Beauty's Just Another Word I'm Never Certain How to Spell
Category: Social-Science
Some thoughts on beauty and economics, because Eric Weinstein asked.
Posted by Chad Orzel at 5:08 PM • 18 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
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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Economics:
Second-Hand Second-Rate Culture War Hackery
Category: Academia
Dave Munger on Twitter drew my attention to this blog post on college costs, and I really wish he hadn't. The post in question is really just a recap-with-links of an editorial by John Zmirak, blaming the high cost of...
Posted by Chad Orzel at 9:32 AM • 21 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Furloughs and Shutdowns
Category: Academia
Janet is currently exploring the implications of the California university furloughs. If you haven't been paying attention, California is so grossly dysfunctional that the state government has had to order all employees-- including university faculty-- to take 9% of their...
Posted by Chad Orzel at 12:14 PM • 9 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Let's Hear It for the Staff
Category: Academia
If you're in academia as a student or faculty member, take a few moments to appreciate the hard work done by the invisible support staff who keep the place running. They're every bit as important as the more visible faculty, so be nice to them.
Posted by Chad Orzel at 10:17 AM • 4 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Dispatches from the Class War: Educational Consultant Edition
Category: Academia
The New York Times has a habit of publishing these loathsome little profile articles that either belie the paper's liberal reputation, or are a stealthy attempt to bring about the Red Revolution by stoking class hatred. These generally take the...
Posted by Chad Orzel at 8:49 PM • 43 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Wanted: Non-Academic Scientists
Category: Non-Academic
If you have a science degree and a career off the academic science track, send me an email, send me an email, and let's see if we can help broaden the concept of science a little.
Posted by Chad Orzel at 12:28 PM • 25 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Unscientific America on Jobs in Science
Category: Academia
The most unfortunate thing about the furor over Unscientific America is that the vast majority of the shouting concerns a relatively small portion of the actual argument of the book. Far too much attention is being spent on the question...
Posted by Chad Orzel at 9:45 AM • 23 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Popularization Is Its Own Reward?
Category: Academia
One of the major problems contributing to the dire situation described in Unscientific America is that the incentives of academia don't align very well with the public interest. Academic scientists are rewarded-- with tenure, promotion, and salary increases-- for producing...
Posted by Chad Orzel at 12:09 PM • 14 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Paul Volcker: More Science, Less Finance
Category: Academia
The main speaker at yesterday's Commencement was Paul Volcker, the former Federal Reserve Chairman (the guy before Alan Greenspan) and current chair of President Obama's economic advisory council. As you would expect from somebody of his background, the bulk of...
Posted by Chad Orzel at 10:33 AM • 5 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
All Courses Are Not Created Equal
Category: Academia
The Dean Dad is annoyed with the New York Times, for an article about how the recession is affecting the humanities. The whole piece is worth a read, but he singles out a quote from the former president of my...
Posted by Chad Orzel at 9:44 AM • 14 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
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