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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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Category: Steelykid!
A reading from the Book of Genesis: 1 And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech. 2 And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land...
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Posted by Chad Orzel at 8:04 PM • 6 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: Steelykid!
SteelyKid shows off her recently expanded climbing ability: I could attempt to make a strained connection to the Fourth of July by making some analogy between a baby climbing stairs and the need for constant slow improvement in the national...
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Posted by Chad Orzel at 8:50 AM • 4 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: Steelykid!
SteelyKid has recovered her usual energy level, as you can tell by the giant debris field she's created in the living room: Looking at her there, among the scattered toys with Appa, you might be saying "Boy, what a great...
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Posted by Chad Orzel at 7:56 PM • 2 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: Steelykid!
Whoever came up with the idea of making little string bikinis in infant sizes should be beaten to death with Barbie dolls. Seriously. The world does not need 6-9 month size versions of the useless "swimwear" that gets modeled in...
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Posted by Chad Orzel at 6:40 PM • 10 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: Personal
The National Science Foundation uses a computerized proposal-and-report submission system called FastLane. When I first submitted a proposal, this required three things to log in: your last name, your Social Security number, and a password of your choice. Sometime in...
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Posted by Chad Orzel at 2:56 PM • 7 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: Academia
The following is the (approximate) text of the speech I gave Friday night at the Whitney Point High School graduation. Or, at least, this is what I typed out for myself Thursday night-- what actually comes out of my mouth...
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Posted by Chad Orzel at 9:14 AM • 5 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: Personal
I'm headed home to give a speech at my old high school's graduation. Which is a weird feeling-- I don't feel like I'm really old or successful enough to be on the lecture circuit. Then again, it is twenty years...
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Posted by Chad Orzel at 12:11 PM • 0 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: Steelykid!
You get Baby Blogging early today, because I have a ton of grading to finish today, and don't have time for bloggy things. This week, SteelyKid shows off two new-ish skills: She can stand up, and she's strong enough to...
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Posted by Chad Orzel at 9:49 AM • 4 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: Steelykid!
SteelyKid attempts to show off her street cred: Of course, her attempt at looking tough is kind of undermined by the Princess Tutu type duck on her hoodie... That's ok, though, because it's all fun:...
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Posted by Chad Orzel at 9:40 AM • 2 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: Steelykid!
My mom was in Saratoga Springs for a meeting, and stopped by tonight to make a guest appearance in this week's Baby Blogging. Here, SteelyKid shows off how she can haul herself into a standing position on the big tub...
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Posted by Chad Orzel at 8:33 PM • 3 Comments • 0 TrackBacks