Now on ScienceBlogs: Where Were You When...?
Physics, Politics, Pop Culture
"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.
Category: Physics
Film critic A. O. Scott can't even be bothered to get the right names for the crucial scientific principles that he waves off as "complex and esoteric." This is a pretty sad showing, given that I can explain them to my dog.
Posted by Chad Orzel at 2:50 PM • 22 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: Academia
Yes, indeed, according to Harpers, math and science are undemocratic and their dominance over modern American education is killing democracy. You can see this reflected in the way that math and science dominate the requirements for a Regent's diploma in New York State, accounting for 6.5 of the 18.5 credits required for graduation.
Posted by Chad Orzel at 9:49 AM • 36 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: Two Cultures
Via Bora on FriendFeed, a cute little art project from MIT that takes a name, scans the Web for mentions of that name, and produces a color-coded bar categorizing the various mentions of that name. Here's what you get if...
Posted by Chad Orzel at 11:28 AM • 16 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
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
Category: Science
his is a very good book, well argued and engagingly written. There's a lot of good stuff here, and a lot of food for thought about the history and future of science in America. Even if you've read their blog, Unscientific America presents the most complete and coherent version of their basic policy argument you're likely to find, and it's well worth reading.
Posted by Chad Orzel at 9:11 AM • 6 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: Two Cultures
Not long after I posted my comments about textbook prices, I went to a panel discussion on teaching, where a social scientist made an interesting observation about the ways different disciplines interact with books. In the humanities, the whole point...
Posted by Chad Orzel at 11:34 AM • 12 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: Science Books
Carl Zimmer sent me a message via Facebook, which made me think I might owe the New York Times an apology for last week's ranting. Publishers Weekly has come out with their list of the best books of the year,...
Posted by Chad Orzel at 10:00 AM • 2 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: Science
I'm upset about the lack of science book coverage in the Times for the same reason that I'm upset with CNN shutting down its science division: these are symptoms of, and aggravating factors for the general societal disinterest in science.
Posted by Chad Orzel at 9:37 AM • 22 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: Science Books
This year's New York Times Notable Books list includes two science books. Woo-hoo!
Posted by Chad Orzel at 10:56 AM • 8 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: Math
A Washington Post blogger proudly proclaims her ignorance of junior high school math and high school physics.
Posted by Chad Orzel at 10:16 AM • 26 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
