Monthly Archives: August 2011

Gloom

Posted on 6 August 2011 by Henry Gee

No wonder Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac look pensive. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, looking pensive. Recently.

Posted in algorithm, eschatologically, hermeneutics, heuristic, paradigm, Politicrox, Silliness, Standard and Poors, triple-A rating, US debt crisis | Comments Off on Gloom

Egocentric and Eccentric–scientists and politicians

Posted on 6 August 2011 by Steve Caplan

Scientists are well known for the eccentricity. Bill Bryson’s wonderful book “A Short History of Nearly Everything” gives some wonderful accounts of the scientists whose seminal findings these past 400 years are the basis of modern science. As one example, … Continue reading →

Posted in Bill Bryson, David Levy, great frigate, humor, jokes, Lord Cavendish, pufferfish, Research, science, scientists | Comments Off on Egocentric and Eccentric–scientists and politicians

For we all, like sheep

Posted on 5 August 2011 by rpg

Here the UK we have an “e-petition” website, where you can get get a bunch of like-minded people to sign up to your latest crazy idea and if you can find another 99,999 crazies then the Government has said it … Continue reading →

Posted in abortion, death penalty, rants, wibbling, you | Comments Off on For we all, like sheep

Science, fashion and the best stem cell dress you’ll (n)ever wear.

Posted on 5 August 2011 by Richard Wintle

A shameless cross-post from a topic I started at the Lablit forum. This wonderful dress is part of an exhibit at the Ontario Science Centre, entitled The Beauty of Stem Cells – Fashion Inspired by Stem Cell Research. Unfortunately, I … Continue reading →

Posted in art, education, fashion, Ontario Science Centre, OSC, science, stem cell, The Beauty of Stem Cells, Why not?, Would you wear this? | Comments Off on Science, fashion and the best stem cell dress you’ll (n)ever wear.

A momentary lapse of reason

Posted on 4 August 2011 by rpg

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away… Before Experimental Heart was published, a discussion at the LabLit fora centered on whether it was possible to write an exciting story that remained true to real lab life. I … Continue reading →

Posted in A momentary lapse of reason | Comments Off on A momentary lapse of reason

Science, it’s a bloody marvel [1]

Posted on 4 August 2011 by Stephen

Michael Brooks has scratched beneath the glossy surface of science to write a revealing and thoroughly entertaining book about its practitioners. By cutting so close to the scientific bone that it spills blood, his “Free Radicals” departs violently from the … Continue reading →

Posted in book review, History of Science, Michael Brooks, Science & Politics, Scientific Life | Comments Off on Science, it’s a bloody marvel [1]

Did Tolkien Support The Canaries?

Posted on 4 August 2011 by Henry Gee

As both of you probably know, I edit Mallorn, the Journal of the Tolkien Society. I also support Norwich City FC. Being short of an envoi for the issue of Mallorn I’m currently putting together (Oh Joy! When I finish, … Continue reading →

Posted in Football, hobbits, lord of the rings, tolkien, Writing & Reading | Comments Off on Did Tolkien Support The Canaries?

A week in the Library

Posted on 3 August 2011 by Frank Norman

From time to time people ask me what I do all day. Sometimes it’s school students spending a week with us on work experience who do the asking, sometimes it’s my boss at my annual appraisal, sometimes it’s just random … Continue reading →

Posted in Libday7, Libraries and librarians | Comments Off on A week in the Library

This.

Posted on 3 August 2011 by Cath@VWXYNot?

(“Federal scientist unfairly silenced, union says” – CBC News) I wonder how long this whole social media experiment of direct communication with The People will last… (My favourite comment on the cat photo album: “Please don’t eat this one, Prime … Continue reading →

Posted in bad people, Canada, communication, current affairs, environment, furry friends, Politics, science | Comments Off on This.

Do You Recognize this Person?

Posted on 3 August 2011 by Athene Donald

Since it is the vacation, and few committee meetings are being held, I thought now might be a good moment to revisit the characteristics of Committee Chairs I promised a little while ago . Given the timing, my colleagues are … Continue reading →

Posted in committee meetings, decision-making, efficiency, Science Culture | Comments Off on Do You Recognize this Person?