Latest posts

How Do You Know How to Write a Thesis?

Posted on 15 September 2011 by Athene Donald

I wrote my PhD thesis so long ago it was typed for me by someone else based on my handwritten chapters; the diagrams were drawn laboriously and messily by me with a pen, ink and a fair number of smudges; and the micrographs were produced for me by the group photographer. I have absolutely no recollection of being told what the correct form for a th Continue reading →

Posted in Communicating Science, communication, examiners, PhD thesis, Research, Science Culture, viva | Comments Off on How Do You Know How to Write a Thesis?

Eye Candy Fractal Post [4]

Posted on 14 September 2011 by Richard Wintle

alien honeycomb
“Alien Honeycomb”

Henry’s recent post about music had the quite unexpected (I expect) result of spurring me to think again about a couple of old hobbies I’ve neglected for a while. One, the creation of super-excellent* electronic music, is something I’ve largely left behind since the arrival of a couple of Junior Rica Continue reading →

Posted in art, fractals, get back to work, Hobbies, hobby | Comments Off on Eye Candy Fractal Post [4]

I’m not insane. My mother had me tested.

Posted on 14 September 2011 by Cath@VWXYNot?

The recent conversation at DrugMonkey’s place about responding to previous grant reviews has proved very timely; I’m currently working on the first grant resubmission for which I’ve been chief wrangler. There have been some unbloggably hilarious emails pinging around between the various PIs, including much discussion about country Continue reading →

Posted in career, grant wrangling, Silliness, television | Comments Off on I’m not insane. My mother had me tested.

The Maison Des Girrafes Caption Competition #116

Posted on 14 September 2011 by Henry Gee

IMG_5713

Posted in Apparitions, canis secundus croxorum, Cromer, Domesticrox, Silliness, wot no seagulls | Comments Off on The Maison Des Girrafes Caption Competition #116

My guilt from the sidelines

Posted on 13 September 2011 by Steve Caplan

Like a moth drawn to the fire, I can’t stop myself. And I warn the reader that this blog doea not have anything directly to do with science, or life in science–although it does have to do with life. And equality. Or a lack of it.

Continue reading →
Posted in Equality, religion, religious coercion, women | Comments Off on My guilt from the sidelines

Feeding the Science Tamagotchi

Posted on 12 September 2011 by Cath@VWXYNot?

It started during my undergrad research project.

“I have to go into the lab tomorrow morning to feed all my cells, so I can’t stay out too late tonight or have a hangover tomorrow”, I’d say.

After comments along the lines of “feed your cells?! Continue reading →

Posted in career, drunkenness, education, grant wrangling, personal, rants, science, travel, whining | Comments Off on Feeding the Science Tamagotchi

Remembering

Posted on 11 September 2011 by Austin

Ten years ago today, the World Trade Centre twin towers were attacked and fell, with terrible loss of life.

Like most people, I guess, I can remember exactly where I was during the attacks – watching CNN in a high-rise hotel room in Kuala Lumpur, a one day stopover on the way back from Australia (conference, holiday) and New Zealand (conferen Continue reading →

Posted in History | Comments Off on Remembering

A momentary lapse of reason—Chapter Ten

Posted on 11 September 2011 by rpg

Chapter Nine

The Confession

Michel breathed in the freshness of the gardens, or the “Park” as it was known to the institute’s denizens. Part of the bequest that endowed the Wolfhaven (and persuaded a desperate government to part with more cash than a recalcitrant Minister for Innovation, Universities and Skills wanted to allow) w Continue reading →

Posted in A momentary lapse of reason | Comments Off on A momentary lapse of reason—Chapter Ten

Bobby Fischer against the world

Posted on 10 September 2011 by Austin

In which I am reminded that once stuff is in your brain somewhere cluttering it up, it can be pretty hard to get it out. Random bits of chess knowledge included.

It is probably another of those middle-aged things, but I find myself lately reflecting on the reasons why I might have got into particular activities that have been important in my life & Continue reading →

Posted in chess, Family business, Getting old, History, Nerdishness, Procrastination | Comments Off on Bobby Fischer against the world

Now I Can Retire: the measure of all things

Posted on 10 September 2011 by Steve Caplan

Generally speaking, scientists do not appear to be happy people. And by scientists, I refer to those actively doing research at academic institutions. No hard feelings for those who are not–I have no experience with industry, and my impression is that others in science-related fields (but not active research) appear somewhat more relaxed̵ Continue reading →

Posted in education, Research, retire, science, success, what makes a good scientist, when will a scientist be happy | Comments Off on Now I Can Retire: the measure of all things