“You’ve got these kids, and they’re creating these worlds, and they think they’re just playing a game, but they have to solve some of the hardest problems facing humanity.” Continue reading
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Blog 97. Seven Brief Lessons–without time
It’s about a space without time.
A small book, just a quarter-inch thick, made the New York Times bestseller list: SEVEN BRIEF LESSONS ON PHYSICS* by Carlo Rovelli. Bestseller? With that title? Continue reading
Blog 96. Where did solar buildings go?
When I say “solar building,” I don’t mean a house, or a school, or a parking shed, or some other building with photovoltaic panels on the roof. Continue reading
Blog 91. Can just anyone open a scientist’s email?
The 1/10/2016 New York Times (1/9/2016 web edition) offered an op-ed entitled, “Scientists, Give Up Your Emails.” The author, a journalist named Paul Thacker, asserted that agencies (including universities) should not keep secret the personal communications of scientists who work for the government. Continue reading
Blog 87. Wall Street and the myth of basic science
The 24 October Wall Street Journal featured an long (2200 words) essay by Matt Ridley (member, British House of Lords; author; and former chair of a failed British bank). Entitled “The Myth of Basic Science,” the essay argues that publicly funded basic scientific research is not beneficial, Continue reading
Blog 85. Should scientists become advocates?
Scientists are committed to tell the truth, as best they can from the measurements they make in the physical world. But you can’t apply a scientific statement, however true, to just any situation. Continue reading
Blog 84. Headline: CONNECTICUT-SIZED DEAD ZONE
The headline in EOS (earth and space science news) brought memory of an event ‘way back in the ’70s, when, on a warm summer day, my phone delivered a barrage of calls from outraged mothers. Continue reading
Blog 83. Headlines, hubris and earth science
“Budget meddling by congress?” We would rather read something terrible, tragic, or titillating. And short. Continue reading