Blame Bryan O’Sullivan for this– after his comment about misreading “Bohmian Mechanics” as “Bohemian Mechanics,” I couldn’t get this silly idea out of my head. And this is the result. I like to think that this was Brian May‘s first draft (he does have a Ph.D. in astrophysics, after all), before Freddie Mercury got hold… Continue reading Bohemian Mechanical Rhapsody
Category: Silliness
Scaaaary Poll
Tomorrow is the annual Steinmetz Symposium at Union, where students who have done some sort of research present their results. Which means that today there are a lot of students fretting about having to give a public presentation tomorrow. Just to remind them that there are worse things than giving a research talk to a… Continue reading Scaaaary Poll
Dorky Poll: Light Entertainment
I’m off to Williamstown this afternoon, to talk about research and alsoHow to Teach Physics to Your Dog. If you need blog-based entertainment, though, here are some shiny new radio buttons for you to click: You’re a beam of light: quick, what’s your polarization?online survey I won’t offer a personality analysis based on these results,… Continue reading Dorky Poll: Light Entertainment
On the Quantum Physics of Whiteboards
I’m teaching Physics 350: Quantum Mechanics this term, which is a junior/senior level elective course using Townsend’s book which deals with quantum mechanics in the state vector formalism. The room in which the class meets is the only one in the department that contains a whiteboard (using dry-erase markers) rather than a blackboard (using chalk).… Continue reading On the Quantum Physics of Whiteboards
Dorky Poll: Would You Like Constants With That?
I wanted to test whether I can put links into PollDaddy poll items for the Laser Smackdown wrap-up tomorrow, so I needed a test poll. But, of course, if I’m going to go to the trouble, I might as well post it, so here’s a dorky poll inspired by the fact that the book I’m… Continue reading Dorky Poll: Would You Like Constants With That?
Dorky Poll: TV Technology
I won’t attempt to explain the chain of reasoning that led to this topic this morning. The poll itself doesn’t need much explanation, though: As any geek knows, the tv show(s) CSI: Descriptive Subtitle rely heavily on fake technologies. which of these would you most like to be real? Which imaginary technology from CSI would… Continue reading Dorky Poll: TV Technology
Dorky Poll: Numbers
I’m still getting things squared away after my blogging break, but as a step on the way back toward normal programming, here’s a Dorky Poll: What kind of numbers do you most like to work with? What kind of numbers do you like best?online surveys You can only choose a single answer, which I’m sure… Continue reading Dorky Poll: Numbers
The Use of Approved Electronic Devices Is Not Approved
I have chickened out in the face of the Snowpocalypse, and moved my flight up to get out of DC before the storm. I’m too old to sleep in airports any more. In honor of my spending another day on a plane, here’s another airline-themed poll for you: The flight crew insist I turn off… Continue reading The Use of Approved Electronic Devices Is Not Approved
Airline Poll: Would You Like a Drink?
I’m on the road today, so here’s a poll for you, in honor of the question I will probably be getting asked right around when this posts: Would you like a beverage?(surveys) Please be sure that your comments are stowed beneath the seat in front of you, or in the overhead compartment. Thank you for… Continue reading Airline Poll: Would You Like a Drink?
Weather Explains Politics
In the wake of recent political developments, there has been a lot of hand-wringing about why Democrats in Congress are so spineless, and have been unable to pass meaningful legislation despite huge majorities. After thinking about my travel plans last night, I think I have the key to the Grand Unified Theory of American politics.… Continue reading Weather Explains Politics