Now on ScienceBlogs: And so, driven on ceaselessly toward new shores
The trials, tribulations, and joys of a Neuroscience gradute student writing her thesis in the postmodern, post-Y2K world.
Shelley Batts is a Neuroscience PhD candidate at the University of Michigan. She studies hair cell regeneration in the cochlea, and is just embarking on that quixotic quest called 'thesis.' She lies awake at night pondering how science intersects with politics, culture, policy, money, medicine, and religion in an attempt to be more than just a niche scientist sitting in the oh-so-lovely ivory tower. Follow me and my parrot on the quest to get funded, get a PhD, and stay sane.
Those who dwell, as scientists or laymen, among the beauties and mysteries of the earth, are never alone or weary of life. ~Rachel Carson
Cochlear Hair Cell Regeneration
Interview With Dr. Irene Pepperberg
On Religion and Taking the 'Red Pill'
Neuroscience of Cocaine Addiction
Parrots Have Object Permanance
Retrospectacle is now Of Two Minds!
November 30, 2006
Category: Beating 'Round the Bushes
Instead of firing US officials who speak their mind regarding US foreign policy, why not listen? A senior State Department analyst, Kendall Myers, made several informal statements in an academic forum that might cost him his job. What were the...
Posted by Shelley Batts at 4:16 PM • 9 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
November 29, 2006
Category: Movie Reviews
I absolutely loved Aronofsky's work. Not that there's so much of it, only "Pi" and "Requiem for a Dream" plus some student works. But I've heard mixed things about his most recent movie "The Fountain." So: Have you seen it?...
Posted by Shelley Batts at 5:17 PM • 3 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: Chemistry
According to CNN, the guards who roughed up a Florida teenager at a military-style bootcamp, who later died, will be charged in his death. This incident, which took place around Pensacola, was a huge scandal for Florida which resulted in...
Posted by Shelley Batts at 8:38 AM • 7 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
November 28, 2006
Category: Memes
What American accent do you have? Your Result: The Midland "You have a Midland accent" is just another way of saying "you don't have an accent." You probably are from the Midland (Pennsylvania, southern Ohio, southern Indiana, southern Illinois, and...
Posted by Shelley Batts at 2:20 PM • 19 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: Stupidity
Thanks to Mustafa Mond, FCD for bringing this to my attention. The notorious peace wreath (reported on below) which was garnering a $25/day fine from the owner's homeowner association will stay put. According to the committee chairman, who was backpedaling...
Posted by Shelley Batts at 12:59 PM • 4 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: Global Politics
Had to smoosh it down to fit. Click View image to enlarge it!...
Posted by Shelley Batts at 12:47 PM • 1 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
November 27, 2006
Category: Health Care
November is Native American History Month, and while walking down the corridors of the UM Hospital this morning, I spied a flier with some disturbing statistics. I had known that Native Americans suffered a large disparity in health, as compared...
Posted by Shelley Batts at 12:02 PM • 7 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: Stupidity
No? Me either. But the owner is getting fined $25/day until they take it down. Some hogwash about hating troops and loving the Debil. Its sad when peace and tolerance have become un-American....
Posted by Shelley Batts at 10:27 AM • 15 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: Weird Science
You've all heard the old adage "Money can't buy happiness." But honestly, money can buy a Ferrari, and when was the last time you saw someone in a Ferrari who wasn't smiling? Now, I'm surely not saying that money is...
Posted by Shelley Batts at 8:31 AM • 5 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
November 24, 2006
Category: Friday Grey Matters
African Grey Parrots are so loved, they've even been honored with stamps in many countries! The stamp on the upper left was a 3 cent stamp issued in Cuba in 1967, one of 15 in a collection of birds...
Posted by Shelley Batts at 12:34 PM • 4 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
