links for 2009-01-03 : Uncertain Principles

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"Uncertain Principles" features the miscellaneous ramblings of a physicist at a small liberal arts college. Physics, politics, pop culture, and occasional conversations with his dog.

You've read the blog, now try the book: How to Teach Physics to Your Dog will be published December 22nd by Scribner.

"Prof. Orzel gives the impression of an everyday guy who just happens to have a vast but hidden knowledge of physics." (anonymous student evaluation comment)

Emmy is a German Shepherd mix, and the Queen of Niskayuna. She likes treats, walks, chasing bunnies, and quantum physics.

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links for 2009-01-03

Posted on: January 3, 2009 4:01 AM, by Chad Orzel

Refuted economic doctrines #1: The efficient markets hypothesis at John Quiggin

"I'm starting my long-promised series of posts on economic doctrines and policy proposals that have been refuted or rendered obsolete by the financial crisis. [...] Number One on the list is a topic I've covered plenty of times before (in fact, I was writing about it fifteen years ago), the efficient (financial) markets hypothesis. "

(tags: politics economics social-science society)
Robert Donoghue - 'This guy gets a blanket'

"I discovered Donald Westlake in high school, when I was randomly raiding the local library for interesting looking mysteries. I found one called "Castle in the Air" by Donald Westlake, and it caught my eye. While it was filed with the mysteries, it was actually a caper (though I wouldn't have known to call it that at the time) about groups of thieves trying to steal a castle in transit. It was funny and engaging, and I decided to read some more of this guys books. "

(tags: culture books mystery)
Tor.com / Science fiction and fantasy / Blog posts / Donald E. Westlake 1933-2008

"Westlake had a good life, and a productive career by any standards, but I will cherish the books he did write and miss the ones he never will."

(tags: culture literature books mystery)
Thoughts from Kansas : Governator to science education: Drop dead

"The state needs to balance its budget, and given the fraction of the budget dedicated to education, I don't doubt that budget cuts will hit education. But Schwarzenegger's plan doesn't just force education to pay its fair share in the near term, it hamstrings students and educators for years to come. And that's simply unacceptable."

(tags: science education politics US)
Respectful Insolence: The woo-meister supreme returns, and he's brought his friends

Oh, Deepak Chopra, no...

(tags: science blogs politics stupid medicine)