In this post: the large versions of the Education and Career and Politics channel photos, comments from readers, and the best posts of the week.
Education and Career. From Flickr, by foundphotoslj
Politics. British anit-war protest. From Flickr, by dAVIDb1
Reader comments of the week:
The big news this week in Education and Careers was the new paper in the Public Library of Science by ScienceBloggers Nick Anthis, Shelley Batts and Tara Smith. The paper examined how blogging could be used to enhance scientific research. Drug Monkey was one of the first to blog about it, saying:
It is, admittedly, little more than a brief commentary but it does contain several citable bulletpoints. I imagine that if people really want to mainstream blogging into the Academy, this is a critical contribution.
The response from both the readers and the bloggers has been enthusiastic, but some wonder whether or not the institutional oversight recommended by the paper might interfere with the ability of the blogs to compete their mission effectively. Reader Isis the Scientist wrote:
You know, I think one of the things I value about pseudonymous blogging is mny freedom from 'da man.' At one point I had high hopes for Faculty of 1000, but I have often wondered reading it the degree to which people alter what they say about a particular article.
Over on the Politics Channel, shock, outrage and confusion about the financial crisis continued. Mike the Mad Biologist voiced his concern that the money used for the bailout will be drawn from other places, namely scientific funding.
It's very simple: if we sink $700 billion or more into propping up brokers you can kiss any science-related initiatives goodbye. No increases in certain basic research areas. No increases for public health. No research and development of green technologies. None of the things that a bunch of ScienceBloglings are talking about here. Instead, it all disappears down the porcelain crapper.
To which reader Joe responded:
As far as serious science initiatives are concerned I'd have to point out that even before this latest disaster the possibility of greatly increased science funding by the next U.S. administration has been small. The U.S. debt is currently at $9.6 Trillion with next year's deficit projected to run around $500 Billon. And that's pre-bailout numbers. You do the math.
At least science will be in good company. By being under funded as a result of the bailout, science will join the national school system, infrastructure and health care apparatus. What a club!
Some other Education and Career posts we thought were cool this week were:
Bush administration adopts NIH plan to shorten applications
Science birthday party! (Or what to do in a lab with 15 six/seven year olds)
Interpreting Grantsmanship Advice, Take Eleventy
Does your science class have a blog?
And from the Politics channel:
Shadow Banking System Unravels: Explains Bailout Timing
Socialized Business Losses Versus Socialized Medicine: What's Wrong with this Picture?
We are all screwed, aren't we?
Former National Review Publisher Endorses Obama
Look for highlights from other channels coming up!
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