Latest posts

Evolution In Pictures #7

Posted on 19 July 2012 by Henry Gee

Evolution – probably the most misunderstood, misused and abused word in science. Like all words, its meaning has been subject to change. The word didn’t mean the same thing to Darwin as it does to us today. And it certainly gets applied to the darnedest things. Here, for example, is a photo kindly supplied by fellow Occam’s Typist Continue reading →

Posted in Darwin, evolution, evolution in pictures, Professor Trellis of North Wales, Science Is Vital, Silliness, Writing & Reading | Comments Off on Evolution In Pictures #7

In which we welcome a new friend

Posted on 17 July 2012 by Jennifer Rohn

There is nothing like the joy of finally getting a piece of lab equipment that you desperately need.

Crate

OK, so it was fun messing around with the Poor Man’s Shaking Incubator (see the exclusive video of the prototype in action here). But ultimately it proved unreliable, and I had to abandon that strategy. Continue reading →

Posted in The profession of science | Comments Off on In which we welcome a new friend

It Has Not Escaped Our Notice #3

Posted on 17 July 2012 by Henry Gee

I have been deluged with this photograph from my friend Professor Trellis of North Wales.
JG quantum tin_2128
‘I’ve become deeply disturbed by the way non-Newtonian physics is permeating everyday life,’ [Professor Trellis writes]

I purchased [the roasting tin] as a simple kitchen implement. Nothing fancy, just a passive device, as you might say. The Continue reading →

Posted in Professor Trellis of North Wales, quantum baking, Silliness, splanchnic mesoderm, warp factor | Comments Off on It Has Not Escaped Our Notice #3

Non-science hobbies (again) – the Honda Indy Toronto

Posted on 17 July 2012 by Richard Wintle

Race Winner - Ryan Hunter-Reay
One race winner, two cars, and three sponsor banners. Check, check, and check.

Those who’ve been following me for longer than I’ve been a resident at Occam’s Typewriter will know that I have a passion – some might call it an obsession – for photographing fast-moving vehicles. Most of the time, it’s just for me & Continue reading →

Posted in Hobbies, Honda, Indy, IndyCar, Photography, racing, Toronto | Comments Off on Non-science hobbies (again) – the Honda Indy Toronto

UK Government Goes For Broke on Open Access

Posted on 16 July 2012 by Stephen

Well that was quick. Less than a month after the Finch working group published its recommendations on the future of open access, UK science minister David Willetts has responded, saying in effect “Let’s go for it.” The government has taken essentially all of the recommendations on board and has committed the country to making all Continue reading →

Posted in David Willetts, Open Access, publishing, Science & Politics | Comments Off on UK Government Goes For Broke on Open Access

Black Night

Posted on 16 July 2012 by Henry Gee

I have just learned of the death today of Jonathan Douglas Lord, (1941-2012), founder member and original keyboard player with Deep Purple, and a considerable classical composer in his own right. He had been fighting a long battle against pancreatic cancer, and was just 71.

If ever I’ve had a musical hero, it was him.

Continue reading →
Posted in deep purple, Hammond organ, jon lord, Music, ray bartrip | Comments Off on Black Night

Abusing a Prior: some slides

Posted on 16 July 2012 by Bob O'H

Here are the slides for my talk today about Bayesian variable selection. It’s mainly of interest to other statisticians, my excuse is that I’m talking at a statistical meeting (and I’m a keynote speaker! Wooo!).

Continue reading →
Posted in statistics | Comments Off on Abusing a Prior: some slides

The Young Atheist’s Handbook by Alom Shaha

Posted on 14 July 2012 by Stephen

Don’t be misled by the title: this is a book about love. Love for life, love for family and love for curiosity, which leads — circularly — to a love affair with books.

Don’t be misled by the title: this is not a handbook. At least not in the sense of being a manual or guidebook for atheists. Continue reading →

Posted in alom shaha, Atheism, book review, physics, religion | Comments Off on The Young Atheist’s Handbook by Alom Shaha

Progress!

Posted on 14 July 2012 by Cath@VWXYNot?

I just made a to-do list for next week that contains:

  • more instances of “follow up with X about Y”;
  • more entries that start with the words “organise”, “set up”, or “finalise”;
  • many more acronyms (and initials instead of full names of colleagues / collaborators);
  • fewer entries that start with the word Continue reading →
Posted in blog buddies, camping, career, Silliness | Comments Off on Progress!