it… Continue reading Two-Word Lyrics Quiz, #2
What Humanists Think
Last weekend’s post, The Innumeracy of Intellectuals, has been lightly edited and re-printed at Inside Higher Ed, where it should be read by a larger audience of humanities types. They allow comments, so it will be interesting to see what gets said about it there. I may have some additional comments on the issue later,… Continue reading What Humanists Think
Songs of the Moment
Currently in heavy rotation at Chateau Steelypips (links to last.fm): “Do the Panic” by Phantom Planet. I’m a sucker for the “Ba ba ba” chorus… “Sequestered in Memphis” by the Hold Steady. “We went to some place where she cat-sits.” I had to Google that. “Glad It’s Over” by Wilco. “I hate you one hundred… Continue reading Songs of the Moment
Paging Humanities Bloggers…
A question raised in comments to yesterday’s rant about humanities types looking down on people who don’t know the basics of their fields, while casually dismissing math and science: [I]t occurs to me that it would be useful if someone could determine, honestly, whether the humanities professors feel the same sense of condescension among science… Continue reading Paging Humanities Bloggers…
The Innumeracy of Intellectuals
I know nothing about art or music. OK, that’s not entirely true– I know a little bit here and there. I just have no systematic knowledge of art or music (by which I mean fine art and classical music). I don’t know Beethoven from Bach, Renaissance from Romantics. I’m not even sure those are both… Continue reading The Innumeracy of Intellectuals
My iPod Won’t Let Me Be President
Via Matt Yglesias, an interesting twist on the shuffle-play “meme”: 1. Take out your iPod (or Zune, I guess…really, who buys a Zune?) 2. Press shuffle songs. 3. Answer the following: a) How many songs before you come to one that would absolutely disqualify you from being President? b) What is that song? This sounds… Continue reading My iPod Won’t Let Me Be President