I'm not taking as much heat as the other two amateur taxonomists on ScienceBlogs, but I'll also throw the topic open for suggestions. So, if I left your favorite sub-field of physics out of my Geek Taxonomy, drop me a comment suggesting a field that I left out, and what I ought to say about it. ( They needn't be serious.) If I get any good suggestions, I'll post an updated Taxonomy of Physics incorporating the suggestions.
If you have strong opinions about sub-fields of biology or anthropology, be sure to weigh in over at the Daily Transcript or Afarensis.
Comments
Condensed Matter Physics:
This may be the largest single field of physics, and it's probably the most important in everyday terms.
And you call elementary particle physicists arrogant? puh-leez. FermiLab roxors.
All kidding aside, I think you hit the nail on the head for the most part. You could add on the relatively minor branches like non-linear dynamics, geophysics, and even physics education research (i.e. Carl Wieman).
Posted by: Stephen | March 22, 2006 9:24 PM
*ahem*
The plural of "taxon" is "taxa".
Sincerely,
An uptight taxonomist
Posted by: Uptight Taxonomist | March 23, 2006 1:12 AM
And you call elementary particle physicists arrogant? puh-leez. FermiLab roxors.
Well considering the fact that Chad's an AMO physicist, it's hardly arrogant for him to be promoting condensed matter as the most important...
Posted by: Simon | March 23, 2006 5:44 AM
Taxon.
Taxoff.
Now you try...
Posted by: Jamie Bowden | March 23, 2006 2:15 PM