Monthly Archives: November 2014

What Makes a Breakthrough?

Posted on 12 November 2014 by Athene Donald

Until a few days ago, I’d never really thought very much about the Breakthrough Prize, a huge collection of prizes created by Mark Zuckerberg and friends. Or, more precisely a smallish collection of huge prizes, the big ones each being … Continue reading →

Posted in BBC, Breakthrough Prize, Communicating Science, Longitude Prize, Saul Perlmutter, Science Funding, YourLIfe | Comments Off on What Makes a Breakthrough?

“The Whipping Man”–don’t miss it!

Posted on 12 November 2014 by Steve Caplan

Over two years ago, I blogged in this space about “A Secular Passover” and discussed, among other issues, American Jews of the confederate south around the time of the civil war. Caleb (Andy Prescott), John (Luther Simon) and Simon (Carl … Continue reading →

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The Breakthrough Prize Doesn’t

Posted on 11 November 2014 by Bob O'H

Yesterday the recipients of next year’s Breakthrough Prize were announced. We’re told that these are meant to “elevate scientists to rock-star status” and to “inspire the next generation of scientists”. If that’s the aim, then they are going to be … Continue reading →

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Ghost un-authorships

Posted on 7 November 2014 by Bob O'H

I’m currently reading Ben Goldacre’s Bad Pharma, in which he documents all the naughty things done by the Pharma industry. One of the many infelicities he mentions is their habit of ghostwriting academic papers, and then asking an academic to … Continue reading →

Posted in Friday Fun, science publishing | Comments Off on Ghost un-authorships

When the Magic Falters

Posted on 7 November 2014 by Athene Donald

This autumn in Cambridge the weather has been rather kind. The trees around the College have been spectacular, reminding me of fall in New England, and until recently cycling has been possible without any sort of jacket as opposed to … Continue reading →

Posted in challenges, depression, education, exhilaration, Science Culture | Comments Off on When the Magic Falters

DEDPXL recap

Posted on 4 November 2014 by Richard Wintle

[Warning – this post contains, at the bottom, one image with mature content. Potential triggers: suicide, depression, addiction.] Back in March of this year, I posted about how I’d jumped in to a new online photographic community named DEDPXL, run … Continue reading →

Posted in DEDPXL, Hobbies, Photography, Zack Arias | Comments Off on DEDPXL recap

Voices

Posted on 3 November 2014 by Erika Cule

One of the advantages of being “Beyond the PhD” is having enough time to do all of those things I used to want to do when all of my time was taken up by writing up. After handing in my corrections, and … Continue reading →

Posted in book reviews, Bookslam, Fun, Life, London | Comments Off on Voices