Now on ScienceBlogs: The Lights Stay On Inside a Black Hole!
Theoretical Musings
Dave Bacon is a theoretical ski bum who is also a pseudo professor. His research is on quantum computing, his scientific passions extend to everything in physics, mathematics, computer science and beyond, and his personal pleasures include making wine, playing poker, skiing, camping, and daydreaming (although not all of those at the same time.)
Nothing he says on this blog should be construed as having anything to do with his employer or his dog.
« Blog Posts With Scientific Content | Main | Pink Floyd Keyboardist Richard Wright Has Passed Away »
Category: Caltech • Self: Meet Center. Center: Meet Self.
Posted on: September 15, 2008 2:39 PM, by Dave Bacon
Dum, dum, dum, DUM DUM
No, it's not the monolith from 2001, but instead Millikan library at Caltech which I'm visiting. If you're ever around Caltech on Halloween, be sure to check out the pumpkin drop where frozen pumpkins are dropped off this gigantic monolith. I thought I saw a blue spark...
Always a bit strange going back to the place where you spent seven plus years of your life. Especially when it's a place like Caltech, I suppose.
Share this: Facebook Twitter Stumbleupon Reddit Email + More
TrackBack URL for this entry: http://scienceblogs.com/mt/pings/81214
PZ Myers 11.23.2009
Tim Lambert 11.22.2009
Ed Brayton 11.23.2009
PZ Myers 11.19.2009
Orac 11.23.2009
Subscribe to RSS feed
Comments
So do the pumpkins actually light on impact? I always thought it was cool that crushing polo mints gives off light.
Posted by: Joe Fitzsimons | September 15, 2008 6:57 PM
That photo shows an approximately catenary arch over Millikan Pond, just beyond a kinetic sculpture turning in wind and fountain-water.
I remember times when the pond was dyed as a prank. And there were banners hanging down the building with messages. For instance, when the Caltech President left Caltech to join the Nixon administration, the banner read: "D.C. You'r Loss is Our Gain!"
Competitions were held for how fast to circumnavigate the (in this picture, not quite visible) ledge around the roof. Once records were set, to do the same on roller skates.
This noble building was, with the temporary placque "Van Damm Industries", featured in an epsiode of the original "MIssion Impossible."
That polygonal room jutting out towards us is where the Board of Directors meets.
So, what are you at Caltech to do? Is there some cool public event that I am missing, maybe in CS or PHysics or both, as I teach 5 miles away?
Posted by: Jonathan Vos Post | September 16, 2008 9:54 AM
Just visiting the Institute for Quantum Information where I was once a postdoc.
Posted by: Dave Bacon | September 18, 2008 6:40 PM